Horror Books

I've read this book several times. Every time I pick it up, I end up laughing until I almost cry. As a bachelor myself, I relate to the grains of reality underneath O'Rouke's great sarcasm.

Not as good as "Eat The Rich" or "Parliament of Whores" or "All The Trouble in the World" or "Holidays in Hell" or "Give War A Chance"; those books are thought-provoking as well as screamingly funny. This one is just screamingly funny, but this might actually be a plus for people whose response to some of P.J.'s better works is a defensive "That's not funny!"; P.J. has a tendancy to poke fun at EVERYTHING, including the sacred cows of people who he disagrees with (and sometimes those he agrees with.)

As a 32 yr old bacelor, this book had me literally HOWLING with laughter! I let my girlfriend read it. We aren't dating anymore, LOL. As ridiculous and as obscene as some of it seems, it is startling to realize that I have actually LIVED like that!

FIVE STARS,..!!!!!!

I've been on a tear of P.J. O'Rourke's books lately, starting with Republican Party Reptile and so forth. This is by far one of P.J.'s best. I'm on the other side of the coin politically (fairly liberal) myself, but P.J. usually spares no one, and I admire that (Rush and his wacko friends could learn a thing or two).

This book is just about how to get by if you're a bachelor. It's incredibly funny for the most part (the cooking sections should not be read if you've just ate!). This is a fantastic little book, very helpful if you plan to live like a slob or like a typical college freshman.

The Bachelor Home Companion: A Practical Guide to Keeping House Like A Pig written by P.J. O'Rourke is a very funny, keep you in stiches book.

You'll never keep a house neat and tidy after you read this book. Of Course, that's assuming that you already do. What its like as a bachelor in theory as to actually being one is, according to O'Rourke, a great disparity. If you want to laugh and be entertained at the same time then this little tome is for you to enjoy.

Humor abounds and your life will definately take a turn... for better or worse will depend on you.According to O'Rourke... "How often does a house need to be cleaned, anyway? As a general rule, once every girlfriend. After that she can get to know the real you."

I used to read Bony Legs when I was little. I was so excited when I saw it on Amazon. It's a silly story about a girl named Sasha and a witch who wants to eat her...good verses evil. Sasha helps some creatures along the way, and it turn, they help her escape the evil witch.
It's a quick read and it's lots of fun!

I have purchased this book for my neices usually around Halloween time.
It is a book not many have heard of, but always enjoy.

Tracy

This book by the Magic School Bus author is really fun to read. It is a russian fairy tale of a witch named Bony Legs who likes to eat children. The story is about a little girl who escapes because of all the good deeds she has done to help others -- a cat, a dog and a gate. My kids (5 and 3 years) really enjoyed it.

My four year old son REALLY enjoys this book. It's a fun read and reinforces the value of being kind to others. It's also a great introduction into Russian folklore.

I wouldn't normally bother to add a review when so many others have already written reviews, but I do have some noteworthy information for people considering buying this book. I'm a teacher advisor for a large public school program serving kids in grades K-12 who are out of regular school due to medical conditions. I have to tell you--this book is a HIT! It's an easy reader, but it's not babyish at all. I've had kids in grades K-8 like it, including middle school kids who are poor readers (often for ESL reasons). The story is just scary enough to be intriguing, but it has a happy ending; there's also an excellent theme of how kindness pays and a fantastic chase scene at the end. As a fairy tale connoisseur, I'm convinced that Baba Yaga--from the Russian tradition--is THE coolest, scariest witch ever. (For a longer variation of this story, see Baba Yaga and Vasilissa the Brave, retold by Marianna Mayer and illustrated by K.Y. Craft.) I only wish there were more stories told this simply and effectively, with this kind of broad appeal.

Lucy Chase Williams, where are you? Have you written any oher books besides this splendid tribute to Vincent Price?

OK, maybe you were a little harsh on BACKTRACK, but I admit it is not a film for everybody. Jodie Foster was in her adventurous period then, and making a film by Dennis Hopper was probably a mistake, but give her credit for trying something different! As for Price, he is terrific in the movie, and the whole thing is defnitely a more worthy picture than many which you,
But in the main what can I say, you've done an excellent job, not only interviewing the obvious co-stars and producers, but also some obscure ones. I was thrilled to find an interview with the late Alexander Knox in your book. Knox, who played WILSON in the eponymous 1944 Fox historical epic, gave this interview only a few days before his own death, and reading his words gives the avid reader a new insight into the way Vincent Price saw his own function as an actor, an entertainer, and a man of public policy. I wonder if it's true that Price was a victim of blacklisting; certainly his career changes radically during the McCarthy Era and when it was over, he was firmly typecast in a series of profitable, some very successful artistically almost in spite of himself, B pictures. Did he regret going the horror route? You could never really tell. This book dips a little into Price's resentment at the way Sears ruined his credibility as a collector and art historian.

