Rating: 
Summary: John Coyne, Where Did You Go?
Review: For a while during the late 70's and early 80's, John Coyne's Thriller/Horror books were everywhere. Each book he wrote got better and better: "The Searing," "The Fury," "The Piercing," "The Shroud," and his best, in my opinion, "Hobgoblin". Once the 1990s hit, the author seemed to set aside his pen in favor of working with the Peace Corps. While his attention is on a good cause, I'd love to see him come back to writing. Hobgoblin is a fantasy roleplaying game based on ancient Irish mythology. Scott Gardiner is a lonely prep school student who escapes reality every now and then, playing under the guise of his character Brian Boru. The line between reality and fantasy begin to blur as events and creatures from the game begin showing up in the real world. Unfortunately, this book is currently out of print. If you want a book with suspense, a little horror and a little fantasy, this one is definitly worth seeking out.
Rating:
Summary: John Coyne, Where Did You Go?
Review: For a while during the late 70's and early 80's, John Coyne's Thriller/Horror books were everywhere. Each book he wrote got better and better: "The Searing," "The Fury," "The Piercing," "The Shroud," and his best, in my opinion, "Hobgoblin". Once the 1990s hit, the author seemed to set aside his pen in favor of working with the Peace Corps. While his attention is on a good cause, I'd love to see him come back to writing. Hobgoblin is a fantasy roleplaying game based on ancient Irish mythology. Scott Gardiner is a lonely prep school student who escapes reality every now and then, playing under the guise of his character Brian Boru. The line between reality and fantasy begin to blur as events and creatures from the game begin showing up in the real world. Unfortunately, this book is currently out of print. If you want a book with suspense, a little horror and a little fantasy, this one is definitly worth seeking out.
Rating: 
Summary: Unbelievably disappointing
Review: I bought this book for a quarter and I STILL feel ripped off. "The Dungeons are real. The Dragons are real. The Terror is here." Give me a break! The story is misadvertised and the buyer is led to believe there is something supernatural to the goings-on at this castle. Yeah, right - Scooby-Doo, where are you?! The characters are almost all stereotypical high-school morons - an entire school full of bullying, mocking jackasses? ok. No more than halfway through the book it becomes painfully obvious that there is NOTHING supernatural going on, and this is poorly foreshadowed when we're told 'there isn't any Mrs. Rochester hiding in the attic' - which is basically what IS going on. There IS suspense of a sort, although I don't know if I can credit that, or my determination to finish every book I start - but at the end it deteriorates into a nearly laughable bloodbath reminiscent of any slasher film you care to name. The only way loose ends are tied up is by killing off everyone who hadn't already been psychoanalyzed - and a few who had, for good measure. Saved a lot more tedium, though, by avoiding more amateur psychoanalysis - I will say THAT much.
I would recommend this book if you're flying from NY to Australia and are in desperate need of something - ANYTHING - to pass the time. Or if you don't mind a flimsy ending.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievably disappointing
Review: I bought this book for a quarter and I STILL feel ripped off. "The Dungeons are real. The Dragons are real. The Terror is here." Give me a break! The story is misadvertised and the buyer is led to believe there is something supernatural to the goings-on at this castle. Yeah, right - Scooby-Doo, where are you?! The characters are almost all stereotypical high-school morons - an entire school full of bullying, mocking jackasses? ok. No more than halfway through the book it becomes painfully obvious that there is NOTHING supernatural going on, and this is poorly foreshadowed when we're told 'there isn't any Mrs. Rochester hiding in the attic' - which is basically what IS going on. There IS suspense of a sort, although I don't know if I can credit that, or my determination to finish every book I start - but at the end it deteriorates into a nearly laughable bloodbath reminiscent of any slasher film you care to name. The only way loose ends are tied up is by killing off everyone who hadn't already been psychoanalyzed - and a few who had, for good measure. Saved a lot more tedium, though, by avoiding more amateur psychoanalysis - I will say THAT much.
I would recommend this book if you're flying from NY to Australia and are in desperate need of something - ANYTHING - to pass the time. Or if you don't mind a flimsy ending.
Rating: 
Summary: Fine light suspense reading
Review: I bought this book years ago as a light read to laugh at - the
laugh was on me! I still have it and enjoy re-reading it from time to time. It makes one want to find a copy of the game
"Hobgoblin" to play. Suspenseful, well-written and plotted, this book will be a (surprise) hit. Definitely not one of the
disposable, cookie-cutter horror/suspense novels from the recent
past.
Rating: 
Summary: A great escape.
Review: I first read this book in 1982 and have read it again a few times. Each time I read it I am reminded of just how well it is written. Whether you are into fantasy role playing games or not, this book is a great escape story and a thoroughly enjoyable read. What a nice break from today's formula of retired/fired cop/lawyer/investigator called back to duty to solve the latest murder/kidnapping/white collar crime.
The author integrates a unique story line that is easy to read yet intricate enough to hold a mature interest. Anyone from teenagers on up would enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: Hobgoblin by John Coyne
Review: I got Hobgoblin back in the early eighties, when it first came out, and I still have my original book. At the time there was a huge amount of paranoia revolving around roleplaying games, and people were convinced that roleplaying was either Satanic or caused psychological breakdowns, especially in particularly sensitive young adults. And who would indulge in a fantasy roleplaying game other than a sensitive young adult unsatisfied with his real life? I loved the book back when I was a kid for the imagery and intrigue. Today I actually recommended it to a roleplaying friend who's a bit too grown up to appreciate the suspense felt by a kid, but I'm sure it'd bring back memories of roleplaying and the concerns of that time. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in roleplaying, fantasy, or just a flashback to the early eighties. In fact, I may read it again since I have it out. After I repair the spine.
Rating:
Summary: Hobgoblin by John Coyne
Review: I got Hobgoblin back in the early eighties, when it first came out, and I still have my original book. At the time there was a huge amount of paranoia revolving around roleplaying games, and people were convinced that roleplaying was either Satanic or caused psychological breakdowns, especially in particularly sensitive young adults. And who would indulge in a fantasy roleplaying game other than a sensitive young adult unsatisfied with his real life? I loved the book back when I was a kid for the imagery and intrigue. Today I actually recommended it to a roleplaying friend who's a bit too grown up to appreciate the suspense felt by a kid, but I'm sure it'd bring back memories of roleplaying and the concerns of that time. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in roleplaying, fantasy, or just a flashback to the early eighties. In fact, I may read it again since I have it out. After I repair the spine.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I read this book three years ago and I loved it. At the time I was really into Magic the Gathering and this book really interested me. John Coyne is a great author. I have been trying to get a copy of this book for a while now and i still can't get a hold of one. How sad... (*SIGH*)
Rating:
Summary: A Rich Recipe of Gothic Horror and Fantasy
Review: I read this book when it first came out. I felt as lost and afraid as the main character, and his story touched my heart. It also scared me silly! I loved the gothic flavor of this novel, a taste that has stayed with me even 16 years later. This is perhaps one of my favorite books, ever!
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