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Moon
The nightmare begins before you sleep...
He had fled from the terrors of his past, finding refuge in the quietness of the island. And for a time he lived in peace. Until the "sightings" began, visions of horror seeping into his mind like poisonous tendrils, violent acts that were hideously macabre, the thoughts becoming intense.
He witnessed the grotesque acts of another thing, a thing that glorified in murder and mutilation, a monster that soon became aware of the observer within its own mind. And relished contact. A creature that would eventually come to the island to seek him out...
He had fled from the terrors of his past, finding refuge in the quietness of the island. And for a time he lived in peace. Until the "sightings" began, visions of horror seeping into his mind like poisonous tendrils, violent acts that were hideously macabre, the thoughts becoming intense.
He witnessed the grotesque acts of another thing, a thing that glorified in murder and mutilation, a monster that soon became aware of the observer within its own mind. And relished contact. A creature that would eventually come to the island to seek him out...
315 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1985
113 people are currently reading
2010 people want to read
About the author
James Herbert
100 books2,377 followersJames Herbert was Britain's number one bestselling writer (a position he held ever since publication of his first novel) and one of the world's top writers of thriller/horror fiction.
He was one of our greatest popular novelists, whose books are sold in thirty-three other languages, including Russian and Chinese. Widely imitated and hugely influential, his 19 novels have sold more than 42 million copies worldwide.
As an author he produced some of the most powerful horror fiction of the past decade. With a skillful blend of horror and thriller fiction, he explored the shaded territories of evil, evoking a sense of brooding menace and rising tension. He relentlessly draws the reader through the story's ultimate revelation - one that will stay to chill the mind long after the book has been laid aside. His bestsellers, THE MAGIC COTTAGE, HAUNTED, SEPULCHRE, and CREED, enhanced his reputation as a writer of depth and originality. His novels THE FOG, THE DARK, and THE SURVIVOR have been hailed as classics of the genre.
He was one of our greatest popular novelists, whose books are sold in thirty-three other languages, including Russian and Chinese. Widely imitated and hugely influential, his 19 novels have sold more than 42 million copies worldwide.
As an author he produced some of the most powerful horror fiction of the past decade. With a skillful blend of horror and thriller fiction, he explored the shaded territories of evil, evoking a sense of brooding menace and rising tension. He relentlessly draws the reader through the story's ultimate revelation - one that will stay to chill the mind long after the book has been laid aside. His bestsellers, THE MAGIC COTTAGE, HAUNTED, SEPULCHRE, and CREED, enhanced his reputation as a writer of depth and originality. His novels THE FOG, THE DARK, and THE SURVIVOR have been hailed as classics of the genre.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
September 21, 2024
Cringey sex scenes aside, I’ve had to upgrade this to five stars from four because I had a bloody great time reading this! Honestly, I couldn’t put it down, finishing it in pretty much a day.
I read this over thirty years ago and I must admit I didn’t really remember it. I think I just was in it for the sex and gore as a teen, the story itself being second fiddle, as it were. But now! Oh yes, now indeed I can appreciate Herbert’s fantastic writing and super fleshed out characters. I love the descriptions, rich in detail, fear factor at a satisfying simmering level and then the last 50 or so pages BOOM, take that nasty imagery and here’s the answers to lots of questions. Always a nice neatly tied up conclusion from Mr H.
Gloriously gory, vintage British horror, my copy has fallen apart in my hands and is in even worse condition. But it shows it’s loved and worthy to stay with me from the age of 14.
5⭐️ - Brilliant. I loved it - now where’s the sellotape…
I read this over thirty years ago and I must admit I didn’t really remember it. I think I just was in it for the sex and gore as a teen, the story itself being second fiddle, as it were. But now! Oh yes, now indeed I can appreciate Herbert’s fantastic writing and super fleshed out characters. I love the descriptions, rich in detail, fear factor at a satisfying simmering level and then the last 50 or so pages BOOM, take that nasty imagery and here’s the answers to lots of questions. Always a nice neatly tied up conclusion from Mr H.
Gloriously gory, vintage British horror, my copy has fallen apart in my hands and is in even worse condition. But it shows it’s loved and worthy to stay with me from the age of 14.
5⭐️ - Brilliant. I loved it - now where’s the sellotape…
October 6, 2024
…At last she was dead.
Where there had been terror, there was now only emptiness. Dead eyes. Those of a fish on an iced slab. Her body dormant, the final spasm exhausted, the final gasp silenced. Her last expression dissolved…
A strong opening but unfortunately not the strongest of the authors works I have read. I was disappointed to have read the last of his works ‘Ash’ back in 2021. But happy that there were many others still to tick off.
Childes experiences a connection with murderers. Actually seeing the murders take place. After being hounded by the Press after a successful crime solving he escapes to an Island (imagine Jersey) and becomes a teacher at a Girl’s private school.
To my mind not much happens until the final denouement. It also looks like Childes with an acceptance of his new power may feature in other books.
Where there had been terror, there was now only emptiness. Dead eyes. Those of a fish on an iced slab. Her body dormant, the final spasm exhausted, the final gasp silenced. Her last expression dissolved…
A strong opening but unfortunately not the strongest of the authors works I have read. I was disappointed to have read the last of his works ‘Ash’ back in 2021. But happy that there were many others still to tick off.
Childes experiences a connection with murderers. Actually seeing the murders take place. After being hounded by the Press after a successful crime solving he escapes to an Island (imagine Jersey) and becomes a teacher at a Girl’s private school.
To my mind not much happens until the final denouement. It also looks like Childes with an acceptance of his new power may feature in other books.
January 21, 2020
-Otra muestra de “lo ochentero” en el subgénero.-
Género. Narrativa fantástica.
Lo que nos cuenta. El libro Luna (publicación original: Moon, 1985) nos presenta a Jon Childes, ingeniero y profesor de informática en una pequeña escuela de una isla del Canal de la Mancha. Jon está divorciado, tiene una hija que vive con su exesposa y desde joven tuvo visiones sobre su madre muerta, pero terminaron por desaparecer. Ya casado, tuvo visiones sobre crímenes y terminó ayudando a la policía, lo que le costó el matrimonio por cómo se vio afectado, aunque fueron incapaces de capturar al asesino con vida. Tres años después, Jon empieza a tener nuevas visiones sobre crímenes.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
https://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com...
Género. Narrativa fantástica.
Lo que nos cuenta. El libro Luna (publicación original: Moon, 1985) nos presenta a Jon Childes, ingeniero y profesor de informática en una pequeña escuela de una isla del Canal de la Mancha. Jon está divorciado, tiene una hija que vive con su exesposa y desde joven tuvo visiones sobre su madre muerta, pero terminaron por desaparecer. Ya casado, tuvo visiones sobre crímenes y terminó ayudando a la policía, lo que le costó el matrimonio por cómo se vio afectado, aunque fueron incapaces de capturar al asesino con vida. Tres años después, Jon empieza a tener nuevas visiones sobre crímenes.
¿Quiere saber más de este libro, sin spoilers? Visite:
https://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com...
November 2, 2012
Years ago I read Once by Herbert, which I didn't particularly care for and it sort of turned me off the author. Now I've decided to give Herbert a second chance with Moon and I'm so glad I did, cause this was a very good book. At its heart it was a murder mystery wrapped into a supernatural horror and I liked the ending revelation, but what particularly stood out was the writing. Herbert weaves a tightly plotted, intense story with well fleshed out realistic characters, excellent vivid descriptions and non stop page turning spooky action. Very impressive. Highly recommended.
