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Angel of Darkness
In the early 1990s, Charles de Lint wrote and published three dark fantasies under the name "Samuel M. Key." Now, beginning with Angel of Darkness, Orb presents them for the first time under de Lint's own name.When ex-cop Jack Keller finds the mutilated body of a runaway girl in the ashes of a bizarre house fire, he opens the door to a nightmare. For a sadistic experiment in terror has unleashed a dark avenging angel forged from the agonies of countless dying victims....At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1990
60 people are currently reading
610 people want to read
About the author
Charles de Lint
447 books4,004 followersCharles de Lint is the much beloved author of more than seventy adult, young adult, and children's books. Renowned as one of the trailblazers of the modern fantasy genre, he is the recipient of the World Fantasy, Aurora, Sunburst, and White Pine awards, among others. Modern Library's Top 100 Books of the 20th Century poll, conducted by Random House and voted on by readers, put eight of de Lint's books among the top 100.
De Lint is a poet, folklorist, artist, songwriter and performer. He has written critical essays, music reviews, opinion columns and entries to encyclopedias, and he's been the main book reviewer for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction since 1987. De Lint served as Writer-in-residence for two public libraries in Ottawa and has taught creative writing workshops for adults and children in Canada and the United States. He's been a judge for several prominent awards, including the Nebula, World Fantasy, Theodore Sturgeon and Bram Stoker.
Born in the Netherlands in 1951, de Lint immigrated to Canada with his family as an infant. The family moved often during de Lint's childhood because of his father's job with an international surveying company, but by the time Charles was twelve—having lived in Western Canada, Turkey and Lebanon—they had settled in Lucerne, Quebec, not far from where he now resides in Ottawa, Ontario.
In 1980, de Lint married the love of his life, MaryAnn Harris, who works closely with him as his first editor, business manager and creative partner. They share their love and home with a cheery little dog named Johnny Cash.
Charles de Lint is best described as a romantic: a believer in compassion, hope and human potential. His skilled portrayal of character and settings has earned him a loyal readership and glowing praise from peers, reviewers and readers.
Charles de Lint writes like a magician. He draws out the strange inside our own world, weaving stories that feel more real than we are when we read them. He is, simply put, the best.
—Holly Black (bestselling author)
Charles de Lint is the modern master of urban fantasy. Folktale, myth, fairy tale, dreams, urban legend—all of it adds up to pure magic in de Lint's vivid, original world. No one does it better.
—Alice Hoffman (bestselling author)
To read de Lint is to fall under the spell of a master storyteller, to be reminded of the greatness of life, of the beauty and majesty lurking in shadows and empty doorways.
—Quill & Quire
His Newford books, which make up most of de Lint's body of work between 1993 and 2009, confirmed his reputation for bringing a vivid setting and repertory cast of characters to life on the page. Though not a consecutive series, the twenty-five standalone books set in (or connected to) Newford give readers a feeling of visiting a favourite city and seeing old friends.
More recently, his young adult Wildlings trilogy—Under My Skin, Over My Head, and Out of This World—came out from Penguin Canada and Triskell Press in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Under My Skin won 2013 Aurora Award. A novel for middle-grade readers, The Cats of Tanglewood Forest, published by Little Brown in 2013, won the Sunburst Award, earned starred reviews in both Publishers Weekly and Quill & Quire, and was chosen by the New York Times Editors as one of the top six children's books for 2013. His most recent adult novel, The Mystery of Grace (2009), is a fascinating ghost story about love, passion and faith. It was a finalist for both the Sunburst and Evergreen awards.
De Lint is presently writing a new adult novel. His storytelling skills also shine in his original songs. He and MaryAnn (also a musician) recently released companion CDs of their original songs, samples of which can be heard on de Lin
De Lint is a poet, folklorist, artist, songwriter and performer. He has written critical essays, music reviews, opinion columns and entries to encyclopedias, and he's been the main book reviewer for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction since 1987. De Lint served as Writer-in-residence for two public libraries in Ottawa and has taught creative writing workshops for adults and children in Canada and the United States. He's been a judge for several prominent awards, including the Nebula, World Fantasy, Theodore Sturgeon and Bram Stoker.
