I don't hide the fact that I am a lover of all things horror related. I've been pretty stuck on my regular horror authors. Stephen King, Dean Koontz, John Saul, Peter Straub. Now, on occasion I have dabbled outside of these regulars. It wasn't until I read Snuff by Adam Huber and Eric Enck, that a book had really disturbed me. Since reading Stuff, I have dipped in and out of the more extreme horror stuff. It wasn't until mid-last year that I found out extreme horror is actually a thing, a legit sub-genre of it's very own.
I found the book that is about to be reviewed COMPLETELY by accident. Actually, I was watching a movie on netflix called "Come Back to me". I found the story interesting and I found out it was a book first. Of course I had to look that shit up. The book is called The Resurrectionist by Wrath James White. I didn't end up buying it until later, but it lead me to His Pain by the same author. The cover was disturbing, yet intriguing. The rest is kindle downloading history.
This is a story that stays with you long after you finish it. Hell, I read it a year ago and it is something that still sticks in my mind a year later.
Jason is born with a very rare disorder. He is hypersensitive to everything. Touching, tasting, sound, smells: they all bring him nothing but mind numbing pain. His own mother (Melanie), can't even hold Jason when he screams out in pain. Jason surprises his doctors by living far beyond his life expectancy of a few years and makes it to 18. Jason has made it through life so long because Jason lives his life in a bubble, (literally), to keep safe from the world around him. they have Jason on a heavy regiment of drugs, (both legal and illegal), triple boil all of his food and try as hard as they can to keep his room sound proof. What a way to live life right?
Jason's mother long ago considered what no mother would even dream of
thinking about, killing her own son to save him from a lifetime of
misery. Appalled, Melanie's husband, (Edward),talks her out of doing it every time it's suggested. That doesn't stop Melanie from thinking about doing it daily. (I mention this because it comes in to play later in the book.).
One day, Melanie comes across Yogi Arjunda on a local talk-show. Yogi claims with time he can cure any ailment. Having run out of medical and spiritual options, Melanie sends Yogi a desperate email asking for his help. When all is said and done, both Melanie and Edward (who is reluctant, but agrees anyways.), agree to allow Yogi a month to work with Jason and hope everything turns out for the best.
Yogi's treatment does work....in a way, and also back fires in a huge way. Yogi's method is unconventional. His idea is to make Jason feel all of his pain and learn to embrace it all instead of fearing it. Jason does learn to live with and even enjoy pain. Unfortunately, he also wants to show his parents and the world what his pain has felt like for the past 18 years. Shit gets real after Yogi "cures" Jason.
My feelings on this book are so conflicted. I don't really want to admit that I liked it, because that just makes me sound like a fucked up human. But I did not hate it. I commend Mr. White for NOT taking the typical, "backwoods, cannibalistic, redneck route", that so many other extreme horror authors take. Mr White went for something that felt believable and real. Mr. White also touches on some controversial issues as well. Is it okay for a mother, who gave birth to this child who is constantly in unbelievable pain every single day, too want to kill her own son to save him from more pain? Personally, I would be asking that question too if I were in Melanie's shoes. I might even act on it, given a kid like Jason's condition in life. I liked this book because it does bring up such taboo subjects and forces you to think about them.
Despite all of his horrendous actions later on in the book, Jason is very easy to sympathize with. Even after his rampage it is, (as much as I hate to say this), it's still kinda easy to see where he's coming from, (except the long scene with his mom after he gets "better". That bit was just fucking gross.). He is a kid who lives with nothing but pain, and once he learns to live with it and go about his daily life, he finds himself suddenly lost; unsure where he fits in to the world. It is kind of sad in a way, and I found myself feeling a little bit sorry for the kid.
The gore is....well it's extreme horror. You can pretty much expect the gross, unexpected and depraved. There were some parts that even had this horror princess cringing and gagging a little. Any book that can do that is alright by me.
I will not be giving away the ending, but there is one thing that really stuck out to me. It actually comes back to Melanie wanting to kill her own son. Jason is face to face with his dad (Edward is looking into the unpopular end of a shotgun), and Edward can't believe his son would want to kill him. Naturally, Edward asks him why. Jason tells him because you always said no. (This is paraphrasing a bit, but it is close enough to what was actually said in the book.) Edward asks him what he means. Jason says something to the effect of: you always said no when mom wanted to kill me and end my suffering. Killing me would have been the kindest thing you two could have done.
I thought those these were very powerful words. I actually thought about this scene long after I finished this book. You will have to read it for yourselves and determine for yourself what is the right or wrong course of actions in this case. I haven't really come across too many EH books that actually have me pondering it's moral contents long after I finish reading.