May 6, 2024
Moon was a decent supernatural novel. Herbert is a very skilled writer the way he can describe landscapes, characters and moods is a real talent he is very poetic especially in this novel.
The plot whilst it was enjoyable just didnt grab me. I liked Childes a man with psychic abilities and the strained relationship with his girlfriends father was well written but I think I'm just not a massive fan of slow burn supernatural beings. The ending was rushed to me but overall I'm happy I read it. I did enjoy this it just didnt blow me away as one of Herbert's better works.
The plot whilst it was enjoyable just didnt grab me. I liked Childes a man with psychic abilities and the strained relationship with his girlfriends father was well written but I think I'm just not a massive fan of slow burn supernatural beings. The ending was rushed to me but overall I'm happy I read it. I did enjoy this it just didnt blow me away as one of Herbert's better works.
December 31, 2023
For me, this is what James Herbert is all about, gory, trashy, fun, horror.
First of all, and I don't usually care about such things but Herbert makes every man seem like a pervert in this one .... I won't deny that most men (me included) will take time to .... How can I put this..... Admire the female form, but going on and on about it doesn't really help us out.... Especially when it's about schoolchildren... Not cool Herbert.
The story was fun though, this guy escapes his life and the disturbing images he sees of death and Murder only for them to begin again years later.... The only problem is, they are not just visions, they are actually happening.... It dragged a little here ans there but it's worth it in the end.
First of all, and I don't usually care about such things but Herbert makes every man seem like a pervert in this one .... I won't deny that most men (me included) will take time to .... How can I put this..... Admire the female form, but going on and on about it doesn't really help us out.... Especially when it's about schoolchildren... Not cool Herbert.
The story was fun though, this guy escapes his life and the disturbing images he sees of death and Murder only for them to begin again years later.... The only problem is, they are not just visions, they are actually happening.... It dragged a little here ans there but it's worth it in the end.
July 12, 2018
Wow, this didn't age well... not sure how fair it is to pass judgement in 2018, but here goes.
Typical 80s: melodramatic, somewhat gory and a little bit pervy.
It's set on the island of Guernsey, which is why I read it, and that aspect was the only plus for me.
I seem to recall reading one other Herbert over the last few years, and feeling pretty much the same, so I doubt there'll be any more in my future.
Typical 80s: melodramatic, somewhat gory and a little bit pervy.
It's set on the island of Guernsey, which is why I read it, and that aspect was the only plus for me.
I seem to recall reading one other Herbert over the last few years, and feeling pretty much the same, so I doubt there'll be any more in my future.
August 1, 2022
This is a book of two halves. The first half I struggled to stay interested. Jon Childes is a man running from his past. A reluctant psychic who solved a murder case but resulted in divorce and publicity he did not want. So he now lives on a channel island teaching computer science at several schools. This has led him to repress and avoid his psychic ability.
He also is in a relationship with another younger teacher called Amy. Herbert writes some truly awful sex scenes that are cringeworthy.
There a an insane psychic killing people in horrific ways and able to connect to Childes mind as well allowing him to see the murders. Freaking out Childes and his girlfriend Amy. When an attempt is made on his daughters life he starts to face his fears.
The lunatic hunts him down to the island and she turns out to be malevolent nut who worships the moon. Burning people alive, sawing off the top of the head of one unlucky person and generally a Kathy Bates gone postal.
The final confrontation is exciting and drags my review up to 3.5.
He also is in a relationship with another younger teacher called Amy. Herbert writes some truly awful sex scenes that are cringeworthy.
There a an insane psychic killing people in horrific ways and able to connect to Childes mind as well allowing him to see the murders. Freaking out Childes and his girlfriend Amy. When an attempt is made on his daughters life he starts to face his fears.
The lunatic hunts him down to the island and she turns out to be malevolent nut who worships the moon. Burning people alive, sawing off the top of the head of one unlucky person and generally a Kathy Bates gone postal.
The final confrontation is exciting and drags my review up to 3.5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2024
This is the third of three reprints of early books by the author, which I acquired cheaply from a charity shop. Sadly, after this I don't think I will bother with any more.
Jon Childes is a former highly-paid IT executive, now teaching computer studies at posh private schools on one of the Channel Islands - I was never sure if it was meant to be Jersey or Guernsey. He relocated and changed career after being the centre of a media circus a few years before when he psychically located the burial places of murdered children. At first, he had come under suspicion but had eventually proved his innocence and given the police enough clues to track down the culprit but not before the man, sensing them closing in, committed suicide. Detective Inspector Overoy, in charge of the case, had let the media know about Jon's psychic awareness, and Jon and his family had been beset by crank calls and intrusive reporters. Jon's wife, Fran, characterised as a 'career woman ' had refused to relocate with Jon and instead divorced him, winning custody of their daughter Gabby.
Jon had never accepted his psychic abilities. When he begins to have visions again, he's horrified, especially as this time he is not only witnessing the crimes themselves but is aware of an evil mind in contact with his, gloating over the effect it is having and attempting to ransack his memories to track him down. Among other problems, the wealthy businessman who is the father of Jon's girlfriend, Amy, a fellow teacher, tries to use Jon's apparent mental instability to break them up, arranging for the local police force to investigate his background. This leads DI Overoy to visit the island, contrite at the effect he has had on Jon's life, and at first the only person in authority willing to believe him.
The stakes are raised when a child living next door to his family is taken by the murderer in mistake for Amy. Jon goes back to England to tell Fran about the visions and try to persuade her to return with him to the island with Gabby, but her reaction is bizarre and his subsequent behaviour deplorable.
On one level, the relationship between Jon and Amy is an improvement on relationships between couples in other Herbert novels, certainly over that between the protagonist and his girlfriend in 'The Fog'. There is one obligatory and unnecessary explicit sex scene but it isn't quite as cringe making as in that other book. The two do show affection and have meaningful conversations. However, when Jon visits his ex-wife, although he initially puts off Fran's attempt to rekindle their relationship, telling her that he's now involved with Amy, whom he has known for a couple of years, when Fran comes into the spare room that night, he lifts the sheet inviting her into bed. When Amy finds out later, he says it didn't mean anything. Considering how she has had to defend him to her father, this is a real kick in the teeth.
Herbert's preoccupation with breasts is in full force here, early on in the story in relation to a fourteen-year-old pupil of Jon's and soon after in a remark about Amy. Even the older woman in charge of the girls' school where key scenes occur doesn't escape. The application to adolescent girls is creepy. The basic inability to empathise with women is clear in the portrayal of Fran, whose reaction when Jon suggests she and their daughter would be safer in the Channel Islands is to refuse on the grounds that she has to go to work at the estate agents where she's doing well and Gabby has to go to school. Her concession to the fact that next door's daughter has been snatched by a sociopathic killer - and by mistake for Gabby - is that they will go to her mother's which will allow her to commute and Gabby to attend a local school. The last thing any mother would want in such circumstances is to allow the child out of her sight, but Fran seems so disinterested it's amazing that she sought custody in the first place. This seems to show prejudice on the
author's part against working mothers because it's so unconvincing.
The conclusion of the story which I won't spoil is disappointing. After having to suspend disbelief sufficiently to accept psychic powers, the reader then has to accept a further hefty helping of the paranormal. It's rather as if the author ran out of inspiration as to how to wrap up the story, though it is foreshadowed in the prologue which carried a sense of deja vu: a boy waking up in bed as something supernatural is about to happen (as in 'Haunted').