Born in the Netherlands in 1951, de Lint immigrated to Canada with his family as an infant. The family moved often during de Lint's childhood because of his father's job with an international surveying company, but by the time Charles was twelve—having lived in Western Canada, Turkey and Lebanon—they had settled in Lucerne, Quebec, not far from where he now resides in Ottawa, Ontario.
In 1980, de Lint married the love of his life, MaryAnn Harris, who works closely with him as his first editor, business manager and creative partner. They share their love and home with a cheery little dog named Johnny Cash.
Charles de Lint is best described as a romantic: a believer in compassion, hope and human potential. His skilled portrayal of character and settings has earned him a loyal readership and glowing praise from peers, reviewers and readers.
Charles de Lint writes like a magician. He draws out the strange inside our own world, weaving stories that feel more real than we are when we read them. He is, simply put, the best.
—Holly Black (bestselling author)
Charles de Lint is the modern master of urban fantasy. Folktale, myth, fairy tale, dreams, urban legend—all of it adds up to pure magic in de Lint's vivid, original world. No one does it better.
—Alice Hoffman (bestselling author)
To read de Lint is to fall under the spell of a master storyteller, to be reminded of the greatness of life, of the beauty and majesty lurking in shadows and empty doorways.
—Quill & Quire
His Newford books, which make up most of de Lint's body of work between 1993 and 2009, confirmed his reputation for bringing a vivid setting and repertory cast of characters to life on the page. Though not a consecutive series, the twenty-five standalone books set in (or connected to) Newford give readers a feeling of visiting a favourite city and seeing old friends.
More recently, his young adult Wildlings trilogy—Under My Skin, Over My Head, and Out of This World—came out from Penguin Canada and Triskell Press in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Under My Skin won 2013 Aurora Award. A novel for middle-grade readers, The Cats of Tanglewood Forest, published by Little Brown in 2013, won the Sunburst Award, earned starred reviews in both Publishers Weekly and Quill & Quire, and was chosen by the New York Times Editors as one of the top six children's books for 2013. His most recent adult novel, The Mystery of Grace (2009), is a fascinating ghost story about love, passion and faith. It was a finalist for both the Sunburst and Evergreen awards.
De Lint is presently writing a new adult novel. His storytelling skills also shine in his original songs. He and MaryAnn (also a musician) recently released companion CDs of their original songs, samples of which can be heard on de Lin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
March 19, 2015
The atmosphere is off base for this one. Not by much. The writing style just doesn't click. much past the first chapter anyway. I was glad to read in other reviews that this was a low point in lint's writing career.
Still looking forward to reading his other works. The imagination is there.
Still looking forward to reading his other works. The imagination is there.
July 27, 2019
Peaks during the prologue, but what a prologue it is - body horror both horrible and strange right out of Clive Barker.
February 25, 2008
This was a decent Horror/Mystery/Fantasy novel written by Charles de Lint, under the penname of Samuel M. Key - to denote that it is 'darker' than his usual novels.
There were many great ideas, and overall, I enjoyed this quick read. This was mostly for the unique vision de Lint has of fantasy worlds and creatures, and his descriptions of these. I did have issues with the book, though.
The tone of the book, though not jovial in the least, is not serious enough for the material covered (physical abuse of women and children, mostly). There was no attempt by de Lint to trivialize these subjects, he just doesn't have the writing "weight" to handle them (From 1990, this was one of his earlier novels). The charaters are too lightly drawn, and I couldn't get a deep connection with any of them. I also didn't feel any of the intensity or "roller-coaster ride" excitement that I have gotten from other graphic mystery or horror novels. The suspense wasn't played out well enough, and the mystery was given up too easily. It almost seems as if de Lint thought that describing gory details and having a creepy setting was enough to 'move' readers. I recommend the similarly named, but infinitely better, The Angel of Darkness, by Caleb Carr (though suggest to read The Alienist first).
I own the other two "Samuel M. Key" novels, and will probably read them at some point.
