Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Be careful what you agree to..., April 1, 2005
Covenant is spine tingling and addictive. John Everson delivers a twisted treat that is loaded with suspense, a strong multifaceted plot, and taut characters. His words and imagery give us a firsthand feel of what it's like to reside in a small town, a place fueled by secrets and driven by fear.
Enter Joe Kiernan, a reporter for the small town of Terrel. After having worked at several fast-paced and prestigious jobs, he looks forward to the change of scenery and the quiet ways of a smaller scale way of life. Until the sad truth bites him in the ass. Stuck with low-level tasks and listening in on police radios for the latest minuscule town's perils, he questions why he bothered. One evening, things come to an abrupt change, but not necessarily for the better. Joe reveals a news story that threatens to pull the rug right out from under the tight-lipped residents. Terrel's Cliff has become the official site of a coincidental string of suicides. Each year, on May 22nd, a child jumps to his or her death. The townspeople try to pretend otherwise, but for five women - it's an event that haunts their every waking moment. A pact, a twisted covenant is revealed, that was entered into over a hundred years ago as the only means of survival. But not survival for the children.
Joe digs into his own investigations, visits an eccentric seer, and tries to get to the bottom of what it is about Terrel's Cliff that compels a child to end their life without so much as a warning? And why have the people accepted it as a normal way of life? The truth as it is revealed, is terrifying and will keep you plowing through the pages. Hidden among the dirty secrets, we learn of a demon with an agenda so powerful, no one is safe. John Everson's style is composed and direct. He gives us believable small town characters, complete with their own set of skeletons and superstitions.
Covenant will whisk you away into a deep embedded darkness, where you are sure to wonder if you'll ever get back out. I highly recommend this fast paced, solid read by an articulate author who has what it takes to give readers exactly what they want.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Impressive Debut By A Talented New Writer, September 29, 2008
I can see why COVENANT won the Stoker Award for best first novel. It's an ambitious story on many levels, and for the most part, Everson pulls it off. A wonderfully creepy first third slides into some predictable patterns, but Everson throws so much danger, sex, and mythology at the reader, you're bound to enjoy yourself. I think he maybe gave too much information away in chapter three, because I would have liked to piece the story together myself as our main character begins his investigation, rather than have the secret given away so soon. I was also confused at some of the decisions some of the characters made... like witnessing an abduction and not calling the police when there was no reason not to, etc.
The author does a nice job keeping the fantastic material grounded in a reality that is believable and sympathetic. Everson's skill as a technical writer is just as strong as his storytelling ability and that is something I don't see very often. Usually someone is much stronger in one area. John Everson seems to have the entire package as a writer and his love for hardcore horror is readily apparent, and one I very much welcome. The pros heavily outweigh the cons in this story and I'm definitely looking forward to reading his new book, SACRIFICE, the sequel to COVENANT.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
AMAZING LITERATURE, January 7, 2009
I purchased this book from John Everson himself at HorrorFest. I LOVE the book. I started reading it right away and was so impressed with the way it was written and how it drew me in and I could almost picture what was happening as I read through it. The story was so dark, yet at the same time there was a somewhat light side to it as well. Great job. I am going to buy other books by this author, they are definitely worth reading.
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