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A review by obscuredbyclouds
Supernatural: The Unholy Cause by Joe Schreiber
2.0
I did not think it would be the Supernatural novel with a Confederate flag on the cover, that would be the first to not get a 1 star review (interestingly, the flag seems to have been edited out of the newer editions of the cover - probably wise). The story sounded bad: Demon activity at a civil war re-enactment where the war becomes real thanks to a magical noose from Judas. Yes, that Judas is an honest to god character in this book. It didn't sound like a real Monster of the Week episode to me, but too over the top and niche.
However, even though the case was kind of bonkers, the writing and the structure made it worthwhile. Dean sounded very true to character and a lot of times I could really hear all the characters and see the action unfolding. Bonuses: I got Castiel saving Sam, tension between Sam and Dean about the Demon Blood and potential portrayal, Lucifer talking to Sam in his dreams! I wish these things went a little further because these interpersonal interactions are what I like best about SPN, but this is a tie-in-novel after all... Sam did feel a little flat but it wasn't as bad as it's been with the author novels I've read.
This isn't a good book in any literary sense or even a fannish sense, but it was entertaining, and that was such a nice surprise. Sadly, this is the only SPN novel Schreiber wrote (what a great name for an author, by the way). It was also the last one on my shelf and seeing how all the other ones I read were horrible, I'm not sure if I'll pick up the rest of them. Maybe one day.
However, even though the case was kind of bonkers, the writing and the structure made it worthwhile. Dean sounded very true to character and a lot of times I could really hear all the characters and see the action unfolding. Bonuses: I got Castiel saving Sam, tension between Sam and Dean about the Demon Blood and potential portrayal, Lucifer talking to Sam in his dreams! I wish these things went a little further because these interpersonal interactions are what I like best about SPN, but this is a tie-in-novel after all... Sam did feel a little flat but it wasn't as bad as it's been with the author novels I've read.
This isn't a good book in any literary sense or even a fannish sense, but it was entertaining, and that was such a nice surprise. Sadly, this is the only SPN novel Schreiber wrote (what a great name for an author, by the way). It was also the last one on my shelf and seeing how all the other ones I read were horrible, I'm not sure if I'll pick up the rest of them. Maybe one day.