There were many great ideas, and overall, I enjoyed this quick read. This was mostly for the unique vision de Lint has of fantasy worlds and creatures, and his descriptions of these. I did have issues with the book, though.
The tone of the book, though not jovial in the least, is not serious enough for the material covered (physical abuse of women and children, mostly). There was no attempt by de Lint to trivialize these subjects, he just doesn't have the writing "weight" to handle them (From 1990, this was one of his earlier novels). The charaters are too lightly drawn, and I couldn't get a deep connection with any of them. I also didn't feel any of the intensity or "roller-coaster ride" excitement that I have gotten from other graphic mystery or horror novels. The suspense wasn't played out well enough, and the mystery was given up too easily. It almost seems as if de Lint thought that describing gory details and having a creepy setting was enough to 'move' readers. I recommend the similarly named, but infinitely better, The Angel of Darkness, by Caleb Carr (though suggest to read The Alienist first).
I own the other two "Samuel M. Key" novels, and will probably read them at some point.
July 12, 2021
This is my second time reading this book. The first time was when I was 13 or 14. It was honestly the first book I picked out myself and read cover to cover. I remember enjoying it the first time, in fact it became the book I judged other books on. The descriptions of surroundings and detective theme became my go to genre. While I enjoyed the book for nostalgic purposes, I feel the ending tapered off and I was left wanting more. It is a good read, but use it as a jumping off point into the genres it embraces.
May 30, 2011
My comments at the time:
I was disappointed. At first I thought it was because it's horror - maybe I wasn't letting myself get as close to the characters because I was afraid they were about to be killed off gruesomely. But then I realized that no, it's just not as well-written as some of his other stuff.
de Lint said in his foreword that this was a book that he felt he had to write, and that he didn't enjoy doing it. Maybe that was part of the problem - it felt rushed. Maybe he was just trying to get through the story as quickly as possible to have it over and done with. And so it's missing the slight sidetracks and mentions of music of his other works, the sense of lingering in a world the author enjoys. Instead it's just fast moving plot.
That said, I didn't throw it away in disgust. And it was something of a page-turner. Just not what I was hoping for.
I was disappointed. At first I thought it was because it's horror - maybe I wasn't letting myself get as close to the characters because I was afraid they were about to be killed off gruesomely. But then I realized that no, it's just not as well-written as some of his other stuff.
de Lint said in his foreword that this was a book that he felt he had to write, and that he didn't enjoy doing it. Maybe that was part of the problem - it felt rushed. Maybe he was just trying to get through the story as quickly as possible to have it over and done with. And so it's missing the slight sidetracks and mentions of music of his other works, the sense of lingering in a world the author enjoys. Instead it's just fast moving plot.
That said, I didn't throw it away in disgust. And it was something of a page-turner. Just not what I was hoping for.
October 30, 2015
Well... this had all the same problems as "The Onion Girl" and all the same horrible situations.
Apparently, incestuous pedophilia is incredibly common in de Lint's work. Granted that it isn't much less common in reality but when your escapist fantasy includes it, there's something broken here. He doesn't really seem to understand that horror doesn't need buckets of blood to be horror...hell, remove the blood and you'd have a Newford novel.
I won't run anything for anyone planning to read this but...it was pointless. Pass it if you can.
Apparently, incestuous pedophilia is incredibly common in de Lint's work. Granted that it isn't much less common in reality but when your escapist fantasy includes it, there's something broken here. He doesn't really seem to understand that horror doesn't need buckets of blood to be horror...hell, remove the blood and you'd have a Newford novel.
I won't run anything for anyone planning to read this but...it was pointless. Pass it if you can.
January 13, 2011
WOW again...
this book grabs you by the throat and pulls you in! there is no escape from a good Charles de Lint book!
this one starts very dark.. don't let it dismay you as it is well worth finishing!
this book grabs you by the throat and pulls you in! there is no escape from a good Charles de Lint book!
this one starts very dark.. don't let it dismay you as it is well worth finishing!
February 23, 2014
Meh. Just meh. DeLint has written much, much better than this, and there are far better horror novels out there.
