“When their car broke down in a dangerous neighborhood of the inner city, Kerri and her friends thought they would find shelter in the old dark row house. They thought it was abandoned. They thought they would be safe there until morning. They were wrong on all counts. The residents of the row house live in the cellar and rarely come out in the light of day. They’re far worse than anything on the streets outside. And they don’t like intruders. Before the sun comes up, Kerri and her friends will fight for their very lives…though death is only part of their nightmare.”
Brian Keene never ceases to amaze and horrify me. His books just keep getting better and better, and Urban Gothic is no exception. It is a glorious blood filled romp that will leave you wishing you kept this book closed, it is that frightening. The fact that it takes place in one house in one night is remarkable.
He piles up the bodies and the blood while reflecting on today’s society and its many problems. The book is bleak, bloody and violent, and also redeeming in the fact that the characters step out of their stereotypes to try a make a difference. He doesn’t preach; he puts it out for each reader to interpret and use as they want.
But make no mistake this is vintage Keene in all his glory. His descriptive prose conjures up a house of horror not seen in many years, the characters come to life within the pages and shine against the desolate and dangerous backdrop of their situation, which is of their own making, well at least one of them. To me he is the voice of our generation, and this book speaks volumes if you will only listen.
If you have followed Brian’s career, his website and blogs, you know that he is outspoken and genuine. You know where he stands and what he feels. In my opinion the world would be a much better place if more people stood up for their beliefs like he does.
What does that have to do with horror you ask? Well, everything in my opinion. His writing reflects the realism he feels. He interjects his stories with real people in unreal situations that are believable. His characters are not perfect by any means and that is the way it should be. We all have flaws, it is what we do to overcome them that makes us what we are.
If you have lived in a cave for the past few years and have not yet heard of Brian Keene or read any of his work, Urban Gothic is a great place to start and I highly recommend it.
Again a big thank you for our friends at Dorchester Publishing for the book art and synopsis.
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