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cheekylaydee's review against another edition
4.0
I have to confess, when I read a blurb I tend to only read the first few lines. Whatever those lines say usually determines whether I read a book or not. So maybe this was why I went into The Doorkeepers thinking this was going to be your run of the mill thriller. Oh, how wrong could I have been?!
The first few chapters were like reading a cross between an episode of Murder, She Wrote and Columbo. No bad thing I might add for someone like me who personally loves this kind of classic television.
Just imagine the opening of an episode, in black and white with some shady characters before the titles roll and we see Jessica Fletcher delving into a historical murder, trying to find the culprit. Then all of a sudden it's like I've diverted into a world reminiscent of Clive Barker's Weaveworld with alternate realities and untold horrors lurking in hidden doorways.
If you like stories that are a bit off the wall with suitably gory details (for a horror) then this is the book for you. Even if it doesn't sound like your type of thing, give it a go. I was not expecting the twists and turns that seemed to come up out of nowhere at the end of every chapter.
It was one of those books that stayed with me every time I put it to one side. I would be doing everyday things and my brain would be churning with all the possibilities of what could happen next, although I never guessed, and right until the end, I was kept in suspense.
Ideal for horror fans who like a twist of the supernatural. This is my first Graham Masterton, but it won't be my last.
The first few chapters were like reading a cross between an episode of Murder, She Wrote and Columbo. No bad thing I might add for someone like me who personally loves this kind of classic television.
Just imagine the opening of an episode, in black and white with some shady characters before the titles roll and we see Jessica Fletcher delving into a historical murder, trying to find the culprit. Then all of a sudden it's like I've diverted into a world reminiscent of Clive Barker's Weaveworld with alternate realities and untold horrors lurking in hidden doorways.
If you like stories that are a bit off the wall with suitably gory details (for a horror) then this is the book for you. Even if it doesn't sound like your type of thing, give it a go. I was not expecting the twists and turns that seemed to come up out of nowhere at the end of every chapter.
It was one of those books that stayed with me every time I put it to one side. I would be doing everyday things and my brain would be churning with all the possibilities of what could happen next, although I never guessed, and right until the end, I was kept in suspense.
Ideal for horror fans who like a twist of the supernatural. This is my first Graham Masterton, but it won't be my last.
alexandrabree's review against another edition
5.0
My first graham Masterton book, I think I have a new addiction
olliesbooknook2_0's review against another edition
3.0
Slow start, strange pacing choices at times, intriguing idea that is muddled at times, gore <3, pretty good! If I didn't aim to complete this book I probably would have put it down before it hooked me though.
High intensity scenes are weirdly paced to the point it becomes a bit jarring. Love the gore and how it is described, separated enough to not desensitize you but captures the brutality.
Okay that was written before the holy harp, holy fuck that is so intense and insane, props to Masterton because I can't think of something more painful. I am speechless! It's enough that I set aside my issues and finished the book the next day! I love Boudicca but I wish the grotesque nature of her existence was dwelled on a bit longer!
Since I see others saying this is some of his more suspenseful rather than horror/lesser works I will definitely check out other books! It's the perfect balance of horrific gore and "normal" book that it isn't straight up gore porn (Ed Lee, Layman, etcetc) but it sure as hell is imaginative and brutal when it wants.
High intensity scenes are weirdly paced to the point it becomes a bit jarring. Love the gore and how it is described, separated enough to not desensitize you but captures the brutality.
Okay that was written before the holy harp, holy fuck that is so intense and insane, props to Masterton because I can't think of something more painful. I am speechless! It's enough that I set aside my issues and finished the book the next day! I love Boudicca but I wish the grotesque nature of her existence was dwelled on a bit longer!
Since I see others saying this is some of his more suspenseful rather than horror/lesser works I will definitely check out other books! It's the perfect balance of horrific gore and "normal" book that it isn't straight up gore porn (Ed Lee, Layman, etcetc) but it sure as hell is imaginative and brutal when it wants.
bosermoki's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
violetturtledove's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book is wild, ridiculous and such a weird mix of plot points... It was a great read! The characters weren't particularly engaging but the plot definitely made up for it with its twists and turns, there's not a dull moment anywhere. One slight criticism from me (unless you count it's silliness as a criticism) is that the last couple of pages didn't end add anything to the story. It like a cheesy horror movie adding the obligatory 'ambiguous' ending to leave room for a sequel, and although some of the cheesy elements are fun, this just felt confusing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Torture, Animal death, Gore, and Animal cruelty
Moderate: Religious bigotry
Minor: Misogyny, Medical content, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Cursing, War, and Sexual violence
paperbackstash's review against another edition
3.0
If you've read a few of my horror reviews covering this author, you should know that I revere him highly in the world of the written macabre. A powerful force to reckon with behind the pen, his imagination seemingly has no endless depth as he plunges the reader into bizarre, desperate worlds. Having the knack to paint truly horrendous scenarios that are almost too much, Masterton does nothing less here, particularly with the villains, the Hoodsmen, eerily crazed, creepy beings that are as merciless as you can get. Icky. Somehow he makes too strange situations seem plausible and - almost effortlessly, it sometimes seems - thrusts convincing characters into the mix.
