Customer Reviews

Dark Satanic

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book was quite good. I got it used for 20 cents, so it was definetely worth the price! It's one of Marion Zimmer Bradley's older works, and I seem to find them better than her newer ones. Dark Satanic is a dark-fantasy/occult horror story that follows pretty much the usual formula, however, the author tells the tale extremely well, making the characters very involving and I could feel their descents into maddness. It was quite chilling at times, and an easy read--not in that it was quick and light, but it was fast-paced and I read it straight through without being bored once. I am a big fan of Marion Zimmer Bradley, but I haven't really liked what I've read of her recent occult-type novels (Ghostlight was decent but not captivating, and Witchlight was dumb and boring). However, if this is what her 1970s period horror writing was like, I'll certainly try a few others

I recently "discovered" this old MZB title and bought a copy from eBay. I'm not sure if this book was intended to be a Gothic Romance or not. It might be thought of as "Rosemary's Baby" Lite, but even that is being too kind to this thin story. There is no mystery to the plot. It becomes obvious 1/4 into the plot who is involved in the "plot", which the author confirms 1/2 through the book. It was all downhill from there. Even in 1972 I don't see how this book could be considered "horror" by any means. If it was supposed to be a "Gothic Romance" it doesn't fit that category either. Hopefully this was written by MZB to fulfill a contract or at the suggestion of her publisher to try something different. Another reviewer paid twenty cents for their copy - that's how much this is worth. Unfortuantely, I "had to have it" and paid far more.