Pandemonium

Wonderful

I really enjoyed this book. It's a great read for anyone looking for one.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Pandemonium

Simply put, I loved this book. It was the kind of story where I would lose track of how many pages and chapters I had read and would just keep reading into the wee hours of the night. Loaded with thought provoking ideas and tons of pop culture references, Gregory's 'Pandemonium' is the thinking man's 'Exorcist'. More of a speculative fiction novel than anything, this book will please fans of Philip K. Dick without a doubt. The writing is simple, clean and accessible. The characters are, for the most part, fleshed out quite well and the action is pretty enthralling. This is the kind of book where you can simply read it and enjoy, or you can think about it for a little bit and realize it brings up some pretty interesting questions concerning identity. One way or another, for an author's first novel, this was wholly impressive.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

!

This novel was excelent, almost mindblowing in its form. The characters are thick and realistic. The plot and writing style are both engaging and surprising. There are many references to real world culture, past and present, that allows you to KNOW that this is in the real world, and that the real world has a past. The tale twists and bends, never letting up on action. And the END! God, it was incredible. This is a must read! If you like Sci-fi or simply like to read, this is the book to pick up.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

superb young adult fantasy

Demonic possession was first noticed in the 1950s as one hundred demons leap from one person to another infecting thousands. As a child Del Pierce was chosen by Hellion, but with his family and a psychologist, he kicked the demon out. --- Years later, Del never fully recovered from his trauma. Two more incidents as a teen and as an adult has led to Del hearing voices and believing the Hellion has returned to reside in his head. Sleep has become a nightmare as Del hurts people and destroys property. He is hospitalized and receives sleeping pills which help, but is kicked out with little medicine when his insurance runs out. Del goes home to attend the International Conference on Possession hoping that research by Dr. Ram will make him a demon-free zone so he no longer chains himself up at night. At the event Valis the demon (his human host is Philip K. Dick) introduces him to clairvoyant Mother Mariette the Human league soldiers whose vision is a demon free earth want Del contained or dead. --- Although Del Rey labels PANDEMONIUM as a young adult fantasy, the complex surrealistic story line takes a powerful psychological tour of the human mind from predominately Jungian theory. Demons are considered by Jung followers as archetypes of the collective unconscious other theories also abound. However, Del is the key to this superb paranormal psychological thriller as he is the human posterboy of demon possession. This deep complicated thriller is a terrific allegorical tale that through demonic possession takes a fascinating look at mental disorders comparative to what is the acceptable norm. --- Harriet Klausner

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Excellent Mash-up

This book is the ultimate mash-up. Gregory skillfully combines elements of pop culture, blends and bends historical events, and grinds together genres in a way I've never experienced. Set in a world where demonic possession is an accepted, albeit misunderstood, occurrence, we follow Del through his own journey of self-awareness. Possessed at an early age, Del struggles with the after-effects lingering even into his adulthood.

Whether a fan of horror, science fiction, or fantasy, you won't be disappointed. Gregory has a touch of everything in here, all fit together like some masterful jigsaw puzzle of a complex mandala

Highest recommendation! Just what I was looking for!

Just a terrific story! Daryl Gregory shows us a real world, a world we can Identify with, that is struggling to comprehend and deal with this phenomenon of possesion. Are people being possessed by real, supernatural demons, or are they something else? Can they be stopped, contained? The quest to find these answers makes for a real page turner!
I love the way the author takes everyday things and ideas that interest me, like comic books, monster myths, and gives them real substance and importance in the story but in very un-cliche ways.
And the characters, especially Del and his older brother Lew, just ring true for me.
This book kept me surprised and delighted through the entire story. I really hope there's a sequel planned!

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.