The Sorrow King [Kindle Edition]

Andersen Prunty (Author)

Book Description

The papers call it “The Suicide Virus.” The teenagers of Gethsemane, Ohio, are killing themselves at an alarming rate.

Steven Wrigley is trying to survive his senior year of high school, still reeling from the death of his mother and adjusting to life with his father. Along the way, he meets a girl who becomes another kind of obsession: Elise Devon.

Elise’s secrets keep her distanced from everyone. She has a special place she calls the Obscura. She goes there when she is depressed or angry. The Obscura makes her feel like nothing she’s ever felt before. When she loses herself to the Obscura, she fears she also gives herself to something much darker, something much more powerful. Something calling itself the Sorrow King.

Who is the Sorrow King?

He is carved from wood and bone.

He smells like wax, dead leaves, and memories.

He travels by moonlight and drinks the sorrow of others.

Can love exact vengeance on a monster made from madness, depression, and misery? Or will the Sorrow King bleed the town dry before satiating himself and moving on?

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The Sorrow King strives on its relateable characters and slow- building menace. The book is an absorbing fine read, while managing to ask important questions about suicide. - Fangoria

Horror fans DO NOT want to miss this. - Nick Cato, Horror Fiction Review

Product Details

• File Size: 607 KB
• Print Length: 297 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0982628161
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Grindhouse Press (March 26, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B004U2A32O
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,310 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Sorrow King's nearly flawless execution(s) August 8, 2011

By M. Kleine

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The Sorrow King is one splendid and interesting read! While it certainly asks more questions than it answers, it still manages to tell an absolutely compelling horror story about the imagination and its power of persuasion. Prunty doesn't attempt to impress the reader with any twists or last-minute M. Night Shyamalan moments here, rather, he focuses on the dialogue, setting and story arc to create the rather unique tale of the Sorrow King. The book itself is neatly split into three different sections, with chapters individually labeled and titled, often offering subtle clues to the events about to unfold. Prunty also does an interesting thing with perspective throughout the book, as he switches characters at least three separate times to explain certain events.

This is important: halfway through the book, Prunty also writes a story within a story, detailing the exact origin of the Sorrow King. While this is a nice stylistic touch, it actually functions as an aid to the plot. The prose itself is written in such a beautiful manner that the origin-story instantly reminded me of authors like Gabriel García Márquez and Haruki Murakami. Furthermore, the actual book itself follows a similar prose-style, similar to the origin-story: simple and easy to follow yet still engaging and extremely thought-provoking. THE SORROW KING is not as bizarre as some of his other texts but still a success and definitely should not be overlooked.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Latest (and Possibly Greatest) from One of the Best. July 3, 2011

By Joshua M. Myers

Format:Paperback

If you've read any of my previous reviews for books by Andersen Prunty, you'll realize it's no secret that I'm a big fan. I got hooked when I first read "The Overwhelming Urge", and it's only gotten better since. His latest book, Grindhouse Press' sixth release "The Sorrow King" is no exception. In fact, I'd venture to say that it is Mr. Prunty's best work to date.

Make no mistake, "The Sorrow King" is not a `fun' read. It isn't light, and there's little happiness or levity to be found. What it is, however, is startlingly effective and accurate in its depictions of depression and anxiety. Too often I've read books with cartoonish caricatures of the depressed, sulking teenager or the strung-out parent, but Prunty brings a harsh reality that occasionally feels a little too real.

The characters developed in this book are believable and easily accessible, which makes their plight all the more horrible. Anyone who has struggled with depression or felt the stifling effect of anxiety will recognize the misery these characters live in. Prunty forces you to feel what they feel, and it is, at times, incredibly unpleasant. But it adds a great depth to the book, which isn't easy to come by.

In short, "The Sorrow King" deserves to be a best-seller. This is a book that should be prominently displayed in bookstores around the globe. Readers the world over should be singing the praises of Prunty. So do your part and BUY THIS BOOK.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars I need answers.... must keep reading October 11, 2011

By mikej

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Throughout the first 75% of the book I felt I couldn't put it down. There was just so mcuh suspense. So many interesting questions just waiting to be answered. This is a horror/suspense book and a very well written one at that. Unlike most horror books that are about action this is all about the dialogue. I really wouldn't be able to give a proper synopsis (beyond what it in the item description) without giving too much away b/c the action/story itself wouldn't be much to explain. The characters were very well developed and you really could feel the creepy sense of what was going on. I would have given the book 5 stars but felt the last 25% of the book did not keep up with the feeling and style of the rest of the book. It almost felt like the author rushed to put a close to the book. Not because things were brought to a close quickly, just that the writing style did not retain the same sense of style in my opinion. I got this as an ebook for my kindle strictly based on the reviews as I had never heard of this author. I was hooked very early on with the writing style. I am usually into more action packed horror books but after reading this I will certainly try other books by this author.

More About the Author

Andersen Prunty is the author of FU*KNESS and HI I'M A SOCIAL DISEASE, among other books. He lives in Dayton, Ohio.