Rating: 
Summary: THIS BOOK WOULD MAKE A GREAT COASTER OR DOOR STOP
Review: This was my first John Saul novel and I wasn't impressed. In fact I was downright bored. I'm not saying I won't read another one of his novels, but I'll ask around for a good one first, because if his other books are like this one, then DAMN.
Now I read quiet a bit, and I love a good scary story from time to time. .... It starts off well, scary house in the woods...that hasn't been lived in for years. Yada Yada...you know the formula. Anyway half way through the book it takes a turn for the worst. No clear plot, or conclusion. Boring desriptions and characters you could care less for.
I promise you, in a few years there will about 100 copies of this book on the used bookstore shelf in your town, because no one will want to hold onto it. Please don't waste your time.
Rating: 
Summary: An interesting horror story
Review: This is the first John Saul book I have read in years and I really enjoyed it. The story revolves around the Conways, a family with a dark past filled with Voodoo and evil. They moved into an old Victorian mansion that was left to them by an estranged aunt. After awhile strange things begin occuring including nightmares and a feeling of a Presence in the house. Jared, their oldest son, begins changing so that his identical twin cannot even connect with him anymore.The town is also against the family living there because of the strange occurences that have taken place whenever a Conway lived in the house. The pitch builds throughout the book and climaxes into a good ending. The problems I had were with lack of character development and some loose ends that were never explained in the end. But, overall, this is a very interesting book and it was hard to put down. I recommend it to anyone who wants a good read.
Rating:
Summary: Very good book with a dud of an ending
Review: Very good book. It had you gripping your seat all through it. That is, until you reached the end.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: I was disappointed with this novel. The entire theme and plot did not take much imagination. When I am teased with a lot of mystery, I expect a big payoff. I didn't get one. Saul has noticeable themes throughout his books. Many, or I should say most of them, involve the dead seeking to communicate with the living. I want to be surprised. I don't think I will be reading his books anymore. Oh, and I would like to add that I would not recommend this book to you if you are a big animal person. I'll just leave it at that.
Rating: 
Summary: Quite a Thrill
Review: Saul's work is brilliant. The novel is full of suspense, leaving the reader unable to put it down. Saul also tells the story at a great pace, never leaving his audience bored or confused at any one moment. He includes many details without destroying the novel's mystery. This novel contains numerous writing devices; however, they are not needlessly placed in order to make the novel more interesting. The characters are exceptional, also, ranging in personality from sweet and innocent to drunk and angry. Saul has what it takes to be called a best-selling author. Saul's style is entertaining yet simple. He does not add useless elements to his writing. He does, however, use some figurative language and devices. Foreshadowing is constantly presented through the characters' dialogue. Many of the characters hint future happenings to the Conway family before they move to St. Albans. Saul's writing is full of imagery. His descriptions of the characters and what happens to them bring the action to life for the readers. It is as if the reader is present during the action. Saul also uses symbolism. The characters speak of diffrent symbols throughout the novel. The characters, themselves, can be classified as symbols. Through the use of these devices, Saul brings to life a group of people who would otherwise be dull and one-dimensional. Saul's writing keeps the audience interested. This novel presents many themes to its audience. However, one of the most obvious is that we should carefully evaluate our decisions. Change does not always bring better outcomes. We sometimes forever regret our actions. The Conways might have been in better situations if they thought about their decisions thoroughly. Saul's novel is definitely a page-turner. Anyone would enjoy reading it. The novel leaves its audience walking away satisfied.
Rating:
Summary: Quite a Thrill
Review: Saul did a great job in writing this novel. I could not put it down. He used just the right amount of suspense to keep me interested. The novel moved at a great pace, never leaving me bored or confused at any one moment. Saul gave enough details without revealing too much information. The characters were exceptional, also, ranging in personality from sweet and innocent to drunk and angry. The novel has what it takes to be called a bestseller.
The novel takes place in St. Albans, Louisiana. The Conway family inherits a house after their Aunt Cora dies. Little do they know, however, something is waiting for them when they get there. The Conway family goes through changes that they will never again be able to mend.
One of my favorite characters is Kim Conway, the twin of Jared Conway. She is a nice girl, very close with her family. It is after her family moves to St. Albans that she begins to notice drastic changes in the personalities of the most important people in her life. She is confused as to what she should do about how she feels. She would normally talk to her brother about it, but he has changed the most, ignoring her as if she never existed. However, this is only a little of the disatrous world her family has entered.
Without giving away the ending, all that can be said about the the book is that it is definitely a page-turner. I would recommend the book to anyone. Saul's style in writing is great for keeping his audience interested. He keeps a great balance of all the elements. Any person who reads this book will not walk away unsatisfied.
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: This book made me wish I had more time to keep reading. It is SO hard to put down, if you even can that is. Excellent reading.
Rating:
Summary: could not put it down
Review: I was actually late going to work the next morning after finishing the book at 1:30 in the am, because I couldn't put it down. Enjoyed every page, and would love to read it again in the near future.
Rating:
Summary: Throw it out, please.
Review: To be fair, I'll give a summary of the beginning of the novel.
The novel starts off with Janet, wife and mother of two kids named Kim and Jarred, finds her husband, Ted, once agian in a bar, drinking, and she finds that once agian, he has been fired from his job. She is on the verge of taking the two teenage kids and leaving him, but she decides to give him another chance. Janet recives news that Ted's aunt is dieing, and is going to give the house away to them. None of the Conways especially Jarred are anxious to move. After they meet with their dieing aunt, they move into the house, the house is like a new biggining for the family, because once they purchased it Ted swore not to drink one more sip of beer. Since Ted didn't have a job he spent his days, along with Janet cleaning, and remodeling the old house their aunt gave them. The Whole little town aren't fans of the conways when they move in, in fact they are all afraid and superstitios of the conways because of the family history that haunts the Conways. Jarred, and Kim, the two teenagers of the family are doing OK at their new school, until Jarred starts to act a little strange, and he dosn't talk at all the Kim anylonger, when Kim tries to talk to him he acts as if she is just a bother and ignores her which he has never been known to do before, it isn't long before kim starts to fear Jarred because she thinks he is starting to become violent.
This plot has been done in the past, and Saul was never very skilled at instilling suspense in the readers. Don't give John Saul any more money by buying this trash. Save your money.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring book.
Review: If you find any original idea, plot or characters, please let me know. After reading a few pages, I knew the end. This is my first John Saul's book; I think Steven King is a much better writer. One interesting thought, if the gourmet burger is the same price and fast service as McDonald's, most people wouldn't bother with McDonald's. John Saul's book is about the same price as other good writer's books, and we have only limited time, why bother with John Saul's.
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