Better than I hoped.

In the rural town of Colby, Connecticut, a freak snowstorm happens in May. That in itself is weird enough, but when you add in what seems to be ritualistic killings and other.....things happening, it's put Jack Glazier on edge. Along with his other officer Reece Teagan, they call in an occult expert Kathy Ryan to help with the investigations.

This book was so much better than I hoped!! I had read some great and not so great reviews on it, and went in with no expectations at all, and I devoured it!! The absolute best thing about this is the creepy atmosphere the whole way through. I felt on edge while reading, and that to me is the sign of a great thriller/horror read!

The plot wasn't really fast paced, but it held steady and ramped up the tension with each chapter. I was drawn in right from the start and it held my attention till the end. I loved the fact that it's set during a blizzard because that always adds tension, but this author added in some weird ass flesh eating monsters, and it made for awesome reading.

The characters weren't as fleshed out as I like, but I actually didn't mind. They were charismatic enough to make it easy to like all of them. I usually can easily pick a favourite character when I read a book, but not here, I liked them all!!!

In all, this book was seriously good. I started the book too late and didn't want to put it down, but my eyes were starting to close so I had to! I picked it up the next day and devoured it. I will definitely have to check out more from this author.

Chris Abell was easy to listen to and had plenty of tones and voices for the characters, and I do have to say that his Irish accent was really good, the problem I had with him was that he didn't bring the atmosphere to life completely. I wanted more tenseness from him, especially when the creatures were involved! Other than that it was an awesome performance.

I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts

6 people found this helpful

A barren winter? More like a Burying Winter!

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love the cold and snow. I walk my dog in shorts and tee shirt in below 0 temps and LOVE it! So, when I see a horror story set in my favorite time of year that isn't dealing with someone freezing their jewels off slowly, but intelligently uses the barreness of winter as a setting my interest is piqued.

Secondly, I am a sucker for anything Lovecraft, lovecraftian, or even remotely pays homage to the man, and as soon as I saw that this tale had lovecraftian overtones I knew I had to read it!!!

I was not disappointed. This story is a slow build, and does not attack you at the start. It sets up everything from the setting to the characters, and allows the tensions to grow, and when it does the story just takes off. The characters feel real, and their internal struggles make sense. The plot and the pacing are completely on point, too. I don't need to start out at 100mph, sometimes the best story is one in which you don't realize you are doing 100 until you look at the speedometer, and by then it is too late for you to turn away from the brick wall into which you are rushing. It creeps up on you. Like the name implies, Chills can be much more horrify than a jump scream or a gun in the face when done right, and Mary SanGiovanni hits it like a real pro.

Chris Abell knocks it out of the park on this one, too. His narration is fluid and crisp, and he builds the tension with his voice in the same manner that a good soundtrack does. I'll keep an eye out for him.

This is an excellent book to read on a chilly winter night as the snow flies and the power dims.

3 people found this helpful

Mediocre at best

It should have been good, interesting ideas, but somehow the author lacks the ability to keep us interested. I found my mind wandering, and didn't care enough to go back and see if I missed anything. Conclusion sounds like there will be a next in a series, I won't buy it. Maybe this is a book that should be read.

2 people found this helpful

Under the Ice-Dome

I started out really liking the book. Enjoyed the tension, the mystery, the crazy creatures, and the story line. Seemed to kinda fizzle for me at the end. I just felt like the buildup was so magnificent and the finale didn't deliver the way the story wanted it to. Wanted more of the creature feature than occultists standing around in a circle chanting to old gods.
I enjoyed Mary's writing style and I am looking forward to seeing more from her. She clearly has a great imagination and tells stories well.

Chris did a fantastic job. Enjoyed his character voices, his attempt at an Irish accent - reminded me of Fat Bastard, and the Gaelic reading. He definitely made this story better.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

4 people found this helpful

Started strong and then melted a bit.

This book had a great promise with a strong beginning, unfortunately it lost something around the middle. It wasn’t horrible it just kind of fizzled. The narrator did an ok job, he seemed to be lacking a little range at times, everyone sounded excited all the time. Also when he played some characters he sounded like christian bale as batman which was a little funny. Not bad overall, just not the best. I might listen again and would consider other books by this author and narrator. The characters were enjoyable especially Tegan. I received a free review copy of this book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

1 person found this helpful

Awesome Paranormal Horror

I absolutely devoured this book! I love an isolation apocalypse thriller and I currently reside in Connecticut so this one was particularly intriguing for me. The characters felt real to me and even as the paranormal events unfolded, they too felt real. Mary SanGiovanni creates an all encompassing world in this story, with rules of it's own that are rigidly followed making for a cohesive, compelling narrative. I've never read a story that had this exact combination of elements (snow, occult sacrifices, ice monsters, isolation, ancient gods, paranormal powers and a pile of bodies!) and boy, did it work! I enjoyed this story from top to bottom. Chris Abell gives a fantastic voice over performance. I will be seeking out content by both Mary SanGiovanni and Chris Abell in the future!

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

1 person found this helpful

Meh

Story was fairly basic, perfect for teens other than the explicit unnecessary sexual stuff.
Story was entertaining but really had to stick with it to get through some parts. If you’re really bored and have nothing to do or can’t decide on a book, I guess this is ok

A simple cosmic horror story

it was an OK story, but really lacked any depth. good if you want a popcorn horror story, but not an enthralling tale.

lovecraftian

good beginning and middle, though the ending seems rushed. otherwise good story. this is a very lovecraftian story

Great story, well written, annoying narrator

My dinging the overall rating is purely because I disliked the narrator so much. I really like this story and the writing is great. An entertaining, gory cosmic horror. I just wish I’d read this one instead of listening. Note to narrators and the producers of these recordings: Please just read the story and stop trying to do accents. And doubly stop having men do female voices in a higher pitch. It just sounds ridiculous. We are intelligent grownups and know when you’re doing dialogue from a woman. Just read it in your own voice. Let our imaginations do the rest. Please.