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Darkling, The: A Novel (2013)

by R.B. Chesterton(Favorite Author)

3.33 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

1306610206 (ISBN13: 9781306610209)

languge

English

genre

Horror

publisher

Pegasus Books

review 1: I loved this book.Evil is patient. That's one thing this book highlights. It waits, and it's confident in its waiting. I finished most of this book in one sitting, and closed its cover at 4:30 in the morning today. It's one of those books that grips you and doesn't allow the world outside the pages to interfere.It paints a picture of classic America, albeit somewhat stereotyped. With California culture, fair skin & blonde hair shouldering much of the concept of innocence and vulnerability (Notice the title, and then notice that the main, vulnerable characters in the story are portrayed as 'light; Darkness consumes light in the story), the Hendersons symbolize wealth, happiness, and a strange sense of being foreign in the tiny, once-wealthy Alabama town. And they are.Mimi B... moreosarge, the protagonist (or is she? I'll let you decide.) in the novel, is a strong, female character. One of the things I really appreciated about Ms. Haine's descriptions of Mimi is that you don't really realize she's beautiful unless other characters point it out. Instead you see the character for what she is. Strong. Able. Brave. Independent. A Survivor. She's a governess, but she's also the protector. She's juggling having her own life and also trying to be a part of someone else's, all the while her past remains a mystery, something she shares with Annie, the malevolent new-comer.I won't write about Annie, as she's pretty much the whole plot. But I will say that the backdrop for the story was incredible. An old estate, coupled with a 1920's hotel called the Paradise Inn, brings to mind scenes in The Shining, where jazz music and flappers could randomly be heard in an empty room. If any criticism could be made, I feel that the Paradise Inn could have been highlighted and used for more creepy parts. Thankfully, where the Paradise Inn wasn't used, the woods and bayou were artfully incorporated.It felt a bit like Alice in Wonderland at times, where the evil smiling nester seemed to be a more sinister Cheshire cat, and Mimi, playing Alice, was following it down the rabbit role. In other places, the story brought out so much southern culture that I felt my inner anthropologist cheering in delight. Again, if any criticism, I wanted more!I loved it so much, I contacted the author and told her so. The way the story is told reminds me of the way that time pushes forward mercilessly, leaving history and memory to sort of...sort out the mess of tragedy, which rarely, if ever happens. It gives you everything that the horror genre of today desperately needs. You can really tell the author loves ghost stories, and you're left hoping she writes a sequel!Thank you, Carolyn Haines! I'll be on the look-out for Mimi's revenge!
review 2: The setting in this story is every bit as well defined as any of the stories characters. The Old South...a restored old mansion surrounded by ancient moss skirted trees and exotic flowers. The history of a once prominent family surrounded by whispers of scandal. An old ruined hotel, that in its heyday kept the secretes of the rich and famous. Enter a beautiful orphaned wraith that is not what she pretends to be and you have the perfect making of a chilling ghost story...if that is what she is.No more spoilers...this is a story you have to read for yourself. Chesterton draws you in and twists you around and leaves you holding your breath.A well thought out plot line and exquisite word-crafting will make you a fan of this award winning author for years to come. less

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