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realouise's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
this book gets a rating at all for good writing at times - the plot line is flimsy at best and uninspiring at worst. clearly ed and loraine warren’s opinions have taken over here.
adub_212's review against another edition
4.0
The first 2/3rds were a bit stronger than the final third, and there was a lot of coincidence at work, BUT, I thought it wrapped up great, and I definitely found the book to be scary, which was what I wanted. Having never read the Exorcist, I now feel like it's a must, to see how the two compare.
Also, it would appear I had the 2016 version of the book, so maybe in a couple years I'll read the original to kinda compare. I'm curious about this character that was completely erased from the new version.
Also, it would appear I had the 2016 version of the book, so maybe in a couple years I'll read the original to kinda compare. I'm curious about this character that was completely erased from the new version.
leigha_bugz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
giroflee's review against another edition
3.0
I'm tempted now to seek out the 1996 version of the book, as ultimately I found the 2016 version to be disappointing.
Other reviewers have given good summaries of the plot, but for reference: the novel intertwines the story of two men whose lives intersect in small-town Georgia. Jack Landry is the last remaining member of the Landry family, a clan of criminals and outcasts, notable for his brother, Tallen, who committed a heinous crime. Michael Kinney is a sophisticated Jesuit priest from a wealthy Atlanta family, orphaned at a young age and raised by his architect grandfather.
When Jack's brother Cam dies in mysterious circumstances in Los Angeles, his ex-girlfriend Randa comes to Georgia to find Jack and help save him from something - though she doesn't know just what. Michael, meanwhile, has been sent down to the same small town from his post in New York City for participating in an illicit exorcism against his superiors' request.
I had a few issues with the book, namely:
1. The main plot with the demon ended rather abruptly. As I was reading, I kept noting the percentage of the book remaining and wondering how it would wrap up so quickly.
2. Knowing as I do that the novel was revised, it almost reads as if revisions were made to some parts but it wasn't reread as a whole. For example, the character of Gabe feels entirely tacked on, and Michael's relationship with his girlfriend Tess isn't particularly well fleshed out.
3. Randa and Jack's romance adds nothing to the book and isn't terribly romantic. I would love to read a book in which a male and a female protagonist in the same age group, both of whom are reasonably decent and attractive people, team up to solve a problem, get along fine, and don't end up in "love" at the end of the book. This is especially true given that Randa's relationship with Cam earlier is described quite well.
And so the quest for another compelling horror novel continues ...
Other reviewers have given good summaries of the plot, but for reference: the novel intertwines the story of two men whose lives intersect in small-town Georgia. Jack Landry is the last remaining member of the Landry family, a clan of criminals and outcasts, notable for his brother, Tallen, who committed a heinous crime. Michael Kinney is a sophisticated Jesuit priest from a wealthy Atlanta family, orphaned at a young age and raised by his architect grandfather.
When Jack's brother Cam dies in mysterious circumstances in Los Angeles, his ex-girlfriend Randa comes to Georgia to find Jack and help save him from something - though she doesn't know just what. Michael, meanwhile, has been sent down to the same small town from his post in New York City for participating in an illicit exorcism against his superiors' request.
Spoiler
It turns out that Michael's grandfather impregnated Jack's grandmother during a Black Mass, and the "dark debt" of the title is a demon that has decimated Jack's family and is pursuing Michael. With the aid of an older Jesuit priest, Gabe, Michael conducts an exorcism and is able to expel the demon from Jack and later banish it from his life.I had a few issues with the book, namely:
1. The main plot with the demon ended rather abruptly. As I was reading, I kept noting the percentage of the book remaining and wondering how it would wrap up so quickly.
2. Knowing as I do that the novel was revised, it almost reads as if revisions were made to some parts but it wasn't reread as a whole. For example, the character of Gabe feels entirely tacked on, and Michael's relationship with his girlfriend Tess isn't particularly well fleshed out.
3. Randa and Jack's romance adds nothing to the book and isn't terribly romantic. I would love to read a book in which a male and a female protagonist in the same age group, both of whom are reasonably decent and attractive people, team up to solve a problem, get along fine, and don't end up in "love" at the end of the book. This is especially true given that Randa's relationship with Cam earlier is described quite well.
And so the quest for another compelling horror novel continues ...
jch2022's review against another edition
3.0
Actually I found this to be a pretty good story on possession and murder. It's not perfectly written but it is still pretty darn gripping and I stayed up long past my bedtime to finish it.
ctownill's review against another edition
3.0
I wasn't mad at this book at all. It definitely fits the bill of thrilling and creepy, and at times, a bit salacious. The last third of the book was unputdownable. There is a major question raised in this book that never goes answered there (one word: uncle) and there are a lot of rhetorical questions peppered through out and I think the author relied on them a little too heavily to drive tension and unease. After all of the grit and intensity of the last chunk of the book, I was disappointed by the last two pages and by how quickly Hall was able to wrap everything t up with a beautiful little bow.
Overall, a solid read, especially when autumn is on the brain.
Overall, a solid read, especially when autumn is on the brain.
orithyia's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
evannhannon's review
4.0
So Dark Debts was first released in 1996 and it's being re-released this year (March 15th) with a new ending. Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read Dark Debts, in exchange for an honest review. I didn't know it existed until it was up as a giveaway last month but the cover and description got me interested. All southern and creepy, it's like True Detective meets Gillian Flynn (the not Gone Girl stuff), so yeah I was into it.
Dark Debts is split into three sections. The first section feels like it's going to turn into one of those kind of romantic but also totally freak nasty erotica's but disappointingly it doesn't. The love stuff just feels weird, the whole time. The second bit, on the other hand, totally enthralled me. It was all about God vs evil, demon fighting business. I found myself really enjoying all the catholic talk. A lot of the questions and issues that people have with the catholic church were brought up, while also still being pro God, if that makes sense. I am not anywhere close to being Catholic but I didn't find it preachy at all. The third and last part of the story is where the first two stories and characters meet up and finish the job. Straight up exorcist shit. Most of the questions were answered. It wrapped up pretty quickly. Hi demon, bye demon. But I was super into it until the very last page. Love. Gross. I am very curious about the original ending. I'll have to look into it.
Overall I really enjoyed Dark Debts. It is exactly what I am into. A bit more God-y than I am normally interested in and I think that's what made it fun. The author's feelings about religion were obvious but in a way I can respect. Warning: it is very male-centric (tying into catholicism I suppose)
Dark Debts is split into three sections. The first section feels like it's going to turn into one of those kind of romantic but also totally freak nasty erotica's but disappointingly it doesn't. The love stuff just feels weird, the whole time. The second bit, on the other hand, totally enthralled me. It was all about God vs evil, demon fighting business. I found myself really enjoying all the catholic talk. A lot of the questions and issues that people have with the catholic church were brought up, while also still being pro God, if that makes sense. I am not anywhere close to being Catholic but I didn't find it preachy at all. The third and last part of the story is where the first two stories and characters meet up and finish the job. Straight up exorcist shit. Most of the questions were answered. It wrapped up pretty quickly. Hi demon, bye demon. But I was super into it until the very last page. Love. Gross. I am very curious about the original ending. I'll have to look into it.
Overall I really enjoyed Dark Debts. It is exactly what I am into. A bit more God-y than I am normally interested in and I think that's what made it fun. The author's feelings about religion were obvious but in a way I can respect. Warning: it is very male-centric (tying into catholicism I suppose)