Author - Simon Holt
ISBN - 0316035734
Publication Date - September 2008
Plot - Reggie is a teen whose life has been marred by many sad occurrences, including being abandoned by her mother. She has a friend Aaron, and a brother Henry who are kind of her life. She has an appreciation for all things that are considered horror, which is why its not a surprise that she is fascinated by a journal entry in a book store she works for about this evil called the "Vours."
The "Vours," according to the journal, is supposed to come out every Winter Solstice and take over the bodies of the unsuspecting. What Reggie starts off believing is simply a myth, starts to take whole new dimensions as she finds the personality of her brother changing in drastic ways after the Winter Solstice. Her brother who was a picture of innocence now is developing a scary personality, where he is not beyond tearing up his stuffed animals, and drowning his pet hamster in the toilet.
Reggie and her friend then try to find out what is really going on with her brother. She finds that with the Vours they devour the soul and the real soul is left floating in some kind of other reality called the fearscape. Reggie then pursues him in there, finding all sorts of nightmarish realities that make a real impact on her. She must face all of her fears, and the many fears of Henry to save her brother from this harrowing reality.
The "Vours," according to the journal, is supposed to come out every Winter Solstice and take over the bodies of the unsuspecting. What Reggie starts off believing is simply a myth, starts to take whole new dimensions as she finds the personality of her brother changing in drastic ways after the Winter Solstice. Her brother who was a picture of innocence now is developing a scary personality, where he is not beyond tearing up his stuffed animals, and drowning his pet hamster in the toilet.
Reggie and her friend then try to find out what is really going on with her brother. She finds that with the Vours they devour the soul and the real soul is left floating in some kind of other reality called the fearscape. Reggie then pursues him in there, finding all sorts of nightmarish realities that make a real impact on her. She must face all of her fears, and the many fears of Henry to save her brother from this harrowing reality.
Critical Review- Simon Holt has certainly created a fascinating concept in the genre of horror. Everyone seems to have their own sets of fears in life, and some people seem to have more than others. What happens if you have to face all of your fears and the many fears of another person in order to save them. Many people might decide that it would be best to run away from it entirely, but not Reggie. She goes after her brother and in the process must face some of her worst nightmares. While I believe that this novel does a good job of bringing out the fears and terrors of its individuals, sometimes I think the characters seem like they are a little too simply drawn and almost caricatures of themselves. Reggie is the tough older sister who is brave and protective of her younger brother. The brother is an overly scared little child who seems to fear almost everything. I think Holt would have created a far more interesting novel if she had made the characters themselves more complex with different strengths and weaknesses.
Reader's Annotation- There is nothing to fear but fear itself. But when fear itself is after you, do you stick around, or do you run and hide? Simon Holt explores this in his novel, the Devouring.
About the Author- Simon Holt has been fascinated by all things horror from a young age. In high school he began writing for a horror fanzine. He is said to have developed it himself and overused the school copier to try to publish it. Despite the detention he received, he kept up with his horror writing, eventually publishing books or which Devouring is the first in the series.
While I am writing this as what I could find on Simon Holt, I have to say that I cannot confirm or corroborate any of this as it was found as suspect information on a website. When looking at wikipedia, the link to the author of The Devouring took me to a musician. Some have speculated that the novel was produced by a team or writers, somewhat like the Harlequin Romance series.
While I am writing this as what I could find on Simon Holt, I have to say that I cannot confirm or corroborate any of this as it was found as suspect information on a website. When looking at wikipedia, the link to the author of The Devouring took me to a musician. Some have speculated that the novel was produced by a team or writers, somewhat like the Harlequin Romance series.
Genre- Horror
Curriculum Ties - Discuss the nature of Myths. What are some of the myths about the Solstice? Compare the Winter Solstice with the spring Solstice. (History and Literature)
Booktalking Ideas - Have everyone discuss what some of the things they fear are. Discuss what makes each of those things scary.
Reading Level/Interest Age - Grade 10+
Challenge Issues - Killing of animals and nature of fears may have some parents afraid it will give kids nightmares.
Overcoming Challenge - Have a list of phobias that parents can discuss with their teens, including ridiculous ones like triskaidekaphobia. Encourage parents to discuss with their teens what things they are afraid of and show them that some fear is not based in reality.
Overcoming Challenge - Have a list of phobias that parents can discuss with their teens, including ridiculous ones like triskaidekaphobia. Encourage parents to discuss with their teens what things they are afraid of and show them that some fear is not based in reality.
Why Included - The cover and the hook on the book fascinated me.
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