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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Cedar Hill continued, February 13, 2011
This review is from: Far Dark Fields (Mass Market Paperback)
The latest book in Braunbeck's Cedar Hill series, FAR DARK FIELDS will be devoured by fans, but it may leave new readers confused and cold. As I am somewhere in the middle, I should be the ideal person to review this, right? I mean, I have read two of Braunbeck's previous novels set in that haunted Ohio town, but have missed two, so while some names and events were familiar to me, a good portion were not. While Mr. Braunbeck does provide some explanation of past events, enough is left for the fans of Cedar Hill to fill in the blanks that novices to that creepy Midwest town might be left scratching their heads. Ok, that bit of proviso out of the way, let's get to the juicy bits.
Geoff Conover, a high school English teacher is our protagonist in this tale. A student at his school goes on a killing spree and heads towards his old home town of Cedar Hill. The kid is wounded, dying, but using his last breath he asks to speak to Geoff. The teacher, a survivor of a mass murder himself, reluctantly goes to speak with the kid. What follows is a mystery involving the local bogeyman with the great name of Hoopsticks and the reason he was spared so many years before. That mystery unfolds through a series of flashbacks, and then some flashbacks, and then a few more flashbacks. Remember when I said people new to Cedar Hills may feel a bit lost? Well this is where that will happen.
There are enough good fright moments here to satisfy most horror junkies even if they're new to Braunbeck's haunted world. One particular good part had Geoff descending into the very bowls of Cedar Hill in his hunt for the truth. Fan or not, that was great stuff. Furthermore Braunbeck's trademark warm and easy to read style is in full effect and the man can spin a heck of a yarn. That said, not everything is perfect with this book. The explanation for Hoopsticks leaves a little something to be desired and leaves a lot of things unexplained. I can only assume that was done so that in a future book such questions could be wrapped up. In a similar fashion, the end of this the novel was also a bit so-so and pretty blatantly sets things up for a sequel. Now I don't mind sequels, but I do like the stories before them to have their own clear and satisfying endings. I can't honestly say that FAR DARK FIELDS has that.
Cedar Hill fans should get this book as it continues to expand the mythology of that town nicely. Those new to Gary A. Braunbeck should probably pick up some of his earlier titles, not only to see if his style meshes with their tastes (always a good idea), but to become familiar with the thick backstory needed to enjoy this book to the fullest. So depending upon who you are, buy accordingly.
Reviewed for Shroud Magazine by Brian M. Sammons
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Secrets of Cedar Hill Revealed At Last, December 22, 2009
This review is from: Far Dark Fields (Mass Market Paperback)
Braunbeck's Far Dark Fields is an engaging read, but mainly for fans of his Cedar Hill stories. If I had not read his other work, I would have been confused by all the backstories and mythology that are piled into this book. New readers should definitely not read this before checking out some of his other novels. I would recommend starting with my personal favorite, Mr. Hands, and then Coffin County.
I had thought this was the final volume of the Cedar Hill saga, but the ending makes it seem as if there might be one more. Which is fine, but I can tell things are getting quite bizarre and ethereal and might not bring in new readers who will surely be left behind. I would enjoy seeing Braunbeck write stand-alone stories that have nothing to do with Cedar Hill. I've enjoyed the town and it's mysteries and quirky characters, but I think it is time to move on. As always, Braunbeck produces great writing and original concepts, and Far Dark Fields is no exception. Although this was my least favorite of his books, it is still stronger than most of what is currently being published.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Will Go Down As One of Gary's Best., September 3, 2009
This review is from: Far Dark Fields (Mass Market Paperback)
Far Dark Fields is an intense novel about love, loss, good, evil, and Gary Braunbeck's amazing fictional world within Cedar Hill, Ohio. If you've read any of Gary's previous Cedar Hill novels, you know that this fictional town has been masterfully created by Braunbeck's excellent descriptions, and skillful prose.
This writer's voice is a warm, welcomed one; you know the amazing feeling of sitting in front of a campfire and hearing a tale that not only scares you, but warms your heart? Well, that's the feeling that will consume you when you read anything by Gary Braunbeck.
Others might disagree, because of all the history and previous Cedar Hill novels, but I think the writing in Far Dark Fields is just so good, that it can be enjoyed as a stand alone book. It would help to have read the previous novels, In Silent Graves, The Keepers, Mr. Hands, and Coffin County-all just as magical and expertly written by Gary.
When you reach the end of this book, you'll be sad because you'll wish it to never end. But you will have experienced the amazing writing talent of one of the best writers working today.
If you haven't read Braunbeck yet, you're missing something special. Far Dark Fields is one of Gary's best, in my opinion. Dont Miss It!
Horrordude.
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