I know earlier I said I can't say I like this book. Screw feeling the a horrible human being. I liked this book. As soon as I'm able to forget it, I'll most likely drag it back out and reread it again. Mr White's stories are always though provoking, unique and touch on taboo subjects. I like that in a writer. If you are looking for something a little more disturbing than a Stephen King story, than I suggest starting with this story. Then work your way into White's other works. This novel is actually rather tame compared to his other stories. Sad but true folks.
I proudly ,(as a decent human being), give this story a 5/5
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Malice review
It has been a while. I've been in bookworm land, and have touched little else but a book or my kindle in the last few months. That being said, I have SEVERAL books in need of review. For now, we will go with the series I am currently reading, (spoiler alert. I LOOOOOVE this series.). For once I will be refraining from spoilers. It will be hard, but I want fantasy lovers like myself to read these books.
I recently picked up both Malice and Valor by John Gwynne from amazon.com. They are simple by eye catching covers, plus they both got pretty good reviews. Why not just go for it. I am not going to lie people, both of these books are no joke. Not the biggest book I've tackled, but not small by any means. Each book is 600+ pages. So if you are looking for a commitment, these are the books for you.
Our story is set in the Banished Lands. According to the map inside the book, (and what is actually written in the book.), there are many provinces within the Banished Lands. Each province has it's own king/queen, (or both), along with rules. Some lands get on a little better than others. Wars and skirmishes tend to break out more often than not here.
So, let me backtrack here a little and talk about Elyon and Asroth. The god wars began with these two. Elyon being a benevolent god, and Asroth being a great deceiver and all around douche monkey. While these two are not main characters in the story, they each play a big part in events to come.
A thousand (give or take a few years), years ago there was a god war. Elyon won and Asroth was banished to the underworld for all time. Asroth despised Elyon's creation of man and giants, and pitted the two races against each other. This action sent Elyon to desperate measures, extinguishing the threat in to almost extinction. Elyon did figure out Asroth's plan, but massive damage had been done. Elyon, in despair, abandoned man and giant kind so he could mourn those he killed. This leaves Asroth with time to figure out how to release himself from the underworld and destroy Elyron's creations he hates so much.
This all comes in to play with a prophecy, (yes, yes. I know almost every fantasy series has one of these), there will be the "The bright star", which would be Elyon's champion, (I'd say minion of righteousness, but that sounds less heroic.). "The dark star" would, of course be Asroth's vessel to control.
Now we come to our players in this book. There are A LOT of them. Thankfully, Mr Gwynne makes them all easy to follow, so it doesn't feel so cluster fuckish. For now I'll cover the main players.
Corban is a teenage boy who dreams of being a great warrior. His name day is soon coming and he will finally get to show his worth. Unfortunately, the town bully, Rafe, makes him feel anything but a warrior. In order to better his confidence and his skills, Corban seeks out Gar, the local and mysterious stable master and asks for some training. That training will prove to be useful in more ways than one.
Veradis at first unwillingly joins the high prince's warband. Veradis is skilled with a sword, which comes in handy when your apart of a warband. The high prince and Veradis become rather fast friends, (given they have saved each others lives on several occasions.). Veradis and his dedication to his high prince is unwavering, and wants nothing more than to see his prince succeed in his journey.
Evnis is counsellor to king Brenin of Ardan, (Which also happens to be home to Corban as well). While he may have the kings ear, Evnis and his allegiances lie elsewhere. Really, all he wants is power.
Nathair is high prince and has ambitions way beyond his own fathers. He is ruthless and will cut down anyone who gets in his way.
*Deep breath*. The characters in this first novel are so varied and very well developed. Everyone in this book has reasons for what they do. No matter how far fetched they may seem, each character does a excellent job at justifying their actions; almost making the most horrible betrayal seem logical in a way.
We aren't going to get in to betrayals, because that would ruin the book. Rest assured there is A LOT of it in this story.
The world building is just as fantastic as the character development. Mr. Gwynne describes landscapes in such a way that you can see it in your mind, actually picturing what forests, picture what the people look like. It has been a long time, (Not since I've read...well any Robin Hobbs book. She's pretty much the queen of world and character building), since I've been able to picture a land and it's people in my head.
The battle scenes, (which usually bore me in most fantasy books), are richly composed and a joy to read. Which is super unusual.
This isn't really a spoiler, but at one point Corban saves a Wolven cub from being killed by a hunt party. While I didn't list Storm as a main character, she should be. She has personality, and is fierce in her protection of Corban. It's sweet and reassuring. And most of all pleases the animal lover in me.
The villains are complex, and you can almost understand why they act the way they do. Well, all except for Asroth, he is your typical crawling from the underworld, and taking over the world kind of asshat. But Asroth aside, I do enjoy a villain(s) with depth.
