The Devouring

The writing style of this book is mediocre at best. The dialogue is weak and the characters are shallow. The concept behind the story was interesting though, creatures taking over a human's mind and body, throwing their consciousness into a horrific dreamscape they can't escape. When the author focuses on the dreamscape her writing improves, but it is by no means great. Some of the scenes I felt were overdone, too bloody or warped. I think if the book started off with a solid group of characters the horror would have worked for me. Instead we have the typical odd girl amazed she's gained the attention of the school jock while her male best friend is in love with her and she doesn't realize it. Please, this scenario is so overdone, come up with something original. I'll pass on the rest of the books in this series.

The Devouring: Sorry Night, by Simon Holt is a teen horror novel. The story revolves around a demonic race called the Vours (rhymes with ‘sour' rather than ‘moor') who once a year, on the night of the winter solstice (or ‘sorry night') can use the fears of humans to steal their souls and take over their bodies.

Reggie Halloway loves horror stories, so when an old journal that appears to be an unpublished horror novel arrives at the used bookshop where she works, she borrows it without telling the owner. She reads a few chapters to her younger brother as a bedtime story, unwittingly fueling his fears and making him a prime target for the Vours.

This is a novel calculated to creap out both children and adults. It's recommended for 12 and up, and given some of the nightmare images found at the end of the book kids younger than this may want to give it a pass. The novel shows the importance of acknowledging and facing fears - of all kinds - without being at all preachy about it.

Good writing, realistic teens, a tight plot and enough scares to make it a fun, quick read.

The Devouring was exactly what I expected it to be. Mind-numbingly and deliciously sinister horror wrapped up in a fantastically driven plot! (Hmm...that was a lot of adjectives, but apropos!) Thank you Simon Holt, you have my utter devotion.

Reggie discovers a journal about the Vours, but she thinks that it's all a story. If it's a story it can't hurt her right? Wrong. From the moment Reggie first found the journal I knew that I was in for a wild ride! As a big horror fan, I probably read more into plots than a lot of other people when it comes to these types of books. I want to be scared yes, but I want to be scared for a reason. I need to feel invested!

When the synopsis says that Reggie enters a living nightmare, I tell you friends, they really aren't lying. There are portions of the book that made me shiver and sigh audibly. When the words that you are reading on the page sneak into your head and present vivid pictures, you know that the writing is done well. When those words are horrifying, well let's just say Simon Holt accomplished this so well that I had a hard time reading this book after dark.

Reggie is a wonderful protagonist in this story. Like all of my favorite female main characters, she is spunky and smart. My favorite parts about her were her willingness to take on the responsibilities that were unfairly handed to her and her big family-centered heart. She reminded me a lot of myself in these two areas. Capable of turning into superwoman to protect her family if the need arises! Paired with wiry and nervous Aaron, they were the perfect pair to follow through this story.

Did I mention that Reggie has a passion for books and works in a book store? Yup, we could be friends.