It's interesting how disparate the reviews to this book are. It seems to be a love it or hate it kind of book!

I loved it, more than any of Kiernan's that I've read, with the possible exception of Murder Of Angels, certainly better than Threshold.

I agree somewhat with other reviewers about the characters in this book, or at least the protagonists- I really didn't like them much, didn't hate them exactly, but I didn't connect with them until at least the last third of the book. When it came down to the crunch and we got to see what they were really made of I did get a little more invested, but at first, I was lukewarm at best- even knowing them from the previous book. (and even in Threshold Chance and Deke weren't really the stars for me- it was all about Dancy for me, and Sadie, and other side characters that were frankly much more memorable.)

I was fascinated by Narcissa however! I was completely drawn into her and felt much more sympathy with her. She is a monster of the purest kind and there is something horrifyingly beautiful about her. Even at her most monstrous, she has a kind of integrity that the protagonists didn't.

All in all it is a great story! It kept my attention from cover to cover without a lag, something Kiernan's books don't always do. I love her- but sometimes I feel like she's writing over my head, or around me somehow, not quite occupying the same space I'm in. But either my mind is expanding or she found me this time . ( )

In this sequel to Threshold, Deacon and Chance are married and Chance is pregnant. Sadie is Deacon's friend, but neither remember their affair after Chance left Deacon. Even Chance doesn't remember turning back time in the water tunnel to save Elisa, but instead is again freaked out by her psychic premonitions of raining blood.

This story is really about Narcissa Snow, a part goblin child raised by an insane father on the coast of Rhode Island. She is convinced that if she gives the goblins a changeling child, then she will finally be accepted into the goblin community. The child she wishes to give them is Chance's. She travels to Birmingham, committing mutilations and murders along the way. Deacon is caught up in her schemes when Narcissa kills one of Deacon's old friends and the police ask Deacon for his psychic assistance.

The best part of the novel is that the author has cleaned up her language. The narrative is strong and sure. The worst part of the novel is that not for one second can you believe that Deacon loves Chance or that Chance loves Deacon. Why did they get married? Why is Deacon sober? Chance seems to hate Deacon and is always convinced that he is about to fall off the wagon. Deacon feels weak and useless. If you have no sympathy for the main characters and no understanding of their situation, then the author has done a very poor job. It is rather depressing that such a good writer has no understanding of human motivations. ( )

Kiernan's work is very hard to find here, and I luckily found this in a shelf of bargain books. I didn't expect to enjoy it this much, and it's such a pleasant surprise that the story exceeded my expectations. Dark, disturbing and nightmarish, it is an excellent piece of horror! ( )

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/11448658