Horror Books

Reviewed by Gina Holland for RebeccasReads (5/08)

Do you remember Rosemary's Baby? A scary novel and film that made lots and lots of money, it has nothing on the novel "Dark Lullaby," which was terrific, thrilling and mind bending! The story is actually much different than Rosemary's Baby, but I'm reminded all the same. There is a baby involved, but that comes later. Mayra Calvani did an excellent job writing, and I was so captivated by the book, I kept turning the pages, no matter how many other things I needed to do.

"Dark Lullaby" starts off with two young people who have just ended a long-term relationship months before, but still remain friends. Gabriel and Liz are definitely two different people, but both have a great heart and love for family. Gabriel thinks about moving on with his life, but Liz is still madly in love. Liz finds it hard to stay friends, so she is contemplating staying away from him. Then, while sitting together in a public place, discussing their opinions on different subjects, a beautiful young lady named Kamilah joins in on the conversation. Immediately, Gabriel is mesmerized by her looks and the way she speaks. Liz is very agitated by Kamilah's intrusion, as she sees the sparks fly between Kamilah and Gabriel. If it wasn't jealousy before for Liz, it will be now.

Gabriel has a twin sister named Elena, who is getting very close to giving birth to a baby girl. Elena and her husband Brandon had a baby once that died. So both are very nervous about this birth. The doctors tell Elena she has nothing to worry about; the baby is going to be fine. Elena keeps in constant touch with Gabriel and since they are so very close, she wants Gabriel to be at the birth of the baby with her. He has taken a week's vacation from his job just to be there with his loving sister.

After Gabriel and Kamilah meet, they start spending all their time together. A lot of strange things are happening for Gabriel, Liz, and also for Elena and her husband Brandon. Things that none of them seem to be able to explain. Does any of this strangeness have anything to do with Kamilah? Bad dreams are becoming too real for Gabriel and Elena. They may not be the exact same dream but they are disturbing dreams nonetheless. The more Gabriel is with Kamilah, the stranger things seem to get.

When Gabriel and Kamilah take a long trip to Kamilah's homeland the week before he is to go visit his sister Elena, Gabriel starts realizing that something is wrong, very, very wrong. He has lost his cell phone, knowing for sure he packed it, he blacks out at times and the only explanation Kamilah has for him is that he fell asleep. He starts to feel sick and he has a strange pain on his left side. What is going on? He can't help but wonder if all of this has something to do with Kamilah; with her beauty, her hot to the touch skin, and her childish nature. Are his dreams of someone doing something bad to him, real?

If you read this novel, you will be so fascinated that you will not want it to end. I, for one, am in hopes that Calvani will be kind enough to write a sequel to her novel. The ending is very stunning, surprising and will leave you with wonder. There is no other way to describe this book other than it was a terrific read. I wanted to read every word. I commend Mayra on "Dark Lullaby," and I look forward to her future novels.

Dark, exotic, and filled with chilling twists and turns, "Dark Lullaby" by Marya Calvani is horror story that grabs you right away and doesn't release its grip until the final word is read.

Astrophysicist Gabriel Diaz believes in the higher good and that everything can be explained by science and logic. One night in a tavern, a mysterious and intriguing woman captivates his body and soul. After spending the next several days with the mysterious Kamilah, Gabriel is convinced to join her in Turkey to visit her family's cottage, even though he can't push away the nightmares of his sister Elena's unborn child.

Plagued by a strange illness that leaves him weakened and sore, Gabriel begins to wonder who or what Kamilah really is. With the help of a village merchant and a one-eyed witch, Gabriel makes a startling discovery, calling into question all he believes in and forcing him to come to terms with his past so he can save Elena's baby.

Equally scary and beautiful, Mayra Calvani has drawn the beauty of Turkey into a chilling paranormal tale unlike any I've ever read. The descriptions throughout this book were stunning. I walked along the hike up a Turkish mountainside, lived inside Gabriel's head during his disturbing dreams, and stood beside him as he looked into the strangely carved trees in the forest leading up to Kamilah's cottage.

A master storyteller, Calvani hooked me from the first moment in the tavern to the very last page. This is truly a unique story that I look forward to reading again.

"Dark Lullaby" will capture you with its rich descriptions, its exotic location, and the need to uncover the dark secrets hidden within its pages.

The next time you feel like curling up with a scary book, get a copy of author Mayra Calvani's Dark Lullaby, a riviting page turner that will keep you reading straight through until the end. The story begins in Baltimore where Puerto Rican born Gabriel Diaz meets the lovely young woman Kamilah. Very soon she has his undivided attention.

