Lance York's life has not been going according to plan. He's unemployed and having difficulty finding work. His marriage is on the skids and his in-laws think he's a loser. Things are about to go from bad to catastrophic, when he decides to follow a woman, who's behaving oddly and stumbling down the sidewalks of Pittsburgh. Will he survive the destruction of the human race or become another flesh eating monster?
My Review:
Jason Brant has always claimed to be a douche, and after finishing his latest novel, Devoured, I must concur. For those who know him, this revelation will come as no surprise. For those unfamiliar with him, at this time, you may be asking yourself, "What the hell kind of review is this?" Hang tight as I fill you in.
I was given a copy of Devoured in exchange for an honest review. I sat down to begin this book thinking, Eh, I have time to read a chapter or two today and then I have stuff to do. A few chapters later, I thought, One more chapter and then I'm done. Long story short, before I knew it, I was halfway through the book. This is why Jason Brant is a douche. His books are impossible to put down, ergo, I get nothing else done. Okay, technically, that may not qualify him as a douche, but it does qualify him as a damn good writer.
This novel is another prime example of the author's ability to draw you into the world he's creating. There was an awesome sense of experiencing the madness for oneself. The main character's confusion over what was truly happening combined with the uncertainty of what to do next, played very well throughout the entire story and his struggle to survive really had me on the edge of my seat.
Lance is a very likable character. Despite his self described shortcomings, feeling like a miserable failure and suffering from depression, he continued to strive to climb out of that hole. The dissolution of his marriage is heartbreaking at times, and I couldn't help but feel for him as he tried to cope with it on top of everything else. The character, as a whole, is another shining example of the author's skill at creating a hero from the underdog.
The monsters creating all the havoc for our hero are unsettling, to say the least. The descriptions of them were nothing short of fantastic. Here's a little excerpt-
A dozen doctors surrounded the woman from the street.
Her condition had deteriorated dramatically in the few hours since Lance had seen her.
Her eyes were milky and shriveled, like white raisins in their sockets. The veins in her face stood out from her deathly pale, sunken skin.
Her lower jaw hung low, yawning so wide it neared dislocation.
She shrieked again, the shrillness of it stabbing at Lance’s ears despite the wall of glass between them.
Now, if that doesn't give you a shiver worthy visual, I don't know what will. The monsters just get creepier as they mutate but I won't spoil that, you'll just have to pick up the book for yourself.
This book was based off the world created in the author's short story, Lotion, featured in the Apocalypse Anthology. The short story is also great but not a necessary read to follow along. Although, there is a nice little tie in, if you do.
All in all, another awesome offering from the indie master (douche) of horror, Jason Brant. Pick this one up, you won't be sorry.
If you'd like to connect with Jason Brant, you may follow the links to:
His blog
If you'd like to read my reviews for his other works, you may do so by following the links below:
The Dark
Tartarus (West of Hell Book 2)
Sheol (West of Hell Book 3)
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