Sometimes I believe the baby will never stop crying. Sixteen-year-old Amanda Verner fears she is losing her mind. When her family move from their small mountain cabin to the vast prairie, Amanda hopes she can leave her haunting memories behind: of her sickly Ma giving birth to a terribly afflicted baby; of the cabin fever that claimed Amanda's sanity; of the boy who she has been meeting in secret...But the Verners arrive on the prairie to find their new home soaked in blood. So much blood. And Amanda has heard stories - about men becoming unhinged and killing their families, about the land being tainted by wickedness. With guilty secrets weighing down on her, Amanda can't be sure if the true evil lies in the land, or within her soul ...
I am a complete and utter wimp. I hate anything vaguely scary, yet I still subject myself to scary books - I have absolutely no idea why though. Daughters Unto Devils was actually an extremely good read, it was also rather terrifying.
Let me set a scene: Me, 22 years old, reading this book. I started it when it was light out, but days in England are getting short again, by the time I finished it the sky was dark. I'm home alone and feel strangely exposed and vulnerable, I look at the clock - 9pm, but it's a Saturday night, my boyfriend works in hospitality! He won't be home for like four hours. I want a bath, but I'm scared of leaving my bedroom. I need to pee, but I'm terrified. All because I read a freaking horror book! Thanks a lot Amy Lukavics, not like I wanted to sleep this year anyway...
Yes, this book was scary. I digress though, because Daughters Unto Devils was a well written read. It's historical, and sort of had the feel of a suspense horror by Stephen King or the Paranormal Activity movies - you know something terrifying is going to happen, but it builds up until it reaches it's peak in the absolutely terrifying final part of the book. Horrifying, I tell you! I have to give it to this author - she really knows how to build the atmosphere. This was a tense read!
I also really like that historical aspect that I mentioned before I went off on one - the setting at the start of the book read a little like an old Virginia Andrews book (I love those books), back before everything went a little of hilter - I also liked the things that Lukavics threw in - Amanda's pregnancy and the alienation from her sister. It was brilliant.
If there is one - one - problem that I had with book (aside from the fact that I am now living without sleep), it's that Lukavics mentions Amanda's history and how she went a little but insane the previous winter but doesn't elaborate much. I think it would have really helped to set a scene if there was more of that, but maybe that is just me.
Overall though, I think we can say that Daughters Unto Devils is one of the best horror books I have ever read. It had the atmosphere, the suspense, the isolation and the terrifying climax that really worked together, and I would read anything from this author again - though maybe making sure I stock up on sleep before I do so!
Book released 1st October by Simon and Schuster UK
Book received from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review
I love a good horror story, so I'm excited to read this. I have a copy although the American version's cover isn't nearly as cool as that one! Hope you get a good night's sleep soon! 😃
ReplyDeleteI love a good horror story, so I'm excited to read this. I have a copy although the American version's cover isn't nearly as cool as that one! Hope you get a good night's sleep soon! 😃
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