John Mulhall (1)Critiques

No rating on the book, since I've decided to abandon it at the 30% mark. I'm just not enjoying it, so I'm on to other books.

A strong first novel from novel an independent author full of monstrous fun. The intrigue, helped along in the narrative with some rich flashbacks, keeps the reader guessing about the origin and fate of its amnesiac protagonist.

Overall, it was good but not great. For most of the story it was engaging and suspenseful. Very creative. But, it just seemed to drag on. The author could have easily cut 50-100 pages from the book. There were also many things that were left unclear and disjointed. For example, there was a disconnect between the history of the creatures and their modern day appearances. And, what was a dream and what was reality? Why did only a couple of kids know who Simon was, but not others? The storytelling and character development were very well done. And, the epilogue made for an interesting read. Although I will likely not rush out to get the sequel, Mulhall has somehow piqued my interest.

Great, exciting read. Enjoyed this novel, just as I've loved Stephen King and Dean Koontz in past reads. Three young boys have a very special adventure that leads them to the most terrifying night of their young lives. It leads to murder and a bond between them and a special creature named Simon. As they continue with their lives, their past comes back to haunt them, especially Joel who has written of their experience in a book of fiction. Soon, Joel's life begins to turn to chaos; his family is murdered, he loses his memory and he is wanted for murder. What has been unleashed into the world again after so many years that will try to tear their lives apart again?