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Reggie Halloway loves horror stories, so when an old journal that appears to be an unpublished horror novel arrives at the used bookshop where she works, she borrows it without telling the owner.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.