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Faces of Fear: A Novel : Horror Book Reviews
Title: Faces of Fear: A Novel
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Author: John Saul
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Review of Faces of Fear: A Novel
New York Times bestselling author John Saul is a master at writing novels that chill the bones, curdle the blood, and tap into our darkest fears. He creates characters so real that you’ll feel as if they’re friends or family, and throws them into situations so terrifying that you won’t be able to look away until you turn the final page. Now, in Faces of Fear, Saul proves that there’s a fine line between perfection and madness.
Fifteen-year-old Alison Shaw may not be beautiful, but she doesn’t really care: She’d much rather read a good book than primp in front of a mirror anyway. But Alison’s gorgeous mother, Risa, knows that beauty can be a key to success and wishes only the best for her daughter, especially when Risa marries a widowed plastic surgeon and moves Alison from Santa Monica to Bel Air. Beauty may be only skin deep, but to the denizens of Bel Air it means the world. Everywhere mother and daughter look, they are surrounded by beautiful people, many of whom have benefited from the skills of Alison’s new stepfather, the charismatic Peter Dunn. Peter is certain he can turn Alison into a vision of loveliness, and Risa–drawn in by his cool confidence–is delighted. Reluctantly, Alison agrees to undergo the first procedure, and her transformation begins.
But soon Alison discovers a picture of Peter’s first wife. To Alison’s horror, she notices a resemblance between the image in the photo and the work her stepfather is doing on her. Though Risa refuses to acknowledge the strange similarity, Alison becomes increasingly frightened. Digging further into her stepfather’s murky past, Alison uncovers dark secrets–and even darker motives–and realizes that her worst fears are fast becoming her reality.
Fifteen-year-old Alison Shaw may not be beautiful, but she doesn’t really care: She’d much rather read a good book than primp in front of a mirror anyway. But Alison’s gorgeous mother, Risa, knows that beauty can be a key to success and wishes only the best for her daughter, especially when Risa marries a widowed plastic surgeon and moves Alison from Santa Monica to Bel Air. Beauty may be only skin deep, but to the denizens of Bel Air it means the world. Everywhere mother and daughter look, they are surrounded by beautiful people, many of whom have benefited from the skills of Alison’s new stepfather, the charismatic Peter Dunn. Peter is certain he can turn Alison into a vision of loveliness, and Risa–drawn in by his cool confidence–is delighted. Reluctantly, Alison agrees to undergo the first procedure, and her transformation begins.
But soon Alison discovers a picture of Peter’s first wife. To Alison’s horror, she notices a resemblance between the image in the photo and the work her stepfather is doing on her. Though Risa refuses to acknowledge the strange similarity, Alison becomes increasingly frightened. Digging further into her stepfather’s murky past, Alison uncovers dark secrets–and even darker motives–and realizes that her worst fears are fast becoming her reality.
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Comments for Faces of Fear: A Novel
- Posted on 2009-11-01
Storylines right out of current events.
Avid reader of John Saul found this book to be among the best of his modern works, Yes, sometimes predictable but is still enjoyable. Gore hounds will probably love it. I've read some very bigoted reviews regarding a few gay characters, such as, "pushing the homosexual agenda" (?!?) Some of these "reviewers" (bigots) actually try to insult Mr. Saul by claiming he must be "coming out". Well NEWS FLASH... JOHN SAUL IS GAY. To claim he's "pushing an agenda", is idiotic. The man has written over 30 novels and this contains his first true gay characters. So lets move on. This book also contains some great political shots which also are rare in a Saul novel, there a great subtle one regarding FOX news. To me this book seemed that Saul was finally feeling courageous enough to throw a little personal points of view into his work. I would not recomend this to a first time Saul reader, for that it would be "THE UNLOVED", "SECOND CHILD",SUFFER THE CHILDREN","NATHANIEL". But a fun read none the less.
- Posted on 2009-10-27
I want my money back !
The first thing I want to say is "I WANT MY MONEY BACK!!!" I am not a John Saul fan and after this book I probably never will be. This book is a farce and the plot is ridiculously bad. John, if you are reading this, can you imagine all the "Faces of Disbelief" when your readers find out the identity of the "psycho computer genius".
- Posted on 2009-08-24
I actually liked this book
I normally do not read horror, but John Saul slips in a good "thriller" from time to time. This book actually kept my interest. Although, I pretty much knew where the plot was going, it still had an interesting journey to get there. I would read another of John Saul's "thrillers".
- Posted on 2009-05-24
Gay
This book seemed to promote homosexuality. I started to read it but as soon as I got to the whole thing with her husband leaving her for another man and she just accepts it and all the gay stuff i threw the book away without finishing it. I think John Saul is coming out the closet in this book-I'm not surprised though. I was a die hard fan up until this novel. The gay stuff was over done and unnecessary, and her as his wife just "accepting it" is unrealistic. Save the gay stuff for gay audiences.
But I'm done with John Saul.
- Posted on 2009-03-24
What a disappointment!
I have read every one of John Saul's books, and this one by far disappointed me beyond belief. You could easily tell where the story was going and while it was a fast read, it was a book I cannot in good conscience recommend to anyone!
However, having read all of John Saul's books, I fully believe his next one will be back to his usual standards of suspense, and a fun read. Don't disappoint me John!!
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