The book makes us long for the release of more of Price's 1940s films on DVD! How about MOSS ROSE or THE WEB or THE EVE OF ST MARK

The photos are unbelievable, especially the bare-shouldered, long-haired beefcake shot that begins the book (London, 1935, with a pervert behind the camera) or the December 1964 shot in which Elsa Lanchester, Vampira, and Carroll Borland pose with Price at the opening of THE TOMB OF LIGEIA. All these different generations of horror stars frozen forever in one frame: it's like a white version of A GREAT DAY IN HARLEM.

The first part of this coffee-table sized book gives an overview of Vincent Price's life, as well as his career. Obviously not a believer in reincarnation, this section concludes with a quote from Vincent Price himself. "You only get one time around, so why waste a minute of this glorious life?" The remainder of this book discusses every feature film connected with Vincent Price, whether he was the star, co-star, narrator, had a brief cameo or did the voice of an animated character. All 100 entries give the release date of the film, the film studio that made the picture, the running time, whether it was filmed in black and white or color, the cast, the director, the producer, the writer, etc. The next section gives a synopsis of the plot, sometimes followed by quotes from the man himself or other actors appearing in the film, and all concluding with contemporary reviews of the movie. Each entry has at least one photo from the actual film or a candid picture taken on the film set or, at the very least, the accompanying movie poster. Two things struck me while reading this book. One, Vincent Price was a versatile actor who excelled in every genre of film he appeared in, not just horror movies. Two, every actor quoted mentioned his wicked sense of humor, how great he was to get along with, and his professionalism. Of the latter, Gregory Peck summed it up best. "You get a bad piece of material, you do everything you can to improve it...That's what you're supposed to do. That's what Vincent did. I'm sure that he never, in his life, phoned it in, so to speak, or did less than his utmost best..." If you're looking for a book that dishes dirt and recounts gossip, look elsewhere. If you're looking for a comprehensive book of all of Vincent Price's movies, look no further.

Forget the biographical portion of this book - it's short and general, though sufficient to the purpose of what this volume really is, which is a celebration of Price's life and films.

What sells this book is the pictures. Gorgeous stills from all of Price's movies - and quite a few from his life and stage plays, as well - plentifully stuff this beautiful coffee-table offering, on every page. Each film is discussed briefly, along with notes on its place in Price's life and ouevre, and accompanied by comments from his directors, producers and co-stars, and even Price, himself. Each picture is worth a thousand words, and some of them are really remarkable - for instance, cartoon cells from characters Price voiced for Disney studios and Miramax (The Great Mouse Detective and Arabian Knight) and Hanna-Barbera's The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo. There are photos of him with famous seemingly unlikely latter-day admirers, like Alice Cooper. Caricatures and print-ads abound, such as Price selling Tuaca liqueur and Emba minks. Even his image on a long-forgotten Milton Bradley "Shrunken Head Apple Sculpture" kit is on display.

If you're a fan, or looking for a Christmas or birthday present for someone who is, you just couldn't beat the bargain of this book at twice the "price"!

I can hear that silly associate of Patsy Stone's of ABFAB saying "lots of lovely...photos," and besides being a great filmography of Price's work, this book features a host of visuals that aren't the run-of-the-mill variety publicity shots you're likely to find elsewhere. Nice quips from Price himself and colleagues about his films, life, and art-collecting. A great reference for the shelf. Wholly recommended.