Way too much buildup for an overly abrupt and trite finish.
Way too much buildup for an overly abrupt and trite finish.
October 23, 2020
This is much darker than the author's usual magical tales, but still a great read, especially if you are familiar with the city of Ottawa.
December 12, 2023
If I could give this book 0 stars I would.
October 6, 2022
Sarjamurhaaja kiduttaa uhrejaan, pääasiassa nuoria naisia, ja taltioi näiden kuolinkiljahdukset nauhalle. Näistä äänistä hän koostaa tuskan sinfoniaa, josta tulee liian voimakas, liian tuskallinen. Äänet repäisevät todellisuuden rikki ja vapauttavat jotain todella kauhistuttavaa, joka ensi työkseen hoitelee murhaajan itsensä päiviltä.
Paikalle osuu kadonnutta nuorta naista jäljittävä yksityisetsivä, joka huomaa, että jokin on pahasti vialla ja hälyttää poliisit paikalle. Alkaa poliisitutkinta, joka saa huolestuttavia sävyjä, kun tutkintaan osallistuvat poliisit joutuvat yliluonnollisten kokemusten kohteeksi. Pian mystisesti kuolleita ruumiita alkaa ilmestyä enemmänkin. Pimeä enkeli on vapaana…
Charles de Lint kirjoitti Angel of Darknessin alunperin 1990-luvun alussa salanimellä Samuel M. Key. Nimi ei ollut silloinkaan erityisen salainen, lähinnä varoitus lukijoille, että luvassa on paljon synkempää ja vastenmielisempää tavaraa kuin de Lintin muu tuotanto. Samoja juttuja tässä on kuin vaikkapa The Onion Girlissä — seksuaalista hyväksikäyttöä, väkivaltaisia parisuhteita ja muuta inhottavaa — mutta ote on kieltämättä astetta häijympi, hyviä fiiliksiä on mukana vähemmän.
Synkkää fantasiaa siis, eikä missään nimessä mikään hyvän fiiliksen kirja. Vaikka tarinan tietty kaavamaisuus vei sen pahinta terää, kirja onnistui parhaimmillaan maalailemaan mukavan epämukavia kauhumaisemia. Jos kestää lukea kuvauksia parisuhdeväkivallasta ja seksuaalisesta hyväksikäytöstä, Angel of Darkness on lukemisen arvoista kauhufantasiaa. (19.9.2009)
Paikalle osuu kadonnutta nuorta naista jäljittävä yksityisetsivä, joka huomaa, että jokin on pahasti vialla ja hälyttää poliisit paikalle. Alkaa poliisitutkinta, joka saa huolestuttavia sävyjä, kun tutkintaan osallistuvat poliisit joutuvat yliluonnollisten kokemusten kohteeksi. Pian mystisesti kuolleita ruumiita alkaa ilmestyä enemmänkin. Pimeä enkeli on vapaana…
Charles de Lint kirjoitti Angel of Darknessin alunperin 1990-luvun alussa salanimellä Samuel M. Key. Nimi ei ollut silloinkaan erityisen salainen, lähinnä varoitus lukijoille, että luvassa on paljon synkempää ja vastenmielisempää tavaraa kuin de Lintin muu tuotanto. Samoja juttuja tässä on kuin vaikkapa The Onion Girlissä — seksuaalista hyväksikäyttöä, väkivaltaisia parisuhteita ja muuta inhottavaa — mutta ote on kieltämättä astetta häijympi, hyviä fiiliksiä on mukana vähemmän.
Synkkää fantasiaa siis, eikä missään nimessä mikään hyvän fiiliksen kirja. Vaikka tarinan tietty kaavamaisuus vei sen pahinta terää, kirja onnistui parhaimmillaan maalailemaan mukavan epämukavia kauhumaisemia. Jos kestää lukea kuvauksia parisuhdeväkivallasta ja seksuaalisesta hyväksikäytöstä, Angel of Darkness on lukemisen arvoista kauhufantasiaa. (19.9.2009)
October 15, 2021
This is one of three books that Charles de Lint wrote under the name of Samuel Keys. In his forward of this first book, re-released under his own name, he states that he used a pen name to differentiate these three books from his usual urban faerie tale genre. I can't help but be glad that he did.
