anansi reviewed on 1/24/2008

Helpful Score: 13

A good read, with action that seldom lets up. I saw it as more of a thriller than a horror novel, there are some scary elements - but the psychology involved isn't realistic or frightening so much as designed to hit on a check list of cliches and cinematic pacing elements and settings. You've already seen or read just about everything there is to find in this book, except for the premise of urban exploration.
There is a jarring end to some beautiful build-up about 1/3rd of the way in - and the book never recovers from this shift, even when a positive shift happens a little further in.
In the end - I wish the author had more editorial help to repair his loose threads, incongruous plot elements, and realism.... but the book DOES deserve its good reputation as a page turner and thrill ride.
Think Psycho meets Romancing the Stone, at the hotel from The Shining (sans ghosts).

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