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The Darker Saints
The rain beats down on the hot New Orleans streets...A derelict staggers, no longer a man, but an empty vessel poured full of voodoo... — This is the land of lace curtains and Mardi Gras. This is the world of the bayou and sizzling crawfish and a man in white who can kill at any distance. — A storm of corporate greed and human cruelty has descended on New Orleans, on a young advertising executive who has sold more than products, on a weary ex-CIA man, and on a Caribbean servent on the run from enemies he cannot understand. Two powerful businessmen, one legitimate, one a criminal, have built a common empire. Now it is coming apart, scattering blood and broken bones, flooding the Delta with voodoo - the dark magic of dark saints...
414 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
2 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
Brian Hodge
149 books463 followersBrian Hodge, called “a writer of spectacularly unflinching gifts” by Peter Straub, is the award-winning author of ten novels of horror and crime/noir. He’s also written well over 100 short stories, novelettes, and novellas, and four full-length collections. His first collection, The Convulsion Factory, was ranked by critic Stanley Wiater as among the 113 best books of modern horror.
He lives in Colorado, where he also dabbles in music and photography; loves everything about organic gardening except the thieving squirrels; and trains in Krav Maga, grappling, and kickboxing, which are of no use at all against the squirrels.
He lives in Colorado, where he also dabbles in music and photography; loves everything about organic gardening except the thieving squirrels; and trains in Krav Maga, grappling, and kickboxing, which are of no use at all against the squirrels.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 17, 2014
I love the work of Brian Hodge. I first discovered him through the Darkfuse Kindle Club, when I read "Without Purpose, Without Pity". My Shelfari group read "Nightlife" a couple of months ago and we decided to read this book because two of the characters featured in Nightlife are also the focus of this story.
Anyway, this is an older story which takes place in New Orleans. As soon as I saw that I knew I was in. I once visited New Orleans, for only a short time, and I have wanted to return ever since. After reading this book, now I'm not so sure! This is a story that involves some serious voodoo, the mafia, corruption, politics and two likable characters that you can't help but root for. (And a bunch more characters that you can not help but hate.)
I did find the pacing to be a bit slow at first, but then it picked up and kept on steadily until the end. The ending was compelling and true to the story, but I just couldn't help but wish for it to be different, and that is usually not like me. I cannot elaborate on that for fear of ruining the story. I will say that Mr. Hodge has a great way of building characters, making them real and making you care for them. I love that and as such, I will be making my way through his back list.
Recommended for fans of books set in New Orleans, fans of voodoo stories and horror fans that just enjoy well written horror!
Anyway, this is an older story which takes place in New Orleans. As soon as I saw that I knew I was in. I once visited New Orleans, for only a short time, and I have wanted to return ever since. After reading this book, now I'm not so sure! This is a story that involves some serious voodoo, the mafia, corruption, politics and two likable characters that you can't help but root for. (And a bunch more characters that you can not help but hate.)
I did find the pacing to be a bit slow at first, but then it picked up and kept on steadily until the end. The ending was compelling and true to the story, but I just couldn't help but wish for it to be different, and that is usually not like me. I cannot elaborate on that for fear of ruining the story. I will say that Mr. Hodge has a great way of building characters, making them real and making you care for them. I love that and as such, I will be making my way through his back list.
Recommended for fans of books set in New Orleans, fans of voodoo stories and horror fans that just enjoy well written horror!
