The Devouring (The Devouring Series #1)

Reviewed by Samantha Clanton, aka "Harlequin Twilight" for TeensReadToo.com

Reggie Halloway is a freshman in high school, she's a bit awkward, and since her mother left her family, she has had to take over the household duties and become a "surrogate-mother" for her younger brother, Henry.

Reggie is a horror junkie. She can recall the works of Poe and Lovecraft from memory, but she also tries to make her little brother braver by reading him some of these same stories. While at work in a local horror bookstore, Reggie comes across a journal titled The Devouring, which contains the scribbling and drawings of someone that would put a madwoman to shame.

This journal contains the creepy, shiver-inducing story of The Vours. The Vours are these demonic, creepy-as-hell beings that inhabit a host on Sorry Night (it's December 22), then devour their fear and take over. They turn your brother, sister, friend, or loved one into a hollow shell of what they once were.

Then Henry starts acting strange - he becomes dark, cold, distant, mean. Reggie, with the help of her nerdy but enjoyable friend Aaron, comes to realize that what they wrote off as the musings of a lunatic are true. These creatures not only exist but they have taken Henry.

Reggie then has to find out what happens when your deepest fears become reality. She needs to learn how to save the people she cares for by figuring out how to survive within a world that's one big nightmare. She has to decide if she can devour her own fears before those fears devour not only her, but also the people she loves.

Talk about scary. This is not a story for the faint of heart. Sometimes the imagery is so vivid that you can picture it within your head. If you've never had a story that stayed in your head, then be prepared, because after reading THE DEVOURING it sticks for a bit.

For me, at least, the story has made me think more about my own fears. Could I be so terrified that my guard was so low as to allow a demon into my head and let it put me in my own personal form of Hell? I don't think so, but you never know. You must conquer your fears, before they conquer you.

It's a terrifying story, but terrifying in a good way. Put on some happy music, and settle in for a horrifying, yet fascinating, ride.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Pretty scary but very good. It definatley keeps you on your toes wantifng more.

This book was really good and im starting the second. There were a couple unexpected twists but thats what makes the book good.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Page turner

I read it on a sick day at home, and thought it was an intense page turner that captured my interest by the end of the prologue. With a repeted rhyme that could be said by an insane child in a horror flick, this tale is sure to chill you. It will have you flipping page after page, a great read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Chell

Very good ! Very creative ! If they make a movie I hope they do not ruin it !

Freaky and fantastic!

I love this book, yes it could be gory and freaky at times but it kept me on my toes and wanting more. Already bought the next two! I would not read this though if you don't like graphic scary scenes.

It was chillling

It made me want to keep turning the pages!!! It is a wonderful book for people who like thriller books. It has made me so scared at one point to where i had to close it. But it was fantastic & i cant wait to check out the next one!!!! (:

Perfect Pulse Raiser

I read this book on a whim. One of my friends got it from the library and I borrowed it from her. Within a few chapters I was hooked! The fear is written so well that it exudes from the pages and raised my pulse at each turn. It is for specific readers though, it is scary and causes nightmares if you aren't careful. This series has become one of my favorites. The story is original and will keep you guessing throughout the entire series! This is a definite must read for horror fans!!

The best book ever!!!!!!!

Omg i love love loved this book! At times it was really scary and made you want to close the book but you couldnt because it was just so good and you had to know what happens next!

You will love this book! (And be scared!)

This book is one of the best books I've ever read, and I would recomend it highly. It is about a girl named Reggie who, along with her best friend Aaron, discovers the existance of "Vours", who posses scared people on the winter solstice.

I loved the characters, my favorite was Aaron, and the plot was fantastic. The only problem I had was that it was a little difficult to read sometimes, and I found myself backtracking. But overall this is a great book for anyone over 12.

sleep with the lights off. . .

the first time i read this book, it scared me to death. the fact that you can never tell who the vours are creeped me out the most. they could be anywhere and you would never know it until it was too late. the best part about the book was that it wasnt cliched at all (well some of the fears were but the actual plot line was not). most horror stories make you want to sleep with your lights on but this one will have you making sure that your lights are off since that is what attracts the vours to you. i recommend this book to anyone and everyone. you will not regret it, it is so good. you should also look up the british cover. it is gruesome.

Things that go bump in the night!

The Devouring has to be one of the most disturbing books I have read in a long time, probably ever! And its a teen novel!! But I mean it in a good way. The book is very creative in its story line and development of the plot it excellent. The characters are very round and complex. The mood and theme are extremely dark. The description is some of the best I have read in a long time. Although, the details get quite descriptive and a little gory when the story gets into the climax. Not what I expected at all! But all together a really good read, one time though for me. The depth the author goes to in describing how the psyche develops our most intense fears is amazing and chilling to the bone. Definitely and unforgettable book. I reccomend for anyone who likes dark and macabre stories, or Stephen King/Anne Rice.

Good Book:)

Edgy, thrilling, a real page turner.

Lovers of R.L. Stein and Stephen King will devour this book....

This book is more adult then R.L. Stein, but not as graphic as stephen king, so if you would want a book a little bit more mature then R.L. Stein, but not as gorry as stephen King this is the perfect novel for you.

i loved it! : )

This was my first real horror book but i completly loved it. At first i thought it was just going to be one of those little ghost storys but then i finished it and i am getting my sister to read it. tis book really made me get into horror books so i do recomend it.

p.s. cant wait for the sequil!

loved it

I loved this book, The characters were realistic and the writing was good along with the plot, which alwyas makes a good book. Can't wait for The Soulstice.

Devour in a sitting

I really liked this book. It kept my interest throughout the entire reading and made me want to read more. I really look forward to other books by Simon Holt like these.

A Book to DeVour

This book was amazing, I could not put it down. It was edgy with a new horror type. Also great suspense I will be waiting for the next book.

Definitely a MUST read

My 1st horror novel. And i have to say AMAZING book. Spine tingling and pretty disturbing. I slept with the lights on my 1st night reading it. The plot twist was incredible. More like I didnt see it coming. Great book. I recommend it to those who enjoy suspense and being creeped out. Hope a sequel is coming out soon. :)

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