"Angel of Darkness" rocked me back on my heels. Mr. de Lint states that it was difficult to write, but he was compelled to do so. I felt the same way about reading it. It was hard...There was an "otherworld," but it was dark and twisted and so very bleak. It killed people. In nasty ways. But it is a story of what might happen when someone is pushed physically and mentally beyond endurance...What happens when a woman is abused, when a child is molested, when someone is outright tortured...Where does that anger go? What form does it take? In this case, it takes a physical form, and it takes a brave and wise woman to defeat it.
It will be awhile before I have decided whether this is one of my favorite de Lint books, or one of my least favorite, or both. I think it will be the latter.
"Angel of Darkness" rocked me back on my heels. Mr. de Lint states that it was difficult to write, but he was compelled to do so. I felt the same way about reading it. It was hard...There was an "otherworld," but it was dark and twisted and so very bleak. It killed people. In nasty ways. But it is a story of what might happen when someone is pushed physically and mentally beyond endurance...What happens when a woman is abused, when a child is molested, when someone is outright tortured...Where does that anger go? What form does it take? In this case, it takes a physical form, and it takes a brave and wise woman to defeat it.
It will be awhile before I have decided whether this is one of my favorite de Lint books, or one of my least favorite, or both. I think it will be the latter.
October 1, 2024
why oh why do i keep reading such terrible, no good, very bad books? this is my first Charles de Lint (Sam Key, whatever) and wow, i may have erred badly in starting here.
this is extremely dated misery porn. multiple rapes and animal abuse. cardboard characters with a pathological tendency to address each other by name multiple times during a conversation (this drove me up a wall). i should have known a Dean Koonz blurb on the cover would be the kiss of death.
here's something as well: i am sure de Lint doesn't actually know what sixty-nining is, unless they do it a lot differently in Canada.
i can only hope the books under his proper name are better written because damn was this terrible.
this is extremely dated misery porn. multiple rapes and animal abuse. cardboard characters with a pathological tendency to address each other by name multiple times during a conversation (this drove me up a wall). i should have known a Dean Koonz blurb on the cover would be the kiss of death.
here's something as well: i am sure de Lint doesn't actually know what sixty-nining is, unless they do it a lot differently in Canada.
i can only hope the books under his proper name are better written because damn was this terrible.
July 20, 2020
It's interesting to read Charles de Lint in dark fantasy form. One of my favorite things about his work is the scale - very rarely is the fate of the world at stake; it tends to explore smaller dramas and situations set within his just-fantastical-enough communities. That smaller scale setting is also present in this book.
The story was darker than I expected, with some graphic descriptions of violence and abuse. His writing is still strong, though this particular tale felt a little unfinished to me, like more of a short story or a vignette than a fully fleshed out novel.
Having discovered this separate set of work, I plan to read more under his Samuel Key pen name.
The story was darker than I expected, with some graphic descriptions of violence and abuse. His writing is still strong, though this particular tale felt a little unfinished to me, like more of a short story or a vignette than a fully fleshed out novel.
Having discovered this separate set of work, I plan to read more under his Samuel Key pen name.
December 3, 2019
Much darker than the majority of de Lint's work, but the subject matter does not lend itself to fluffy clouds and rainbows. This is a difficult story to read. This is one of those that I can say it is well done; that does not mean I liked it. Honestly I did not. This was a hard book to read, because the subject matter -victims-is very real. And all too often out responses to it mirror the narrative. I did not like this story. I do, however, love the fact that Charles de Lint managed to show the possibility of redemption, which in the end is so much better than revenge.
December 21, 2017
Orginally published 1990 as a horror series. Best discribed by de Lint himself>>>
The Sam Key books are dark, and at times, graphically rendered novels, Angel of Darkness more so then others. Though ultimately they reach for the light, the journey to get there becomes both arduous and harrowing in places. Much like life itself, really, reminding us to take care of each other along the way.
