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zoes_human's review
4.0
Again I find myself impressed by this author's gift for description. Not only can I clearly visualize the story, there are moments where I can smell and feel the action.
I found myself sometimes holding my breath and leaning forward with my heart racing and other times hissing air through my teeth while wincing from imagined pain.
This has all the grimness of a Hubert Selby Jr novel combined with the pacing and character relatability of a Stephen King tale.
I found myself sometimes holding my breath and leaning forward with my heart racing and other times hissing air through my teeth while wincing from imagined pain.
This has all the grimness of a Hubert Selby Jr novel combined with the pacing and character relatability of a Stephen King tale.
jennj72's review against another edition
5.0
I loved loved loved this book! It was so intense, creepy, and gory! By far one of the best books I've read this year! After that I think I need a good old YA novel to clear my head. Definitely will be thinking about this one for awhile.
booksuperpower's review
4.0
Strings by Allison M. Dickson is a Hobbes End Publication, released in October 2013. I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review.
Nina was a druggie that made the mistake of crossing the wrong people. Now she is working off her debt by being a prostitute for "Madam". Once her debt is paid, she wants out. But, that doesn't please Madam. But, a deal is a deal. So, Madam arranges for Nina to service one more client. An eccentric billionaire. The payoff would be enough for Nina to start her life over again. So, she jumps at the chance. Needless to say she will come to regret that decision.
I haven't read a true blue horror novel is ages. By that I mean this is not a paranormal haunting or vampires etc. This is an actual horror novel. This book would probably translate well onto the big or small screen.
We are all aware that something terrible is going to happen to Nina if she takes Madam offer, but my goodness, we have no idea how terrible. The characters were all driven by money to get involved in the situation in the first place. While the conscience may sting a bit for some, it doesn't prevent them from following through with their own plans. Some though, may not be able to stick with their greed all the way through.
This book is not for the faint of heart. There is graphic violence, sexual situations and language. For those that like horror novels I suggest you pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.
The author does a great job of developing the characters, and building suspense. In fact, at times I put the book down for a bit because it got so intense. Now, that's just me. I don't typically go for horror novels, so if you are accustomed to reading this type of book, you probably won't have such an extreme reaction. However, I do think you will find yourself on the edge of your seat.
Overall this is an A.
Nina was a druggie that made the mistake of crossing the wrong people. Now she is working off her debt by being a prostitute for "Madam". Once her debt is paid, she wants out. But, that doesn't please Madam. But, a deal is a deal. So, Madam arranges for Nina to service one more client. An eccentric billionaire. The payoff would be enough for Nina to start her life over again. So, she jumps at the chance. Needless to say she will come to regret that decision.
I haven't read a true blue horror novel is ages. By that I mean this is not a paranormal haunting or vampires etc. This is an actual horror novel. This book would probably translate well onto the big or small screen.
We are all aware that something terrible is going to happen to Nina if she takes Madam offer, but my goodness, we have no idea how terrible. The characters were all driven by money to get involved in the situation in the first place. While the conscience may sting a bit for some, it doesn't prevent them from following through with their own plans. Some though, may not be able to stick with their greed all the way through.
This book is not for the faint of heart. There is graphic violence, sexual situations and language. For those that like horror novels I suggest you pick this one up. You won't be disappointed.
The author does a great job of developing the characters, and building suspense. In fact, at times I put the book down for a bit because it got so intense. Now, that's just me. I don't typically go for horror novels, so if you are accustomed to reading this type of book, you probably won't have such an extreme reaction. However, I do think you will find yourself on the edge of your seat.
Overall this is an A.
herblueglasses's review
5.0
I finished Strings in August, and I cannot quit thinking of it. I've decided I want to purchase a paperback copy in addition to my Kindle copy, so it will sit on my shelves and look glorious and remind me that I can take risks in my own fiction.
Strings is incredibly dark, incredibly brutal, incredibly graphic, and I adored every moment of it. There's an odd, delightful sense of humor behind all the horror, and the author spends enough time with each character for the reader to get a full sense of each one. Madam, Ramon, Nina, and even Janie Quick have all developed their own voices in my head thanks to the skilled characterizations of the author.
An excellent read, for anyone who enjoys using fiction to cannonball into the most horrifying pits of humanity!
Light spoilers to follow!
The reader gets cozy with a cast of characters: Nina, an indentured prostitute; Ramon, an indentured gangster; and Madam, an indentured... well, Madam. The hierarchy among the three of them quickly disintegrates, and if you boil everything down, this is a novel about power -- how it's taken away, and how it can be reclaimed or surrendered. Some might not look past the brutality of the plot, but this is a complex story with complex characters making choices that go far beyond anything one-dimensional.
I particularly loved the motif of Nina's mother serving as a voice in her head, someone for her to talk to and argue with while she spends her time waiting for the next nightmare. The descriptions in this novel were in Goldilocks territory: not overkill, not too light, but juuuuust right.
Sometimes, in the shadows, I can almost see the monster lurking in the webbing overhead!
Strings is incredibly dark, incredibly brutal, incredibly graphic, and I adored every moment of it. There's an odd, delightful sense of humor behind all the horror, and the author spends enough time with each character for the reader to get a full sense of each one. Madam, Ramon, Nina, and even Janie Quick have all developed their own voices in my head thanks to the skilled characterizations of the author.
An excellent read, for anyone who enjoys using fiction to cannonball into the most horrifying pits of humanity!
Light spoilers to follow!
The reader gets cozy with a cast of characters: Nina, an indentured prostitute; Ramon, an indentured gangster; and Madam, an indentured... well, Madam. The hierarchy among the three of them quickly disintegrates, and if you boil everything down, this is a novel about power -- how it's taken away, and how it can be reclaimed or surrendered. Some might not look past the brutality of the plot, but this is a complex story with complex characters making choices that go far beyond anything one-dimensional.
I particularly loved the motif of Nina's mother serving as a voice in her head, someone for her to talk to and argue with while she spends her time waiting for the next nightmare. The descriptions in this novel were in Goldilocks territory: not overkill, not too light, but juuuuust right.
Sometimes, in the shadows, I can almost see the monster lurking in the webbing overhead!
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