Lights. Camera. Slawter!
Grubbs Grady and his half-brother Bill-E are thrilled to join their uncle Dervish as onset consultants for the newest movie by cult horror producer David A Hayms. Shot in a deserted town renamed Slawter, the demon-themed movie is to be Hayms's masterpiece. But as strange incidents disrupt the set, Grubbs begins to wonder whether more than filming is afoot. |
“But stories don't end. They continue as long as you're alive. You just have to get on with things. Turn the page, start a new chapter, find out what's in store for you next, and keep your fingers crossed that it's not too awful. Even if you know in your heart and soul that it most probably will be.”
It's hard for me when a book jumps between perspectives of characters from book to book. The first book had Grubbs, the second was back in time and introducing Kernel, then the third book is back to Grubbs again - and previewing the fourth, they're introducing a new character entirely. The same villain is present and all these characters will tie together with the Disciples fighting the Demonata.
This may be the weakest of the first three. I was pleased to return to Grubbs, like the character, and see him come into his own power and magic blend. The ending promises secrets for him to hold on to as he still wants to resume a normal life. With what he's seen and the traumas he has experienced, who can really blame him? I do think his magic seems intriguing and can't wait to return to his story again.
In this book we have good characters but the plotline is rather strange. Dare I say a little cheesy? Thankfully when I was thinking that during the read, a few chapters more and they showed some was false and less cheesy than I believed, but still...the plot is a decent one but not as complex as the others. It's not a full filler book but it's close. It does show the important of his developing powers, Dervish's recuperation, and introduces more strongly the danger of the Lambs.
It's a young adult series, but there's plenty of violence and gore. Art's hair has been replaced from cockroaches to maggots. Lord Loss uses the snakes coming out of his chest for more than just looks this time around. It's a little tamer in comparison with details to the horrors of the first book, and some of the twists of threat in the second, but still vicious in its villains. These are certainly top-notch, cruel, evil demons who never know mercy.
Really this book had a plot that lacked complexity on the surface, but introduced a lot of elements we need to know about later. Obviously the secret Bill-E doesn't know yet may become a big deal later, or perhaps not. All those chapters showing the Lambs and their purpose and tension with the Demonata could figure largely into the plot later on. Lord Loss's hatred of Grubbs and Dervish is intensified. We see a big development with Grubbs that will obviously change his future play potential in the big game between the demons and the humans. And we have the intro of a new character or two that may disappear forever, could stay minor and pop up time to time, or could even become big contestants later on.
I will definitely read the next book to find out. These are addictive.
Book Quotes:
“I'd like to do something to help the worst afflicted, but I can't. It's not possible to save everybody. Even heroes have their all-too-human limits.”
“I'm starting to understand that fear is like cancer - you can beat it back, but if it returns, it can be worse than ever.”
Author Extras:
From author's website: A demon by Any Other Name!....
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