In fact, the protagonist in the later 'Haunted' is a reworking of the one here; both men suffer trauma in their childhood, and blot out their abilities until forced to accept them in mid-life. The difference here is that Jon isn't a cynical alcoholic who makes a career out of exposing fake mediums, and he has a bit more success with relationships. But otherwise it does come across as the same character but seen through a different prism.
Altogether with the creepy treatment of young girls and the weak ending, I would rate this as just an OK 2 stars.
Jon Childes is a former highly-paid IT executive, now teaching computer studies at posh private schools on one of the Channel Islands - I was never sure if it was meant to be Jersey or Guernsey. He relocated and changed career after being the centre of a media circus a few years before when he psychically located the burial places of murdered children. At first, he had come under suspicion but had eventually proved his innocence and given the police enough clues to track down the culprit but not before the man, sensing them closing in, committed suicide. Detective Inspector Overoy, in charge of the case, had let the media know about Jon's psychic awareness, and Jon and his family had been beset by crank calls and intrusive reporters. Jon's wife, Fran, characterised as a 'career woman ' had refused to relocate with Jon and instead divorced him, winning custody of their daughter Gabby.
Jon had never accepted his psychic abilities. When he begins to have visions again, he's horrified, especially as this time he is not only witnessing the crimes themselves but is aware of an evil mind in contact with his, gloating over the effect it is having and attempting to ransack his memories to track him down. Among other problems, the wealthy businessman who is the father of Jon's girlfriend, Amy, a fellow teacher, tries to use Jon's apparent mental instability to break them up, arranging for the local police force to investigate his background. This leads DI Overoy to visit the island, contrite at the effect he has had on Jon's life, and at first the only person in authority willing to believe him.
The stakes are raised when a child living next door to his family is taken by the murderer in mistake for Amy. Jon goes back to England to tell Fran about the visions and try to persuade her to return with him to the island with Gabby, but her reaction is bizarre and his subsequent behaviour deplorable.
On one level, the relationship between Jon and Amy is an improvement on relationships between couples in other Herbert novels, certainly over that between the protagonist and his girlfriend in 'The Fog'. There is one obligatory and unnecessary explicit sex scene but it isn't quite as cringe making as in that other book. The two do show affection and have meaningful conversations. However, when Jon visits his ex-wife, although he initially puts off Fran's attempt to rekindle their relationship, telling her that he's now involved with Amy, whom he has known for a couple of years, when Fran comes into the spare room that night, he lifts the sheet inviting her into bed. When Amy finds out later, he says it didn't mean anything. Considering how she has had to defend him to her father, this is a real kick in the teeth.
Herbert's preoccupation with breasts is in full force here, early on in the story in relation to a fourteen-year-old pupil of Jon's and soon after in a remark about Amy. Even the older woman in charge of the girls' school where key scenes occur doesn't escape. The application to adolescent girls is creepy. The basic inability to empathise with women is clear in the portrayal of Fran, whose reaction when Jon suggests she and their daughter would be safer in the Channel Islands is to refuse on the grounds that she has to go to work at the estate agents where she's doing well and Gabby has to go to school. Her concession to the fact that next door's daughter has been snatched by a sociopathic killer - and by mistake for Gabby - is that they will go to her mother's which will allow her to commute and Gabby to attend a local school. The last thing any mother would want in such circumstances is to allow the child out of her sight, but Fran seems so disinterested it's amazing that she sought custody in the first place. This seems to show prejudice on the
author's part against working mothers because it's so unconvincing.
The conclusion of the story which I won't spoil is disappointing. After having to suspend disbelief sufficiently to accept psychic powers, the reader then has to accept a further hefty helping of the paranormal. It's rather as if the author ran out of inspiration as to how to wrap up the story, though it is foreshadowed in the prologue which carried a sense of deja vu: a boy waking up in bed as something supernatural is about to happen (as in 'Haunted').
In fact, the protagonist in the later 'Haunted' is a reworking of the one here; both men suffer trauma in their childhood, and blot out their abilities until forced to accept them in mid-life. The difference here is that Jon isn't a cynical alcoholic who makes a career out of exposing fake mediums, and he has a bit more success with relationships. But otherwise it does come across as the same character but seen through a different prism.
Altogether with the creepy treatment of young girls and the weak ending, I would rate this as just an OK 2 stars.
December 24, 2020
I had read this book during the early months of the COVID-19 lockdown, but never got around to updating it on Goodreads.
This was my first book by James Herbert. I had heard or to be more precise read a lot about Herbert's skill as horror storyteller. Unsurprisingly I had some pretty high expectations from this book and which it failed to live up to.
From the title and the cover art I had assumed that it was going to be a werewolf tale. But, I was wrong. There are no werewolves in the novel whatsoever. There is a mysterious killer however. Anyway, I am not going to delve in the story in detail. In brief the major events of the novel take place in the island of Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands in the English Channel near the French coast. The island really exists.
Our protagonist Childes has fled to this island "from the terrors of his past" , fighting his demons (don't they all!!!) while trying to maintain his relationship his Amy! Oh, did I tell you that he also get visions of horrible murders and mutilations. Then people in his vicinity start dying, bodies keep pilling up and finally get to the climax -- which was very abrupt in my opinion.
The story had the right ingredients of a pulp horror novel. However, the execution definitely lacked the craftsmanship of riveting storytelling. I do understand that pulp novels are not exactly the epitome of literature, but they can certainly be page-turners and satisfy the needs for some cheap thrills once in a while.
The last few pages of the book had the short descriptions of the author's other novels. This book was a disappointment. I might still try out a few other books by Herbert if I can find pocket-friendly editions in some used bookstore.
This was my first book by James Herbert. I had heard or to be more precise read a lot about Herbert's skill as horror storyteller. Unsurprisingly I had some pretty high expectations from this book and which it failed to live up to.
From the title and the cover art I had assumed that it was going to be a werewolf tale. But, I was wrong. There are no werewolves in the novel whatsoever. There is a mysterious killer however. Anyway, I am not going to delve in the story in detail. In brief the major events of the novel take place in the island of Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands in the English Channel near the French coast. The island really exists.
Our protagonist Childes has fled to this island "from the terrors of his past" , fighting his demons (don't they all!!!) while trying to maintain his relationship his Amy! Oh, did I tell you that he also get visions of horrible murders and mutilations. Then people in his vicinity start dying, bodies keep pilling up and finally get to the climax -- which was very abrupt in my opinion.
The story had the right ingredients of a pulp horror novel. However, the execution definitely lacked the craftsmanship of riveting storytelling. I do understand that pulp novels are not exactly the epitome of literature, but they can certainly be page-turners and satisfy the needs for some cheap thrills once in a while.
The last few pages of the book had the short descriptions of the author's other novels. This book was a disappointment. I might still try out a few other books by Herbert if I can find pocket-friendly editions in some used bookstore.
November 12, 2012
Time Taken To Read - 2 days
Blurb from the back cover
The nightmare begins before you go to sleep...
He fled from the terrors of his past. Finding refuge in the quietness of the island. And for a time he lived in peace. Until the 'sightings' began. Visions of horror seeping into his mind like poisonous tendrils. Violent acts that were hideously macabre, the thoughts became intense.
