As we enter the 'spooky' season of the year, I thought I would, for once, join in the festivities, and read some supernatural/scary books.
While I do have a line up of scary books waiting to be read, I would not consider this book one. Instead, it is a glorious lead in to the season, and has more of a romantic theme of self-discovery.
Before I get into all of my review up here, let me introduce the book, and then we can actually get into the review!
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“Even in the deepest darkest of voids one can find something truly worth having in life, or death…”
The paranormal is a subject that E. Neville holds with the utmost content. Being an introvert by choice, he leads a lonely existence full of torment and anxiety for his affliction of preferred solitude. In this diary account Neville shares much of his woes and while settling into a new living space he begins to encounter a series of night-time disturbances like no other. Soon after he faces a battle of self-doubt and belief that something could be reaching out. Is this all a dream? Or is a soul of the ‘departed’ persuasion trying to make contact for a reason? Eventually they make an acquaintance which becomes much more as the barrier of life and death is broken by the power of love.
*Includes a free sample of The Teleporter.
My Review
Edward Neville is a very secluded soul, finding anxiety and discomfort in social situations, and so preferring to walk through life alone. Focusing on his accountancy job, Edward works hard to try and achieve the promotion that would give him the title 'senior accounts clerk' while he moves into his new rooms at Martha's House. Edward is not a believer in the supernatural, and does not have time for the silly stories that he simply does not believe in. However, his residence in room 4 may just change that outlook.
When Edward's sleep is continuously interrupted, night after night, he tries desperately to find some logic in his situation. But he can't shake the feeling of being watched, of a presence joining him in room 4 at night. When he overhears the other residents of the building talking about the 'Silver Lady', Edward slowly starts to realise just what might be haunting his sleep.
This book may only be a short read, but there is nothing missing – in fact, there is more to this book than there can sometimes be in full length novels. Edward's aversion to human conversation, while relatable, forces him into a very sheltered life, and although he doesn't quite realise it, he is plagued by loneliness. So, when his somewhat monotonous life is interrupted by this strange new experience, Edward seems to obsess over it.
The style of this book is, in my opinion, incredibly unique, and reminiscent of Bram Stoker's Dracula. There is an introduction and a conclusion, as if the character, Edward, has written the book, but the rest of it, the actual story, is written in the form of diary entries. The style of these entires is written unlike most modern books, and it gives the book the feel of one of the classics, the description incredibly vivid, with the very formal language used. Once again, there is a nod towards Dracula, and I can't help but think there was a little inspiration drawn from the classic horror story.
This book has a very important theme, of how loneliness and being alone can affect a person, that human contact, or at least having someone to talk to, can positively affect your life. As Edward starts to learn more about the presence in his room, he starts to grow more outgoing in his day to day life, as well. Slowly, he starts to overcome his fears, and to live his life in a way he would love to be comfortable with, but has never had the courage to do so before. Edward found someone who could bring out the best in him, and he clings to them.
This is not a scary story. There are some times where there is tension, when Edward isn't sure what is going on, and grows rather concerned about what might be going on in his room, but it quickly grows to curiosity, rather than fear. This is not a book about a vengeful ghost, but a paranormal romance, a story of learning how to be the best you can be, and of helping someone else to do so.
This is not a particularly long book. I read it within an hour and a half, although that itself went against the suggested guidelines that Edward himself sets at the beginning:
'To achieve the true authenticity of my experience it is recommended that this account be read in a gradual manner by candlelight in the dead of winter."
It is the kind of idea that makes you wish you bought the paperback, when you only have the ebook version. But, I can attest, if you read a little of this book at a time, a diary entry an evening, it would certain create the kind of atmosphere that is the perfect lead in to both the spooky season and the winter months.
And done!
I have 217 unread books on my ereader, and I completely blame people who run free book promotions. I probably paid for maybe 10 of those books, if that. I have a problem. I see a book for free, and I have to download it!
I'm sure some other people also do this... right?!
Anyway...
Bye!
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