~Charles de Lint
The Sam Key books are dark, and at times, graphically rendered novels, Angel of Darkness more so then others. Though ultimately they reach for the light, the journey to get there becomes both arduous and harrowing in places. Much like life itself, really, reminding us to take care of each other along the way.
~Charles de Lint
January 2, 2020
Wow. This book is very vivid and descriptive so if you are good at visualising your story while you read, you will be shooketh.
This book was very different to what I usually read. Suggested by the lovely Jax Goss. It is a
Horror/thriller book. Interesting concept of using tortured human screams for music by a dark angel.
Not for the faint hearted. ❤️ I did enjoy the read. 7/10.
This book was very different to what I usually read. Suggested by the lovely Jax Goss. It is a
Horror/thriller book. Interesting concept of using tortured human screams for music by a dark angel.
Not for the faint hearted. ❤️ I did enjoy the read. 7/10.
January 24, 2021
I see this book got a lot of poor reviews but I found it compelling. A very grotesque descriptive mystery/fantasy novel. It shy doesn't shy away from all hurt and evil people go through in this world. This book is not for the faint of heart. If you're a fan of David Cronenberg and Clive Barker I think you'll find this book right up your alley.
November 30, 2024
Charles DeLint wrote 3 horror/dark fantasy novels under the name Samuel Key to differentiate them from his usual fantasy writing, of which Angel of Darkness is the first. The writing is typical DeLint but the subject is far from his usual urban fantasy. One of the better books I've read this year, but disturbing in many ways and not for everyone.
March 26, 2025
Unexpected darkness from de Lint. Descriptions are well done and the malevolent wasteland is creepy and evil. It keeps up a decent pace and does not fall down in the deep hole of being overdone. It is just the right length.
February 3, 2018
Wanted to read a book by this author. This one turned into paranormal crime thriller. Revenge of the abused daughter, sister, mother, teenager...this solution...to forgive!
April 13, 2018
really a weird book, was hard to follow at times
June 10, 2018
I just added another name to my list of favorite authors. Charles de Lint, Canadian, author of a huge bunch of fantasy novels, wrote this book under the pen name 'Samuel M Key.'
July 5, 2020
Horrific concept but very good!
Read
February 11, 2021Ack ... intense torture scene!
March 23, 2025
Meh, the cover is much better than the story. Confusing keeping up with all the cops and detectives names. Banter between them, etc. This was not what I was expecting. A few interesting scenes about an alternate reality??
I mean, it didnt really make sense. People pass out and go into this strange desolate landscape with a killer ghost/demon/banshee?? Who knows.
If this was written by maybe Clive Barker or Graham Masterton, or even James Herbert, this would have been better I believe.
I mean, it didnt really make sense. People pass out and go into this strange desolate landscape with a killer ghost/demon/banshee?? Who knows.
If this was written by maybe Clive Barker or Graham Masterton, or even James Herbert, this would have been better I believe.
February 1, 2014
Back in the early 1990s, Charles de Lint decided to publish some darker fantasy/horror books under the name Samuel M. Key, as some of the fans weren’t thrilled by him going in a horror direction. By the 21st Century, it was decided Mr. de Lint’s reputation was such that it could handle the strain of these books being officially added to his main list.
Chad Baker is a recording genius. He’s also quite mad, and has decided to create the perfect sound…of pain. To this end, he’s been secretly torturing and killing people, and tonight he’s got the final piece. He mixes the music and it all goes horribly right.
Ex-cop Jack Keller has been looking for a young runaway, and has finally tracked her to Chad Baker’s door. It is far, far too late and he catches a glimpse of an angel, beautiful and terrifying.
Soon, people begin dying in horrific ways, many of them the police officers who inspected the Baker crime scene. The barriers between worlds have been pierced, and a vengeful angel lurks in the liminal place between sleep and death.
The alternate dimension that looks like post-apocalyptic Ottawa if the end of civilization was caused by a hate plague is effectively creepy at first, but wears thin fast. It veers into “trying too hard” territory. I do like that people eventually start thinking logically about how to deal with a threat that only attacks in your sleep (or so they thought) and that these measures turn out to be the exact opposite of useful because of the true nature of the threat.