Tension builds as Kamilah works her way into Gabriel's life. They spend almost every moment together, and it is then that his nightmares begin. A part of him suspects a connection to the new woman in his life, but ultimately his attraction to her pushes his concerns aside. In his apartment are photos of his twin sister Elena who is expecting a baby in a few weeks. He is anxious about Elena because her first child died soon after birth. Gabriel is very close to his sister and has promised to be with her when this child is born. Kamilah finds this admirable and wants to hear everything about Elena and her efforts to have a healthy baby. But first the exotic beauty convinces Gabriel that he has time to come with her to her family's small cottage in a beautiful, somewhat desolate area of northern Turkey. Just for a week, she says. Gabriel agrees then quickly regrets this decision. His nightmares worsen. He hears sounds of frightened children in the forest, and sees grotesque faces of babies in the bark of trees. All too quickly the nightmares become reality.

Dark Lullaby is a must read for those who enjoy novels of horror. Calvani keeps the tension tight throughout this gripping novel.

Astrophysicist Gabriel Diaz enjoys an intellectual debate especially over beer, but recently he has had doubts he will ever find a passionate love as his relationship with Liz went from girlfriend to friend. Meanwhile the only person he loves, his pregnant Elena begs him to be there when she gives birth as she is frightened having lost a newborn three years ago. Gabriel would do anything for Elena so he promises to come to Belgium where she lives.

However, his sibling's need vanishes form his brain when he meets Kamilah. She challenges his intellect with debates on good and evil and what is justice. Instead of going to Belgium, he accompanies Kamilah to her home in the Turkish mountains overlooking the Black Sea. Once in Rize, Gabriel loses his cell phone and becomes very sick suffering from nightmares that make sleep horrendous and he suffers even worse hallucinations when awake. As an increasingly paranoid Gabriel fears for his mind and wonders if somehow Kamilah is behind his descent into insanity and overall ill health, a panic stricken Elena keeps wondering where he is as he never failed her unlike their parents and she cannot believe he will fail his soon to be born niece.

This is a terrific horror tale that hooks readers who in spite of knowing that Kamilah is malevolent from almost the first siren meeting with Gabriel wonder what her her motive is and who she is. Fans will assume due to Gabriel's descent into paranoia and Elena's increasing manic panic attacks and anxiety-depression that borders on bipolar that this is a psychological thriller; but the Turkish locale and Kamilah make it so much more. Maria Calvani will have fans hooked in a one sitting read as the author's appreciative attentive audience will want to know is it madness or something more paranormally chilling.

Harriet Klausner

Premise: Gabriel Diaz is an idealist. He loves debating about good and evil, justice versus murder. His relationship with his ex-girlfriend Liz is friendly, though he knows she would let it be more again if he wanted. But he doesn't think he loves her. Yet more fodder for moral discussions in his own mind. His childhood in Puerto Rico was not a happy one. Though he and his twin sister survived, it has colored his perceptions. The unusual bond he and his twin share hasn't failed to impart to him her fears of her current pregnancy, having lost a daughter hours after birth three years ago. Yet all these hanging issues and more get put on hold when he meets Kamilah. Foreign and beautiful, she drives him to distraction. And she seems as fascinated by the moral issues of justice and darkness as he is himself. Then little things start happening the closer the time for his trip to visit his sister for the impending birth comes. Is there a form of darkness at work here or is he only letting his imagination and worries run away with him?

Review: Filled with several exotic locals, Dark Lullaby makes for a plethora of the unusual and foreign. The Middle Eastern mythology used is also not one seen often, so it made for a very refreshing change and caused the horror aspects to be even more poignant. Gabriel has to face the very moral issues he's been battling in his mind, pushed and prodded toward an end that will affect the lives of more than just himself. While who the evil persona is was never in question, the goals and resolution weren't clear until the end, making the read much more exciting. If you like chills, foreign settings, and moral dilemmas, this book is for you!

...and quite possibly the best collection of quotes from the broadest range of leaders in the field that I have ever devoured. I started reading it with a highlighter to cover the best advice. Excluding the front and back covers and the title page, the book is now entirely yellow. From veterans to fresh meat on the hook, this is the bloody book to read if you want to take your craft seriously. What more can I say to rave about this? Buy it. Read it. Then read it again. Keep it within reach of your desk for inspiration when the words just don't seem to flow. It's like a horror convention in your brain!

This book is so inspirational it amazes me. It is quote after quote by famous authors on different topics that apply to horror writing. I think this is one of the most inspirational books on horror writing. I love this book!

Do you wonder what scares your favorite horror writers? Would you like to know who influenced them, or where they get their ideas? Wonder no longer--the answers to these and other intriguing questions can be found in Dark Thoughts On Writing. Editor Wiater, drawing on interviews he's conducted with fifty writers of horror and suspense, presents their responses to these questions and their opinions on censorship, the affect of fame and fortune, and why they choose to write in the genre. The result is a plethora of colorful opinions, surprising anecdotes, and useful advice from a wide selection of horror writers, including Stephen King, Anne Rice, Jack Ketchum, Ira Levin, Clive Barker, Matthew Costello, Charles L. Grant, Nancy A. Collins, F. Paul Wilson and Richard Matheson. Must reading for horror fans and aspiring writers in all genres.

