The Myth Hunters (The Veil, Book 1)

As a Christopher Golden virgin, the first thing that jumped out at me about his book The Myth Hunters was the writing. Eloquent, visual and commanding, The Myth Hunters showcases an author in his prime, in total control of a story characterized by elegant prose, tight pacing and a wickedly active imagination. In fact, Mr. Golden reminds me somewhat of a cross between Neil Gaiman, Dean Koontz, Peter Straub and Clive Barker...more mainstream fare if I dare say it. And by mainstream, I mean that the book is not only readily accessible to a wide range of readers, but that it could easily be adapted into various formats, i.e. major motion picture, comic books, videogames and so forth, something of which Mr. Golden has had experience in with his prolific, medium-spanning background (bestselling novels, popular comic books, videogames, television, etc.). Regarding the story itself, premise-wise, the plot at first glance seems simple & familiar enough, mayhap even redundant: a regular, everyday guy/gal finds his/her way into a whole new world - call it an alternate universe, parallel dimension or whatnot. - and embarks on an epic quest with a cast of otherworldly companions. In The Myth Hunters, that alternate reality is known as the Two Kingdoms, a land populated by the myths, legends & folklore (also known as Borderkind) of our various cultures, which is separated from `our world' by the Veil. To me, this aspect of The Myth Hunters is one of the book's greatest strengths. The world of the Two Kingdoms is beautifully crafted, possessing an almost child-like wonder à la Alice In Wonderland, inhabited by an array of memorable creatures based on real-life mythology both commonly known and obscure, all with Mr. Golden's own unique touch of course. Alternating between the two realities, The Myth Hunters flows along at a great tempo, interjecting elements of suspense, mystery and visceral horror alongside the fantastical in a tale brimming with plenty of action, drama and surprises, all told with a flair that just makes the words come vividly to life. Of course, if you're seeking something more thought-provoking and profound, then you will have to look elsewhere since The Myth Hunters is meant to entertain, not challenge. Now, if there is one area that could be said to be weaker than the others, then I would have to point out the characterization. Basically following the narratives of main protagonist Oliver Bascombe - who is whisked away to the world beyond the Veil on the night before his wedding - and detective Ted Halliwell (who is called upon to investigate Oliver's disappearance), along with additional point-of-views provided by Oliver's sister Collette Bascombe and fiancé Julianna Whitney, the portrayal of our cast of players is admittedly a bit shallow and predictable. For instance, lawyer Oliver - who feels like he is living someone else's life and is always seeking something more meaningful, perhaps finds it in the Two Kingdoms only to be tor

Oliver Bascombe has already become a lawyer because that is what his father wanted. Now, he is about to get married to a woman that his father approves of, and though he loves her, he is having second thoughts. The night before his wedding, Oliver finds himself watching the blizzard outside when Jack Frost himself blows in and asks for help. Before he knows it, Oliver is taken behind The Veil and into another reality where characters from myths of long ago live -- and die. Oliver must embrace this new world and conquer his old fears and new foes. The Myth Hunters is urban fantasy defined: detailed, engrossing, twisting the myths of yesteryear with contemporary characters. This fast-paced novel, the first in a promised trilogy, is quite the page turner. Readers will root for Oliver and be intrigued by the multitude of characters, the vivid imagery, and the storylines taking place on both sides of The Veil. Christopher Golden, as always, is an amazing author. I cannot recommend his works highly enough. Fans of Charles deLint and Neil Gaiman (especially American Gods) must read this book -- then check out his previous books, if they haven't already! Join Oliver on this magical, mythical journey. You won't be disappointed.

Oliver Bascombe lives a normal life. He has caring sister, a domineering father and he is supposed to be getting married tomorrow. All of that changes when an old man claiming to be the spirit of Winter itself comes calling on Oliver to get him back across the Veil and a away from the Thing hunting him down. THE MYTH HUNTERS is the first book of a new dark fantasy trilogy The Veil by award winning horror author Christopher Golden. When referring to H.P. Lovecraft, Neil Gaiman has said that "Fantasy and Horror are linked...twin cities separated by a dark river." He went on to describe Lovecraft as beginning as a dark alley way that grew into a major four-lane highway. To continue the metaphor, Christopher Golden's THE MYTH HUNTERS is a dark path through the woods that both cities share. It is dark, twisting with half remembered tales and warnings from our childhood. There are creatures there, beautiful, fantastic and very deadly. In this new dark fantasy with a twist, Golden hones his finely tuned horror-craft on a fantastical world where the myths of our childhood are real, but darker than we have ever imagined. It is "Thomas Covenant" meets "The Tales of the Brothers Grimm", the original versions. Golden has mixed horror and fantasy before with tremendous success in GHOSTS OF ALBION. MYTH HUNTERS is the other side of the coin. While GHOSTS was horror with a fantastical twist, MYTH HUNTERS is fantasy tinged with horror. The result of this chilling alchemy is an extremely satisfying read and tale that immediately pulls you in. Like Oliver, we get pulled into a fantastic landscape where things are oddly familiar, yet far more dangerous. The result is equal parts enjoyment of the tale itself and enjoyment of seeing how familiar myths fare under Golden's craft. Golden gives us carefully measured doses of this new world. Again, like Oliver, we have learn on the run, and the effect is perfect. Unlike other "Stranger in a Strange Land" tales, we also get to see the fallout of Oliver's disappearance. The actions of his sister, his fiancé, and the police detective charged with finding him and finding the answer to the grisly murders left in his wake. This part of the book was equally enjoyable and followed more conventional horror fare; which I believe is the point. Golden contrasts and compares the two worlds with a variety of parallels that are both subtle and rewarding. Are they two worlds that are the same and have grown apart or are they two worlds that different but linked? We the reader see them sooner than Oliver, but only because we have a foot in both worlds, or both "cities" as the case may be. My biggest gripe about this book is I now have to wait for book two!

I enjoyed the book, and am looking forward to the sequels. I really liked the whole mythological creatures that have certain "rules" they have to follow. Like the fact that the sandman cant do anything to you if your asleep. I recommend it.

In wintry Maine lawyer Oliver Bascombe suffers from cold feet not just because he went outside in the snowy weather, but more because tomorrow he is to get married. He explains to his older sister Collette that he has doubts as he cannot think of one happily ever after marriage though he further explains that he thinks he loves Julianna; yet wonders how can you be sure even if his fiancée is wonderful, intelligent and beautiful? While reading The Sea Wolf to pass time, the outside storm smashes through his Victorian home door carrying something inside a vortex. Suddenly "the winter man" staggers from the middle of all that snow now inside Oliver's home. The newcomer pleads with his host to help him even as he informs Oliver he is known as Jack Frost and that he needs him to save his life from a deadly Myth Hunter from beyond the Veil. Ignoring his wedding, Oliver agrees. While Oliver enters the Veil on his quest to save the life of Jack Frost, his sister Collette investigates his disappearance and the murder of their father with the help of Police Detective Ted Hallowell. This terrific fantasy grips the audience with the abrupt change from the calm of a reluctant groom pondering how he can be sure to when Frost busts through the door. The story line is action-paced but plays out with two subplots: a fantasy quest beyond the Veil and a murder mystery disappearance on mundane earth. Both work because of the strong cast that makes believers out of readers that Jack Frost, THE MYTH HUNTERS and the land of the fae exist. Harriet Klausner