Author: Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Published: Phoenix, 2011
Synopsis: 1943. As war sweeps across Europe, Max Carver's father moves his family away from the city, to an old wooden house on the coast. But as soon as they arrive, strange things begin to happen: Max discovers a garden filled with eerie statues; his sisters are plagued by unsettling dreams and voices; a box of old films opens a window to the past. Most unsettling of all are rumours about the previous owners and the mysterious disappearance of their son. As Max delves into the past, he encounters the terrifying story of the Prince of Mist, a sinister shadow who emerges from the night to settle old scores, then disappears with the first mists of dawn . . . Originally published in Spain as a young adult novel, THE PRINCE OF MIST is a mesmerising tale of mystery, romance and adventure.
from Amazon.co.uk
Star parts: This book scared the bejasus out of me. I went through a phase as a teenager where I read a lot of Stephen King and Clive Barker. The two of them made me decide that I preferred the real world with all its real horrors than what their imaginations could whip up, so basically I don't do horror anymore. And evidently I didn't realise this was scary when my LOVELY crit partner leant it to me. I put this as a star part because although I am a complete wimp now, Zafon gets it just right. He creeps you right out so that you have to snuggle closer to your cat/loved one/pillow and then he moves us right out to something that we can deal with like a brother and sister relationship, when they both realise that they're moving into adulthood and can stand each other again. That is explored brilliantly. There's a bit of 'lurve' action (I always went through a bit of a Mills & Boon phase and that has possibly left more scars than King and Barker) and it didn't make me go 'yeurghK'. It's not totally scary though. There's obviously the element of a good old mystery tale, where we need to find out who did what and how it will all end. 
Black clouds: It's been a while since I read it, but I'm left with this feeling of certain things left unanswered, not big things, but little niggly things. We also never quite know where the story takes places, which for some reason bothered me. When you're reading in translation I always wonder about stuff, and maybe that's why it so bothered me.
Do I recommend it: Bien sur! OK it's scary and all, and I don't do scary, but Zafon can tell a story and create such an atmosphere that you can almost feel smoke curling around your feet and your stomach tense up as Max opens the gate...
6 comments:
Hi, Michelle, thanks for the awards! Enjoyed this book review. I haven't read this book, but I did like The Shadow of the Wind. Looking forward to more of your reviews.
Haven't heard of this book before but it sounds interesting. I also went through a Stephen King faze but then I read Carrie and it got a little too freaky for me. Now I stick to watching his movie (because I can close my eyes when it gets too bad)
Hi Elizabeth, glad you like the presents! The reviews may slow up a bit after this one! I've been stuck on Cloud Atlas for ages! The Shadow of the Wind was on special offer in Waterstones the last time I was in the UK, but they've stopped doing the 3 for 2, which I think is good... but this is a long comment to say I'll add it to my TBR
And Clare, yeah King's books are SCARY! Apart from On Writing I haven't read one for ages as I'm a wus. This is just about doable for me.
I like this book title a lot. Thanks for the review.
Gotta love scary things. Haven't heard of this one before
Weird... I was convinced that I had commented here! Anyway, Hi Rachna, it's great to see you here again and yes the title is good. And Kelley you are a braver woman than me.
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