Trigger warning for rape, torture, and various kinds of abuse. Several of the characters are quick to use obscene language, and there are some squicky sex scenes.
I don’t think this is one of Mr. de Lint’s better works; mostly for completists.
Chad Baker is a recording genius. He’s also quite mad, and has decided to create the perfect sound…of pain. To this end, he’s been secretly torturing and killing people, and tonight he’s got the final piece. He mixes the music and it all goes horribly right.
Ex-cop Jack Keller has been looking for a young runaway, and has finally tracked her to Chad Baker’s door. It is far, far too late and he catches a glimpse of an angel, beautiful and terrifying.
Soon, people begin dying in horrific ways, many of them the police officers who inspected the Baker crime scene. The barriers between worlds have been pierced, and a vengeful angel lurks in the liminal place between sleep and death.
The alternate dimension that looks like post-apocalyptic Ottawa if the end of civilization was caused by a hate plague is effectively creepy at first, but wears thin fast. It veers into “trying too hard” territory. I do like that people eventually start thinking logically about how to deal with a threat that only attacks in your sleep (or so they thought) and that these measures turn out to be the exact opposite of useful because of the true nature of the threat.
Trigger warning for rape, torture, and various kinds of abuse. Several of the characters are quick to use obscene language, and there are some squicky sex scenes.
I don’t think this is one of Mr. de Lint’s better works; mostly for completists.
February 24, 2011
This was a very creepy, harsh and brutal book. It was made even creepier by reading the introduction by the author, Charles d Lint. In which he says he took no joy in writing this book but it was something he was compelled to do. He says the shadows held on too long after he left the keyboard typing. I won't spoil anything from the book but just knowing this book kind of haunted the author gives it an even darker feel to it. It deals a lot with victims, pain and suffering. There are some fairly graphic scenes contained within the book. Lot of people die and some are in very horrific ways. The story itself was very interesting and pulled me in quickly and didn't let go. There were some late nights reading it that I honestly got pretty freaked out because of the haunting way the story is told. How it escalates from one terrible thing into a multitude of terrible things and it feels like you're out of control along with the characters in the book. This isn't one I'd recommend to everybody as it is extremely dark, brutal, violent and very descriptive in realistic feeling violence and suffering. I'm looking forward to reading some of Charles de Lint's lighter novels in the future.
September 23, 2010
This is the first Horror novel I've read by Charles de Lint, typically an urban fairytale writer, and I am thoroughly impressed. Never have I been told a Horror story where the key to survival is releasing anger brought on by fear. The premise of the book is completely original all the way down to the protagonist, a fury born out of the pain of all the victims who have suffered in this world who drags her victims into a land of despair and death. This land is mirrored by experiencing the life of a few of those victims through their own eyes, so you're torn between hoping the main characters will survive all the while feeling sympathy for the creature set on killing them.
To me Charles de Lint's writing is much like an oil paining. Every component is layered upon itself, pieces blending and emerging to convey a story.
To me Charles de Lint's writing is much like an oil paining. Every component is layered upon itself, pieces blending and emerging to convey a story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2008
"Chad Baker was a rock star once, a real '60s hitmaker. Now he serves as benevolent angel of the Ottawa music scene, helping new bands make demos--and sometimes, secretly, helping a young beauty into his second, hidden recording studio. This is where Baker, a serial killer, records his victims' dying screams. When he combines the agonized vocalizations, he creates a hellish new music. Music that summons a different sort of angel--an unearthly and brutally vengeful Angel of Darkness." (From Amazon.com)
The most beautiful of de Lint's Samuel M. Key novels, Angel of Darkness is a decadent horror novel. You find yourself both amazed and appauled by the twists of the plot in the aftermath of Chad Baker's creation.
The most beautiful of de Lint's Samuel M. Key novels, Angel of Darkness is a decadent horror novel. You find yourself both amazed and appauled by the twists of the plot in the aftermath of Chad Baker's creation.
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