Others (Macmillan UK Audio Books)

Rating:
Summary: I *loved* Nicholas Dismas!
Review: What a wonderful character! I think "Dis" was wonderfully drawn, someone who I grew to care about very much as the book went on. So often mystery and horror stories concentrate on the action at the expense of character development, but that was not the case here. I found the entire story to be riveting, and especially loved his developing relationship with Constance. The only regret I have upon finishing the book is that Dis is a fictional character.

Rating:
Summary: creeped me out but got me thinking
Review: When I finished this book I was as they say, totally creeped. I was expecting something along the lines of Haunted or Ghosts of Sleath (both 5-star books, by the way) but Others was very different. I was more caught up in the morality of it all than with the clairvoyance or more "spooky" aspects. At the end of the book where the author says this book was somewhat based on true events he'd heard about from someone else, I did a double take thinking that his statement couldn't possibly be true. Or could it? That part scared me the most, to be honest. I would recommend this book to anyone but I wouldn't let my 13 year old read it because of the incredibly disturbing images. It is one of those books that, aside from the fictional aspects, really leads a person to think.

Rating:
Summary: creeped me out but got me thinking
Review: When I finished this book I was as they say, totally creeped. I was expecting something along the lines of Haunted or Ghosts of Sleath (both 5-star books, by the way) but Others was very different. I was more caught up in the morality of it all than with the clairvoyance or more "spooky" aspects. At the end of the book where the author says this book was somewhat based on true events he'd heard about from someone else, I did a double take thinking that his statement couldn't possibly be true. Or could it? That part scared me the most, to be honest. I would recommend this book to anyone but I wouldn't let my 13 year old read it because of the incredibly disturbing images. It is one of those books that, aside from the fictional aspects, really leads a person to think.

Rating:
Summary: An amazing character with an over the top storyline
Review: When writing a story and creating a character with disabilities, most writers go out of their way to give them so many redeeming features, they lose all creditibility. Not so, Nick Dismas, the unfortunate hero of Others. Nick is more than a tender hearted guy, born with deformities, who, gee-wilikers saves the day. Nick is well fleshed out, bad habits, sullen attitude and all. The storyline sets out to be realitively creepy, the set up is slow and well managed, but the payout - well, that's a wee bit over the top. A little too much. Quite frankly, the wrap around story, with the angels was unnecessary but charming. All in all, with the real, human characters and strong start and middle - this book is well worth read. Nick himself, is worth a perusal of the book.

Rating:
Summary: Fast-paced and unique
Review: While a bit shocking at times, Others is never boring. The story line and pacing kept me turning pages to find out who these beings were that haunted the protagonist, Dismas. Also, I must point out that Herbert did an EXCELLENT job of portraying the thoughts and physical/emotional pain of a severely disabled man. The protagonist in Others is very unique and thought-provoking. I thought that the ending to Others was totally fitting and although it was bittersweet, I don't think the book would have worked if Herbert had ended it any other way.