phonte's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I would give the book 4.75 stars. Some parts were a little dragged out, such as part 2. Would have loved to hear the backstory for the Tall One and how she became involved. Edith's last revelation to Bishop also felt unnecessary. It didn't add anything to the story. The "Afterword" of the novel was cool and the reduction of the characters physical ability was an interesting twist. Interestingly enough it seems like James Patterson's "The Noise" seemed to use this novel as a muse. Or it may just be the nature of the genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Rape and Car accident
jinni's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
norwegianforestreader's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Cannibalism, Mass/school shootings, Terminal illness, Violence, Excrement, Child death, Gun violence, Suicide, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Sexual assault, Grief, Self harm, Torture, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Murder, Pandemic/Epidemic, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual violence, and War
bundy23's review against another edition
2.0
The longer it went, the more I realised this was just The Fog, but instead of science we get a silly good vs evil (literally) story. I gave up at exactly 49% because I just didn't care. Also, the more I read, the more I realise that Herbert really had some seriously fucked up kinky shit going on on his head and I'm not sure I'm on board for a lot of it
shawna_reads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
"Death is darkness, Hell is in the dark, fearful underworld. The Devil has always been known as the Prince of Darkness. And isn't evil expressed as the darkness in one's soul?"
It all starts on a suburban street in an empty house that is haunted by a malevolent darkness. Chris Bishop, a paranormal investigator, is called to investigate the claims of the house. Soon the dark expands over the city and turns people into murderous savages. Chris, alongside investigators Jessica and Jacob Kulek, must stop it before the dark consumes them all.
Right from the get-go, the story was action packed. Normal people were doing normal things until suddenly they were effected by an unknown entity causing them to kill their loved ones and strangers without any reason. The atmosphere was unsettling and the deaths were wild. I liked how this evil darkness emanated from the haunted house and how Herbert took the reader into each house on Willow Street and then expanded throughout the city describing all the ways every character was effected.
I was certain I was going to rate this a 4⭐️ because everything happening was absolutely wild and I was here for it. However, I felt like the book could have been shorter because it started dragging on and on. I get it, the dark was making people go crazy and there was bloodshed, which I love, but then it became repetitive with more ways people were getting killed and it was like okay, let Chris and his colleagues figure it out already.
Other than that, I did enjoy The Dark. It was my first book by Herbert and I look forward to reading more from him!
It all starts on a suburban street in an empty house that is haunted by a malevolent darkness. Chris Bishop, a paranormal investigator, is called to investigate the claims of the house. Soon the dark expands over the city and turns people into murderous savages. Chris, alongside investigators Jessica and Jacob Kulek, must stop it before the dark consumes them all.
Right from the get-go, the story was action packed. Normal people were doing normal things until suddenly they were effected by an unknown entity causing them to kill their loved ones and strangers without any reason. The atmosphere was unsettling and the deaths were wild. I liked how this evil darkness emanated from the haunted house and how Herbert took the reader into each house on Willow Street and then expanded throughout the city describing all the ways every character was effected.
I was certain I was going to rate this a 4⭐️ because everything happening was absolutely wild and I was here for it. However, I felt like the book could have been shorter because it started dragging on and on. I get it, the dark was making people go crazy and there was bloodshed, which I love, but then it became repetitive with more ways people were getting killed and it was like okay, let Chris and his colleagues figure it out already.
Other than that, I did enjoy The Dark. It was my first book by Herbert and I look forward to reading more from him!
conorelliott's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
mmcgoverne's review against another edition
3.0
I remember discovering the pulp-horror phenomenon of James Herbert in the 1980's; I devoured this, The Rats and many more, enjoying their well written and graphic, London-centric violence. Shout out to Woodford Green in this story, where I lived during the 80's! Great holiday reads and still creepy, with a pervading, brooding air that elevates the schlocky set pieces of supernatural violence.
katkinslee's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
James Herbert's writing is really easy to get into but this wasn't my favourite of his. Please check the trigger warnings because this book is full of them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Self harm, Death, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, Violence, Car accident, Gun violence, and Child death
Moderate: Vomit and Homophobia
Minor: Rape and Cannibalism