Customer Reviews

Shadow Child (Hardscrabble Books-Fiction of New England)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I read Deus-X a few years ago and had waited to read more of Citro's work. However, there has not been much out, but I was glad to see the re-release of this series. Shadow Child is the first book of three that are all being re-released.

I greatly enjoyed this book, it is an excellent example of a frightening book that is somewhat based in fantasy and reality. It is un-nerving and impossible to resist. If you like horror that leaves you double checking the locks on the back doors when you go to bed then this is one for you.

Honestly, I had never heard of Joseph Citro, until I stumbled upon a link on Amazon that led me to read about his works. I ordered two books, Shadow Child & Guardian Angels, and was very pleased with both. Shadow Child follows the travails of the Whitcome family, i.e. Clint, Pamela & Luke together with Pam's cousin, Eric Nolan through a New England winter. The Whitcome's house is in a mountainous region in Vermont and its inhabitants are menaced by an ancient race of 'wee folk' called the Gentry...not to give too much away, the storyline is gripping, and the horror is insidious and altogether terrifying. It is a well-told horror story, both atmospheric and frightening...one gets the chills reading about the horrific acts committed by the evil beings, and feels a sense of dread at the menace posed to the family in this story. Citro is a great storyteller, and I think his works are underrated and deserving of a wider audience...his works rank alongside those of Saul's and even King's. I can't wait to read his other works, and only wish he would be more prolific in writing horror fiction.

Shadow Child is a bone chilling horror mystery based on true events. Joseph A. Citro tells the story of a family in a small town in Vermont haunted by a secret civilization. After a long lost cousin returns everything starts going weird in town. All fingers point to (the cousin) Eric. But who knows? Joseph makes this book so interesting because he includes real newspaper clippings to support his events in the story. He also utilizes foreshadowing. So by the time a third of the book is complete you won't be able to put it down until you are completely finished. You want to know what is going to happen to the family. I would recomend this book to everyone.

Joseph Citro has written a masterpiece in keeping me up all night to finish Shadow Child. This book has you engulfed in the content of the story with every sentence. Soon after your Eric's arrival in Vermont, you will not know whether or not anyone will make it out alive from this rustic New England town. All in all, the best book written in years by any horror author. You will be checking the locks on your door(s) before you turn in for the night.

I stayed up very late last night to finish this book, and I was not disappointed (horrified to be sure, but not disappointed!). If you haven't read them yet, I also highly recommend his supernatural tales collections. They beat the heck out of Vermont Life in getting to the real heart of the state!

I have so far loved evrything written by Mr. Citro. This is the most recent thing I have read of his and it didn't let down. Even though I read the sequel first (Guardian Angels) and knew the outcome of this book, I was still riveted. If you love thick, rich charater development, then get this book. It will scare you out of the woods and it will make you care about the charaters. I am going to re-read Guardian Angels soon so that I can enjoy the flow. Brilliant is all that really needs to be said about this book.

I adore well written horror and it is so rare to come by, I absolutely loved this book. It is not easy to creep me out, this book creeped me out good. There are not a lot of scary scenes in Shadow Child, the story is so solid it didn't need a ton of horror filler. After finishing the book I searched on the stone caves in New England, I don't think I could go near one after reading this book.

This riveting book is impossible to put down. It not only leaves you continually surprized, but makes you pause to contemplate the reality that we all take for granted. Set in true-to-life Vermont localities and searingly accurate in its description of contemporary country attitudes.

This book was perhaps the most suspenseful book I have ever read. It has you check the shadows of your room and makes you fear what makes noises at night. You won't want to go hiking alone after you read this book!

this is one of my favorite books and would recomend to anyone who likes a well writen supernatural book