This is a book that will be of interest to the struggling writer and the devoted fan alike: the author culls thought-provoking, helpful, and at times highly amusing quotes from his series of interviews with the giants of dark fiction and distills them into one handy volume.

As a writer, one topic I found particularly interesting was the matter of influences: discovering who inspired the authors and artists who inspire me was fascinating.

As an aspiring writer, I was especially interested in these writers' basic influences, fears, and drives. After the first chapter, I was glued to this book, absorbing the thoughts of writers such as Stephen King, Jack Ketchum, Anne Rice, and many others. This is a great gift for a horror fan.

Having read this book to three to five-year-olds at Halloween for three years running and having it be a HUGE hit every time, I decided to get my own copy. The children love the repetitiveness of it and the spooky pictures. The tension builds and builds right to the end when everything turns out to be just fine. (Note: That's a total of 180 children with very big eyes and almost no wiggles!)

The artwork is beautiful and detailed. My three year old loves to find the cat in each picture and to find the faces in the windows, walls, and curtains. One can always find something new in the paintings. The story uses repetitious wording, so he can virtually read it to me. We have read this book many times, yet neither of us ever gets bored with it.

This "Dark Dark Tale" by Ruth Brown is simple, short and sports a gothic flair. The illustrations (also by Brown) are nothing short of brilliant. Brown the artist captures the fog, shadows and light of her own dark dark little world. Perfect for preschoolers (my two year old loves it and always anticipates the ending), it holds their attention (there can't be more than 120 words in the entire book) with the repetative prose that children love. Perfect for lovers of children literature and childrens illustrations as well (which is what drew me to the book in the first place). We love it and read it daily.

A wonderful choice for young children at Halloween or any time of year. Reading this aloud is lots of fun -- you can make it seem scary as you go through each page, then watch your child's reaction at the end. My son wanted me to read this over and over. We also have fun looking for all the little critters in the forest: owls, bats, tiny glowing eyes peeking out of the dark places, the cat, even a badger!

This book is rather cute and there is a cat that runs through the pages, making an appearance here and there. I loved the fact that this book presents itself as a "dark, dark" book and it really is funny that it is not a "dark" tale at all. The "darkness" is more about the lack of light than it being about evil.

You start in a moor and walk through a woods. Then there is a dark castle and you walk up to the door. Once you enter the castle, you are in a dark hall and go up some dark stairs. You are in a fairy tale castle and then you see a dark passage. You are tempted to look behind a dark curtain and then the cat stands looking up at a dark cupboard.

The last page shows a mouse in a box with a rather frightened look on its face. So the only fear in this book is that the cat has found the mouse. Although it does seem the cat leaves the mouse sleeping happily in his little bed with his miniature candle and miniature slippers.

The beauty of this book is in the art. Ruth Brown studied art at the Birmingham College of Art and the Royal College of Art. She has worked on animated films for the BBC.

Meowingly Cute.

~The Rebecca Review

Well, here we are in the third installment of the Loon Lake Fishing Mysteries series and I have to say I absolutely adore this series. These are relatively simple, fun books that make great afternoon reading at any time of the year! I love the characters and there was less repetition in this book than there was in the second. The author is settling into an initial pattern which brings all three of our main characters into the story and makes them all an integral part of the investigation of a double murder right in the middle prime muskie fishing season. In addition to our traditional three for this series (Ray, Chief Ferris, and Doc Osborn), we are introduced to slew of new secondary characters and one additional "main character" who I believe we will see more of down the line. Gina, a friend of one of the murder victims (and an investigative reporter to boot) plays an integral part in the solveing of this particular mystery. The only disappointing thing here foe me in this book is I figured out who done it VERY early on, less than halfway through the book, so I new who did it and the unfoldment was rather obvious, but it was still enjoyable to see how the characters puzzled it out on their own and worked together to solve the crime.

Overall, I am quite enjoying this series. Its nice light reading that still manages to be both interesting and keep me mostly on the edge of my seat (usually). I love that these are older characters than one usually finds in this type of book (over 50 for the most part), it's definitely nice to see people over 50 being the hero, instead of it always being some young, hot 25 year old...don't get me wrong, those are fun too...but you don't get middle aged all the way up to retired people in the murder-mystery/thriller genre too often anymore. Nice change of pace. I also like that these are REAL characters, they have flaws, faults and real life problems that they must also deal with while solveing the mystery...it really helps to cement that feeling that these aren't just characters, they're real people. Dead Water has good pacing, interesting details and is just plain fun to read, I give it an B+, it'd make a nice read for several afternoons curled up in a chair on the porch or the sofa with a nice cup of tea.

I am a native of Wisconsin, so I find the fact that I know the locations that she talks about in her books makes it even more interesting. Good read. I am not a fisherman, but still enjoy all the information. Her descriptions of the areas are great, you feel like you can see along with them. Doc and Ray are so typical of some of the North Woods People. I feel that I have met them in lots of other places. I am just starting on book # 7 . I haven't read this many books this fast in a long time. I heard Ms Houston on NPR and it was a pleasure.