He witnessed the grotesque acts of another thing, a thing that glorified in murder and mutilation. A monster that soon became aware of the observer within its own mind. And relished contact. A creature that would eventually come to the island to seek him out.
My Review
I have always liked James Herbert and this is one of those books that reignites all the things you enjoyed and loved from previous books. FYI - I haven't read them in any kind of order. Jon Childes is a teacher with a past he would rather forget. It ruined his marriage, his every day life and almost cost him his sanity and freedom. After escaping to the island and starting a new it isn't long before history repeats itself and Jon finds himself in a horrible game of cat and mouse.
This book is filled with lots of spooky goings on, horrific murders and desecrations. The story reads almost like a sequel as it refers back a few times to Childes past and what happened the last time, however after checking this is a stand alone book.
The book goes along at a decent pace, keeping you hooked without giving away too much too quick. Sometimes a chapter starts with Childes and then one will visit 'the thing' and back to Childes however it flows fabulously and you will be caught up in the story in no time, especially if your a James Herbert fan. I really enjoyed it and wasn't left hanging as you are with a lot of these themed books so a 4/5 for me.
Blurb from the back cover
The nightmare begins before you go to sleep...
He fled from the terrors of his past. Finding refuge in the quietness of the island. And for a time he lived in peace. Until the 'sightings' began. Visions of horror seeping into his mind like poisonous tendrils. Violent acts that were hideously macabre, the thoughts became intense.
He witnessed the grotesque acts of another thing, a thing that glorified in murder and mutilation. A monster that soon became aware of the observer within its own mind. And relished contact. A creature that would eventually come to the island to seek him out.
My Review
I have always liked James Herbert and this is one of those books that reignites all the things you enjoyed and loved from previous books. FYI - I haven't read them in any kind of order. Jon Childes is a teacher with a past he would rather forget. It ruined his marriage, his every day life and almost cost him his sanity and freedom. After escaping to the island and starting a new it isn't long before history repeats itself and Jon finds himself in a horrible game of cat and mouse.
This book is filled with lots of spooky goings on, horrific murders and desecrations. The story reads almost like a sequel as it refers back a few times to Childes past and what happened the last time, however after checking this is a stand alone book.
The book goes along at a decent pace, keeping you hooked without giving away too much too quick. Sometimes a chapter starts with Childes and then one will visit 'the thing' and back to Childes however it flows fabulously and you will be caught up in the story in no time, especially if your a James Herbert fan. I really enjoyed it and wasn't left hanging as you are with a lot of these themed books so a 4/5 for me.
June 27, 2013
Illusions! ILLUSIONS!
Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
This was a decent horror novel with plenty of vividly detailed gore and tension was built nicely throughout. The descriptions were compelling and I enjoyed the setting quite a bit. Some of the descriptions were just mind-blowing, but the story sagged a little too much to survive on purple prose alone. It took a long time for the story to get going, but once it did, about two-thirds of the way through, it didn't let up until it was over. Not bad, not great, either.
Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
This was a decent horror novel with plenty of vividly detailed gore and tension was built nicely throughout. The descriptions were compelling and I enjoyed the setting quite a bit. Some of the descriptions were just mind-blowing, but the story sagged a little too much to survive on purple prose alone. It took a long time for the story to get going, but once it did, about two-thirds of the way through, it didn't let up until it was over. Not bad, not great, either.
April 30, 2015
I loved it this was the first James Herbert book I have read. Others say it is not that good but I differ it has a lot going for it.
Slow to being with as you learn about the characters then it really ramps up. Yes it is gorey in places but that is part of the plot. Descriptive and a real page turner with a brilliant twist at the end.
Jonathon Childes a pyschic is the main character and very believable. He sees the crimes being committed through the eyes of the person committing the murder and he is aware that this is two way thing putting people he loves in danger.
Don't read it if you don't like horror and gore.
Slow to being with as you learn about the characters then it really ramps up. Yes it is gorey in places but that is part of the plot. Descriptive and a real page turner with a brilliant twist at the end.
Jonathon Childes a pyschic is the main character and very believable. He sees the crimes being committed through the eyes of the person committing the murder and he is aware that this is two way thing putting people he loves in danger.
Don't read it if you don't like horror and gore.
March 22, 2017
Terminé anoche de leerlo y quedé media catatónica porque por un lado, durante todo el bendito libro no hay forma de que te hagas a la idea de quién corno es el asesino y eso me gustó. Por otro lado, el asesino .... por favorrrrrrrrrrr que mentalidad tan trastornada... los últimos asesinatos fueron los que más sentí porque aunque no eran personajes que conocían profundamente, cada uno por distintas razones te llegaban al kokoro.
Como lo dije antes, el libro lo compré porque me llamó la atención el título, era viejo, estaba en oferta y una vocecita interior me decía "compra ese libro... compra ese libro" así que lo compré sin tener ni la más pálida idea de que iba, aunque Luna Sangrienta como se llama en castellano te hace imaginar varias cosas (entre ellas hombres lobos pero nada que ver) una cosa era segura, sangre iba a ver. Está catalogado como Horror y Ficción, yo le agregaría suspenso, porque como lo dije antes, te pasas todo el bendito libro pensando, buscando pistas, analizando quién es el asesino. Así que yo lo catalogaría más como suspenso con un toque (puede que más que un toque) fantástico y no sé si tanto horror o al menos yo asocio el horror con otra cosa. En fin, es un libro que si les gustan los enigmas, si les gusta el misterio y el suspenso y asesinos misteriosos, este libro no pueden dejarlo pasar.
Como lo dije antes, el libro lo compré porque me llamó la atención el título, era viejo, estaba en oferta y una vocecita interior me decía "compra ese libro... compra ese libro" así que lo compré sin tener ni la más pálida idea de que iba, aunque Luna Sangrienta como se llama en castellano te hace imaginar varias cosas (entre ellas hombres lobos pero nada que ver) una cosa era segura, sangre iba a ver. Está catalogado como Horror y Ficción, yo le agregaría suspenso, porque como lo dije antes, te pasas todo el bendito libro pensando, buscando pistas, analizando quién es el asesino. Así que yo lo catalogaría más como suspenso con un toque (puede que más que un toque) fantástico y no sé si tanto horror o al menos yo asocio el horror con otra cosa. En fin, es un libro que si les gustan los enigmas, si les gusta el misterio y el suspenso y asesinos misteriosos, este libro no pueden dejarlo pasar.
November 20, 2017
This was my first sojourne with James Herbert, an author I’ve been wanting to read for some time. And I loved it it — until the last twenty pages. The author cheated at the end bringing in some themes somewhat unrelated to the rest of the book. But, the story was quite well written and had me on the edge of my seat, especially as I moved closer to the conclusion. A bit disappointing, but still at least a four star effort.
May 8, 2023
Now this is a real horror book so beware it’s quite graphic and dark, reminded me of Stephen King s writing style, beware of the moonstone …
July 8, 2021
It’s 1985, and Jon Childes is a computer teacher at a school for girls in the Channel Islands. He fled there after psychically aiding a police investigation three years earlier, causing his wife to divorce him, because it’s the ’80s and the “in sickness and in health” clause of the wedding vows doesn’t apply to mental breakdowns, at least not when you have a job at a real estate firm that’s really taking off. And while it’s not exactly complaint #1 with this book, it’s a major complaint: his dumb ex, whats-her-name, is totally unrealistic. Their next-door neighbors’ child is abducted, her psychically-attuned ex-husband says the kidnapper was after their daughter, and he urges them to come out to the isolated and safer islands where he now lives, and her reply is “I have to work, and she has school.” I’m sorry, what? In the face of murders, arson, mutilation of corpses, and the kidnap of your daughter’s best friend, and you’re still even contemplating going to work, let alone sending her to school?! Mr. Herbert, have you ever met a woman?
