Sacred Prey

After loving Schilling's second novel, Quietus, I settled in for another riveting read. I was intrigued to see that it was set in New Orleans as her first was set predominately in Boston. Unlike most authors, where one book is much like the next, Schilling's work is as unique and varied as her concepts and characters. Though Sacred Prey is clearly Schilling's first novel, it rose to the occasion. It lacks the elegant polish of Quietus, but is still an AMAZING read. Most importantly, it carries the same depth of thought. This is an author that is intelligent and gives much philosophical thought to her work. Sacred Prey's underlying themes of poverty and discrimination in New Orleans hit a painfully truthful cord in these post-Katrina times. Sadly, many of the places described so colorfully, have now been destroyed. As a fan of the Crescent City, I enjoyed letting myself be carried on a fun and exciting ride through the old New Orleans. As with Quietus, highly recommended!

I think what I liked the most about the movie "The Sixth Sense" was not it's supernatural themes. It was the clever plotting that made everything that happened to the Bruce Willis character believable and plausible, whether he was dead or alive. "SACRED PREY" is even better, and pre-dates "The Sixth Sense" by seven or more years. And if you like the supernatural theme, then "SACRED PREY" delivers on this account as well! Without going into the plot details, suffice it to say that everything that happens to the antagonist "ADAM" is completely consistent with (and identical in plotting) to everything that happens to the protagonist "ADAM AS CHARLIE." It's true to the concept of "walk a mile" in another man's shoes, which makes for great reading and a satisfying conclusion. If this were a movie, I suspect it would be quite a hit, as audiences would want to see it over a second time, just to appreciate the cleverness of the plotting of "Adam" and "Adam (in 'the other guy's shoes')." Maybe we'll get lucky. I smell an Oscar for whichever Hollywood star is hired to play both the "good-guy" and the "bad guy" dual roles. In the meantime (while we wait for Hollywood to wake up on this one!) buy or check out "SACRED PREY." You'll be very glad you did.

I sprang for the hardback on this one after reading Schilling's other novel, QUIETUS. I loved it just as much but for completely different reasons. This was a much shorter book and the style was very lean and fast. Quietus had such beautiful prose with a dark seething atmosphere, whereas this one is a fast and furious ride through the streets and bayou of New Orleans. The novel takes the reader to the now famed ninth ward and gives beautiful insight into the colorful people. Schilling captures the locals with such simple intensity and a clear love of their culture. Suspenseful and one you'll want to devour in one sitting. I loved every minute of it!

I ordered Sacred Prey after reading Schilling's second novel, Quietus. I was expecting another book like Quietus, and was quite surprised how different Sacred Prey turned out to be. While equally unique and riveting, Sacred Prey is clearly Schilling's first novel. Her prose are not on the same polished level as Quietus, but her story-telling ability is strong none-the-less. After I stopped expecting Quietus and approached the book with an open mind, I found myself once again taken in by Schilling's adept story-telling and insight into the human condition. Schilling writes so vividly that the characters begin living and breathing in your every waking hour. Sacred Prey is a very fast read that is great for a weekend trip. In it, you will see the masterful author that emerges so beautifully in Quietus. I can't wait to see what Schilling does with her next novel! I am now a devoted reader!

When I by books, I tend to be a little more interested in the ones with a neat picture on the cover. However, not only did this book have a unique cover, it also had a unique storyline. As I was reading this novel, I was always trying to figure what Adam should do next. Vivian Schilling wrote a wonderful novel. The ending, is still a secret, it made me cry. I rarely cry while reading books. I recommend it for all to read and it is one of those that you crawl up with a blanket on a cold, rainy day and read from start to finish in one sitting.