A creepy, crawling, stomach churning, chill inducing, amazing read!
920027
I could start my introduction with a lot of words and praise to Tim Curran's novel "Dead Sea" but in the end, there really aren't many words I could use other than to say that this book is fantastic!
This being the 3rd Curran novel I have read,it shouldn't come as a surprise that I loved this one, or that he is slowly creeping up into one of my top 5 favorite authors. Really, this guy is that good.
Of course the idea of being stranded at sea is nothing new, nor is the idea of parallel universes, but Curran takes both of these ideas, melds them into this amazing cross-genre book, and leaves the reader wanting more and more with each page.
In fact, "Dead Sea" is unlike any novel I have read before. Yes, it is defiantly horror (ask any of the unlucky souls trapped in the fog on that lonely, desolate sea) but it also sci-fi, adventure, thriller, and even a bit of mystery all wrapped into one, and like I just said, Curran crafts his story so well, and so meticulously with details that it really doesn't matter where this book fits in genre-wise.
Its not only the story that is so good, but Curran's writing style is unlike anything I've read before. He has this unique ability to make the disgusting, eery, and generally creepy things so descriptive that it's almost impossible to imagine anything worse. Just read this paragraph straight from the final confrontation: ""Yes, a breath of living, cosmic, darkness, a translucent and larval incandescence, a primal chaos of decaying cadaveric gulfs. It became a bile of screaming fungal pigments and an immense, electric wraith, skeletoned by a neural network of synapses, flapping with fleshy rags, infused by increasing moonlight...a cauldron of smoldering entrails, and maybe it was a sentient plexus of mewling plasma, a creeping and hissing thermonuclear afterbirth born in some searing anti-world of radionuclides and plutonium."
And that's just ONE of the many monsters this unfortunate band of men happen to befall on their horrible journey across the Sargasso Sea/Devil's Triangle.
My complaints are minimal, and really not very significant when you compare them to the overall greatness of this novel. I got quickly sick of Saks and his stereotyped, vulgar and obscene language. I have no problem with that kind of stuff in a book, but it got to a point that was just flat out ridiculous, especially when you consider the situation he and the others were thrust into. No one, regardless of who they are, can be that quick to spout off insults and sexual innuendo as much as that guy did. Speaking of Saks, I HATED the way Curran decided to off him. He was defiantly the antagonist of this story and he deserved a much much crueler death than what was handed to him. And finally, a book this long, with so much involved, I was disappointed in the conclusion. It felt rushed and edited down to fit within the 328 pages. Of course I saw it coming, and Curran left a good literary pathway for the reader to follow, however, I would have enjoyed it to be more thought out, and a bit more dramatic.
Overall though, I was thoroughly pleased with "Dead Sea" and Tim Curran. The fact that he isn't as popular as many other horror novelists, but 10 times better, still baffles me. But hey, that's ok in my book. I'm all for the underground literary scene. Anyways, READ THIS BOOK. But it immediately. Stop reading my review and go out and purchase "Dead Sea". But be ready for many a sleepless night and a creepy sensation to wash over you.
4370090
I know this may come as a shock, but I'm a huge horror junkie! So when I saw the cover for Insylum and read the synopsis, I was immediately sold! Especially since it was such a short read AND was available to borrow on Amazon Prime!

Insylum was a thrill ride from start to finish! Make no mistake, this is NOT a YA horror book by any stretch. It is gory and brutal right from the start. As I've said, I love horror, but this is the first horror book I've ever read (EVER) that made my pulse speed up! It definitely is not for the faint of heart. The characters were surprisingly well-developed for such a small book and the "funhouse" was described in such vivid detail that, well, it was terrifying.

I love a good 800 page Stephen King novel as much as the next person, but this much horror crammed into 122 pages just works! And there's a twist at the end that I definitely did not see coming! I only wish the ending had been described in a little more detail, but I guess that's supposed to be part of the mystery. In any case, I highly recommend this to any horror fan!
4651349
Well done, Ms. Clare! This was my book club selection. I loved this book - it was chilling, astonishing and creepy. It was a quick read as I could not put the book down. The author has a way of getting her characters under your skin.
1237277
This....  is freaking AMAZING!  Normally when I enjoy a book, I storm my way through it, chewing up pages in chunks.  With this, I needed to slow down and digest it slowly, chewing on it a bit.  John C. Wright is a true wordsmith, and his prose needs to be savored. This world is like what I imagine it would've been like if HP Lovecraft had a nightmare and wrote it down as he woke up.  I found it to be one of the scariest books I've ever read.  I can't recommend it highly enough.  Need more stars!
1475595
Voluntary review of advanced reader copy
Creepy, creepy, creepy! Warning: do not read before bed unless you don't like sleep; do not read if you can't handle suspense/horror. That being said... wow! This book gave me chills, kept me guessing, creeped me out and held me completely captivated.
2250750
A perfect combination of thrills, chills and kills!

