(Originally Published 2013, Paperback Edition 692 pages)
Before you begin "NOS4A2," google "German film Nosferatu" to see what
Mr. Hill's main character Charlie Manx looks like. This image in itself
should scare the pants off you. Mr. Hill's modern-day reinvention of
Lord Orlok is simply excellent. The main protagonist, Vicki McQueen, is a
heroine who the reader can also believe would evolve from an innocent
8-year-old as portrayed into a troubled adult. When she stumbles into
Charlie Manx's world, all hell breaks loose.
The book doesn't waste any time. It starts off creepy and holds the suspense throughout the story. A few of the passages will upset readers who are very religious. It is understandable that the pen name of Joe Hill was the author's effort to have some independence from his worldwide-famous dad, Stephen King, and wanting to make it in the publishing business on his own merits. Now with a third successful horror novel under his belt, Mr. Hill seems to have zero qualms about peppering "NOS4A2" with trivia from his dad's works. Avid Stephen King fans will likely chuckle over the few Kingish references. There's even a plug to something in Stephen King's new work "Dr. Sleep" that had not been published yet.
Mr. Hill's story is, in ways, your standard horror book. You have your flawed protagonists, nasty antagonists and a sprinkling of half-wits. Charlie Manx is one truly scary villain and his disturbing sidekick, Bing Partridge, would never be any parent's ideal of a perfect son. Being a parent, I also found his usage of children as victims of Charlie Manx's needs was especially unsettling. "NOS4A2" is exciting, unnerving and highly entertaining stuff. Of Mr. Hill's three novels, "Heart-Shaped Box," "Horns," and this one, I found "NOS4A2" to be the most compelling.
The book doesn't waste any time. It starts off creepy and holds the suspense throughout the story. A few of the passages will upset readers who are very religious. It is understandable that the pen name of Joe Hill was the author's effort to have some independence from his worldwide-famous dad, Stephen King, and wanting to make it in the publishing business on his own merits. Now with a third successful horror novel under his belt, Mr. Hill seems to have zero qualms about peppering "NOS4A2" with trivia from his dad's works. Avid Stephen King fans will likely chuckle over the few Kingish references. There's even a plug to something in Stephen King's new work "Dr. Sleep" that had not been published yet.
Mr. Hill's story is, in ways, your standard horror book. You have your flawed protagonists, nasty antagonists and a sprinkling of half-wits. Charlie Manx is one truly scary villain and his disturbing sidekick, Bing Partridge, would never be any parent's ideal of a perfect son. Being a parent, I also found his usage of children as victims of Charlie Manx's needs was especially unsettling. "NOS4A2" is exciting, unnerving and highly entertaining stuff. Of Mr. Hill's three novels, "Heart-Shaped Box," "Horns," and this one, I found "NOS4A2" to be the most compelling.
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