"Dead Water" is so enjoyable because it is set (fictional) in the area in which I grew up and the names (fictional) remind me of life in a small town and the surrounding area. It is such an enjoyable read along with the other seven "Dead ...." books in the series written by Victoria Houston. I look forward to the next edition.

In the 3rd book in the Loon Lake fishing mystery series, dead bodies of women are showing up around town, and the chief of police, Lewellyn Ferris (aka Lew) once again enlists the help of her part time deputies, Doctor Paul Osborne and Ray Pradt with the baffling cases. Doc is thrilled to be working closely with Lew again, even though he dislikes the murderous circumstances that keep drawing them together. Both women were shot, and have bizarre teeth "marks" on each of their bodies. Beyond that, it is difficult for Lew and Doc to connect the two victims, until a close friend of one of them flies into town to assist on the case. Gina suspects a con-man that was romantically involved with her friend in Kansas City, and then skipped town one day, taking a large chunk of her money with him. Gina believes that her friend, Ashley, may have come to Loon Lake to meet the man, and works closely with Doc, Lew, and Ray to track down a vicious killer.

This series just gets better and better! There are three main characters that are in each of the books...Lew, Doc Osborne, and Ray, and they are such vivid characters that I feel I could visit Loon Lake and meet them. I love the way that they work together as a team, and the budding romance between Lew and Doc. In this installment, Ray finds out he may have a son, and brings him to live in Loon Lake for the summer, and I found the addition of this subplot to be very interesting. I also enjoyed the addition of Ray's potential love interest, Gina. Even though I figured out the identity of the killer very early on in this book, I loved the way the whole plot unfolded and how the main characters worked together to catch the killer. Even if you are not a fisherman, this is a great series for those that like cozy style mysteries.

The first book in the series is called "Dead Angler". Enjoy!

Even if fishing is not your thing, you will enjoy this latest by Victoria Houston. Retired dentist Paul Osborne doesn't really enjoy finding dead bodies in the water, but at least it keeps him in contact with the attractive, fiftyish Police Chief Lew Ferris. When the two bodies of young women show up with similiar bite marks on them, Lew asks Paul to help her as a temporary Medical Examiner. Paul is usually accompanied by his young friend Ray Pradt, a man-of-the-woods who this time is occupied by the sudden appearance of a son he knew nothing about.

The arrival of one of the dead woman's friends and the long-lost "goth" son bring a great mix to the small town of Big Creek characters. As Paul and Lew focus on a con man who may have targeted the dead women the two become suspicious of newcomers and find themselves not knowing who to trust.

This is a character driven series that will not fail to entertain and will introduce fish-phobes to the pleasures of fishing.

Could not put it down!!! They really need to make this book into a movie. Keith Ferrario puts the reader in the story and delivers the best ending I have read to date. Excellent overall.

I love Horror novels and this one read like a movie as has been previously stated. I could not put it down and am anxiously awaiting future works from this craftful suspense novice. I particularly enjoyed the characters of the novel, and the general everyday meets Stephen King in say the late 1950's feel of the book. I just really enjoyed this read and hope that you can find a copy so that you can too.

Though a little slow in the opening, Mr. Ferrario quickly caught my attention. It's been a while since I've read a 300+ page book in two days. Mr. Ferrario did an outstanding job for a first-timer and I hope this won't be the last. Please continue! A little advice, Mr Ferrario, as a First-Time Author myself (Voyage To Olympus) I realize how difficult the marketing can be but, you have a rare talent ... Don't give up ... you'll make. I'm looking for the next one. To others that happen on to this novel ... Get it! Read it! You won't be disappointed.

I just finished this book and I want to read it again. What an amazing story! A supernatural thriller set in a small town about a boy named Georgie, who happens to be dead. The character development was excellent and I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know more about the strange goings-on in the town of Fulton. The climax was incredible, full of twists, I was sad when I finished it. I can't wait for the movie to come out, if any story deserves to be portrayed on film, it's this one. Definately a great book for anyone fascinated by the supernatural and paranormal world.

Wow! What a great book! I only hope Keith Ferrario keeps them coming! For a first attempt this is a spin chilling masterpiece. From the first page to the head spinning plot twist of an ending, this is a cover to cover page turner. Someone needs to buy the movie rights. A great book.

I truly loved this book. The reading is easy, extremley interesting, next to impossible to put down. I wasn't sure what to expect when starting this book. I must say I wish I had 3 little minions like Nat does. This book has all great qualities. A great adventure ride, mild gore, teenage kids, and of course demons. If you are looking for a wonderful story, fast and easy to read, and leaving you wanting more (a sequel would be nice) read this book.

My son absolutely loved the book! He couldn't put it down! We bought the book for something for him to read on our vacation and he read it in 3 days! My son is hoping for another book from this author to come out very soon.