Which leads me to what actually was my first complaint: the women. I just got done reading Mary Renault’s Theseus Duology, and while her Grecian hero is “highly-sexed” (according to the back blurb), even he doesn’t spend a quarter of the time Herbert does on breasts. And it’s just Herbert, without any help from his protagonist. Although Childes has a girlfriend he’s with two or three times in the course of the book, plus a “meaningless hook up” with his ex-wife that I found repugnant, most of the breast talk occurs in the omniscient third-person narration. Basically, if it’s got boobs, you can be sure James Herbert dedicated a paragraph or two effervescing about them — from “budding schoolgirls” to the spinster principal — I’m honestly surprised the pet cat Mrs. Puddles didn’t get a line or two about her feminine charms. I’ve never read the word “breast” so many times in one book before. Although Herbert’s preoccupation explains why the predominantly female cast of characters (protagonist’s ex-wife, daughter, girlfriend; female coworkers, girl students; prostitute victims, the cat, the girl next door…) behave in ways no female has ever behaved, even British ones.
The book was gory, far more so than I was expecting, and I’d had it in my head that the paranormal element would be more werewolf or vampire related than psychic intuitions. I’m not squeamish by any stretch, but I just found it shocking how slimy this book was for a British novel written in the 1980s. I guess Queen Victoria really is dead. And I was tired of corpse mutilation and over-detailed psychic visions of blood and guts by the second description.
As I always find thrillers boring, I can’t blame my boredom on the book itself; there were chases, escapes, an excruciatingly long scene about a fire, and a final showdown complete with ghosts trailing all their viscera. I found the ending unsatisfying, the body count uncomfortable, the sexiness confusing and unwarranted. Mostly, the female behavior was so off-putting, the main character inaccessible, and the whole thing a strain. Make that one flop so far for this year’s challenge.
Which leads me to what actually was my first complaint: the women. I just got done reading Mary Renault’s Theseus Duology, and while her Grecian hero is “highly-sexed” (according to the back blurb), even he doesn’t spend a quarter of the time Herbert does on breasts. And it’s just Herbert, without any help from his protagonist. Although Childes has a girlfriend he’s with two or three times in the course of the book, plus a “meaningless hook up” with his ex-wife that I found repugnant, most of the breast talk occurs in the omniscient third-person narration. Basically, if it’s got boobs, you can be sure James Herbert dedicated a paragraph or two effervescing about them — from “budding schoolgirls” to the spinster principal — I’m honestly surprised the pet cat Mrs. Puddles didn’t get a line or two about her feminine charms. I’ve never read the word “breast” so many times in one book before. Although Herbert’s preoccupation explains why the predominantly female cast of characters (protagonist’s ex-wife, daughter, girlfriend; female coworkers, girl students; prostitute victims, the cat, the girl next door…) behave in ways no female has ever behaved, even British ones.
The book was gory, far more so than I was expecting, and I’d had it in my head that the paranormal element would be more werewolf or vampire related than psychic intuitions. I’m not squeamish by any stretch, but I just found it shocking how slimy this book was for a British novel written in the 1980s. I guess Queen Victoria really is dead. And I was tired of corpse mutilation and over-detailed psychic visions of blood and guts by the second description.
As I always find thrillers boring, I can’t blame my boredom on the book itself; there were chases, escapes, an excruciatingly long scene about a fire, and a final showdown complete with ghosts trailing all their viscera. I found the ending unsatisfying, the body count uncomfortable, the sexiness confusing and unwarranted. Mostly, the female behavior was so off-putting, the main character inaccessible, and the whole thing a strain. Make that one flop so far for this year’s challenge.
February 8, 2024
3 Stars
There is a serial killer on the lose, and the moon calls to "it." Our MC Childes has telepathy and can see/feel what the killer feels. Sounds good, right?
The main character is a typical 80s f**k-boy. He was a married man with a child, worked corporate, some issues pop up and he can't deal, so he runs from his issues, family and makes another life with another woman; AND, no one holds him accountable; not even the ex-wife. I found the murderer more fascinating. Now; that I think about it, 3 stars is a better rating.
This book was written in '85, so the sexist and idiocy of the plot as it deals with women; is par for the course, as I expect nothing less. The 80s was forging ahead with more women in the workplace, unlike the 70s, where women were just trying to exist as human and not just a walking womb. So, if you go in understanding the times and the author, then this is like an 80s b-movie on the mild horror side. Stereotypical, misogyny-light, but not really. It is what it is.
I don't get offended very easily; so, I enjoyed it for what it was as a horror novel; but if you took the horror or supernatural element out; the book would suck and piss me off more than just making me irritated.
There is a serial killer on the lose, and the moon calls to "it." Our MC Childes has telepathy and can see/feel what the killer feels. Sounds good, right?
The main character is a typical 80s f**k-boy. He was a married man with a child, worked corporate, some issues pop up and he can't deal, so he runs from his issues, family and makes another life with another woman; AND, no one holds him accountable; not even the ex-wife. I found the murderer more fascinating. Now; that I think about it, 3 stars is a better rating.
This book was written in '85, so the sexist and idiocy of the plot as it deals with women; is par for the course, as I expect nothing less. The 80s was forging ahead with more women in the workplace, unlike the 70s, where women were just trying to exist as human and not just a walking womb. So, if you go in understanding the times and the author, then this is like an 80s b-movie on the mild horror side. Stereotypical, misogyny-light, but not really. It is what it is.
I don't get offended very easily; so, I enjoyed it for what it was as a horror novel; but if you took the horror or supernatural element out; the book would suck and piss me off more than just making me irritated.
March 28, 2020
"Childes is precognitive. He can see death before it happens but more than that, he can 'see' through the mind of another - an evil other.
That is all I have to tell you of the plot on this one. It starts out a little slow but really picks up for a big final assault. Don't go searching for anything clever, new or earth-shattering, you won't find it here. If you are looking for a literary gem, this is not going to suit you.
In some ways, James Herbert is a lot like Richard Laymon. Whereas Laymon foregoes any real scene and character description for murder, slash and gore, Herbert forgoes all for psychological horror. The plot has been played out before, both in book and movie, but take it for what it is. Simply a quick read that is not draining on the brain, offering few surprises
but still an enjoyable read."
That is all I have to tell you of the plot on this one. It starts out a little slow but really picks up for a big final assault. Don't go searching for anything clever, new or earth-shattering, you won't find it here. If you are looking for a literary gem, this is not going to suit you.
In some ways, James Herbert is a lot like Richard Laymon. Whereas Laymon foregoes any real scene and character description for murder, slash and gore, Herbert forgoes all for psychological horror. The plot has been played out before, both in book and movie, but take it for what it is. Simply a quick read that is not draining on the brain, offering few surprises
but still an enjoyable read."
January 12, 2009
In December 2007 I purchased a box-set of six James Herbert novels for five of your English pounds (the books in question 'The Magic Cottage', 'The Spear', 'Haunted', 'The Fog', 'Creed' and 'Moon'). At that price I somehow couldn’t afford not to buy them.