January 19, 2021
I had pretty high hopes for this novel; I like Hodge and a story based upon Voodoo and such set in New Orleans, what could go wrong! While I was not totally disappointed, I was not truly impressed either. This is a very loose sequel to Nightlife in that the two main characters there also feature here, albeit about a year later. Justin and April live in Tampa now, and Justin got a good gig with an advertising firm while April continues to pursue her painting, mainly for novel covers and such. The ad firm Justin works for has a big contract with a New Orleans based firm ran by Andrew Jackson Mullavey, which is into a little of everything, but mainly food products. Mullavey is in the process of rolling out a new instant coffee line and Justin's firm has the advertising contract. After a few surprises, Justin manages to lead to effort and they have a great campaign, trouncing their competitors, including one company lead by a Haitian immigrant. A few weeks later, however, it turns out that the Haitian company's coffee lead to several deaths from cyanide poisoning. Justin has to wonder why-- after all, with the great ad campaign they were miles ahead of the competition. Then he discovers that Mullavey may have had something to do with the poisoning and the book really takes off after that.
What I like best about Hodge is the deep character development he brings to life, even if that often means a rather slow burn. In this case, however, Justin's unrelenting probing of the poisoning seems a little over the top. The Voodoo aspect was done nicely, with some respect as well. Haiti, the only successful slave revolt that resulted in a new nation, was presented well (as were the characters drawn from there) and the Voodoo employed by an 'employee' of Mullavey was well researched and constituted the only real supernatural aspect of the book. Don't expect a standard Voodoo story here, however, as it only played a backdrop to the main story line, that of Justin's interminable struggles with himself and trying to make sense of life. Justin is a very troubled man, and his experiences in Nightlife only added to it. His relationship with April seems ideal, but there are problems that slowly percolate up to the surface.
The Darker Saints reads more of a saga, the saga of Justin, and if you are into that, e.g., one man's struggle to find meaning in life, this may be for you. The existentialist aspect of the novel was just OK-- but so many have done it better that I felt a little jaded. While this book was part of Dell's Abyss series of horror, it is really a bit of a stretch to place it into the horror genre. 3 somewhat generous stars!
What I like best about Hodge is the deep character development he brings to life, even if that often means a rather slow burn. In this case, however, Justin's unrelenting probing of the poisoning seems a little over the top. The Voodoo aspect was done nicely, with some respect as well. Haiti, the only successful slave revolt that resulted in a new nation, was presented well (as were the characters drawn from there) and the Voodoo employed by an 'employee' of Mullavey was well researched and constituted the only real supernatural aspect of the book. Don't expect a standard Voodoo story here, however, as it only played a backdrop to the main story line, that of Justin's interminable struggles with himself and trying to make sense of life. Justin is a very troubled man, and his experiences in Nightlife only added to it. His relationship with April seems ideal, but there are problems that slowly percolate up to the surface.
The Darker Saints reads more of a saga, the saga of Justin, and if you are into that, e.g., one man's struggle to find meaning in life, this may be for you. The existentialist aspect of the novel was just OK-- but so many have done it better that I felt a little jaded. While this book was part of Dell's Abyss series of horror, it is really a bit of a stretch to place it into the horror genre. 3 somewhat generous stars!
Want to read
July 23, 2011Stephen King endorsed the entire Dell Abyss Horror line. Here is his blurb:
"Thank you for introducing me to the remarkable line of novels currently being issued under Dell's Abyss imprint. I have given a great many blurbs over the last twelve years or so, but this one marks two firsts: first unsolicited blurb (I called you) and the first time I have blurbed a whole line of books. In terms of quality, production, and plain old story-telling reliability (that's the bottom line, isn't it), Dell's new line is amazingly satisfying...a rare and wonderful bargain for readers. I hope to be looking into the Abyss for a long time to come."
"Thank you for introducing me to the remarkable line of novels currently being issued under Dell's Abyss imprint. I have given a great many blurbs over the last twelve years or so, but this one marks two firsts: first unsolicited blurb (I called you) and the first time I have blurbed a whole line of books. In terms of quality, production, and plain old story-telling reliability (that's the bottom line, isn't it), Dell's new line is amazingly satisfying...a rare and wonderful bargain for readers. I hope to be looking into the Abyss for a long time to come."
