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stephanieluxton's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I really think this book would have been better as a short story. Either that, or it should have been longer and more fleshed out.
The concept was epic. One day, the sun doesn't rise and en a tire town is enveloped in darkness. The only thing darker than the town is the borders of the town which are pitch black and seem to hold a malicious presence. Anarchy ensues as our characters try to figure out wtf is going on.
This book leaves a lot of unanswered questions. That's not a huge problem in itself. I think the problem is that the contents of this book is a brief overview of what a small group of friends go through during the beginning this cataclysmic event, but there isn't really a solid story arch. I couldn't really tell you what the climax of the story is and then it just ends right before something exciting or interesting as expected to happen.
The characters were kinda flat. I didn't feel an intense attachment to them.
The concept was epic. One day, the sun doesn't rise and en a tire town is enveloped in darkness. The only thing darker than the town is the borders of the town which are pitch black and seem to hold a malicious presence. Anarchy ensues as our characters try to figure out wtf is going on.
This book leaves a lot of unanswered questions. That's not a huge problem in itself. I think the problem is that the contents of this book is a brief overview of what a small group of friends go through during the beginning this cataclysmic event, but there isn't really a solid story arch. I couldn't really tell you what the climax of the story is and then it just ends right before something exciting or interesting as expected to happen.
The characters were kinda flat. I didn't feel an intense attachment to them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Confinement
Moderate: Gun violence, Self harm, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Addiction, Gore, Blood, Cursing, and Death
Minor: Animal cruelty, Sexual violence, Child death, Sexual content, Animal death, Death of parent, Rape, Torture, and Misogyny
audiobook_addict's review against another edition
5.0
Creepy good
Man, where can I begin. I haven't had this much fun reading an on the ege og your sea apocalyptic read, in a long time. Great plot, character developmen and interaction, not to mention enough twists to keep you readin long into the night. I was blown away. I found this digging in my library and had almost forgotten I had it. Man, what a rediscovery. You know anything that shares the same title as a Bruce Springsteen album is gotta be good. If you like nail-biting suspense, and surprises, but character detail and depth, give this one a shot. I saw glimpses of Stephen King's The Mist in here, but with a different pull. Enjoy, and happy reading!!
Man, where can I begin. I haven't had this much fun reading an on the ege og your sea apocalyptic read, in a long time. Great plot, character developmen and interaction, not to mention enough twists to keep you readin long into the night. I was blown away. I found this digging in my library and had almost forgotten I had it. Man, what a rediscovery. You know anything that shares the same title as a Bruce Springsteen album is gotta be good. If you like nail-biting suspense, and surprises, but character detail and depth, give this one a shot. I saw glimpses of Stephen King's The Mist in here, but with a different pull. Enjoy, and happy reading!!
shrikekali's review against another edition
3.0
Darkness without a dawn
This is the first Keene book I’ve read in several years and I don’t know why I stopped. This was just the book I was looking for for a while now. Great characters and a fast pace involving Keene’s overall mythos. 3 1/2 stars!
This is the first Keene book I’ve read in several years and I don’t know why I stopped. This was just the book I was looking for for a while now. Great characters and a fast pace involving Keene’s overall mythos. 3 1/2 stars!
tinnytree's review against another edition
4.0
The guy is never going to win a pultizer or any other major award but this is another great Brian Keene book. Very easy to read, always action packed and a great ending that is left wide open.
jasonsweirdreads's review against another edition
4.0
This is not a review. It is much more like my two cents on what I thought about this book. Darkness on the Edge of Town is in my opinion, obviously, Brian Keene's best book since Dead Sea. Although reminiscent of H.P. Lovecraft and Stephen King's novella The Mist, especially the ending of the latter, I enjoyed every minute reading this book. We once more have a book from Keene that transcends what feels like a cheap B-rated horror movie and moves back into the dark, mysterious, world ending entities that fascinated me with his earlier works.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
david_agranoff's review against another edition
5.0
Full review coming. Prime example of a why Keene was made a Grandmaster of horror. King himself suggested this book for fans of The Mist. Similar sure, but very different in many ways.
proggeddy's review against another edition
4.0
It was a good, interesting read that entertained an array of strange ideas. A nice take on the old idea of civilization breaking down in the wake of catastrophe and hopelessness. Humanity reduced to its baser and sometimes more evil instincts as those trapped inside the city of Walden live what life there is left to be had. What happens when the world no longer makes sense and you find yourself backed into a corner? Find out in "Darkness on the Edge of Town".
threedoors's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
3.0
anomie's review against another edition
3.0
Too derivative of The Mist. Even references it. And even has a Mrs. Carmody figure.
merricatct's review against another edition
3.0
I originally wanted to rate this four stars, but if I'm being honest, this wasn't really a four star read. It's a three star read that I happened to enjoy a good deal. This was an entertaining, sometimes unsettling, but ultimately predictable small-scale apocalyptic novel. I appreciated the Lovecraftian touches, though!