on page 252-253 there's a great picture of Price, Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and John Carradine in 1983 during a photo session for the film "House of the Long Shadows", a movie that i like {however, i hate the character that Arnaz, Jr. played because of his cynicism and lack of respect for traditional horror}. the pictures, incidentally, make up for the lack of coverage of Vincent's other careers! there's pictures of his cartoon characters from Disney and Hanna-Barbera. there's posters for the "Butterfly Ball" project plus numerous print ads for products that appeared in magazines. a picture of him with Alice Cooper is also shown! the rest of this book highlights all 100 of Vincent's FEATURE films, which are anything that is shown in movie theatres. i think the book is great! seeing the pictures and movie posters are like walking through time...i wouldn't have added any negative criticism about the movies because it dampens the mood of the book, which is to be a celebration of his career in movies...but there are several harsh criticisms of his films from critics and Vincent himself, who himself was a critic: of art! the book also contains Vincent's now-legendary comments on his own profession just after wrapping up the 1987-released film "The Offspring". in brief, Price announces that he's tired and bored talking about horror films. it's then explained that the film he just finished maybe caused him to be a bit testy with the reporter. Price had realized after his scenes were complete that the producers/director were filming extreme gore and slasher elements to be aired around his narrative parts and it made him furious that his name and image would be grouped with that TYPE of film once again {1984's "Bloodbath at the House of Death" was pretty gory and Price's appearance clashes with the sadistic storyline}. "The Offspring" was a Tales From the Crypt meets Twilight Zone anthology in which Price plays a town historian in rural Oldfield. a picture from that film (a shot of Price at a desk) is here. GET this book!!!

This is my second Jon F Merz book, and numbers 3 and 4 are on my nightstand, waiting their turn.

I like Merz's gritty, noir style, and Lawson is a very interesting character. This novel gives him more depth than The Fixer did, and shows he's more than a one-dimensional "rough cop" type. I also like Merz's fight descriptions, it is obvious he has some experience in martial arts.

This book, like The Fixer, reads very fast and likes to tap you on the shoulder and say "Boo!" every now and then. Definitely worth reading.

As I was reading The Invoker, I couldn't help but wonder what Quentin Tarantino would make of this book. After all, without all of his work to bring back the pulp noir of the 40s and 50s, The Invoker probably wouldn't exist. This is a raw book filled with raw and unsympathetic characters. These vampires aren't searching for redemption, they're only trying to make it trough another day. They are full of irony, witty comebacks and they lust for action and blood.

Lawson is yet again our main character. A vampire who has seen it all (in Merz's novels, vampires do drink blood, but the supersitions about garlic and holy water and the sun is only a myth; they walk in daylight and the only way to kill them is by piercing their skin with wood), Lawson is a gritty narrator who hides nothing from the readers.

This time, he is hired to killed a man. Only, upon killing him, the man asks Lawson to protect his son. His son, a vampire with the ability to invoke spirits from the other side, is being hunted. Lawson quickly decides to do anything in his power to protect the child from harm.

The first half of the book is incredibly fast paced and a great joy for the reader. But when the kid is kidnapped and Lawson finds himself hiking through Tibet, the book becomes slow and repetitive, as if Merz just stretched everything out for as long as he could to give his book an acceptable length. Still, it all brings us to a satisfying if predictable finale.

The Vampire Lawson series isn't groundbreaking, but it's great fun to read. This is a little quickie that you can read for the sole purpose of entertainment and amusement. Merz's writing is tight and Lawson always has a witty comeback just waiting to erupt from his lips. Here's hoping that the series keeps being so much fun!

If this was a movie, I would call it a guy flick. A lot of blood and gore and of course the beautiful girl want's to jump the lead characters bones--only to get huffy when her needs are not met. The lead character is cast as not all that good looking, but buff and cool. I mean, do I really need to go on. Like I said guy flick, guy flick, and did I mention guy flick. It's doable as an easy read, but the editing mistakes could drive you batty.

Without question, the Invoker is the best of the four Lawson Vampire novels written by Jon Merz. The things I particularly liked about it were the attention to details, historical settings, and backstory. Tons of backstory, which for me, helps to flesh out the universe in which the characters interact.

Look, this series is just amazing. Never before have I seen a spin on vampires like this. Usually, the books are full of drippy ambiguously sexual idiots who hang around Goth bars and wax poetic about the glorious undead life. Yuk! Thank god Merz has come along to put some real punch into the vampire subgenre. What amazes me most is how unknown this series is still. These are incredible books and the action and pacing are top notch. Think Elmore Leonard dialog mixed with the relentless pacing of the best spy novels, combined with some of the wittiest dark humor I've ever read, and it's just skimming the surface of what you'll find reading Merz's work. I gave this 5 stars because it truly deserves it. I hope Merz is writing the Lawson books for years to come. He's one of the best new writers working today and more people need to read him.

Couldn't put the book down from beginning to end. It was that good. The action kept me on the edge and it had a good premise. The ending was stellar. Starting the 2nd one as soon as it comes in.

