By Matthew J. Barbour
Among modern horror writers, few are as prolific as Brian Keen. He has been hailed as the next Stephen King and the future of horror literature. His novels, such as Ghoul and Risewas released to critical acclaim. Darkness on the Edge of TownAfter that, Keane continues to write in an accessible, engaging style that leaves the reader eager to learn more.
The comparisons to Stephen King are not without merit. Darkness on the Edge of Town Similar to some of King’s works, including mist and under the domeOne day, the residents of Walden, Virginia, woke up to find darkness. The world they knew had vanished. The town of about 11,000 people lost all communications with the outside world, and the sky and surrounding areas were completely dark. The residents had no idea what was happening, or why.
Runes or talismans stand at the edge of town, keeping the darkness at bay. Those foolish enough to cross these protective barriers will never be seen again. Yet their screams echo from the darkness. There is nowhere to escape.
Almost immediately, the fabric of society begins to unravel. It’s the end of the world, a different kind of apocalypse, but an apocalypse nonetheless. Resources begin to dwindle. Crime begins to rise. People begin to regress to their more primitive selves. What causes them to do this? Is it the stress of the situation or something more sinister?
Brian Keen is known for his use of cosmic horror in his work. Darkness on the Edge of Town Although I won’t name the oldest of these, darkthis particular entity also appears in the works of Ramsay Campbell and Howard Phillips Lovecraft, among others.
The biggest criticism of this book is its open ending. There is no ending. There is not even a real climax. The reader is left to understand and interpret for themselves what happened at Walden Pond, Virginia.
Parts are present, but the book doesn’t quite work as a coherent whole. While there’s plenty to keep the reader glued to the pages, Darkness on the Edge of Town fails to give a satisfying ending. For fans of Keene, this may not matter. All the details are there, such as the pop culture references, melancholic setting and nods to early horror writers. However, Darkness on the Edge of Town This isn’t the best advice for readers who are discovering Brian Keene for the first time. Ghoul or Rise First experience of Keane at his best.
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score: 3/5