March 7, 2014
I was thoroughly impressed by Hodge's short fiction collection and his recent novella and so I had fairly high hopes for this book. And maybe that's partially to blame for how disappointing it turned out to be. Maybe, but also there was just something missing and, despite the solid writing, it utterly failed to engage. The plot was muddled and very cumbersome, the pacing was slow. I finish every book I start (thanks OCD), but this was a chore to finish, it dragged. Wasn't worth the time.
September 19, 2020
This novel is the sequel to Night Life (which I rated 5 stars). Darker Saints seemed to meander bit and was extremely long winded. I think some editing was necessary. I also found myself disliking the main protagonist, unlike the previous novel. There where some great action scenes and voodoo magic but a lot of over-writing in between.
3 Stars***
3 Stars***
May 28, 2019
Abyss #32
I'm surprised that it took me to this re-read of the book to realize the same main characters from Nightlife appear here. It didn't hurt the story to have them go through another supernatural event, but it does strain credulity a bit.
Hodge is a master of characterization and pace, so the book is an easy, entertaining read. His villains come across as a little goofy and cliched, but they always feel real. The book suffers some from being a book about voodoo and Haitian culture, written by a white dude. Hodge makes a strong effort, and his perspective of the culture is progressive and respectful, but there's still a sense that he doesn't understand it, and doesn't have the right to write about this kind of thing. It's not appropriation, but it feels a little tacky, like the wave of Native-American horror novels of the 1970s that were also written by white dudes. It's not the kind of thing that should prevent someone from reading the book, but it's something to recognize.
I read this book partially in print and partially in ebook formats, and I found a few interesting discrepancies between the two. In some sections of the ebook, ellipses were omitted, to be replaced with periods, and there was at least one case where an entire sentence was removed. It wasn't critical to the story (in fact, I wondered if Hodge himself may have cleaned up the prose a bit on the re-release), but it seemed odd. It makes me want to make sure I read the original printings of these stories to make sure I get the proper feel for these books as I read them.
I'm surprised that it took me to this re-read of the book to realize the same main characters from Nightlife appear here. It didn't hurt the story to have them go through another supernatural event, but it does strain credulity a bit.
Hodge is a master of characterization and pace, so the book is an easy, entertaining read. His villains come across as a little goofy and cliched, but they always feel real. The book suffers some from being a book about voodoo and Haitian culture, written by a white dude. Hodge makes a strong effort, and his perspective of the culture is progressive and respectful, but there's still a sense that he doesn't understand it, and doesn't have the right to write about this kind of thing. It's not appropriation, but it feels a little tacky, like the wave of Native-American horror novels of the 1970s that were also written by white dudes. It's not the kind of thing that should prevent someone from reading the book, but it's something to recognize.
I read this book partially in print and partially in ebook formats, and I found a few interesting discrepancies between the two. In some sections of the ebook, ellipses were omitted, to be replaced with periods, and there was at least one case where an entire sentence was removed. It wasn't critical to the story (in fact, I wondered if Hodge himself may have cleaned up the prose a bit on the re-release), but it seemed odd. It makes me want to make sure I read the original printings of these stories to make sure I get the proper feel for these books as I read them.
February 19, 2014
Review to come
May 10, 2015
Psychological horror at its best. Loved this book!
March 21, 2018
Gods and heroes in New Orleans (mild spoiler)
The survivors of Night Life are drawn into a revenge conspiracy involving evil twins, vengeful Haitians, and an albino voodoo assassin. The resulting thriller is satisfying despite (or because of) the melancholy ending.
The survivors of Night Life are drawn into a revenge conspiracy involving evil twins, vengeful Haitians, and an albino voodoo assassin. The resulting thriller is satisfying despite (or because of) the melancholy ending.
December 22, 2021
Boring. Overly wordy. Every sentence seems padded for extra word count. Couldn't keep the characters straight and couldn't find the plot. Finally threw in the towel during the final hundred pages. Who knew a horror novel about voodoo could be so boring?
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews