This novel is a complex lattice with sub-stories traversed between them, creating a magnificent performance worth becoming a movie. Or two, I must say, because here we have material for weeks.
Let’s start from the beginning. I like how the author introduces the several characters (Jasmine, her mother, her boyfriend, friends…) but without stopping to develop impossible descriptions which would make the book tedious and even more massive. No, Simmons knows what he is doing and keeps you awake, not abandoning a shuddering style of story-telling that doesn’t allow you to put the book down. You just don’t find the moment. It’s that “just one more page” kind of book. I read it in two goes.
Once Jasmine gets into the grandmother’s house, then the fun begins. But not how you are expecting, the author hides from the blurb all the intensity and volume of the catastrophes these poor protagonists go through.
An average haunted house book? Hell no. The house is the least of the problems in a hurricane of unfortunate curses and demonic appearances which are not willing to put their guns down.
I LOVED the old school horror elements Simmons veils in the plot. While you are reading it, you have flavours in your mouth from the past, the references would be numerous, and that is one of the reasons why this book is so rich and diverse.
The convulsive component is what ties everything up together. You NEVER expect what is next, when you think the story-line MUST be finishing, you realise you’re only halfway through the book and the game —it’s just started.
He makes you feel. That’s why you’re going to love this book. As the characters played their roles, I literally said out loud things like “man, don’t do that”; “girl, you’re gonna die”; “alright, I was wrong.”; “no way?!”.
The author makes you conversate to yourself and he turns into a mere spectator of the world he’s created around you. And I’m certain he smirks.
A book “magnifique”. Far more horror than you are expecting. Simmons pushes all your fibres, just in case one part of you wasn’t still scared.
I honestly recommend this book. I wasn’t aware when I read the blurb and received this book, of such a masterpiece I was holding.
I can see the hard work, the long nights and the endless effort this book must have meant for the author.
Congratulations, sincere and deep congratulations.