This book is a great thriller. It kept me on my toes and wanting to read more. This is definetly a hard book to put down. I would reccomend this book to anyone who likes science fiction.

Prowlers is a rip-roaring horror thriller with touches of the 1987 movie The Lost Boys and Dean Koontz's Twilight Eyes. It's not a sweeping, apocalyptic novel set on a grand stage but, rather, is more of an intense and personal study on loss and grief, offset with grim, no-quarter-given skirmishes between average but resourceful Jack and the relentless Prowlers.

Jack Dwyer is a hardworking 19-year old, who helps run the thriving Bridget's Irish Rose Pub with his co-owner and older sister Courtney. His social life is basically nil. The few times he goes out, he does so in the accompany of his best friend Artie and Artie's girl Molly. One night, he is set up with Molly's friend Kate and they double date with Artie and Molly. Tragedy strikes when, on their way home, Artie and Kate are savagely attacked and killed.

The weirdness begins when Artie's ghost manifests and warns a still grieving Jack of the true nature of his and Kate's slayers: the horrific, shafeshifting Prowlers. Jack's newfound knowledge puts him in deadly peril as he confronts the ravenous pack of monsters, who quickly become aware that Jack knows more than he should. Very, very soon Jack, Molly, Courtney, and bartender and close family friend Bill Cantwell will be furiously fighting for their very survival against insatiable, superhuman creatures who stalked the earth before man ever crawled out of the ocean.

Christopher Golden takes a slightly slanted approach with this "werewolf" tale. In his take, Prowlers aren't humans who are bitten and then transform into cursed werewolves, but, rather, are murderous, inhuman creatures who assume the identity of humans to blend in with their unwitting, chosen prey.

Prowlers is an addictive, stay-up-all-night kind of read. Golden does take some time to set the stage and introduce the pertinent characters. But, oboy, once he revs up that engine, this novel is a non-stop thrill ride. Golden uses simple, straightforward, yet effective prose to relentlessly drive the storyline. Because Golden makes very sure to emphasize and dwell on the close-knit relations of Jack and friends, the reader invests more into the characters, especially in scenes where they are put in grave jeopardy. Maybe, too, because of the extra exposition at the start, his main protagonists Jack and Molly have substance and thus seem very real to the reader. Needless to say, Courtney and Bill are also very easy to root for.

And here's the good news: Prowlers is the introductory novel to thus far a four-book series. The sequels, in sequential order, are titled Laws of Nature, Predator and Prey, and Wild Things. And if you like the way this prolific dude writes, also check out his Shadow Saga, the Menagerie series and Myth Hunters (book 1 of the Veil series).

Author Christopher Golden puts his own twist on the werewolf story (and then cleverly proposes his "reality" as the genesis of the mythos) in Prowlers, the first entry in a series. Jack Dwyer, 19 (and not Ed Gorman's P.I. of the same name), and his sister Courtney, five years his senior, have lost both of their parents -- their father left and their mother died -- leaving them in charge of the family business, a Boston pub called Bridget's Irish Rose.

After a double date with Jack, a new girl named Kate, and Jack's best friends Molly and Artie, Kate and Artie are savagely murdered on the way home. As if it weren't bad enough that Jack and Molly have lost their best friends, now Jack is also being visited by Artie's ghost.

Artie refuses to "go on" until Jack does something about the creatures who killed him -- the Prowlers. The Prowlers are creatures that are fully animal, but can appear human. Though the police seem to know of their existence, the Prowlers have never made the newspapers because, after every murder committed by them, the Boston police swoop in to clean everything up quickly, making sure that no one tells what they say ... because who would believe them anyway? So now it's up to Jack and Molly to rid Boston of the Prowlers, especially pack leader, Owen Tanzer -- scion of a Prowler dynasty -- and his bloodthirsty (and rather cocky) followers.

After fifty slow pages of exposition, I almost gave up on Prowlers, but it picks up speed soon after. Golden keeps the plot moving briskly but doesn't neglect his characters' inner thoughts or relationships. His ability to get into the minds of young adults in remarkable -- all of his characters are realistic. Though they are caught up in an unreal situation, these characters behave and respond like real people -- albeit ones a bit more heroic than average. This is the first full-length novel I've read of Golden's (I'd previously read the novella included in Four Dark Nights, and it's made me eager to find others. Luckily, to begin with, there are three more novels in this series, beginning with Laws of Nature (Prowlers #2).