I really can't say anything bad about this book. Yes, it does the typical prophecy thing, which usually annoys me, but it isn't until book two that this prophecy is explored and explained a little more. I mean it's a little predictable who the dark and bright stars will be. But it's fun letting the characters come to conclusions and accept the truth themselves.
I've already finished the second book, Valor. I loved the second book almost as much as the first. I'm just sad I have to wait until October for book three, and even longer for book four.
But for anyone in need of a great fantasy read, this is the book for you!
10/5
I recently picked up both Malice and Valor by John Gwynne from amazon.com. They are simple by eye catching covers, plus they both got pretty good reviews. Why not just go for it. I am not going to lie people, both of these books are no joke. Not the biggest book I've tackled, but not small by any means. Each book is 600+ pages. So if you are looking for a commitment, these are the books for you.
Our story is set in the Banished Lands. According to the map inside the book, (and what is actually written in the book.), there are many provinces within the Banished Lands. Each province has it's own king/queen, (or both), along with rules. Some lands get on a little better than others. Wars and skirmishes tend to break out more often than not here.
So, let me backtrack here a little and talk about Elyon and Asroth. The god wars began with these two. Elyon being a benevolent god, and Asroth being a great deceiver and all around douche monkey. While these two are not main characters in the story, they each play a big part in events to come.
A thousand (give or take a few years), years ago there was a god war. Elyon won and Asroth was banished to the underworld for all time. Asroth despised Elyon's creation of man and giants, and pitted the two races against each other. This action sent Elyon to desperate measures, extinguishing the threat in to almost extinction. Elyon did figure out Asroth's plan, but massive damage had been done. Elyon, in despair, abandoned man and giant kind so he could mourn those he killed. This leaves Asroth with time to figure out how to release himself from the underworld and destroy Elyron's creations he hates so much.
This all comes in to play with a prophecy, (yes, yes. I know almost every fantasy series has one of these), there will be the "The bright star", which would be Elyon's champion, (I'd say minion of righteousness, but that sounds less heroic.). "The dark star" would, of course be Asroth's vessel to control.
Now we come to our players in this book. There are A LOT of them. Thankfully, Mr Gwynne makes them all easy to follow, so it doesn't feel so cluster fuckish. For now I'll cover the main players.
Corban is a teenage boy who dreams of being a great warrior. His name day is soon coming and he will finally get to show his worth. Unfortunately, the town bully, Rafe, makes him feel anything but a warrior. In order to better his confidence and his skills, Corban seeks out Gar, the local and mysterious stable master and asks for some training. That training will prove to be useful in more ways than one.
Veradis at first unwillingly joins the high prince's warband. Veradis is skilled with a sword, which comes in handy when your apart of a warband. The high prince and Veradis become rather fast friends, (given they have saved each others lives on several occasions.). Veradis and his dedication to his high prince is unwavering, and wants nothing more than to see his prince succeed in his journey.
Evnis is counsellor to king Brenin of Ardan, (Which also happens to be home to Corban as well). While he may have the kings ear, Evnis and his allegiances lie elsewhere. Really, all he wants is power.
Nathair is high prince and has ambitions way beyond his own fathers. He is ruthless and will cut down anyone who gets in his way.
*Deep breath*. The characters in this first novel are so varied and very well developed. Everyone in this book has reasons for what they do. No matter how far fetched they may seem, each character does a excellent job at justifying their actions; almost making the most horrible betrayal seem logical in a way.
We aren't going to get in to betrayals, because that would ruin the book. Rest assured there is A LOT of it in this story.
The world building is just as fantastic as the character development. Mr. Gwynne describes landscapes in such a way that you can see it in your mind, actually picturing what forests, picture what the people look like. It has been a long time, (Not since I've read...well any Robin Hobbs book. She's pretty much the queen of world and character building), since I've been able to picture a land and it's people in my head.
The battle scenes, (which usually bore me in most fantasy books), are richly composed and a joy to read. Which is super unusual.
This isn't really a spoiler, but at one point Corban saves a Wolven cub from being killed by a hunt party. While I didn't list Storm as a main character, she should be. She has personality, and is fierce in her protection of Corban. It's sweet and reassuring. And most of all pleases the animal lover in me.
The villains are complex, and you can almost understand why they act the way they do. Well, all except for Asroth, he is your typical crawling from the underworld, and taking over the world kind of asshat. But Asroth aside, I do enjoy a villain(s) with depth.
I really can't say anything bad about this book. Yes, it does the typical prophecy thing, which usually annoys me, but it isn't until book two that this prophecy is explored and explained a little more. I mean it's a little predictable who the dark and bright stars will be. But it's fun letting the characters come to conclusions and accept the truth themselves.
I've already finished the second book, Valor. I loved the second book almost as much as the first. I'm just sad I have to wait until October for book three, and even longer for book four.
But for anyone in need of a great fantasy read, this is the book for you!
10/5
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