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badseedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
Jonathan Maberry has easily become my favorite author. I will say, this book does suffer from "middle book" syndrome. It is clearly the set-up for the last book in the series, but there was some movement and for the first time one of the characters named the monsters in this series.
I have said in the review for the fist book, [b:Ghost Road Blues|125965|Ghost Road Blues (Pine Deep, #1)|Jonathan Maberry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388231808l/125965._SY75_.jpg|121320], that I reminded of Young Stephen King's writing, The Shining, and The Stand. I can now see the comparison people might make to Salem's Lot. Sorry Mr. Maberry. I know you don't like that comparison.
I have said in the review for the fist book, [b:Ghost Road Blues|125965|Ghost Road Blues (Pine Deep, #1)|Jonathan Maberry|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388231808l/125965._SY75_.jpg|121320], that I reminded of Young Stephen King's writing, The Shining, and The Stand. I can now see the comparison people might make to Salem's Lot. Sorry Mr. Maberry. I know you don't like that comparison.
billymac1962's review against another edition
2.0
I was very excited about this series when I had finished Ghost Road Blues.
Now, after finishing Dead Man's Song, I couldn't care less.
I was very impressed with Maberry's work in the first novel. A perfect mix of descriptive prose and dialogue which made it a very fun read. But there were a few issues I had with Dead Man's Song that bothered me so much that it completely turned me off the series.
Now, before you read any further, be warned that some of what I am going to write will spoil a bit from the first novel.
First and foremost, Val and Crow.
So, Val loves her Dad. Dad gets killed by Ruger. Not two days later, the dialogue and exchanges between Van and Crow inexplicably has such a lighthearted and teasing tone that it was barely tolerable.
Daddy's been murdered, history looks to be repeating itself with more
horrific murders to come, Pine Deep is going to Hell in a handcart, but, "We're ENGAGED!!, We're GOING TO HAVE A BABY!!, She's my FIANCEE!!! I just can't wait to tell EVERYONE I see!!!"
To quote Oliver Reed's character from Burnt Offerings, "Life sure as hell goes on, doesn't it Marion?"
I'm sorry, I really found it nauseating.
So this kind of thing was happening a lot, and my eyerolling was making me dizzy. Yet I persevered despite this, and several typos and misprints (like taking the foot off the gas and the car starts to roll forward).
Yes, I stuck with it. Until this:
So, Crow just finishes telling a reporter that he believes in ghosts. A few pages later, his distraught best friend Terry confides in him that he has been visited by the ghost of his dead sister. Crow suggests he see a psychiatrist.
That did it. I skimmed the last 200 pages and I'm done with it all.
I won't give it one star, because he does have a great story idea going here, so I'll give it two.
Now, after finishing Dead Man's Song, I couldn't care less.
I was very impressed with Maberry's work in the first novel. A perfect mix of descriptive prose and dialogue which made it a very fun read. But there were a few issues I had with Dead Man's Song that bothered me so much that it completely turned me off the series.
Now, before you read any further, be warned that some of what I am going to write will spoil a bit from the first novel.
First and foremost, Val and Crow.
So, Val loves her Dad. Dad gets killed by Ruger. Not two days later, the dialogue and exchanges between Van and Crow inexplicably has such a lighthearted and teasing tone that it was barely tolerable.
Daddy's been murdered, history looks to be repeating itself with more
horrific murders to come, Pine Deep is going to Hell in a handcart, but, "We're ENGAGED!!, We're GOING TO HAVE A BABY!!, She's my FIANCEE!!! I just can't wait to tell EVERYONE I see!!!"
To quote Oliver Reed's character from Burnt Offerings, "Life sure as hell goes on, doesn't it Marion?"
I'm sorry, I really found it nauseating.
So this kind of thing was happening a lot, and my eyerolling was making me dizzy. Yet I persevered despite this, and several typos and misprints (like taking the foot off the gas and the car starts to roll forward).
Yes, I stuck with it. Until this:
So, Crow just finishes telling a reporter that he believes in ghosts. A few pages later, his distraught best friend Terry confides in him that he has been visited by the ghost of his dead sister. Crow suggests he see a psychiatrist.
That did it. I skimmed the last 200 pages and I'm done with it all.
I won't give it one star, because he does have a great story idea going here, so I'll give it two.
hectaizani's review
4.0
This is definitely a middle book in a trilogy. Some stuff happens that furthers the story but it's just enough to keep the reader engaged and wanting to find out what happens at the climax so I will be picking up the third book. There is a lot of back story, with a review of what happened in the first book (which was excellent) but the author also goes into the history of Pine Deep going back 30+ years to explain how that massacre connects to the events that are happening now.
Crow and Mike are my favorite characters, with Val coming in second. I'm worried about Connie and Terry's mental health. Why, yes, I do get wrapped up in my reading and treat the characters as though they are people I know.
Crow and Mike are my favorite characters, with Val coming in second. I'm worried about Connie and Terry's mental health. Why, yes, I do get wrapped up in my reading and treat the characters as though they are people I know.
the_enobee's review against another edition
4.0
I actually finished this Thursday night and I've been reading Bad Moon Rising through the weekend and the big day today. I'm fully bought in to the story now, and the last 20% of this book was a pretty good payoff as far as the spook factor goes. It's not perfect, but this trilogy so far is a quintessential October read. I'm almost in more suspense over Maberry pulling this off in a satisfying way than I am in suspense over the story itself. It's been an awesome ride so far. I'll be reviewing the series in its entirety when I finish book 3.
schadenfreudian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
pillywiggin's review against another edition
5.0
This is the second of the Pine Deep Trilogy books, which is one of my favorite trilogies of all time. It is a masterpiece of horror, with unique concepts and an amazing cast of characters. The infusion of blues music adds to the atmosphere, and anyone who believes in the magic and power of music should read this series.
miajmu's review against another edition
1.0
I didn't like this at all... but I also didn't realize it was the 2nd book in a series until I was about half way through.
anobledeath's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
git_r_read's review against another edition
5.0
Jonathan Maberry scares the crappe out of me. There, I said it. And that could be the extent of my review. He rocks the horror! It's been a few years since I've read GHOST ROAD BLUES, the first in the trilogy, but that didn't matter. The story picks up immediately after book one and it refreshes the reader's memory of the atrocities that occurred.
Book one was thriller horror with a tinge of supernatural. Book two is thriller horror with mega-supernatural. How this town can survive is beyond me, but there are forces in the background thankfully who seem to want to help. But the evil is so profound, it is difficult to see how good can even remotely triumph.
I read book one as a handheld print book and it remains on the keeper shelf. I listened to book two....that likely assisted in the scaring o' the crappe out of me. Listening at night on my commute home, I had to change to tunes from time to time to rest from the atmospheric chills. Excellent visual in both the words and the narration enhanced my imagination.
Definite recommend.
Book one was thriller horror with a tinge of supernatural. Book two is thriller horror with mega-supernatural. How this town can survive is beyond me, but there are forces in the background thankfully who seem to want to help. But the evil is so profound, it is difficult to see how good can even remotely triumph.
I read book one as a handheld print book and it remains on the keeper shelf. I listened to book two....that likely assisted in the scaring o' the crappe out of me. Listening at night on my commute home, I had to change to tunes from time to time to rest from the atmospheric chills. Excellent visual in both the words and the narration enhanced my imagination.
Definite recommend.