After finishing PROWLERS, the first book in this series by Christopher Golden, the only question I have is why it's proclaimed to be a young adult read. I guess it's because the main character, Jack Dwyer, is nineteen--but besides their age, there's nothing about this book that would make it strictly for young adult readers!

Jack's life is pretty predictable. Ever since the death of his mother in a car accident that also injured his sister, Courtney, the two have run Bridget's Irish Rose Pub together, making it into the type of pub/restaurant that their mother would have been proud of. Jack didn't attend college after high-school, but he's part owner of the Pub, has a number of friends, and is basically content with his life. He's even gotten a date with Kate, a friend of Molly's, who dates Jack's best friend, Artie.

Life is good, until after their double-date, when Jack and Molly have been dropped off at their respective houses, and things get ugly really quickly. Kate and Artie are found dead--mutilated and brutally murdered. The cops don't know what to make of it, and Jack--along with Molly--are existing in a sort of limbo, trying to come to terms with the death of their friends and loved ones.

And then Artie comes back--as a spirit from the Ghostlands, the place where spirits reside until they're ready to move on--to warn Jack about the Prowlers. Prowlers--monsters in human clothing, a lot like werewolves but different, who prey on humans and who are responsible for Kate and Artie's deaths.

What is Jack supposed to make of this? First, he can suddenly see ghosts. Secondly, there's monsters roaming the streets of Boston, and he feels compelled to bring them to justice. With cops covering up the murders that are soon piling up in town (including a nasty dispatch of some security guards at Fenway Park), Jack has no one to turn to except Molly, his sister Courtney, and the Pub's bartender, Bill Cantwell.

A fast-paced, compelling, thrilling, and often greusome read, PROWLERS was absolutely awesome! Action, the paranormal, the story of love and friendship, all weave together to make this a book you won't be able to put down once you start reading. I highly recommend it, and can't wait to read the next book in the series.

This piece had me hooked from the beginning. I would very much like to read the rest of the novel. It is very easy to visualize what the author is describing. The driving game Scribbler plays makes me laugh. I think this author has a bright publishing future.

Living in Michigan I loved reading the geographics of this book. I also have suffered a closed head injury from an auto accident. That made the story more interesting to me. Can't wait to read more.

Wow! Great imagery and characterization in this story! I enjoyed the way that the author seemed knowledgeable about the situations and medical terminology needed for the story, while presenting it in an easy-to-read format. This story tore me away from studying, and it takes a lot for that to happen! Can't wait to read more (and get another break from studying!)from this author!

To be compared in any way with Edgar Allen Poe & Stephen King speaks volumes in itself about this book. The visual imagery that Mr. McDaniel creates is phenomenal. The character is real, the little we can read is compelling & draws the reader to turn the page for more. Yes, a slow start, (as many books do), but running full speed by the end of the 1st chapter (which a lot of PUBLISHED books never achieve). I'd say that just like movie critics who get it wrong, 2 of the 'editorial' critics are way off. The reviews by the 'regular' people of the world speak for what is thought about this book.

Scribbler by D. McDaniel opens with Steven Harris reviewing his editor/publicist's note for the umpteenth time. For the this first quarter of the excerpt, the reader rides along with Steven as he continues to think on this note and the possibility of finally getting published.
During this we are also introduced to his 'missile' game. I chuckled at first mention of the game and even the second, but the fun Steven has with it felt like a dead horse by the time he thinks of his game stats for the final time. Not that isn't precisely how some one would think on the matter, but this is supposed to be a build up to something terrible. It feels a bit more like passing the reader's time, rather than painting a picture of ordinariness that is about to be smashed apart.
This could also be applied to Steven's thoughts on how driving worked that day, always worked, and was working again. No need to be so repetitive.

When the accident takes places, the writing is cranked up to increase the heart rate of the reader. I was feeling it. My only thought would be to trim out any unnecessary words to increase the punch.
E.G.: rapidly started to skid back ...you could cut 'rapidly' out. Given the momentum of the scene, I wouldn't think anything otherwise.

A comment: The words mosaic and kaleidoscope were each used twice in the excerpt. They aren't all too common, so if used repeatedly close enough together, their value as image words is diminished. Mosaic was seen twice within a couple of paragraphs, while kaleidoscope was far enough apart that it was nice to see it again.