An absolute must read for all hardcore fans of the genre! Had me spooked for days, I literally couldn't put it down, looking forward to the next installment with bated breath!

Jaff's writing is pure poetry with a twist!
2890509
Holy. Frickadoodles. (No, I don't say words like this regularly. They are reserved for special situations such as these...) This was one of the creepiest books I've ever read. A worn out doll with bright green eyes, a seemingly innocent little girl, and an antisocial pink-haired teenager together weave an intricate story about a malicious ghost hungering for revenge.

The plot is fast-paced, with little details that ultimately help unravel the mystery scattered randomly throughout. As major revelations occurred, I would go back and try to find the clues that answer the questions. Sometimes this helped, but oftentimes, it appeared to complicate the plot further. The author also did a wonderful job with characterization. Pink-haired Alexis has just the right amount of sarcasm to seem like a strong girl without being overly annoying. Her younger sister Kasey was marvelous, too, as both her needy and resentful sides were portrayed realistically. It takes talent to craft a 12-year-old with the level of terrifying grace that Kasey possesses.

"Bad Girls Don't Die" is an addicting paranormal novel that will leave readers anxiously waiting for the sequel.
4762871
A fantastic haunted house story sure to stick in your mind for a very long time! Hell House is amongst the greatest haunting stories I've read. The writing style is vivid and you can picture everything clearly - just be sure to have your dictionary sitting nearby as the author beautifully constructs a world using several underused words in the English language.

This book made my heart race, my stomach churn, and my mind scream "NO!" countless times. It's a very riveting read with lots to discover on each page. There's horror, suspense, disgusting factors, and a huge mystery. I was a tad disappointed in the reveal of the mystery, but the writing style is great! The majority of the story is fascinating, refreshing, and worth the read for sure!
3267559
I am slowing becomes a huge supernatural horror fan. The Possession of Cassie Quinn just reminds me of why I fell in love with this type of book. Honestly this book just totally freaked me out and made me have goosebumps most of the way through. So if your like me and like a good scare than I would definitely read this one but be sure to keep one eye open when you sleep. I know I did.

As the book begins we learn that Cassie's Mother has just gotten remarried to a man named Dave and is now stuck with a new step-sister, Ashleigh. Cassie and her little sister, Andie are forced to move away and live in a large house in the country with her new family. Cassie just wants to be done with the move and carry on with her now fractured life the best she can. Cassie begins having frightening and confusing dreams about something that happen in the house years ago. She'll find out that the house holds many secrets, ones too dark to be told. So when things become even weirder for her upon moving it she is all but happy.  In her bedroom she receive terrifying messages that is from beyond the grave. LEAVE! Someone or "something" does not want Cassie and her family to live there. With no one to turn to she begins to make friends with the local kids and discovers they are the key to finding out what really happen and what she can do to end this. But finding the truth may end up killing her or..... worse!

No spoilers there because I don't want to give away any of the good scary parts. I must say I was very surprised but how amazing the story was. I love a good scare but this just has me looking over my shoulder for a week after. The Author Kathryn Knutson really did a excellent job at making the me feel like I was right there with Cassie while the events were taking place around her. Cassie is a strong female protagonist and reading from her POV was much more thrilling than it would have been from a 3rd person POV. The book was short read but all the more reason to want to reach the end. The last few pages I found to scare me the most and was definitely a conclusion I was not suspecting.

The one and only thing that I did not care for was the pace of the book. I found myself stopping and coming back a lot. While the author's writing was very edgy and predominant it got a little choppy at times during the book. Other than that I would say I truly enjoyed the book and would love to read the next installment.

The Possession of Cassie Quinn is a beautifully hunting tale. A thrilling ride from start to finish. A MUST read for all supernatural/horror fans. This book left me with the chills long after the last page.
3996983
From thriller to romance, from psychologically creepy to wittingly self-aware- there are story lines in this book for most everyone! Anyone I share this book with wants to pass it along to a friend- its a quick yet enthralling read that has left me yearning (yet terrified) to hear more stories from this horrific town of Donn Angelos!!
4824427
wonderfully horror!!

So well written i could fell the "presence" and the Asylum looming at me through the pages!!Couldn't bring myself to put down the book inspite of the chill running down my spine and my heart beating so fast/sometimes standing so still ,that i was sure i couldn't read any further. The end's good too.

I haven't read any of his earlier books and i think i'll try them, But NOT so soon!!!
224002
Twisted, dark and utterly hypnotic - amazing! Not a clue going into this book what is was about other than dark, and boy, did it not disappoint. I am not usually a fan of this genre, but I didn't even what the genre was until I was already hooked on the story.
We start with Lydia tied down and a man with her, you think he is the bad guy, but he isn't, we learn they are both captives, and we follow their story as captives, and what a dark and twisted tale it is, but so amazing you can't even think about stopping or turning away. Once you think the story has nowhere left to go, it evolves to the next level, it is almost two books in one, and Lydia is the only tie between the two stories. I am hooked and cannot wait until the story continues on, but don't be confused, this is a complete story, and while you know there is more, you don't feel cheated on the end of the book, you do feel the story is complete
2394456
Get ready for a jaw dropping,stomach turning demented joy ride to Bliss!

This is my first read by Matt Shaw and I am addicted. The first page had me hooked and I finished it within a day. I simply couldn't put  it down. I will be downloading the Cabin books today and I can't wait to get started on them.

Please note that this book is NOT for the faint of heart or the easily offended.

The story is thought provoking and draws you completely in. Without giving away to much information just know that the book aside from the horror and Gore is totally believable. This could really happen which makes the story even more gripping. I was completely enthralled. I also was not prepared for the ending, it took me by surprise and that doesn't happen very often.

LOVED LOVED LOVED IT!

I AM A FOREVER FAN

CD
4129941
Omg.. Ok first of all, I don't know why everyone hated this book!! I was skeptical of reading it after reading the reviews but saw another author that I love talk about it so I had to buy it. Plus the cover is really pretty. One of my favorites!

I love disturbing and all things weird and creepy. That being said the middle of this book truly had an eerie feeling.. With the darkness and being underground. My kids made a loud noise while I was in the middle of reading and I about jumped out of my skin! I love that in a book.

After about 75% or so it starts changing directions and it wasn't so scary, I was almost like "really?" THAT'S what is happening?!? But I still thoroughly enjoyed the way she chose to end the book.

The actual book was on sale at my bookstore so I bought it and I'm so glad I did. The blurb sucked me into this one and will stay with me for a while! 5 stars!
4655566
Dead Moon is a high octane thrill ride filled with action, suspense, sadness, and, of course, monsters! Abaddon the destroyer has arrived, turning people into horrifying monsters called the Unseen. They are truely a unique creature. I don't even know how to describe them. Amazing read!
932181
This book was a total mind trip.  This book kind of reminded me of the show Dexter.  Seemingly a normal guy, and then in his spare time a serial killer.  Unlike Dexter though I didn't find myself rooting for the killer...I know sounds weird, but this guy....Wow...CREEPY.

I think the creepiest thing about this book is that the MC was just the "nice" guy next door.  Yet leading a double life, and secretly torturing women.

When he finally meets someone that makes him feel different than he ever has, he starts thinking that he may not have to hurt people to survive anymore...

He's a horrible human being.  He does horrible things to women.  It's scary, and my head is still spinning from the book.  I don't even know if I can explain it well enough to do it justice.

It grabbed me from the very start and kept me interested, and creeped out the whole time.  Although the ending drove me a little crazy.  It doesn't tie up into a nice little bow for me.  When a book doesn't end in a way I think is "perfect", I dream about it.  I have to dream up what the author might have wanted me to get from the ending.

I am sure I got something totally different than any one else, but still.  I needed a little bit more at the end.

All in all it was a fantastically, creeptastic book.  Mind twisting....but creeptastic.  The only complaint I have about this book is the language.  The story is fantastic.  The writing is done well.  I could feel how scared his victims were, and sometimes found myself feeling anxious for them.  The author definitely brought a lot of feeling out of me while reading.  This totally would have been a 5 star for me if it weren't for all the language.

Source:  I bought this book for my self.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book
4405644
Absolute must read! Could not put this book down from start to finish i was realed in. As a lover of horror i got many goosebumps from reading this chilling tale. Which is what we all look for in this particular genre right? Cannot wait for more from this author. A true talent!