The book almost rates suspense rather than horror, but that genre label is quickly tossed once you read a few of the more potent scenes. Some situations are grippingly edgy, keeping the suspense level high and fierce, especially (again) with the Hoodsmen. *shivers* This one isn't as supernatural as some of his other stuff screams to be, touched more with fantastical other world imaginings, and while I didn't dig it as much as I have some of his other stuff, it's still a more than worthy book to read for the horror fan.
Character wise, I really felt for poor Julia in the beginning, for it's hard to imagine something so horrifying happening to you. I really grew close to the hero, Josh, who was sweet and had a unique way with animals, although Masterton did not touch enough upon his grief over his sister realistically enough for my tastes at times. It almost felt like the poor girl really didn't have enough love to return to with his parents and other life outside in the common world. The idea of alternating realistic was intriguing but after awhile I almost lost patience. Still I barreled through and was a happy camper in the end.
One scene in particular will be hard for some of the queasy to bear, especially if you've experienced dental problems like I have. Not his best work, but holds the imagination you would expect from this great author. It always seems that lesser works by this man rival the better books from others. Fans of the fantasy/horror combo should be exceedingly pleased.
The book almost rates suspense rather than horror, but that genre label is quickly tossed once you read a few of the more potent scenes. Some situations are grippingly edgy, keeping the suspense level high and fierce, especially (again) with the Hoodsmen. *shivers* This one isn't as supernatural as some of his other stuff screams to be, touched more with fantastical other world imaginings, and while I didn't dig it as much as I have some of his other stuff, it's still a more than worthy book to read for the horror fan.
Character wise, I really felt for poor Julia in the beginning, for it's hard to imagine something so horrifying happening to you. I really grew close to the hero, Josh, who was sweet and had a unique way with animals, although Masterton did not touch enough upon his grief over his sister realistically enough for my tastes at times. It almost felt like the poor girl really didn't have enough love to return to with his parents and other life outside in the common world. The idea of alternating realistic was intriguing but after awhile I almost lost patience. Still I barreled through and was a happy camper in the end.
One scene in particular will be hard for some of the queasy to bear, especially if you've experienced dental problems like I have. Not his best work, but holds the imagination you would expect from this great author. It always seems that lesser works by this man rival the better books from others. Fans of the fantasy/horror combo should be exceedingly pleased.
sparkleboymatty's review against another edition
2.0
I really liked the idea and story for this book, but the writing and editing were not too great, epecially the editing. There is a character named Ella who was called Emma. Main character was also sexist and not too likeable. There were a lot of thrilling and creepy parts though, I just wish it was executed better.
melissalynne81's review
3.0
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I am a fan of Graham Masterton's Katie Mcguire series, so I thought I would give another one of his books a try. I love the Irish mythology found in his books. I also love how well written his characters are. I love how disturbing some of his scenes are. He's fast becoming one of my favorite horror authors.
I just wasn't as much a fan of this book as I have been of the Katie Mcguire series. I wasn't as emotionally attached to the characters. I had no problem putting this book down and picking up another. It just did not hold my attention the way his other ones have.
I liked it, but I didn't love it.
I am a fan of Graham Masterton's Katie Mcguire series, so I thought I would give another one of his books a try. I love the Irish mythology found in his books. I also love how well written his characters are. I love how disturbing some of his scenes are. He's fast becoming one of my favorite horror authors.
I just wasn't as much a fan of this book as I have been of the Katie Mcguire series. I wasn't as emotionally attached to the characters. I had no problem putting this book down and picking up another. It just did not hold my attention the way his other ones have.
I liked it, but I didn't love it.
mikekaz's review
4.0
Masterton is one of those British authors that doesn't get published in America quite as much as he should. Yes, we do get to see his novels from time to time but considering the volume of material that he has produced and the quality of his work, he takes up an amazingly small amount of space on my book shelves. I'm going to have to make it a point to include another novel or two of his in my next Amazon order.
Anyway, THE DOORKEEPERS is yet another excellent novel by Masterton. The story focuses on Josh Winward as he goes to London and tries get some resolution to his sister's death. The problem is that his sister has been living at an address that is 60 years old and working at a factory that doesn't exist. As Josh gets pulled deeper and deeper into the mystery, he discovers that there is more to this world and to any other for that matter.
About two-thirds of the way through, I started thinking that this would be a great novel to continue and have Josh Winward continue to explore. However, five minutes later those thoughts were dashed as the necessary end to the creatures guarding the doors was spelled out. Unfortunately that was also the point where it became predictable and much of the surprise in the ending was removed. Masterton played fair and it wasn't anything that didn't fit the rules of his novel but I wish that the ending didn't become telegraphed as of that point.
Anyway, THE DOORKEEPERS is yet another excellent novel by Masterton. The story focuses on Josh Winward as he goes to London and tries get some resolution to his sister's death. The problem is that his sister has been living at an address that is 60 years old and working at a factory that doesn't exist. As Josh gets pulled deeper and deeper into the mystery, he discovers that there is more to this world and to any other for that matter.
About two-thirds of the way through, I started thinking that this would be a great novel to continue and have Josh Winward continue to explore. However, five minutes later those thoughts were dashed as the necessary end to the creatures guarding the doors was spelled out. Unfortunately that was also the point where it became predictable and much of the surprise in the ending was removed. Masterton played fair and it wasn't anything that didn't fit the rules of his novel but I wish that the ending didn't become telegraphed as of that point.
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