 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Devouring
- By Simon Holt
- Genre: Horror
Common Sense Media says
Old-school horror, complete with spiders, clowns.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that on the ever-escalating horror scale, this falls fairly low in terms of violence and mayhem. Much of the disturbing action takes place in a "fears cape" where nightmares seem to come true. While it's certainly gross and creepy -- axe-wielding psycho clowns, children with their tongues cut off -- the dream quality takes the edge off the threat of danger to the protagonists. The children's mother deserted the family and most of the psychological aspects play on this abandonment. One teen (possessed) boy dies.
What's the story?
When horror aficionado Reggie picks up a hand-written journal called The Devouring at her job, she starts reading it to her 8-year-old brother Henry as a bedtime story. Demons called the Vours prey on fear, taking over people's bodies on the winter solstice.
As a chant explains, "When dark creeps in and eats the light, bury your fears on Sorry Night. For in the winter's blackest hours, comes the feasting of the Vours. No one can see it, the life they stole, your body's here but not your soul." As Henry's behavior turns darker and darker, Reggie and her best friend Aaron wonder if the Vours have possessed him. Can they fight this malevolent presence without destroying her brother in the process? The ending, which suggests a larger evil at play, sets up a sequel.
Is it any good?
With the namedropping of Stephen King and Edgar Allen Poe in THE DEVOURING, readers hardly need to check the author profile to know Holt is a horror fan himself. With quick, smooth pacing and engaging teen protagonists, Holt fits in a dirty dozen of horror standbys, including an ominous funhouse hall of mirrors, giant spiders, corpses sealed behind walls, and an evil surgeon with a drill. The Vours are pretty creepy, even if the plot occasionally feels like horror redux (knowing comments like "Who knew my deepest fears were so damn cliché?" don't really excuse yet another psycho clown).
Reggie's best (and seemingly only) friend, Aaron, plays a substantial role, upping the interest quotient for male readers. Teens may feel a bit tricked that even a horror novel comes with a pat message ("You battled your worst fears"). Still, for a read on a dark winter's night, this should offer some frights without excessive gore or sex.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what scares them and how they could (or have) overcome that fear.
Families can also discuss what make something scary -- why is a spider
or clown spooky to one person but not to another?What do movies,
books, and other popular media do to encourage or discourage fears?
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AGE
The Best Modern Thriller Book I've Ever Read!!! :]
I'm deeply into modern thriller and horror books, as well as classics like Edgar Allen Poe and some Stephen King books. This book was so creepy that it made me want to read more and more and more. I love how he uses teenagers as the main characters- it's easy to relate with them, and to me, it makes the story sound more... real!
After reading the book, I seriously thought about leaving my bedroom light on while going to bed- the book had such a vague ending that left me wondering and wanting more. I don't think the book was only appropriate for 17+. That rating actually sounds stupid, considering the book was written for teens, not young adults. Besides, kids love scary stories, as the book semi-implies. I think the book is fine for kids 13 and up to read.
The book was really awesome, and I can't wait to but "The Soulstice"! ^_^
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AGE
good book, might be violent and scary for younger kids...
this was a good book. i hav read the entire series and like them very much. this was advertised as a scary book, and usually i am scared easily but this didnt really scare that much. the only part i would be concerned by would be the amout of violence. it occurs after the children are possesed by vours, soul-stealing monsters. it is a bit disgusting and gruesome, and for younger kids it might be too much to handle but i thought it wwas very good. sokme breif language.
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AGE
Loved it...
I just finished reading this book. And I thought it was a great book.
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AGE
TOO MANY SWEARWORDS
This book had way too many swearwords. I couldn't even get through the first ten pages. I do not recommend this book for any age.
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AGE
i loved this book. there are a few violent things- but its not like its extremely bad. the reason why i think there is good role modeling in this is because Reggie's friend helps her all the way, and Reggie risks everything for her brother.
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AGE
great
" LOVED IT!!!" It is the best book i have ever read.
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| Author: | Simon Holt |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Publisher: | Little, Brown Books for Young Readers |
| Publication date: | September 1, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 204 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |
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