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Book Review: House of Reckoning by John Saul

December 10, 2009 by Darlene


House of Reckoning by John Saul was a return to his older style of writing when he wrote about kids as his main characters. It’s a welcome return and House of Reckoning certainly kept me turning the pages especially in the spooky parts. John Saul has long been a favorite author of mine back from my teenage years when I first started reading his books. This is his thirty-sixth novel and I’m still hanging in there anxiously waiting for the next one.

In House of Reckoning, our main character is fourteen year old Sarah Crane. Sarah is one of those kids who has had to grow up in a big hurry after losing her mother. Her father is a basket case and barely able to see past the bottle he’s been drinking out of. Sarah is trying to hold things together as best she can when her father gets into a drunken brawl one night and ends up killing someone. To top it off, that same night, he severely injures Sarah on his way home when he hits her on her bicycle as she’s riding to the bar to bring him home.

Sarah’s life is turned upside down. She has a bad leg now and is ridiculed by the other school kids where she has been going since being placed with an awful foster family. Sarah is miserable until she meets two people – one of her teachers Bettina and a schoolmate Nick, who is also shunned by his peers for being different. These three people together manage to change each other’s lives in ways that they hadn’t known were possible.

So as not to give away the story I will say that Bettina owns an old ancestral home and in a very interesting way Sarah has a very deep connection with this home and it’s people as does Nick in a different way. Something happened in this house long, long ago and the spirits dwelling within it’s walls want revenge for their suffering and they are using both Nick and Sarah to get it.

This is another good one from John Saul and I really enjoyed it as I have most of his novels. I had started it a while back but didn’t get a chance to read more but when I picked it up again, I never managed to put it down until I was finished. If you’re a fan of horror, check out John Saul’s books.

My Thanks…To myself. This book was purchased by yours truly.

Filed Under: 100+ Reading Challenge 2009, 2009 Book Reviews

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandy Nawrot says

    December 10, 2009 at 10:41 am

    Wow, he is a blast from the past. He has been writing forever! Glad to know he still has the mojo!

  2. Nicola says

    December 10, 2009 at 11:52 am

    I want to read this!

  3. Blodeuedd says

    December 10, 2009 at 11:56 am

    Lol, I liked the thanks.
    Sounds like a good one

  4. caite says

    December 10, 2009 at 12:36 pm

    hmmm…the author's name is familiar, but I don't think I have read anything by him. and I am a horror fan…within reason.

  5. Jenn's Bookshelves says

    December 10, 2009 at 1:50 pm

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE Saul's writing. He was one of the first horror authors I discovered as a teen. This book has been sitting on my table since I ordered it upon release. I really need a horror fix, so I might just have to read it this weekend!

  6. bermudaonion says

    December 10, 2009 at 2:34 pm

    I'm kind of embarrassed to say I've never read any of Saul's work. I guess I've always been afraid his books would be too scary for me. Glad you enjoyed this.

  7. Nely says

    December 10, 2009 at 4:36 pm

    I was such a fan of John Saul when I was in high school. I haven't read him in years. I guess I should huh? This sounds just wonderful.

    ♥Nely

  8. Heidi V says

    December 10, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    I missed reading that one I'm going to have to keep an eye out for a copy.

  9. Vivienne says

    December 10, 2009 at 8:30 pm

    See now this is why I love book blogging. Saul has written thirty six books and I have never heard of him, yet his books sound like ones I would love. It reminds me a little of Richard Laymon, who I used to love to read. I shall definitely add this one to my list.

  10. Staci says

    December 10, 2009 at 8:31 pm

    I have a friend that will totally want to read this one!!

  11. Lori says

    December 10, 2009 at 8:53 pm

    Great review, Dar!

    I too love Saul's older stuff so I will definitely have to check this one out.

    Thanks for the heads up. 🙂

  12. Ladytink_534 says

    December 10, 2009 at 9:29 pm

    I know Saul is a popular author but I've never actually read anything by him before. Do you have a recommendation of which book of his to try first?

  13. Stephanie says

    December 10, 2009 at 9:40 pm

    I haven't heard John Saul's name in years. This novel sounds fascinating! I thoroughly enjoyed your review.

  14. Lisa says

    December 10, 2009 at 10:17 pm

    I haven't read anything by John Saul in a long time! Sounds like this might be one to pick up. Thanks for the review!

  15. Melody says

    December 11, 2009 at 12:16 am

    I love his books! I didn't know this book is out, I'll have to look out for it. Thanks for the lovely review, Dar!

  16. Lisa says

    December 11, 2009 at 5:06 am

    I don't think I've read any John Saul. This sounds a lot deeper than the ghosts in the house book I'm reading!

  17. ~Jennifer~ says

    December 11, 2009 at 6:21 am

    You have an award. Come see it here.

  18. Amy says

    December 12, 2009 at 4:01 am

    I really enjoyed your review, Dar. I read many John Saul books years ago and then they changed. But this one sounds like the old books I loved, which your review also refers to. Sounds to me like you chose to treat yourself to a great read!

  19. Literary Feline says

    December 12, 2009 at 7:36 am

    I should revisit John Saul one of these days. It's been many many years since I last read one of his books. I am glad to hear his books continue to be good.

  20. Alice Teh says

    December 14, 2009 at 3:22 am

    I wouldn't say I'm a fan of horror but recently did develop a liking for it. Thanks for the review. This sounds good!

  21. Gwendolyn B. says

    December 20, 2009 at 10:21 pm

    Every now and then, I need a really good horror novel. I'll keep this one in mind.

  22. S. Krishna says

    December 22, 2009 at 4:55 pm

    I've never read anything by John Saul, I may have to give his stuff a try. Thanks for the review!

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