Urban Gothic

(4 1/2 stars, actually.) I've always liked horror that takes place in a house or certain types of dwellings. This is the first time I've read about inbred, cannibalistic mutants in a house in--of all places--Philadelphia. Usually, when you enter an abandoned house, the dangers you face are parts of the structure falling on you, or perhaps drug addicts who aren't particularly friendly. You don't expect crazy-but-intelligent mutants (some of these mutants have to be smart to set up the traps in this nightmare house) coming to eat you! Everyone in the neighborhood knows to avoid the dark house next to Perry Watkins' home, but the white kids who end up there don't know any better. Once they're inside, getting out won't be easy. They find an entire horde of freaks who want to play cat-and-mouse. The mutants have created an ever-changing maze filled with terrifying traps to catch their prey. There's lots of gore and grossness in Keene's latest, and some people won't like that, but I couldn't help enjoying it, because it fits in with the story perfectly. It was almost like he was competing with Edward Lee (another fun, creative author) for creepy, sickening freaks. And just to say something in favor of the cannibals, those kids barged into their house; nobody forced them to come in (only to stay). A mutant's gotta eat, you know.

If you want gore and violence this is your kind of book. I loved it. Great book and I actualy felt for the characters. Keep them coming Brian.

Brian Keene" URBAN GOTHIC is a gore-fest tribute to Edward Lee, King of the Gross-out Horror genre...so beware. Keene delivers another fantastic, moody Haunted House-type novel. Characters you believe in...snappy dialogue that moves the plot along like a bullet fired from a .38...and lots and lots of gore. Another great novel from Brian Keene.

Some folks say there are no new stories. Some folks might compare Brian Keene's Urban Gothic to movies like The Hills Have eyes and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or the writings of Richard Laymon and Edward Lee. Yes, there are elements of these things in Urban Gothic, but, it's what Keene does with these elements that makes the book stand out. The action starts early and the tension rises with each blood soaked page. Instead of giving us complete character descriptions at the start, Keene lets the information trickle in; we learn more about each character from their reactions to the horrible situation they find themselves in, then we would if it was all layed out for us in the first chapter. While some may look at this as a simple slasher novel, it addresses issues of race,community pride and sacrifice, as well. BUT, it is a great slasher novel. Brian Keene's amazing talent takes horror tropes and raises them to a level that should not just be enjoyed, but should be praised. (Yeah, I know I didn't mention the inbred-mutant-cannibals. For that, you have to read the book.)

Be prepared for a thrilling, intense ride when you start this book. It jumps into the fight swinging and never lets up. I know you hear that quite often, but here it is quite accurate. You will probably read this in a single sitting. It's a definite throwback to 80's horror movies and the work of Ed Lee. The imagery is extreme, horrific and extremely terrifying. You will finish the book and hope you NEVER come across the house on the cover. And you'll wonder if houses like it exist somewhere. So, if you can imagine a mix of People Under the Stairs and the Descent, you'd be getting close to what you'll be dealing with in Urban Gothic. This is Keene at his finest and most brutal. There were quite a few moments in the book that seriously made me shiver. And you grow to care about the cast of characters over time and find yourself rooting for them. Perfect summer fun. Check it out.