Once the action of the accident settled down, and Steven is trapped in the car, he becomes intent on retrieving his manuscript, despite the searing pain. I really like the way this was written (the writer and his pain). His emotions were high, then calm after he grips the envelope. This makes the scene ripe for the dog's attack, which actually got my heart pumping more than the accident did. The attack and subsequent rescue scenes were paced wonderfully and I really felt interested in the story at this point.

Overall, the author has shown he has what it takes to create a sense of panic and terror, not only for his character but for the reader. However, the drag of progress in the first quarter of this piece makes me wary about encountering such blocks of 'time passing' again. The writing is good and engaging when the author is really working his preferred bits of the story: terror, action, mystery. Once the other parts are brought into line and tightened up, this could make for a truly spine tingling book.

The only book I've read more than once, and thats saying something. A book about a man who spends his days, and nights fighting werewolves. Its so in your face, its absolutely fantastic reading. Brian P. Easton makes it crystal clear right away that the Beast, as werewolves are often referred to in this book, are completely and absolutely vicious and evil. Nothing humorous or cute about them. Not this story. The main character Sylvester is the toughest SOB you'll ever read about. The things he endures physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritally are terrifying. Its hard not becoming what you hate. "The beast will kill you one piece at a time, Sylvester. Bite by Bite", said his mentor early on in the story. I highly recommend this truly exhilarating novel to anybody. Without a doubt my all time favorite book. As good as the vampire masterpiece I am Legend.

If the last 70 pages had been more satisfying this would be 5 stars, easy. But, as it stands we have a disappointing climax, a weak ending for most of the main characters and an unnecessarily long denouement. On the plus side, the werewolves are cool, described as massive, vicious, demonic remorseless monsters, and there's an interesting werewolf hierarchy that's unique to this book. It also violent, and action packed, with a good story and interesting first person narrative. I did find the main character to be a bit cliche, but he was still filled with monkeys. All and all, a good bleak, violent, gritty horror novel/character piece. Recommended for fans of werewolf fiction.

I profoundly regret that this seems to be the only novel produced by Mr. Easton. You don't have to get very far into his prose to decide that he is no amateur as a writer. This book is of exceptional quality for any genre, but is particularly outstanding in the wolfman category. It certainly stands out among today's popular fare of werewolves humanized as sexy heroes in romance potboilers, or as noble saviours of the environment (viz., White Wolf Publisher's lupine Green Peace-niks). In this book, though, the werewolves are all big, truly scary, and irredeemably malevolent toward humanity. Having read about 300 fiction and nonfiction books about werewolves (not counting short stories) over the years, I'd put this in my top 10 of favorites. This novel has plenty of lycanthropic action and gore enough to satisfy any aficionado of the genre. Yet the saga of Sylvester's journey from orphan to manhood as a werewolf hunter is also a thoughtful examination of the psychology of hatred, and how it can make you strong enough to endure incredible sacrifices---yet ultimately rob you of your own humanity. This is the kind of book that leaves the reader reporting for work the next morning still groggy from lack of sleep, because you simply can't put this book down.

I have been a horror fan, especially a werewolf fan for many years. Usually, it's quite hard to find a decent werewolf book. However, this is a great book, and a must read for any werewolf fan out there. It is a bit brutal at times, and the werewolves are not cute and fluffy. But that's what makes the book so wonderful.

I must admit that when I was told that I needed to read this book, I was more than hesitant. I am a huge fan of the horror genre, but it seems that lately the air around it has gone stale with mediocrity. I have gone back and reread several of the classics, but had not picked up a piece of new fiction in a long time when this book came my way. With this work, hopefully his first of many, Mr. Easton has breathed new life into this decaying genre. His genius, like any great storyteller, lies in his ability to combine the products of his imagination with real places and events. The protagonist is a tragic and seemingly hopeless soul whose guilt and anguish not only fuel him but are ultimately used as weapons against him. Sylvester's greatest struggle is internal, to not become that thing that he most despises in order to defeat it. This is a main theme which runs throughout our human history as well as our greatest works of fiction. The protagonist's willingness to do whatever it takes to battle "The Beast" turns him into one. We witness his rises and falls on one very entertaining yet disturbing roller coaster ride of his various relationships and hunts. Emotional and riveting. Hopefully Mr. Easton will continue to provide us with excellent reading material.

John Passarella, Wither's Legacy (Pocket, 2004)

The good news: Wither's Legacy is a much better book than Wither's Rain. John Passarella has learned from some of his mistakes. The bad news: Joseph Gangemi has still not returned to the fold, and John Passarella's work on its own is still nowhere near as strong as the work they produced in collaboration.

