Road to Hell

It was a pleasure to read a book with the depth of characters and story that Road To Hell gives. Having read the first book (The Beast That Was Max) I couldn't wait to see what other trouble Max and the girls would get in and what it would cost for them to get out. Houarner delivers in a book full of action and tension that doesn't take the easy path--everything has a cost in real life and in his fiction. Really enjoyed the journey through Max's hell and the redemption he seeks for himself and his son.

If you're the type who likes to skim through books for the "good parts" and knock out a book (or more) a day, then this is not for you. If you like books that explore the psychological foundations of their characters through the use of unusual settings, mythic tropes, and occasionally rich language, then take the time to read this book. This isn't James Joyce by any means, but it does challenge the imagination as well as the comfort level of the reader drawn to read horror by watching endless slasher movies and looking for the same level of story in books. Yeah, sometimes the sentences are a little long, and the names are not all Anglo-Saxon, and it doesn't takeplace in a mall or suburbia. But if you're tired of that kind of stuff, and you're not afraid of an occasional thought, give this one a try.

This is my first Max book and it was great. This the fourth book with Max (Pain Freak, Inside the Works, The beast that was Max)and although I have not read the first three it was not hard to pick up the story and get into all the players. This is a horror, adventure, action, spy book and they all blend well. Try this book, you will like it. If you can find the hard cover (limited to 100) it's worth it. It's signed and has leather cover boards and silk book marker, really a great looking book.

I couldn't put this book down. Angel is a wonderful character who gives a whole new meaning to the phrase "growth spurts". The use of mythology really pulls this book together. And I think the development of Max/Beast in this book surpasses that of their first appearance (I believe it was anyway) in The Beast That Was Max. Seeing this killer caring for his child, and knowing what he's done and what he will do -- it's hard to humanize a character of this nature, yet Houarner does it beautifully. Hard to imagine, but I rooted for Max--the murderer-rapist--and this is quite an achievement for the writer.I was also impressed with how the author handled the backstory from Beast That Was Max, in a letter to his son. Unique approach that worked very well.Exciting, fast-paced. Marvelous book!!