Rating: 
Summary: A Disappointment
Review: "Black Creek Crossing" is the first book I've read by John Saul, and it may not be the last, but neither does it have me rushing to the library for another. I was interested in the plot of the book and characters enough to see the novel through to its final page, but, ultimately, I felt like the premise (which could be called either typical, tired or classic) was mishandled and found the writing to be often lacking.
The main players in this book are the teenagers, primarily two social outcasts named Angel and Seth. The adult characters mainly boil down to supporting, stock representations that are just around to be ignorant and further complicate the lives of their children. One point that I haven't been able to get clear is the age of Angel Sullivan. The back cover of the book called her 13, the main review available here on amazon.com said 14 but I am almost positive that the text itself said 15. The inclination is that all of the other teenage characters are about the same age. This is one of the primary issues I took with the book: the author does not seem to have much clear concept as to the average maturity level of a 15-year-old girl. Indeed, Angel and her classmates all routinely acted like kids three to four years younger. This wasn't always the case, but it was very frequently. Of course, everyone does not grow at the same emotional rate, but the author's physical descriptions of Angel are also inconsistent with her age (only slightly if she is actually 13, but greatly if she is indeed supposed to be 15). His descriptions of her physical development are even more off the mark when one takes into account the fact that Angel is overweight. Of course, there is no one growth rate for all children, but there is no indication in the text that she is underdeveloped. It may seem shallow, but I had a difficult time getting past these inconsistincies in the younger characters.
Still, I remained for the duration of the narrative, only to be greatly disappointed in the ending. All of a sudden, one character in particular goes from feelings of resentment and bitterness to homicidal rage. In the blink of an eye. I had no idea this character was so dangerous until three people were dead. Where's the buildup to this? The development? There was none. Millions of kids are picked last for gym and picked on by their classmates, even treated cruely by the adults in their lives, and they never lash out suddenly with murder. It was way too sudden.
But I do not want to give too much away. Since there is no real foreshadowing, you won't know of whom I speak until it happens. I wouldn't suggest that you avoid this book like the plague, because the plague is probably much worse, but don't rush out and buy a first edition either. That would be very silly.
Rating:
Summary: Carrie's Children???
Review: Although I enjoyed reading this page turner, I couldn't help but think that it was another version of the Sissy Spacek movie "Carrie." And, while I willing suspended disbelief at the supernatural elements of the story, I found the lack of supervision in the town's high school unbelievable, especially in this day and age when administrators are living in the shadow of Columbine. The bullies were allowed to pester other children without any hall monitors in sight. They were able to enter and leave the building at will (even in the late afternoon). Maybe it's because I'm a retired teacher that I was annoyed at this lack of verisimilitude.
Rating: 
Summary: Chilling...A MUST read page-turner!
Review: Angel Sullivan has always been the outcast, suffering the taunts of cruel schoolmates and the wild fits of an alcoholic father. Things for Angel's family have hit rock bottom until a call from her aunt has them moving to a new town and making a fresh start. In the town of Roundtree, Massachusetts a beautiful home awaits, a home that is selling at a steal of a price, there is only one problem...the house at Black Creek Crossing holds a murderous secret. Seth Baker lives in Roundtree and, much the same as Angel, he too is the outcast of his schoolmates, as well the victim of a psychically abusive father. Seth does his best to deal with his father, but finds sanctuary in photograph taking, until he meets Angel. As Seth and Angel become better friends, Seth tells her of the deadly legacy surrounding her home and the rumors of supernatural possession that still dwells there. Angel, desperate for the truth about Black Creek Crossing, uncovers a centuries-old horror that lies within her home's walls. Now, that Angel and Seth have uncovered the dark secrets buried in Roundtree, they find themselves trapped in a maelstrom of desire and violence that will erupt in unspeakable tragedy. 'Black Creek Crossing' is a chilling page-turner that begs to be read in one sitting. From the shocking opening to the explosive climax the plot speeds along with unstoppable force. Vivid gothic descriptions and likable characters combined with creepy scares will hold readers breathless until the final page has been turned. John Saul is THE master of the horror novel, there is absolutely no one better. His novels are always original, well written, fast-paced and expertly plotted. Expect to see 'Black Creek Crossing' at the top of the bestseller lists for it's one of John Saul's best novels. A MUST read! Nick Gonnella
Rating: 
Summary: Black Creek Crossing
Review: Angel Sullivan is a less than perfect teenage girl strugging to cope with her dysfunctional family and the torture she receives from the kids at school. She hopes for a new beginning when she learns that they will be moving to a new house in a new town. After moving, however, she realizes that nothing has changed and only befriends a teenage boy, Seth Baker, who has more in common with her than she at first realizes, and a mysterious black cat who showed up in her room out of nowhere. After living in the new house only a short while, Angel and Seth discover a secret that lies in the house. A secret that will change their lives and endanger their enemies!