After the events that concluded Wither's Rain, Wendy left Windale, and the group of friends fragmented, with Hannah on the west coast and Alex back in Minnesota. Wendy wandered around for a while, and when this novel opens, she, too, is well out west, where a subconscious mental trigger left by Wither before her death is released by Wendy, and it wakes up something very nasty with one command: kill Wendy Ward. Needless to say, the gang gets back together, piles into the Mystery Machine... oh, wait. Wrong review.

As with Wither's Rain, it's pretty obvious that, in this partnership, Gangemi was responsible for the characterization and atmosphere and Passarella worked the plot angle. Once again, the plot is solid, but that's about all there is to the novel. Passarella has, however, dropped the annoying gratuitousness of Wither's Rain and keeps things relatively simple here.

It's not a terrible novel, but the series which started off with so much potential is nothing more than a shadow of its former self. Joseph Gangemi, phone home. ** ½

Wendy is back an her powers are growing! John Passarella continues the saga of Wendy Ward in this well written and fast paced sequel. I couldn't put the book down!!!

Call in sick to work, take the phone off the hook and take a seat for a super thrill-ride of a novel. John Passarella is a writer to watch! All three Wendy Ward novels will not disappoint!

After destroying Elizabeth Wither for a second time, supernaturally gifted teenager Wendy Ward finally believed this would be the last she would see of the ex-coven leader. She was right. But although she may have destroyed Wither physically, her legacy still continues in a bitter curse she placed upon Wendy in her final dying moments. A curse that has awoken a carnivorous yellowed eyed, seven foot beast that will stop at nothing until it tastes her sweet flesh between it ravenous fangs ...

Bram Stoker Award-winner John Passarella has done it again with his latest novel, 'Wither's Legacy', the third (and possibly final) chilling part to the critically-acclaimed Wendy Ward series.

Passarella has already proven himself a gifted storyteller with `Wither' and `Wither's Rain', and `Wither's Legacy' is no exception. His plotting, dialogue, and attention to detail are as accurate as ever, drawing the reader in for more after every page. You also can't help but feel that the author's understanding of his characters is as strong as ever, but that still doesn't stop him from killing who he wants, and when.

For a chilling read this winter (or any time), 'Wither's Legacy' comes as highly recommended as you can get. A fine choice for any bookshelf.

John Passarella's WITHER (which was co-authored with Joe Gangemi; hence, the pen name J. G. Passarella), WITHER'S RAIN, and WITHER'S LEGACY are three novels in a terrifically entertaining occult fantasy series about a modern-day young Wicca woman named Wendy Ward, who runs afoul of an evil sorceress from the colonial past, named Elizabeth Wither. With a nod to Nathaniel Hawthorne, John Passarella tells a tale about witchcraft that conjures up Cotton Mather's (MALLEUS MALEFICARUM) version of the ancient pagan craft more than it does Wicca (we all know what happened to women accused of consorting with the devil; but the irony here is that witches never did and still do not believe in the devil. It is difficult to worship something you do not believe in). This being said, the novels are fun to read, with Wendy as the good witch, and Elizabeth Wither as the evil one (practitioners of Wicca might also argue that there is no such thing as either a good witch or an evil witch, just a woman having a bad hair day. However, for the sake of storytelling, fantasists are free to play god with their characters and bend the plot to suit their worlds; and it is fortunate for us readers of fantasy fiction that they do).

Elizabeth Wither and her two sisters-in-the-craft, Rebecca Cole and Sarah Hutchins, are three of the ugliest and wickedest demons to wander the pages of fiction in a long while, especially the powerful Wither. This is one demon you do not want to meet on a lonely bridge at midnight, although some of the unfortunate characters in these novels manage to do just that, and do not live to tell about it. It is Wendy Ward, however, who catches Wither's dreadful attention more than the others do; and because Wendy is a practitioner of Wicca, and a very gifted one at that, it is up to her alone to lay Wither and her minions to rest, once-and-for-all. Wither is a powerful demon, though, who does not take well to being laid asunder. In all three novels she returns in some form or another to wreak vengeful havoc on Wendy and her loved ones.

I highly recommend these novels to readers who enjoy supernatural fantasy that features witches, werewolves, crones, and even a wendigo; but I must forewarn, the books do contain some graphic depictions of sex, and colorful language, which might be unsuitable for the very young.

