So, I'll preface this saying that the last two books I bought from BOA on sale I didn't like and this seems to be a continual thing so maybe I should stick to non-sale books. The writing is GREAT, honestly the word usage and descriptions are fine, the only reason I finished it was because the writing was pretty good. However, the story felt more like something in a horror video game than good material for the book. A lot of sex and gore and that's not at all what I was expecting when I was reading the summary. In short terms, there are 13 hallows that were designated to 13 young adults years ago to protect. Now these adults who are entering their 70s are being slaughtered by hunters. The main goal was to protect these hallows and to never bring them together because it would open the gate to the underworld. I like fantasy things and demons or whatnot, sure, cool. I even like historical mysteries like Dan Brown and others, but this was just too much for me to handle. There is a lot of decapitations, rape, mutilation, murders, and one couple just has sex every chapter (which I understand is some weird ritual power thing but still, it's not my cup of tea), so basically I was turned off by the entire story. It had a lot of potential and I'm sure plenty of people would like it, but I couldn't stomach it. There is at least one sequel, but I won't be picking it up. H'ok, first of all I won't repeat what you just read up there directly printed from the inside cover of the book.What it doesn't tell you is that "Hey, if you're a fan of Nicholas Flamel, don't read this. This ain't no kids book." Always felt that the Flamel needed a little perk. So whichever mind it is producing the Clive Barker/Marquis DeSade writing, I like it.I noticed in other reviews the "gratuitous sex" bothered some people. Well, cry me a river if the sex isn't pleasant and or erotic. Read Anais Nin for erotic sex.For the I-don't-like-gore-against-children people, I had a hard time getting through Lovely Bones, as I'm a parent and the thought of losing my daughter makes me sick. Reading the horrific torture leading to mutilated bodies of all ages of human beings by mythological/fantastical reasons/creatures didn't bother me at all. If my family was ever mutilated and eventually murdered ( I don't mind telling you that as Sarah's family doesn't matter anyway to the plot of the story) by evil people who wanted something I had.... would probably never, ever happen so although the thought of coming home to a dead family is enough to make the stomach of a parent flutter, it didn't bother me as a reader in the least.For those who didn't like the fact that the characters, save a few, were a little drab and one dimensional etc. Which I quote "Couldn't get into them." ... Personally sometimes it's just great to read an adventure instead of having the desire to hang out with all the characters and know their shoe size, what their favourite colour is and why they do what they do. I don't really care, I just want a good story.So, In general if you don't want to imagine yourself having tea or a guinness with the characters and you don't mind extreme torture and violence against any age group and the sex doesn't need to be something that will leave you with a sigh from your passionate heart BUT would like : A keen adventure of cat and mouse, evil and good, time constraints , a bit of heart pounding moments and a generally darn good read... Then by all means ignore the reviews that are under 4 stars andjust read the book.Oh and by the way another thing that bothered some people about a number of older folks that seem to have this miraculous energy after being tortured or ran after and seem to come out of it immediately, just maybe these Hallows, these imbued items may have magically given them something that is unspoken and unnoticed until the time is needed. So there :P . If I needed to guard something as an elderly person and the fate of the world depended on it, you're damn rights I would use all my strength even when my attackers thought I had none.I got it on sale so didn't buy it for almost 30 bucks. Take it out of the library, borrow it etc. It's a good read.
What do You think about The Thirteen Hallows (2011)?
Loved it, just like i've thoroughly enjoyed all his other books!
—joebill