This is the first book I have read by Mr. Saul, and I loved it! I will definitely be checking out some of his previous books.
Rating: 
Summary: Audiobook review
Review: Couldn't get past the 1st disc! Maybe the story is okay, but the melodrama of the reader was way too much. I don't expect everyone to be a Guidall, Muller or Rosenblatt but this guy was ridiculous.
Rating:
Summary: Started off well but..............
Review: didn't know how to end it so the author took the easy way out. You've got 2 kids who are different so this makes them targets. They find a hidden book that provides them with "recipes" that allows them to get even with their peers. Interesting so far, right? Well, instead of developing the characters and allowing them to find out for themselves that retaliation can end up hurting you, the author kills them off. It's almost like two different authors wrote this. You get this wonderful build up of a possible haunting in the first 3/4 of the book and then it ends very abrubtly. I usually get sucked in by the author because of the premise of the story but always end up disappointed. I always hope that the author will improve but so far I've only wasted my time. Thank goodness I didn't buy this book - libraries are wonderful places.
Rating:
Summary: vividly chilling and horrifying
Review: Fifteen year old Angel Sullivan has no friends and is tormented by her peers. Her father drinks too much and has been fired from so many construction jobs nobody in town who will hire him. Marty's wife Myra loses herself in religion as a way of coping with her unhappy home life. When her sister Joni calls and informs her there is a perfect home that they can afford in Roundtree, Massachusetts, they buy it because Myra's brother-in-law gives Marty a job. Angel loves her new home on Black Creek Crossing and believes she will make new friends at school but instead the students start tormenting her. The only person who befriends her is Seth Baker a pariah like Angel. Both teens notice inexplicable happenings in the house and a black cat with a definite agenda. He leads them to a place on the basement stairs where a book is found in a hidden panel and then he makes them follow him to a camouflaged cabin in the woods. There they open the book and what they find between the pages allows them to finally get revenge on their enemies. Drawing on the Salem Witch trials and the folklore on haunted houses, John Saul creates a tale so vividly chilling and horrifying that readers will want to sleep with the lights on. BLACK CREEK CROSSING is not the typical haunted house story nor is it a modern day retailing of the Salem witches but an amalgam of the two. The protagonists draw reader sympathy from the very beginning which is why the ending is such a shock. Mr. Saul has written another gothic horror novel that is unforgettable.
Rating:
Summary: Hard to put down, A MUST READ
Review: Folks, if you have never ready John Saul before, you will love this book. I have been reading all sorts of books for 30 plus years. This is hard to put down. I have not read any of John Saul's books before. Some of you say this is not that good. Well if that is so, the ones you think are good must be out of this world. This book makes me feel like I am there, part of the scene. So refreshing to read something original (for me) and very very well written!!
Rating: 
Summary: Poorly written
Review: I did not like this book at all. The writing was horrible and the plot was simplistic. After I managed to finish the book, I wondered "What has happened to John Saul?". (...)
Rating:
Summary: THIS WAS SO GOOD!!!
Review: I don't normally give 5 stars. But this one deserves it. It was a wonderful mixture of horror and drama. Saul has the ability to scare the daylights out of me - in broad daylight!!! Enough people have given a synopsis of this book, so I will skip that, BUT I will say that YOU MUST READ THIS!!!! I have been reading this author for a long time. However, at some point (right after the Guardian) I felt he had lost his touch. However, the Manhattan Hunt Club (ALSO EXCELLENT AND A MUST READ) made me re-discover him all over again. Once again, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you buy, rent, borrow or beg Black Creek Crossing.
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