I absolutely loved this series of books and I can read them over and over! While yes it is a little hokey and rather unbelievable when it comes to an actual follower of Wicca, it is still a fun series. As long as you don't take it too seriously and remember to just have fun with it you will get swept away by the characters and their struggles and triumphs.

I love the books in the Wicca series (or Sweep in the US). I've read them all, and I'm trying to read them all again. I remember that Awakening was always one of my favourites, and it was one that really got me in to the series. I love the eventual happy ending in this book and in the entire series.
I liked Hunter and Morgan coming to terms with having feelings for each other. I love the touch with the Morganite at the end- if only people would actually do that!
The series is wonderful, as soon as I read the first, I bought some and got some from my local Library- I got 4 out at a time, and was up until three in the morning attempting to finish them.
I strongly reccomend anyone who liked the other 4 to read this one, and people just generally interested in Witches and Vampires etcetera.

I've only recently begun reading these books, now when I think about it, I should have read them earlier!
I can relate to Morgan. She has a best friend who gets alll the attention, has low self esteem, and isnt considered a 'popular' girl. Neither am I. This book is so cool because she is trying to accept her new identity and learn to live without Cal. When she fell in love with him, she was happy. Then he betryed her. Used dark magick against her. Tried to kill her! I mean, you have to agree with me, he was a really nice guy. And in some way, he does love her. And I know she loves him. Anyway, this was a great book and would make an excellant movie.
Thanks for your time,
Elizabeth M. Short

Awakening starts off quickly.
Morgan is seeing more of Hunter and it annoys her a little. Morgan and Hunter are still gun powder touching a flame. But every thing starts to simmer down when weird things are happening to the both of them.
Morgan sees more of friends and learns dark secrets that she does not want to be part of.
I especially love this book more than some becuase soemthing happens that makes you either smile from ear to ear or make your jaw drop. Read it!

I purchased the Sweep series for my 13 year old daughter in the hopes that maybe she would read. "She hated to read." Well I was amazed, and could not get her to go to sleep, as she would spend the whole night, with a night-light on reading these books. She enjoyed them so much, and could not stop talking first about Cal and then Hunter, that I had to see what all the fuss was about.
Well after two weeks, a book a day, for a girl who hated to read, it sparked my curiosity, so I started reading, and was surprised to find out how enjoyable a Teen book about Teen Witches could be. I am not really into Wicca, but these books are really enjoyable. I am on my fifth book, and my daughter read each twice, and is know on the Circle of Three Series. I have to highly recommend these books to those parents who can not get their daughters to read. These are excellent stories, full of fantasy, horror, and fun.

I READ THIS BOOK WHEN I WAS IN THE 6TH GRADE AND I LOVED IT

I will say that Philbrick and Harnett wrote this book with filling. Because of the way it is told. I was glad I read this book on the weekend because i could stay up, this book made me realis how scarry I can get. I would recommend this book to everyone.

I'm a boy in Mr.Wells 5th grade class. My name is Vince and I like this book because it's really creepy. I am 10 years old. This is a great book full of spine chilling action. I like this book because it gave extreme details about the characters and other features. If I was in Jays' position I would go mad. It had an extremely exciting plot. It was mainly about a Witch trying to get a jewel. Now let me tell you about the setting. It was a great, creepy setting. I like how it sat on a hill with whispering pines surrounding it and a lake setting in back of the creepy old house. This made it seem like it was alive. Tha battles between Bobby and the witch were dtailed and terrifying. They were great battles between good and evil. I recommend the book because it gave me chills.

My name is Cassie I'm a girl in Mr.Wells fifth grade. I go to a school in Arizona. I'm10 years old all most 11 years old. Ireally liked the book because I got goose bumps.I was still scared when there are even other kids in the room. It was dark and the Author did a good job she made the book be real. Jason is 12 years old in the book . He is very brave to go down in the basement. If I went down there I would freaked out. Sally is 4 years old she's Jason's sister.She has an imagenary friend name Bobby.Sally is sometimes annoying. One of the characters to watch for isTHE WITCH! She is so mean . She lives in the basement.The witch needs a bath and to brush her teeth.

The book The final Nightmare is a book full of excitement. It is a book that you just can't put down. I highly recomend it. on a scale of 1-10 I would rate the book an 11. If you're looking for an exciting book, read The Final Nightmare. Rodman Philbrick is a wonderful author. When you read the book it feels like you're there.