Long before the film there was the written word. Long before we settled down in
front of video or now DVD players for our fright-fests, we would read tales of 
terror by candlelight.
For most, this has been lost, however there are still those that prefer the pages
to celluloid or even both and why not?
This section then is for you. To help you to search through the rubbish and find
stories worth your time to read. If you're an avid reader of horror novels then
why not join 'Castle Dracula' as an official 'staff member' reviewing them.
To do so, just click on the 'Join My Staff' link in the menu to the left for details
of this and other vacancies.

- Hallows Eve -
- Al Sarrantoni -

FROM THE BACK OF THE BOOK:
After twelve years, 'Corrie Phaeder' is returning home to 'Orangefield' - the 
last place in the world he wants to be. 'Orangefield' is a town of nightmares, 
a town where the impossible and the horrific happen all too often, where ghosts
rise screaming from their graves and where trick-or-treating goblins have no 
need for scary costumes. 
Something is waiting patiently for 'Corrie's' homecoming. This Halloween, a 
messenger from a realm of shadows, with the body of a scarecrow and the head 
of a pumpkin, will usher 'Corrie' into what might prove to be his last nightmare, 
a battle to the death with the ultimate darkness. 

THE REVIEW:

"Hallows Eve" ended up being a rather generic, uninteresting read. While the plot 
seemed intriguing from first glance, I never fell into the world of "Samhain" 
and talking head pumpkins the way I would have liked. 
When 'Corrie,' a main character, first arrived home, there was promise. The reader 
was treated with a dreary atmosphere, dangerous forboding, with curious memories 
hinting at delightful traumas. What unraveled instead turned out being as scattered 
as dried October leaves once a strong wind hits them. 
The plot itself wasn't anything to be laughed at; it held its potential and it DID 
deliver on some levels; it just never made it to the finish line.
A treat from this Halloween picnic was the juicy atmosphere. It began with chilling 
feeling of a rainy night, never letting up. The whole town seemed truly alive with 
the season and all it stood for. 
On to the characters: 'Corrie' was hard to latch on to. I was a bit surprised he 
wasn't focused on more either. It sort of was set up where he would be, but instead 
of delving deeper into the hidden horrors of his head, what came out was confusing 
and without as much suspense. I wanted mysteries and great shocks - I got a few - 
but more could have been added in.
The hyperactive little girl, 'Reggie,' seemed real enough and cute, but nothing 
was explored with her psyche either. I feel she was mainly placed in the book for 
plot fodder and little else.
Of all of them, the good ol' homeboy detective, 'Grant,' would be my main picking. 
He was concentrated on more than the others, I felt a bit closer to him (although
was disappointed that more reaction wasn't brought forth over a certain tragedy 
he experiences on the homefront) and his actions seemed to make more sense.
Sure, 'Corrie' was there because "he felt an urge," 'Reggie' was conveniently next 
to Corrie, as a needed "help," but 'Grant' at least had a semblance of purpose there.
While the characters weren't a bad idea, they just didn't exhibit enough passion. 
The story wasn't that weak, but the way the characters interacted with it was. 
If they had shown more feeling, made more sense, then the plot would have lived up 
as well. As it stands, though, this is one dried out pumpkin patch.
"Hallows Eve" starts out in the middle of things, or should I say "the end?" 
It then hints at back story on 'Corrie's' part and continues from there. A good
prologue may have helped matters. Usually it's good to start out when the action 
is really taking off, but here it just didn't feel properly fleshed out. Things
bumped along, lost speed, hit many road blocks along the way and basically crashed. 
The wheels of this novel simply turned into another direction to find the way out 
of the barricade, although not necessarily the most logical one. More paving was 
needed for a smoother drive.
The author, Sarrantoni's style was overall good; the man has obvious talent, but 
without the right direction and characters with chemistry, much of it was wasted 
here. I will be giving him another try, but with slightly held breath.
As a summary, All Hallow's Eve isn't anything new -- it's a twist on an old theme, 
concentrating too much on the practices of Halloween (which has been beaten to 
death already), while showing all its cards up front. I want mysteries and suspense 
damnit! 
The ending failed as well and that, my friends, is one of the worst tricks I can get 
when expecting a treat.

Reviewed By Erin Williams.

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