ISBN: 0-765-34666-4 Order from: Amazon.com
There are some images and occult investigation in this novel, but the rather strained behavior of the heroine and predictable mystery detract from the suspense of the novel.
Reviewed by David on August 10, 2003
Genre: Fantasy (Occult, Gothic)
Synopsis: Truth Jourdemayne is a young researcher into the paranormal at a small New York college. She has always resented the notoriety of her disappeared father, Thorne Blackburne. She considered him a sharlatan, a con man. Worst of all, one of his rituals caused the death of Turth's mother.
Now, however, as her aunt is dying, Truth discovers that there is more to the mystery of her mother's death. Reluctantly, she takes some time off to delve into the life and rituals of her father.
Her research leads her to Blackburne's house—a house that had an ominous history for centuries before Thorne Blackburne settled there for his gate-opening rituals.
There, Truth will encounter a group of people with confusing motivations, all set on continuing Thorne Blackburne's occult investigations.
Full Review: The book has an interesting premise, but the protagonist has a number of exasperating characteristics which detract from the enjoyment of the plot. She is stubbornly dismissive of all information related to her father's work, despite being a paranormal researching. She also behaves like a rather weak-willed heroine of a gothic romance, at least part of the time. Finally, and most egregiously, one of the major mysteries seems well-telegraphed, but Truth seems completely oblivious to it.
On balance, the supernatural inventions of the book, and the tense conclusion do not compensate for the rather insipid development leading up to the climax.
Overall: 4.5; Plot: 4; Characters: 4.5; Style: 5; World-building: 5; Originality: 5;
Copyright date 1995, Tom Doherty Associates (Tor), February 2003, Mass market paperback, 374 pages
ISBN: 0-765-34666-4 Order from: Amazon.com