Customer Reviews

Second Child

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

After killing her parents in a house fire in San Fernando, California, 14-year-old Teri MacIver is taken in by her real father and his family (wife: Phyllis; daughter: Melissa) in affluent Secret Cove, Maine. While "Second Child" begins with Teri, it's her half sister (Melissa Holloway) that's more of the protagonist--or at least the one the reader feels the most sympathy for. Both girls have their own secrets--Teri's being she's a killer, and Melissa's being she has an imaginary friend (D'Arcy) that's actually a ghost who resides in the attic, inhabiting Melissa's body whenever her abusive mother punishes her, which is quite often. Once Teri discovers this secret, she uses Melissa's weak mental health to her advantage, hoping to knock her out of the picture so she can have the kind of life she thinks she deserves, in Melissa's place.

I read "Second Child" either in middle or high school (I don't remember which), so it's appropriate for readers that young, since they can probably relate easier to the teen characters in this book. Like most of Saul's books, "Second Child" has a supernatural twist to it, linking D'Arcy to events that happened 100 years ago in Secret Cove. Horror fans should definitely like this one.

John Saul's Second Child is the first horror book I ever read. (6+years ago) At my younger age I had trouble with some of the bigger words and darker concepts, but it was the best Saul I've ever read (and consequently the only).

Poor Melissa is having problems growing up and being accepted and generally--um--psychological others. Teri comes into her life ostensibly as a friend, but Teri has problems of her own...

Of everything literary branded into my mind, there will always be an image of Teri's mother hanging from a second-story window of a burning building and then doing a faceplant on the concrete below.

I can thank Saul for that--err--lovely imagery. Don't doubt though, it's a great book and I would submit, for starters.

I have genuinely loved horror as a genre ever since Second Child. It is a worthy book and will quiver you.

This was the firstbook I've read by John Saul & it took me less than a week to read. It was what was written on the back that made me read it. You will be compelled too.

I loved this book! It starts out great and doesn't stop there. Although it does have some supernatural twists to it, the book is more of a "good guy gets screwed by bad guy" type of novel. Unfortunatley, as one reviewer commented, it does leave some wondering to the imagination at the conclusion. However, as with any book, most are left to wonder, and I still think this is one of (if not the best) Saul novel to date.

This is my favorite Saul novel. I don't know why it is so much better than his others, but it simply is. The characters are interesting, the story flows quickly, and there is plenty of horror and blood to be found. It is definitely not for the sqeamish; Saul goes into brutal detail on murders and abuse.

13 year old Melissa finds her already tumultuous world turned upside down by the arrival of her father's first born daughter Teri. Unsure of herself and abused by her own mother, she hopes that this newcomer can turn out to be an ally. But stranger and stranger things keeps happening, and Teri is not all she pretends to be. The characters are written well and we never stop caring for Melissa, who is my favorite here. The ending is satisfying in the best possible way.

Saul has not written anything close to this in his career. If you read this one first, as I did, you will only be somewhat let down by his other works. Original, daring and downright gross at times, it is a fun read and should not be ignored.

Okay, I know it's a reviewer cliche to say this was my first John Saul book (it seems like every reviewer notes that, add my name to the list) but this was the first I read. Well, actually, I listened to it on tape. I found this in the library, and eager to read something by John Saul--I had bought "Guardian," but hadn't gotten to it yet--I picked this up, and with a good amount of listening time, finished it in about two days. Oft heard Saul reader Lee Meriwether did a good job on all the voices, and read quite well, though I got tired of listening to her voice at points. (I imagine it's that way for anyone listening to an audiobook. This was also my first book on tape.)

As for the story, it was...well, so-so. Terry McGuyver (I may spell the names wrong, sorry, I didn't get to see them in print) comes to live with her father Charles, stepmother Phyllis, and half-sister Melissa at their seaside summer home after her parents die in a fire in their Los Angeles home. Thirteen year-old Melissa is the character we immediately identify with, though. At the beginning of the novel, it is her birthday, and she is going through all the phases of moving on from childhood to teenage years, knowing she must get rid of her dolls and the such, and even stop talking to her imaginary friend Darcy. Darcy, the one who defends Melissa from the cruel, abusive Phyllis. Darcy, her only friend it seems, except for housekeeper Cora's grandson, Tag. When Terry comes into her life, it looks as if she may finally have a true companion, a sister. But things change, and Terry isn't as innocent as it would seem. And soon, she begins to manipulate the all-too-present Darcy through Melissa. For Darcy can almost possess Melissa...and Terry can make her do terrible things. Because Darcy isn't just an imaginary friend...she's a ghost.

(Don't worry, I didn't give away anything that comes as a surprise.)

The plot doesn't work very well, and stumbles through until it finally congeals, and can be described on the back of the book. And once things do come together, they're not that much. It almost seems like there should have been more to this plot, considering how quickly things start and are wrapped up. The climax, while creepy, was far too quick and unrealized. And the resolution...well, you'll see how it doesn't tie things together. The only way to describe what I mean is by spoiling most of the plot, so skip the next short paragraph if you don't want to know.

***How are the convictions of Melissa being Tag's murderer dropped? She even said, "I did it." (Through, Darcy, of course.) I was kind of left disappointed about that.***

Overall, the book wasn't the best I had ever read, but I'm definitely not done with John Saul yet. I think I just sort of started with one of his lesser novels. So, to all those John Saul newcomers, I don't recommend you start a review for this book with "This was my first John Saul novel" and find something else of his to start off with.

Another one of John Saul books that was very engaging. When Teri's parents died in a house fire, she moves in with her father(Charles), step-mother(Phyllis), and half-sister(Melissa). At first everything is going well for Teri. Although Teri is treated like gold by her step-mother, Melissa is being abused by ner mother. One night Teri witnesses the punishment Phyllis imposes on Melissa.
After that night Teri creates a sinister plan to get rid of Melissa and taking her rightful place as the daughter of the Halloway Household.
This story really draws you in and makes you feel for the characters that are on the recieving end of Teri and Phyllis's wrathe. If you are looking for one of those books that are impossible to put down, this is it!

I read this book almost a year ago. I had a lot of time on my hands (I was pregnant and not working) and it only took me like two days to read Second Child. I am a fan of John Saul's other works and Second Child proved to be worthy of praise as well as Saul's other novels. Terry made me so mad! She definitely got what was coming to her in the end!

I have read a lot of John Saul books. When I bought this one I was worried that I would be burnt out on the same writer. However, Saul maintains a high standard in storytelling. Even if you can guess the plot, the way the story moves is always entertaining. Saul is consistently good.

Second Child by John Saul was the most chilling book I've ever read. It kept my attention and wouldn't let go. This was writting at its best. Phylis was the very personification of the overbearing mother. I felt sorry for Melissa throughout the whole novel, and Terry got what she deserved at the end. I loved it, and my friends loved it too. I would recommend this book to anyone.