I read 'Creed' at the start of the year, and have now tackled 'Moon'.
The plot concerns a reluctant psychic with a link to a killer, who tracks him down and tries to ruin his life. It holds the interest – with some good horrifying descriptions – but I had the same problem with it that I have with a lot of Herbert’s work, namely that there’s not much humour in it. Yes, he is dealing in horror and bleak subjects, but there’s never a moment taken to lighten the tone. The reader forced to plod on through ever gloomier terrain.
This book also had a lot of clumsy exposition designed as dialogue, in the mouths of some very thinly drawn characters. (The descriptions of 1985 computers also dates it somewhat.) However, if you are looking for an undemanding horror read for a train journey, then you could actually do worse.
I read 'Creed' at the start of the year, and have now tackled 'Moon'.
The plot concerns a reluctant psychic with a link to a killer, who tracks him down and tries to ruin his life. It holds the interest – with some good horrifying descriptions – but I had the same problem with it that I have with a lot of Herbert’s work, namely that there’s not much humour in it. Yes, he is dealing in horror and bleak subjects, but there’s never a moment taken to lighten the tone. The reader forced to plod on through ever gloomier terrain.
This book also had a lot of clumsy exposition designed as dialogue, in the mouths of some very thinly drawn characters. (The descriptions of 1985 computers also dates it somewhat.) However, if you are looking for an undemanding horror read for a train journey, then you could actually do worse.
September 28, 2020
Utter nonsense. I got a bit of a laugh out of how much of an old horndog Herbert was though. This was nothing new to me; I'd read, and loved his Rats trilogy in my teens, and even back then I remember thinking Herbert was a bit thirsty, but it's ridiculous here; it's basically Jackie Collins, but with ritualistic murder. I think he's maybe just upped the sex to cover for the fact there isn't much of a plot. But he can't help himself. There's actually a passage or two where he crosses the line talking about schoolgirls. Dirty old sod.
February 1, 2022
One of Herbert's weaker offerings. This also reminded me how much of a dirty old sod he was 🤣 sexualising schoolgirls just a bit too much.
January 13, 2019
A teenage me found James Herbert to be dark and Edgy and scary and wonderful. Even then I knew it was not the greatest literature ever but I felt that it was just for me. I had found it, I was reading it and it made it special. My Mum was not so into the horror, only one or two of my friends were and the sex scenes in his books made them feel all the more adult. I hadn't read this book back then.
Having read it now I have to say it was still fun. I know now that his books were to get better and better with only the odd misstep. I cringed slightly at the entirely unnecessary sex scene in the book and wonder if he wrote to a pattern where after so many pages he thought ‘ oh, here we go, time for some amazing but gratuitous sex’. Perhaps the sex would not be so amazing if it was necessary to the plot, who knows? What I do know is that it was more appreciated by teenage me with my raging hormones than it is by adult me with my cynicism and world weariness.
The plot is good, brief and to the point. In fact to be honest there was a little too much build up and not quite enough of the action for me. That mid-80s view of parapsychology is a thread throughout the whole book, these were the last of the credulous days where magazines like the Unexplained posited the view that this stuff could actually be true and the book is based around that view of ESP and psychic phenomena as a potential new science. Not that it is a bad thing but there were a number of characters in this tale who appeared to believe in the central character's powers more than he did.
I liked the fact that bad things happened in this book that the hero was not able to prevent. I liked the fact that good people did the wrong things for the right reasons. I wasn't sure about the ending, it felt rushed and anti-climatic but I am beginning to think that actually, horror books are just generally difficult to conclude.
I got this book in a second hand book room with an honesty box inside of a stately home I visited. I like mooching around unusual second hand bookshops. There was a card inside of it written to the last person who read it and clearly used as a bookmark. I used it for the same and even found that interesting.
This was a fine read. Not the greatest but one I enjoyed. Thats enough.
Having read it now I have to say it was still fun. I know now that his books were to get better and better with only the odd misstep. I cringed slightly at the entirely unnecessary sex scene in the book and wonder if he wrote to a pattern where after so many pages he thought ‘ oh, here we go, time for some amazing but gratuitous sex’. Perhaps the sex would not be so amazing if it was necessary to the plot, who knows? What I do know is that it was more appreciated by teenage me with my raging hormones than it is by adult me with my cynicism and world weariness.
The plot is good, brief and to the point. In fact to be honest there was a little too much build up and not quite enough of the action for me. That mid-80s view of parapsychology is a thread throughout the whole book, these were the last of the credulous days where magazines like the Unexplained posited the view that this stuff could actually be true and the book is based around that view of ESP and psychic phenomena as a potential new science. Not that it is a bad thing but there were a number of characters in this tale who appeared to believe in the central character's powers more than he did.
I liked the fact that bad things happened in this book that the hero was not able to prevent. I liked the fact that good people did the wrong things for the right reasons. I wasn't sure about the ending, it felt rushed and anti-climatic but I am beginning to think that actually, horror books are just generally difficult to conclude.
I got this book in a second hand book room with an honesty box inside of a stately home I visited. I like mooching around unusual second hand bookshops. There was a card inside of it written to the last person who read it and clearly used as a bookmark. I used it for the same and even found that interesting.
This was a fine read. Not the greatest but one I enjoyed. Thats enough.
April 13, 2022
“Even villains need a break.”
This was MY first novel by James Herbert. Having seen his books mentioned quite often, I thought to give it a go with Moon. First impression, Herbert is a brilliant writer. I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. Not because I was overly gripped by the story, per se. However, the plot and characters were interesting. But because I was ensnared with the way Herbert wrote and unfolded the tale as a perfectly paced thriller and for the most part, kept the overindulgence to a minimum.
I will say though, I am becoming more and more convinced that male authors do not write the best sex scenes and the one explicit scene in this book could have easily not been written. IMO, the story wouldn’t have been lacking for it. Dare I say, the story might have been even better without it. I don’t need an explicit scene written like an owner’s manual to keep me intrigued with a gruesome thriller.
What I found best about this book was the concept of the plot. MC, Jonathan Childes, is connected to the mind of a killer through some psychic link. The killer however is aware of this fact and uses this opportunity to mess with Childes while getting their sick pleasure out of it. It was really well written with the multi-POV narrative and the peeling back of layers upon layers until the climatic ending. I found myself “clutching my pearls” a few times and even screaming at the characters. That’s always a good sign from a book.
I give this book a 3.5 star overall — rounding it up to 4 for Goodreads. As mentioned, there was unnecessary scenes that I felt didn’t add to the story and I wasn’t fully connected to any of the characters. However the book did hit its mark with wonderfully gruesome and chilling scenes and kept to the fast pace I expect in thrillers. I will definitely be picking up more Herbert novels and I would definitely recommend this book to fans of horror, thrillers, and dark fantasy.
This was MY first novel by James Herbert. Having seen his books mentioned quite often, I thought to give it a go with Moon. First impression, Herbert is a brilliant writer. I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. Not because I was overly gripped by the story, per se. However, the plot and characters were interesting. But because I was ensnared with the way Herbert wrote and unfolded the tale as a perfectly paced thriller and for the most part, kept the overindulgence to a minimum.
I will say though, I am becoming more and more convinced that male authors do not write the best sex scenes and the one explicit scene in this book could have easily not been written. IMO, the story wouldn’t have been lacking for it. Dare I say, the story might have been even better without it. I don’t need an explicit scene written like an owner’s manual to keep me intrigued with a gruesome thriller.