This is a fast paced story appropriate for adults and young adults. The characters are well developed and the demons are creative and fun (and some are scary). I really enjoyed reading this and my kids will like it as well.

This book will really sink its teeth into you! Clever characters and exciting action sequences propel you from the first page to the last. Plus, there's just the right amount of blood, guts, and gore to delight readers.

" 'There's only one copy of this in the nation,' she said. 'I can have it for you in three weeks.'
" 'Great! Thank you...'
" 'I'm Sandy. And there's the one-dollar interlibrary loan fee.'
" 'Right. Of course,' Nat said. He nodded and began dumping dimes, quarters, nickels, lint, and an inspected by tag onto Sandy's pristine desk.
"Sandy couldn't help herself -- she stacked the coins by denomination, then hurried the lint and tag to the garbage.
"Nat smiled as he watched her fuss.
"Sandy realized he was watching and looked up. Their eyes met. U Go Girl! she thought. She took a deep breath. 'You know, you've been coming here for a little while, and I never see you with anyone.'
" 'I don't know a lot of people.'
" 'You know me...now.' She scribbled on his interlibrary loan receipt. 'You could call my cell.'
" 'Your cell?'
" 'My phone.'
"Nat debated. He looked pained. 'I'm not supposed to,' he said finally.
" 'What? Like there's some rule against it?'
"Nat took his receipt. 'Yes,' he said quickly, and he fled before she could say another word.
"Sandy watched him go, sad. She didn't know how U Go Girl! would rate her effort to adventurize, but she imagined that, because the first boy she'd gotten the courage to proposition had run away, it wouldn't be good."

I really enjoyed my first visit to Seattle. The Convention Center where ALA was meeting is conveniently located right in the center of the city, and the buses -- which are inexpensive when heading to the outskirts and free when traveling around the city center -- are all operated by friendly, helpful drivers. We stayed at a hostel which was close to the water and right around the corner from both the Pike Place Market and a nice little shop with great salt bagels. And, we had the pleasure of being taken out for lunch to a highly-acclaimed vegan restaurant: Bamboo Garden on Roy Street. The hot and sour soup there is the best I've ever tasted.

Just a few blocks away from the restaurant, in a massive 1901 Craftsman-style home that sits amidst a tidy Queen Anne Hill neighborhood, Nat -- that skittish 15 year-old boy who was being assisted by high school sophomore and Seattle Public Library junior assistant librarian Sandra (Sandy) Nertz -- lives alone. Well, not really alone. The house is filled with demons and it is his job to feed, care for, and contain them, now that his teacher, Dhaliwahl has died. It has been a challenging and often lonely first month of "keeping" the demons on his own. For heaven's sake! He's almost gotten himself eaten.

And Dhaliwahl's teachings had, in fact, included instructions that Nat stay away from girls.

There are hundreds of goofy demons bouncing around Nat's house. And then there is The Beast, a deadly, nightmarish demon being kept locked in the fortified basement who is fed through a barred feeding shoot.

Oh, and don't forget about Nat's own three minions: There is Pernicious, "the demonic incarnation of nasty surprises," Nikolai, who "embodies the chaos of not knowing one's own strength," and Flappy, "a wind demon, the incarnation of swirling gusts -- the aimless, spasmodic sort that sent children's kites into trees." The trio are a total blast.

But, the question is, when things start really going badly, will the minions be more help or hindrance? And what about Sandy, the resourceful teenage junior assistant librarian? Or the pair of skater dudes who break into the demon-filled house with disastrous consequences.

"Nat stomped his foot. 'I mean it, did you receive a clear visual image of three demonic manifestations that are minionic in character?'
" 'I saw a pint-sized dragon, a deformed evil gnome on steroids, and a retarded two-legged Chihuahua.'
" 'So you did see them,' Nat said."

DEMONKEEPER by Royce Buckingham is an alternately sweet, funny, and occasionally deadly story of a lonely boy, a lonely girl, a house full of demons, a vengeful apprentice gone bad, a pair of skater dudes, and The Beast. The middle school kids are going to eat this one up with a gusto equal to that of Pernicious, Nikolai, and Flappy when they greedily dive headfirst into their cast iron trough full of fish guts.

I actually didn't start this book with extremely high hopes, I thought it would be sort of 'high school drama meets Artemis Fowl'. Luckily, I was completely wrong.

Devilish is the first book I've read by Maureen Johnson, but I'll certainly be reading more. The plot is truley unique, very well crafted, and you are still guessing even when you get to the last page. I laughed out loud at many of the main character's (Jane's) comments. I read the whole thing in one sitting. The characters were well developed, and to top it all off, there is a touch of romance too.

The plot summary Amazon gives is actually fairly accurate, but it's also so much more than that. (Don't be turned off by the "Poodle Prom" part. It's a lot more inconsequential than the summary might lead you to believe.) Along with the fact that it's funny, unique, and well written, you'll also keep thnking about it long afterward. It will certainly make you wonder just what might be going on with Heaven and Hell, and exactly what that intense connection might be.

I'd definitely recommend this book, even to someone who might no long consider themselves a "young adult". My only complaint was that the end came too quickly, I really would have liked to know what happens after Jane recovers... What happens with her and Allison, Owen, and everyone else for that matter? And her schooling?

Hopefully, there will be a sequel.

I must say that I was very impressed while reading this. Now why can't all books be like this? Or should I say, "written like this"? Even though I shouldn't do this, and I know it's wrong, I judge a book by its cover. I know, the worst thing you can do to a book. When stumbling upon this book, the cover really interested me. A Hot Girl holding a Cup Cake. So I read the back of it, and gave it a chance, thining it was some girl chick flick novel. Before I knew it, I finished it in one day. And gave it to a friend and she read it in one day. Very good book if I must say so myself.
I love how the author writes. Her unique way of writing is what makes her a great author! She really makes the characters thoughts and feelings come alive and you just keep reading and turning the page because she has developed this "suspense" that makes you want to keep on reading and reading until you're finished with the book.
So basically this story is about a girl, after a horrible accident, sells her soul to the devil or should I say, a demon. I would highly recommend this book to others and I see that the other reviewers are just like me; loved the book. But, I warn you. Once you pick up this book, you will not be able to put it back down until you're finished. It's not your typical teen novel about some girl getting into conflicts with herself and boys and sex.
Highly Recommended
Overall Grade* A
Jordan

i am not normally a person who likes books with demons and devels. however i picked the book out without reading what it was about and i found out that it was an amazing book. i think that everyone should read this.

Maureen Johnson is a fantastic writer. This book was excellent. It was suspenseful and interesting and throughout the whole book there was never a point where I didn't want to know what would happen next. Cleverly written and interesting, this is definitely one of the most interesting and unique YA novels that I've read.

Jane Jarvis has always looked after her best friend, Ally. So Jane is determined to help Ally through Big-Little day at Saint Teresa's Preparatory School for Girls. Big-Little day is a day when seniors each choose a freshman to take under their wing and mentor as their "little." Ally, unpopular and totally lacking in self-confidence, is sure that no freshman will want her for a "big." And sure enough, Big-Little day ends disastrously for Ally when she humiliates herself in front of the whole school.

But the next day, something strange starts happening. Ally shows up at school with a new haircut and new clothes. Not only is her appearance changed, but Ally also seems to have developed a new-found confidence. Jane begins to suspect that something is wrong, and eventually she discovers that Ally has sold her soul to a demon. Jane is determined to save Ally at all costs, but more than that, Jane soon finds herself caught up in cosmic battle against the forces of evil.

I'm not a big fan of high school stories; high school wasn't all that great when I was actually there, and I certainly have no desire to relive it in books. But devilish caught my attention from the first page and held it to the end. Jane is a fascinating character, a brilliant student but a rebel, and it's a lot of fun to watch her try to outwit the demon. devilish is a funny, fast-paced story with many interesting twists, but mostly it's just a really good read.

Not a word wasted.

Strange.

Funny.

More ideas than 100 sci-fi novels.

More violence than the Crusades.

It is ace. You should buy it.

reviewed by Cellblock (Withersin Magazine)

08.02.07




This book took me less than a day to read, but about a week to digest and I found myself rereading pages in order to make sure I was not missing a clue. D. Harlan Wilson has, what can only be described as, a "Webster-like" vocabulary. Sharp readers will pick up all manner of enigmatical pop culture references. The action was fast paced and often appalling and hilarious at the same time. I could easily try to break this story down into an existentialist rambling, but I thoroughly enjoyed trying to analyze the obscure references to today's sad attempt at cultural reformation. It felt like I was sitting in an episode of Mystery Science Theatre 3000, laughing at half of the jokes and wondering at the rest. Readers would be advised to pack a dictionary and get ready to feast on the carnage.

D. Harlan Wilson's Dr. Identity is a hip, darkly funny satire that focuses on newly minted assistant professor Dr. Blah Blah Blah, the robot he occasionally sends to teach his students, and the overall absurdities of academic life. Shortly after beginning his stint at Corndog University, Dr. Blah finds that his colleagues demonstrate a covert animosity toward him, which, in addition to his students' tardiness and apathy, renders his new job altogether intolerable. When a discouraged Dr. Blah sends his robot, Dr. Identity, to teach his class for him a second time in one week (which is normally a risky undertaking at Corndog U.), the machine's accidental murder of a student sets the stage for a fun, mind-bending journey, which, although completely surreal, becomes eerily reminiscent of the reader's own college experience.

