I'm not convinced this book was written to be YA but it comes across that way because of the focus on the teenage protagonist, his schoolmates, parents etc. In theory, here was an interesting idea: teenage boy who feels put upon, with bullying from boys in the football team, and parents who belittle his ambition to be a veterinarian, retreats into a fantasy world which then turns into reality. His animal posters on the bedroom wall, which he views as friends and talks to, begin to take on a life of their own, as the horse in one fades out and a phantom horse begins to stalk those associated with him. He has found a protector, who turns out to be overprotective. Meanwhile, a nasty serial killer with delusions of being a werewolf has arrived in town and started killing kids.

Perhaps the story suffered from being stretched too thin over so many bases. We have the serial killer story which doesn't last long, the teenage angst thread running throughout which does get a bit wearing unfortunately, and the spectral horse plot. Plus the irresponsible and unpleasant behaviour of the boy's parents. The story did seem to sag a bit in the middle, and although the 'good guys' in the story, especially the girl he has a crush on - can't really be love given how he treats her - have more life to them - the girl is the most sympathetic character in the book - and in theory the reader should be concerned when they also start to be menaced, the overall effect, I'm afraid, is a 'so what'. Nasty people get stomped on so there isn't much to be concerned about, and the ending is rather a cliche. So only a 2-star rating. ( )

[[Charles L. Grant]] is another author who rates a mention in Stephen King's [Danse Macabre], which I have been using as a masters class of sorts in horror writing. Uncle Stevie lists Grant's [The Sound of Midnight] as one of his favorites.

[The Pet] is a terribly creative story, detailing a teenager's psychic ability to bring the posters of animals on his walls to life - mind you, not so much as spirit animals but more avenging terrors. It will be awhile before I look at a horse in the same way I used to, as noble an benevolent rather than blood-lusty. The sheer creativity with which Grant draws the terror out is masterful, both in the creation of the avenging animal and the lengthening of the tension. And the story ends with a not-so-mainstream twist.

4 bones!!!!
Recommended!!!! ( )

Easily Grant's best novel. Perfectly captures teen angst even better than [b:Carrie|10592|Carrie|Stephen King|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1166254258s/10592.jpg|1552134]. Could have been set in Oxrun Station but it is not. ( )

A well-written slow-burn novel about a teen who can accidentally make a horse from a poster come to life and kill. Oops. ( )

A more or less average 1980s horror novel, but Grant's fine prose and characterization do much to elevate it. ( )