by Joe Hill – One of my favorite things to do is to discover a new artist, whether musician, actor or writer. Well, it’s a new year and what better way to start it than to find a new-to-me author, in this case, Joe Hill. He’s not trading on his mega-famous father’s name or reputation, although you can definitely see that he has a similar flair for language and for the macabre. (His dad, by the way? Stephen King. Yes, that Stephen King.)
Heart-Shaped Box is a terrific read. Hill jumps headfirst into the supernatural, laying it beautifully over the mundane world. The weird and freaky build quickly and the stakes climb throughout the book. The conclusion (don’t worry, no spoilers here) is satisfying and logical, given the parameters of Hill’s created world.
I have Hill’s most recent book (Horns) standing by. If it’s anywhere as good as this one, his debut novel, I will love it. Highly recommended. (finished 1/2/11)
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