I'm not sure if I just have an issue with thrillers in general, but I couldn't get into this book. For me, it was written exactly like a horror movie, but it was padded with substantial narration. I wasn't super invested in the family, although Mimi did turn out to be a nicely written character. She didn't go hysterical at the end, and she was a nice mix of innocent yet not necessarily naive. A few problems I had with the book were the occasional "I had a bad feeling" phrases and some of the dialogue was incredibly stilted. Yes, I understand I was reading about a relatively wealthy, upper-class family that values education. But some of the lines were just so forced sounding. I tried to imagine someone actually saying them, and it was so awkward. For the most part though, the novel keeps upnicely with the action and supernatural elements.Now, I know that most thrillers (like horror movies) have a good twist at the end. I didn't find this novel's twist particularly shocking, but it was well-played and I found it believable. In the end, I think I had an okay experience with this genre. I think I might try a few more thrillers before I write the genre off my to-read list, but I think this one gave me a pretty good look at how most thrillers go. Terrible. I can't believe this woman teaches writing at the university level. Main offenses: 1. characters only developed through exposition. 2. Every time a new element of the story is introduced the narrator clumsily provides back story right before it is introduced. 3. the author is constantly reminding the reader of story and character details that have already been repeatedly established... as if the reader can't remember what happened 10 pages before. Awful.
What do You think about Darkling, The: A Novel (2013)?
I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Great horror with just enough suspense!
—perky225