In addition to the well-read hilarity of the book, Wilson's juxtaposition of the realistic and the bizarre does a great job of reinforcing aspects of the novel that parody academia and its strange, unspoken codes of conduct. This pairing becomes an elegant, economical way of suggesting that the pretensions within Corndog University's English department are just as absurd as electric sheep or neozuters having a conversation in Donaldduckspeak. For example, Wilson writes: "Bob had legally changed his surname to an author in his field who was of interest to him in some pedagogical or scholarly way. Additionally, he had done his best to dress himself up like the Russian novelist, sporting dimestore spectacles, a long greasy beard, and a motheaten overcoat. He had grafted eyebags on his face, too" (16). Poking fun at the way academics, like many other professionals, feel pressured to assume a persona, Wilson takes Dr. Blah and his colleagues beyond the stereotypical tweed blazer with suede elbow patches, often emphasizing some characters' desire for plastic surgery and other physical changes to better perform their jobs. Depicting commonplace behavior in an exaggerated and surreal way, Wilson's parody subtly hints at the ridiculousness of doing a job and trying to act the part at the expense of one's individuality, keeping the reader laughing out loud all the while.

Dr. Identity's exploration of technology and the ways it shapes the characters' sense of self is also impressive. Often focusing on the way electronics and other innovations begin to dominate rather than merely mediate one's day-to-day experiences, characters sometimes demonstrate a desire to imitate technology or even become mechanical themselves. For example, Wilson writes in Dr. Identity: "I thought he was an android. He was wearing mechanical contact lenses. Apparently it's a new fashion statement that surfaced yesterday and was disseminated last night via the Schizoverse...That was the de facto scoop your student-things gave me. To be nonhuman. Nobody told me about that kind of technodesire" (32). Using the same juxtaposition of the everyday with the bizarre found in previous passages to help the reader envision his or her own comfortable world becoming the futuristic one in this novel, Wilson's depictions of the characters' identity being shaped by media and technology forces prove both realistic and chilling.

A mix of Orwellian satire, existential philosophy, and strikingly original humor, Dr. Identity is an erudite and entertaining read. Anyone who enjoys zoot suits, fedoras, an intellectually engaging parody, or a skillfully constructed narrative will be missing out if they don't add this book to their library. Five stars.

I have been a fan of D.Harlan Wilson's very descriptive and at times disturbing stories, but never have I been able to connect the dots until reading Dr. Identity. Reminding me a bit of Kurt Vonnegut's work, his heroes are flawed, and their enemies are not individuals, but culture, society and history, which are certainly making a mess of our planet. Bliptown, it's enhabitants and cultures are so outrageous that at first glance the reader might not see the reality inside, but take a closer look and you will see that it is the current state of the world staring you in the face. This is a very daring and truthful novel - one that every participant of society should read read and learn from!

After reading the first few chapters of this book, you'll think to yourself "Wow, this guy REALLY knows his sci-fi."

I say this because any science fiction fan will know that sci-fi novels often are sprinkled (or doused) with its own lingo. Authors create a future and go about sprucing everyday items up and giving them knew names. Sometimes this makes the entire story/novel confusing, sometimes it works to create a richer world that just feels more real. Which one is DR. IDENTITY? Well, let's just say it's a rich, rich world.

D. Harlan Wilson has obviously studied science-fiction. You can tell just by the way he uses language in order to paint the world he created. It's quite similar, in fact, to Philip K. Dick. I believe that there is indeed shadows of PKD throughout DR. IDENTITY and this is not a bad thing at all.

One thing that sets THIS book and the works of PKD is the humor. DR.IDENTITY is filled with it. Even in the ultraviolent, splatter(cyber)punk parts.. you can't help but chuckle at the absurd lengths of bloody carnage.

The book is also a furious attack on academia. D. Harlan Wilson seems to be no stranger to that world and has had enough experience to see through the B.S. of the academic world. Throughout this book you'll see not so subtle jabs at that world and you'll laugh. However, through that laughter you'll realize that it's actually quite sad considering how very true it is. In fact, if I was a department head or a Dean at a university, I wouldn't be happy at all by this book. I'd probably dismiss it as fluff or garbage. But thank god I'm not because this book is anything but fluff or garbage. The author himself calls it a "pulp science fiction" novel... but really it feels like more than that.

Okay, so what about action? Any action?

Yes.

Loads of it. Bloody action. More action than KILL BILL. More violence than GRINDHOUSE. More blood than any move I've ever seen. Is it disturbing then? Is D. Harlan Wilson the next Edward Lee? No, no. The violence, like I mentioned, is done in such an over-the-top way that it's not stomach-churning.

CONS: I think towards the end it slows a bit and doesn't wrap itself up as neatly as I would have liked. Throughout the book, the chapters switch perspectives from Dr.-----, Dr. Identity, and then third person. I just felt that toward the end, the reader lost connection with Dr.Identity and Dr.-----.. and so it wasn't as satisfying as I had expected. I admit that others may feel differently. But if I was pressed to come up with a criticism (which is only fair), I'd say that's about it.

DR.IDENTITY is a worthwhile book because it's entertaining and vivid, funny and violent. It has lots to say about academia, capitalism, and society. If you like your sci-fi funny and irreverent, buy this book and read it.

