For the sake of the story I don't want to dwell too much on the plot. Let's just say that it revolves around the killer known as The Crucifix Slayer and its connection and interactions with the main characters. And speaking of them: 258 pages are a loooooong time to spend along with dislikable characters, especially when they pile up one after another.It's dislikable Phoenix, even though he has motives; it's dislikable Daniel and his annoying penchant for pet names. I found dislikable the detectives, the art teacher, the uncle and even the little child, Phoenix's brother Echo.But. Despite all of this, the mystery/suspense aspect of the book was simply amazing. It kept me on my toes until the very end. Often in the mm books the mystery's just the background of the romance, executed poorly or approximately at best. In this case it's quite the opposite, as the romance plays only a minuscule part in the plot. So, I may not have liked the characters nor the romance; but I surely enjoyed the story.[3.5 stars] Wow! Another absolutely fabulous book from Zathyn Priest that has left me in awe and amazement as to how good a writer this guy is! Not your typical m/m murder/ thriller at all but that's what makes this such a deliciously dark twisted read.In making the lead character ( Phoenix) so damaged, your feelings are as up and down as his mood changes so it becomes all the more difficult to make decisions about who you think the real perpetrator is. There are red herrings thrown at you left, right and centre and enough edge of the seat moments to have you grabbing for the Valium so don't expect this to be an easy read or easily worked out and certainly don't expect lots of sex and kissy kissy romance because this is essentially a psychological thriller, complete with obsessive characters, psychotic serial killers, grizzly murders and cops on a mission with a vengeance! The relationship between Phoenix, Echo his ' little brother' and Daniel the cop, is complex and multi layered - there is an underlying romance but its far more complicated because of Phoenix's manipulative nature! I have to be honest after many many years of being hooked on crime and murder books in the past, I guessed the ending but before it was confirmed I spent a lot of time second guessing myself because something would crop up to make me rethink it ( very clever plotting) but when it all came to a head in the shock horror reveal, even though my suspicions were right, I was still gut punched and left reeling!! Still am as im writing this. What a roller coaster ride...Phew! I think the next few books are going to have to be about fluffy puppies and kittens or something on those lines, because I definitely need some down time after that amazing, heart stopping story. Brilliant. Mr Priest could write the phone book and he'd get 5 stars from me!
What do You think about The Slayer's Apprentice (2009)?
This book was incredibly tense and kept me guessing up until the very end. Well done thriller.
—been
An intriguing read that will keep you on your toes. I couldn't put it down!
—sapphire
An amazing story that keeps you guessing. I could not put this book down!
—Cass
Wow ... just wow ... really don't know what to say ... damn!!
—nguyen1996
One if the best thrillers I have ever read.
—sarbogardi