What I found best about this book was the concept of the plot. MC, Jonathan Childes, is connected to the mind of a killer through some psychic link. The killer however is aware of this fact and uses this opportunity to mess with Childes while getting their sick pleasure out of it. It was really well written with the multi-POV narrative and the peeling back of layers upon layers until the climatic ending. I found myself “clutching my pearls” a few times and even screaming at the characters. That’s always a good sign from a book.
I give this book a 3.5 star overall — rounding it up to 4 for Goodreads. As mentioned, there was unnecessary scenes that I felt didn’t add to the story and I wasn’t fully connected to any of the characters. However the book did hit its mark with wonderfully gruesome and chilling scenes and kept to the fast pace I expect in thrillers. I will definitely be picking up more Herbert novels and I would definitely recommend this book to fans of horror, thrillers, and dark fantasy.
October 4, 2025
Luna Sangrienta.- James Herbert
“Esa noche tuvo la primera pesadilla.
Despertó asustado y tenso. Solo.
Conservaba una imagen del sueño, pero muy borrosa. Sólo recordaba una cosa blanca que despedía un resplandor, un espectro insultante. Se desvaneció, cubierto por la luz de la luna que inundaba la habitación. Childes se incorporó en la cama, apoyando la espalda en la pared fresca. Estaba helado, el miedo lo acariciaba como una brisa. Y no sabía por qué, no encontraba razones.
Fuera, en la fría quietud de la noche de plata, una gaviota solitaria dejó oír su gemido.”
Jonathan Childes está listo para comenzar una nueva vida. Sus visiones ayudaron a la policía de la ciudad en que vivía a resolver una serie de crímenes atroces. Pagó el costo de ser objeto de la prensa, debiendo separarse de su mujer y su pequeña hija. Actualmente trabaja como docente de informática en un colegio y parece encaminarse a una nueva relación amorosa. Pero un poder cómo el de él no se abandona fácilmente. Las visiones empiezan y esta vez el asesino es consciente de la situación. Las mentes comienzan a cruzarse y la luna, testigo de la violencia.
Luna Sangrienta (Moon) se publicó originalmente en el año 1985 y es la onceava novela escrita por el autor británico James Herbert (1943-2013).
Luna Sangrienta es un muy buen ejemplo de los diversos caminos que fue tomando el terror en la literatura del siglo XX, complementandose con otros géneros, en este caso el policial. Todos los ingredientes están presentes: la investigación policial, crímenes descriptos al detalle, las consabidas escenas picantes, ambientación opresiva, alguna vueltita de tuerca y la presencia sobrenatural rondando toda la lectura. Una lectura atrapante, para mi gusto no del todo redonda, pero que vale la pena si te gusta el terror ochentoso. Además no hay tantos libros en físico en español disponibles del autor del clásico Las Ratas.
🤘🤘🤘🤘
“Esa noche tuvo la primera pesadilla.
Despertó asustado y tenso. Solo.
Conservaba una imagen del sueño, pero muy borrosa. Sólo recordaba una cosa blanca que despedía un resplandor, un espectro insultante. Se desvaneció, cubierto por la luz de la luna que inundaba la habitación. Childes se incorporó en la cama, apoyando la espalda en la pared fresca. Estaba helado, el miedo lo acariciaba como una brisa. Y no sabía por qué, no encontraba razones.
Fuera, en la fría quietud de la noche de plata, una gaviota solitaria dejó oír su gemido.”
Jonathan Childes está listo para comenzar una nueva vida. Sus visiones ayudaron a la policía de la ciudad en que vivía a resolver una serie de crímenes atroces. Pagó el costo de ser objeto de la prensa, debiendo separarse de su mujer y su pequeña hija. Actualmente trabaja como docente de informática en un colegio y parece encaminarse a una nueva relación amorosa. Pero un poder cómo el de él no se abandona fácilmente. Las visiones empiezan y esta vez el asesino es consciente de la situación. Las mentes comienzan a cruzarse y la luna, testigo de la violencia.
Luna Sangrienta (Moon) se publicó originalmente en el año 1985 y es la onceava novela escrita por el autor británico James Herbert (1943-2013).
Luna Sangrienta es un muy buen ejemplo de los diversos caminos que fue tomando el terror en la literatura del siglo XX, complementandose con otros géneros, en este caso el policial. Todos los ingredientes están presentes: la investigación policial, crímenes descriptos al detalle, las consabidas escenas picantes, ambientación opresiva, alguna vueltita de tuerca y la presencia sobrenatural rondando toda la lectura. Una lectura atrapante, para mi gusto no del todo redonda, pero que vale la pena si te gusta el terror ochentoso. Además no hay tantos libros en físico en español disponibles del autor del clásico Las Ratas.
🤘🤘🤘🤘
April 27, 2023
3 stars is generous to be honest.
It's okay. Simply okay overall.
The opening chapters to Moon are fairly slowly paced, it takes its time and has no problem keeping the mystery and main themes of the book hidden for a while. Once things get going and the cards slowly began to reveal themselves I was hooked, The main idea here being a logical man finding himself to possess a power that links his mind to that of a murderer is cool and had me set for cat and mouse thriller, sadly it doesn't pan out that way.
Our main character John is simply so unlikeable to hold this book together. He's flawed, an everyman, thrown into a situation he actively tries to repel before giving in and with the help of those around him, learning to "grow" and accept what's happening to him. But his flaws never seem to go away. He's a quiet type, a recluse and I can see how the idea of having a character like this would be good but the execution here is not great. In fact, a lot of the characters we meet are just unlikable. The island in which the story takes place seems to be inhabited strictly of upper class pompous gossips who you can imagine all love whipping out the colourful language at Christmas.
If that's the point, then okay. It makes sense but that just means we now have an unlikable main character surrounded on an island with other unlikeable characters.
It's okay.
It's not as bad as I'm writing it to be, as I said. It's okay... Well, kinda. I'd be lying if I said that the ending isnt a mess. In fact the entire final third of this book just really lost me. I don't know if the publisher had a word count in mind or not but the ending chapters feel like an eternity. The pacing entirely goes off a cliff. For those who have read the book, I'm mainly talking about "The Fire". From "The Fire" until the end felt incredibly dull and drawn out. I just wanted it to end. Sadly, it did then end and I was left relieved that I could put the book down but also pretty disappointed at how the ideas here were left squandered.
I can't in good faith recommend this title although I will say this review does make it sound like the problems present are much worse than the reality of it. It's okay. Just okay, and that's a shame.
It's okay. Simply okay overall.
The opening chapters to Moon are fairly slowly paced, it takes its time and has no problem keeping the mystery and main themes of the book hidden for a while. Once things get going and the cards slowly began to reveal themselves I was hooked, The main idea here being a logical man finding himself to possess a power that links his mind to that of a murderer is cool and had me set for cat and mouse thriller, sadly it doesn't pan out that way.
Our main character John is simply so unlikeable to hold this book together. He's flawed, an everyman, thrown into a situation he actively tries to repel before giving in and with the help of those around him, learning to "grow" and accept what's happening to him. But his flaws never seem to go away. He's a quiet type, a recluse and I can see how the idea of having a character like this would be good but the execution here is not great. In fact, a lot of the characters we meet are just unlikable. The island in which the story takes place seems to be inhabited strictly of upper class pompous gossips who you can imagine all love whipping out the colourful language at Christmas.
