HORROR
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Debbie
Wiley
Book Reviews |
| OUTSTANDING BOOK |
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Treehouse
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Depiction of the Devil
interviewing Mayor Hall
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BOOK
ILLUMINATIONS
From Debbie Wiley Book Reviews
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Horns
by Joe Hill
Ig
Perrish has had a rough time of things lately. His life is in ruins
after the murder of his beloved Merrin Williams and now he awakens to
find he has grown HORNS. Worse yet, everyone he talks to now feels
compelled to share their darkest, most evil secrets. Will Ig clear his
name with the general public and find out who really killed Merrin? Or
will the dark evil he now sees infect and ultimately destroy him?
HORNS is a brilliant tale that uses biblical references to ponder the
meanings of good and evil. Is the outside appearance of piety a true
representation of the soul? Some readers may see this tale as
blasphemous but the heart of the story is how the loss of love can make
demons out of even the kindest person. Joe Hill shows the conflicted
relationship between good and evil as Ig faces both physical and mental
battles. Perception is a key element to the storyline and will impact
in what way the reader views the theology in HORNS.
Structurally, HORNS alternates between the past and the present. The
transitions are a bit awkward although once the reader settles into
each section, the story flows seamlessly along until reaching another
transitional point. The brilliance of HORNS comes in the final
dénouement, when all of these various memories and current day
events come to one startling showdown. It is only then that the
biblical references come to full fruition and the true genius of HORNS
is revealed.
HORNS epitomizes what the classic horror genre is all about. Yes, there
are some splatter and gore scenes but what makes the tale so chilling
is that Joe Hill makes the horrific seem far too realistic. The sheer
idea of a man growing horns sounds ridiculous and yet… it works! It’s
impossible not to like Ig Perrish, even as he descends into a world of
chaos. Bravo to Joe Hill for a tale that made me laugh, cry, and gasp
in horror!
Publisher: William
Morrow
(March 2010)
Reviewed
by Debbie, Debbie Wiley Book Reviews
COURTESY
OF AMAZON VINE
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