-Review: The Devouring by Simon Holt

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The Devouring by Simon Holt

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When Reggie finds an old journal and reads about the Vours, supernatural creatures who feast on fear and attack on the eve of the winter solstice, she assumes they are just the musings of some lunatic author. But soon, they become a terrifying reality when she begins to suspect that her timid younger brother might be one of their victims.

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Risking her life and her sanity, Reggie enters a living nightmare to save the people she loves. Can she devour own her fears before they devour her?

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Bone-chilling, terrifying, thrilling...what are you waiting for?

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So I was really intrigued when I first read about this book. I'd started seeing reviews around and I'd heard it was really creepy. I read blogs by some that said it actually scared them and I decided I would have to read it.

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My first impression once I started reading was that I immediately related to and felt connected with Reggie, our main character in the book. When the scene in her high school took place, the author describes her status in school as not on the a-list, but not complete loser either. She was in the comfortable middle of the popularity food chain, and just blended in, which was totally me in high school. I truly felt for her family for the situation they were going through with their mother abandoning them. As I got farther along in the book she grew on me even more. She has got to be one of the bravest characters I've ever come across. I also especially loved Eben, Reggie's elderly boss at her job.

 Reggie and the rest of the characters in the book (Henry, their father, Aaron, and Eben) weren't entirely developed but it worked with this book--the Vours were described best of all and that's what mattered most.

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As for the book being creepy, I'll definitely second that opinion. Simon Holt's ability to describe the spooky scenes had me actually picturing them vividly in my head, like watching a movie. I, too, was scared at points.

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This is the first book I've read by Simon Holt and I really enjoyed his writing. I've heard him compared to both Stephen King and R.L. Stine and I now see why, but at the same time he also has his own writing style. Overall it felt really good to read such a good book after being so disappointed with the last book I read. I will definitely be reading the sequel!


Some quotes I enoyed:


"Reggie considered it unethical, immoral, and illegal. Aaron agreed and looked at it as valuable preparation for the real world." pg. 15


"Fear, like death's icy grip, froze her in place. One of the demons smiled and brushed her bloody cheek with a long, grotesque finger."  pg. 59
 

Another cover for The Devouring: