Customer Reviews

Under The Overtree

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I can't delude myself into thinking this was a great read, but there are enough nuggets here to make it an entertaining and marginally satisfying way to spend a few afternoons.

First, the bad stuff. Moore attempts to present a panoramic cross-section of small-town characters here, but juggling the enormous cast is a bit beyond his ability at this point. As a result, the plot jumps in fits and starts as the main character is left out of the story for many pages at a time, and actually becomes more of an afterthought rather than a driving force by the book's final third. In fact, I cared little about him (and as a result, about any character) by the end of the story. Beyond a general lack of character development and care, Moore brings us yet another "alien meteor come to earth" centerpiece, although he does handle it with more skill than a lesser writer might. Finally, this book was in dire need of an editor with an ear for the cliche. Moore has a tendency to write like he's authoring a bad D&D module rather than a novel. An experienced editor could have challenged his creaky and lazy prose in a good many spots.

But there are many bright points here as well. Moore handles action scenes as well as anyone. He has that real writer's ability to give just enough description to throw you into the scene, but not so much that the action slows. Despite the fact that his characters are kind of lifeless, he does have a great knack for using character actions and decisions to advance the plot. His ear for dialogue is a little tinny, but his characters are always doing something that makes the story move. Moore also has a nice way of tossing around the gore, which I always appreciate. I hope he plays to this strength in the future, and here's my advice: "More Gore, Moore!"

Under the Overtree tells the story of Mark Howell, an awkward, overweight teenager, who, as 'the new kid in town', is a natural target for the bullies who plague his high school. Although Mark briefly manages to avoid the thugs, he is eventually cornered in a nearby wood and takes a savage beating. During the assault, he strikes his head on a stone; his blood spills over the stone, awakening 'the Folk,' a clan of supernatural beings who come to embrace Mark as 'the One.' They become his guardian angels, protecting him from harm, literally remaking him, increasing his physical and mental prowess and turning him into one of the most popular kids in school. But the Folk's intentions are not entirely charitable. In fact, they are molding Mark to suit their own dark purposes. Mark's ultimate fate is uncertain: unless his 'becoming' is halted, he may spend eternity as a pawn of his benefactors.

First novels are truly a mixed bag; reviewers can be awed and excited by unexpected brilliance or, just as often, bewildered by utter ineptitude. Fortunately, most efforts fall somewhere between these two extremes: unpolished, but competent and promising. Under the Overtree fits within this latter category...the book has a raw energy that keeps you turning pages. Part of this is due to Moore's great affinity for his characters-Mark Howell and the rest of the cast are vividly rendered. A great example of this is the colorful demon fighter John Crowley, who, despite his late entrance, manages to steal almost every scene he's in.

In brief, I recommend Under the Overtree for its story. It's a gripping exploration of the old saw, 'Be careful what you wish for, because you just may get it.'

Horror fiction, like so many genres, is frequently dismissed because of the repetitiveness of themes that plague the genre. Sturgeon's law, of course, ensures that most "typical" vampire or post-apocalypse novels do more damage to the genre's reputation than good. But every once in a while, one of the top authors takes a classic plotline and tells a tale that makes you completely reconsider everything you know about the genre. James Moore's Under the OverTree is one such novel.

Moore's tale is a variation on the classic power-comes-with-puberty theme explored so well in Stephen King's Carrie and Bentley Little's Dominion, and which has become cliché thanks to the likes of John Saul. But Moore takes this classic theme and twists it in some truly unique ways, and his vision turns a familiar subject into one of the most original and enjoyable horror novels I've read.

Under the Overtree tells the story of Mark Howell, an awkward teenager who has just moved to the Colorado town of Summitville. He's not exactly the most socially adept teen anyway, and the local bullies are naturally drawn to him. And, of course, the beautiful girl of his dreams isn't. With the usual teen desires of revenge and sex, he's the perfect conduit for a supernatural force that wants revenge.

That's when Moore adds an urban fantasy (although, given the small-town location, count this as another argument for Windling's "mythic fantasy" term fazing out UF) layer to things, as, instead of the usual suspects -- the ghost of a witch, or a Manitou, or Satan -- we have the local Fae, awakened by the spilling of Mark's pure blood. They help Mark get all that he wants, as they groom him to be their instrument of revenge, eliminating anyone who gets in their way.

Although the various twists and turns are always enjoyable, what makes Moore's novel really shine is his ability to create intriguing and original characters. Mark is aided in his journey by P.J. Sanderson, a local horror author (tempting as it is to play guessing games here -- is Sanderson an avatar for Moore? Is he a nod towards a fellow author? -- Moore makes him a fully-realized character in his own right) and John Crowley, a magical troubleshooter who is the only one who knows how to defeat the Fae. The entire supporting cast, down to the last bully, is fully realized -- each of them is someone you could easily know (well, maybe not Crowley). The essence of a great horror novel is making sure that the characters encountering unbelievable situations are themselves believable, and Moore accomplishes this with craftsman's precision.

Jim Moore has come a long way since his early White Wolf days. With Under the OverTree, he has leapt into the forefront of the horror genre, establishing himself as a writer to be reckoned with. He has told one of the best horror stories of the last few years, and proven that a good author can turn a clichéd plot into something truly special. Anyone looking for a change of pace from the typical horror novel would be well-rewarded by picking up this novel

Mr.Moore owes me for several nights sleep. First, for those when I couldn't put the book down while I was reading it. Then for those after I finished it and still couldn't stop thinking about it. If you ever experienced being the new kid in town this book will awaken old memories, many of which will make you cringe. The only difference is that you weren't capable of supernatural vengance, and for that you should be grateful. "Under the Overtree" takes the tired old adage about being careful what you wish for and gives it a couple of sharp twists. I strongly recommend this book to any horror fan who has a couple of nights sleep he or she doesn't mind losing.

Have you ever read a book that was written so well, so detailed, that it played out in your mind like a movie? I mean you could just picture everthing and everyone like you were there. That is this book. Only because I have 2 kids and had to eat and sleep did I put this book down! I am an avid reader, and very few authors capture me, John Saul being at the top of my list, but this book definately rated a recomended reading from me! I look forward to reading more works by Mr.Moore.

One of these days James A. Moore is going to be a big name in horror. Under the Overtree is a pretty good way to get a career started. Take one picked on teen: Mark, fat, unattractive to girls but not to bullies, and unhappy at home and add a supernatural power source and you've got an exciting story. My only gripe is the ending which seemed tacked on, predictable and rushed. The book would've been better served without the last few pages.

Was this book worth the money? Yes. Should you rush out to get the next Moore book? Oh yes! Check it out.

i thoroughly enjoyed this book, and, even though it is not my style to read horror books, i will read the rest of Mr. Moore's books, starting with Possessions and working my way backwards. i have heard that fireworks is an amazing book, and I know that Serenity Falls has been nominated for the Bram Stoker Award!!!!!!
This seems to be an author to keep one's eyes on!
bye
randy

The actual rating I give this book is 3 and 1/2 stars. This is my first experience with James Moore and after reading, "Under the Overtree", it won't be my last. Although the book is a little long, Moore somehow keeps things quite engaging with his detail of characters and his skill of quickly moving scenes. I found a lot of spelling errors throughout this book -- which unfortunately seems fairly common in Leisure's titles these days. Moore's writing is mostly smooth, but I found a few times where his sentence structure confused me and I had to re-read sections numerous times to figure out what was going on. Another issue I had with the book was the scare factor... there really wasn't any. James A. Moore is a solid writer, but his scenes of horror are still a little conservative. With all that aside, I had a lot of fun with this book and look forward to reading his newer novel "Fireworks" and "Possessions".

Meisha Merlin is a publisher to keep your eyes on. Every bookthat I've received from them has been of the highest quality. Icannot find words enough to express my excitement at receiving ARCs of such obviously high standards. Though once I'd started reading, Under The Overtree, I wasn't positive that I would like it. It seemed to be a mediocre tale told often of a nerdy kid, new in town, and all the baloney that he endures. Upon further reading, it became ever so much more with complexity upon complexity. Though listed as a tale of dark fantasy it could be a horror story to chill your bones when your home is dark and you are not quite sure just what is making that noise under the bed. On the surface, but only on the surface, it is indeed the standard tale of a nerd who is new in town and all that normally accompanies such a story. Mark Howell, the nerd of which I speak, has endured much in his life. James Moore is perhaps the most talented writer of this genre to date.END

Reading the quotes acclaiming what a huge talent that has arrived in the horror genre put an unfair pressure on this novel before I even began reading it.
The tale(maccabre of course) of a small town in Colorado and the angst and pain of new citizen and high school student Mark Howell who at the beginning is slightly overweight to fit in is a creppy story well-told.
Moore foreshadows the psychological as well as physical changed being worked on Mark quite well. His supporting cast of characters while not fully flushed out are not 2 dimensional stereotypes or caractitures either. The bully grows with the narrative and Moore allows his character to evolve during the story, for which he deserves much credit.
In fact he did many things well in this novel, and there were echoes of King in the writing making the comparision not completely unsuitable. However his length and the fact that this novel could have been much scarier forced me to give it three stars in my humble review. An excellent effort with room to improve.