If that's the point, then okay. It makes sense but that just means we now have an unlikable main character surrounded on an island with other unlikeable characters.
It's okay.
It's not as bad as I'm writing it to be, as I said. It's okay... Well, kinda. I'd be lying if I said that the ending isnt a mess. In fact the entire final third of this book just really lost me. I don't know if the publisher had a word count in mind or not but the ending chapters feel like an eternity. The pacing entirely goes off a cliff. For those who have read the book, I'm mainly talking about "The Fire". From "The Fire" until the end felt incredibly dull and drawn out. I just wanted it to end. Sadly, it did then end and I was left relieved that I could put the book down but also pretty disappointed at how the ideas here were left squandered.
I can't in good faith recommend this title although I will say this review does make it sound like the problems present are much worse than the reality of it. It's okay. Just okay, and that's a shame.
July 21, 2016
I read some James Herbert books as a teenager, and quite liked them. I mean, of course I did: the library had only a limited collection of horror, and his were one of the most gory ones there.
Then, too many years later, I found this in the university library's "giving away for free" shelf. So of course I had to take it, because FREE BOOKS! And then it sat in my shelf for several years waiting for its moment.
And the moment arrived, when I figured I am on a half-holiday for a week so I'll need a book with me that I can leave there (since I knew I was going to buy another one, because I had a membership card thingie with which I could get a book... FOR FREE!). Well, that plan was sort of ruined since I did not manage to have the time to read this one through on my half-holiday, and ended up carrying both this and the new book back with me. Sigh.
Anyway, the book sort of ruined my teenage years for me. I'm not sure if the Finnish translations were better than the original, or if those books I read as a teenager were just better than this one. Or maybe I was less of a picky reader then, because I had read a bit less. I don't know. What I do know, however, is that this book was a tad boring.
'A tad boring' is not a good thing to say about a horror book. It wasn't bad, but the writing was so eighties' thriller that it was slightly annoying. The characters were about as empty as empty can be. The plot itself, however, was not too bad. I mean, nothing really surprising, but still kept me reading one more chapter way more often than I'd care to admit. So it wasn't all bad. Just... you know, mostly bad.
So, yeah. Very good for a free book, but would not want to pay money for it. One of those.
Then, too many years later, I found this in the university library's "giving away for free" shelf. So of course I had to take it, because FREE BOOKS! And then it sat in my shelf for several years waiting for its moment.
And the moment arrived, when I figured I am on a half-holiday for a week so I'll need a book with me that I can leave there (since I knew I was going to buy another one, because I had a membership card thingie with which I could get a book... FOR FREE!). Well, that plan was sort of ruined since I did not manage to have the time to read this one through on my half-holiday, and ended up carrying both this and the new book back with me. Sigh.
Anyway, the book sort of ruined my teenage years for me. I'm not sure if the Finnish translations were better than the original, or if those books I read as a teenager were just better than this one. Or maybe I was less of a picky reader then, because I had read a bit less. I don't know. What I do know, however, is that this book was a tad boring.
'A tad boring' is not a good thing to say about a horror book. It wasn't bad, but the writing was so eighties' thriller that it was slightly annoying. The characters were about as empty as empty can be. The plot itself, however, was not too bad. I mean, nothing really surprising, but still kept me reading one more chapter way more often than I'd care to admit. So it wasn't all bad. Just... you know, mostly bad.
So, yeah. Very good for a free book, but would not want to pay money for it. One of those.
April 25, 2022
This was an interesting little read because while it wasn’t scary, it was still a decent story that was well told. That was kind of a relief for me, because I’ve read a few dud Herberts in a row, and so it was nice to feel as though a little bit of the magic was back.
I also thought it was interesting because it was written back in the eighties and talked about how computers might one day end up in the majority of households. I’m fascinated by the way that authors deal with technology, especially when they’re writing about it in its infancy.
The main character is basically a guy who teaches computing to schoolkids and who ends up teaching at a girl’s school on an island as he tries to get away from his past. He has some psychic powers, despite the fact that he doesn’t really believe in them, and he finds himself witnessing all sorts of horrible things, including some brutal killings.
We watch as he comes to terms with that, working alongside the police to try to get to the bottom of things. Now, I’ve always found that crime and mysticism don’t go together too well, which is one of the reasons why I found Stephen King’s Bill Hodges books so underwhelming after a solid start. Here, though, Herbert gets the balance just right, and I don’t have any complaints about the story.
And yet it still wasn’t great. It was just pretty good, above average for most writers but merely competent for a James Herbert book. I think that’s also why it’s not one of his more well-known releases, even though it still holds up well after nearly 40 years and has plenty to offer. It’s worth having a go at it if you have it.
I also thought it was interesting because it was written back in the eighties and talked about how computers might one day end up in the majority of households. I’m fascinated by the way that authors deal with technology, especially when they’re writing about it in its infancy.
The main character is basically a guy who teaches computing to schoolkids and who ends up teaching at a girl’s school on an island as he tries to get away from his past. He has some psychic powers, despite the fact that he doesn’t really believe in them, and he finds himself witnessing all sorts of horrible things, including some brutal killings.
We watch as he comes to terms with that, working alongside the police to try to get to the bottom of things. Now, I’ve always found that crime and mysticism don’t go together too well, which is one of the reasons why I found Stephen King’s Bill Hodges books so underwhelming after a solid start. Here, though, Herbert gets the balance just right, and I don’t have any complaints about the story.
And yet it still wasn’t great. It was just pretty good, above average for most writers but merely competent for a James Herbert book. I think that’s also why it’s not one of his more well-known releases, even though it still holds up well after nearly 40 years and has plenty to offer. It’s worth having a go at it if you have it.
October 24, 2015
Jon Childes has found a peaceful life. He lives on one of the Channel Islands, working at three different schools teaching computer science. His ex-wife and daughter live in England, but he’s found a new relationship with a fellow teacher, Amy Sebire. He hopes the horror from his past is gone forever.
But it’s not. Once again, the psychic visions are occurring. Once again, he’s made a connection with the mind of a vicious murderer. When this happened before, Childes was able to convince a police detective that he was for real, and together they caught the killer. The visions and the stress they caused were the cause of his marriage collapsing. This time, not only is he seeing what the murderer is doing, but the killer is aware of Childes, too. And he wants to hurt him. He is making his way closer and closer to Childes, hurting the people he cares about.
There is an air of constant menace to this book. Despite a good number of scenes taking place in daytime, I felt it was always dark. The atmosphere was very well done. Sadly, I did not much like Childes, and the women in the story are not fleshed out at all- his ex-wife is frankly unbelievable. Good for a dark read but not great.
But it’s not. Once again, the psychic visions are occurring. Once again, he’s made a connection with the mind of a vicious murderer. When this happened before, Childes was able to convince a police detective that he was for real, and together they caught the killer. The visions and the stress they caused were the cause of his marriage collapsing. This time, not only is he seeing what the murderer is doing, but the killer is aware of Childes, too. And he wants to hurt him. He is making his way closer and closer to Childes, hurting the people he cares about.
There is an air of constant menace to this book. Despite a good number of scenes taking place in daytime, I felt it was always dark. The atmosphere was very well done. Sadly, I did not much like Childes, and the women in the story are not fleshed out at all- his ex-wife is frankly unbelievable. Good for a dark read but not great.
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