What else can I add? Other reviewers have done a remarkable job summing up this brilliant anthology. Do yourself a favor- order it!

Sarah

I purchased this as a gift, so have no opinion about the book; but others seem to like it a lot.

For unexplicable reasons, Amazon cancelled my order twice. Since I had originally purchased it with other items, I couldn't get free shipping when I had to reorder. They said they would reimburse my shipping if I reordered, but cancelled my order again so they wouldn't have to send it for free. I ended up buying it with something else to get free shipping. Then I had to spend my own money to send it to the original gift recipient.

This blissful collection of delightfully spooky tales will bring back the love of bedtime reading for all ages. Just scary enough to make you nervous, just real enough to make you believe but not gory enough to give you nightmares. Great for sleepovers and camp-outs; make some smores and learn a few Lessons from the Dark Side.

Twisting, hilarious, scary and downright wonderful; you'll certainly have Goosebumps but with Dr. Offig at the lecturn - you will have SO much more!

Gifford has outdone himself this time! This author can manage to make you laugh and quake in your boots all at the same time. This is the perfect book for young and old alike. It is full of brilliance and wonderful characters. Read a lesson at a time, or be so enthralled that you don't ever put it down!! Can't wait for volume 2.

Crawl under your covers, fire up your flashlight and be prepared to shiver and shake. Turn off your light when you dare and just try to go to sleep...

Dr. Offig's lessons will keep you awake wanting to read more.

I can't wait for the next book to come out. Until then just forget about trying to see what is just out of the corner of your eye. You know something is there. Dr. Offig will tell you all about it. The doctor is IN...

This a sequel that is just as wonderful as the first book! I loved Echoes in the Mist. Blayne Cooper delivers another passionate thriller. Echoes begins where Cobb Island leaves off without missing a beat. Join Kayla Redding and Oliva Hazelwood in spirited Edinburg,Scotland. They will start their new career together as partners in paranormal research. I don't think Liv knows what she signed up for but, Kayla believes in Liv's abilities. While they are investigating a haunted hotel, they also get to hear more Redding/Cobb family history from a very loveable character named Badger. Badger informs Kayla and Liv of what happened to Bridget Redding and Faylinn Cobb after the night Bridget was branded a witch and Faylinn's husband wound up dead. Did I mention that these women lived in the 17th century? Echoes has great characters, a good plot that is able to stand on it's own, wicked humor, love, lust, hot sex(even if it is between dead chicks!) and ghosts?...maybe...maybe not! This book also gives hope that our spirits will never die and we will walk hand in hand with the love our lives through the mist of eternity. This is a sequel worth reading! You won't be disappointed! This book will stay in my collection to read again. Blayne Cooper is turning out to be one of my favorite authors and I look forward to reading more from her.

I loved this book and was sad when it ended. I agree with the reviewer who said this sequel is even better than Cobb Island, which is saying a lot since Cobb Island is excellent. Love these characters, I felt as if they were real people and good friends. If you like steamy romance, lite comedy and a good mystery, then you'll love this book.

Wonderful romantic comedy that evolves into a mystery wrapped around a dramatic romance set in colonial Virginia. The reader is treated to two sets of very interesting women. Delightful humor is sprinkled throughout this story. An endearing romance keeps you turning the page well past the time your eyes want to you call it quits for the night. I loved the surprise at the end!

In this sequel to 'Cobb Island,' Kayla Redding and Olivia Hazelwood continue their adventures together in Edinburgh Scotland, solving a "haunting" mystery and learning more about Kayla's ancestors, Bridget and Faylinn.

This book is more than a double-romance (i.e., Kayla/Liv and Bridget/Faylinn), it's a mystery too. Kayla and Liv have been hired to determine if a ghostly presence in one of Edinburgh's historical mansions is real or a hoax. While there, they visit the descendants of Bridget and Faylinn - most of their time is spent with Badger, a man who tells the story of the deceased lovers. When not with Badger, they explore each other and study the ghost in the mansion. There is more than one twist in the last few chapters... only one of which this reader anticipated.

Cooper does a masterful job bringing life to all the characters in the book. Her talent brings two complete romances in one book, and this reader was able to follow the transition between the two stories easily.

Great book, even better than the first in the series. Highly recommended, as are all of Cooper's books.

I was so impressed with this book and Cobb Island that comes before it. Cooper's writing is magnificient. I could not read these books fast enough. I was reading every spare second that I had and still could not get enough. I wanted this story to go on and on. I want MORE!! I want these stories to keep going, so I can keep reading. I have never read a story that kept me wanting more. The characters become so personal. You learn so much about them. It's like reading about someone you know like your bestfriend. When I was reading I would laugh with them, cry with them, and feel for them over all. I would stop reading my book to run in the other room to tell my partner what had just happened, like she should know these people in real life.
Needless to say, these are WONDERFUL books !! You will love them !