A decent sequel to be read like a b-movie is to be watched. If you try to take talking pumpkinmen seriously, you might be disappointed. Nothing groundbreaking here, just a quick and fun read. Things got a bit whacky toward the end, but I found I liked the balls the author had to go places small-town horror stories aren't expected to go. I liked the first book better, and am now about to embark on book three.

I went into this thinking it would be more of a cozy Halloween read....not so. The first 1/2 of the story is atmospheric, descriptive, and brings you in with the mystery element. Then about 1/2 way through you get the feeling "we're not in Kansas anymore". It turns into full-blown fantasy - still mystery but the combo took me off-guard. I wish the author gave us a bit more backstory on how we got to this place & why it was "chosen". I don't normally ready fantasy so I didn't warm up to it or my

Cool cover, but nope! Next….Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾

**Although it is a sequel in what appears to be developing into a series, you will have no trouble should you decide to start with this book first. So, [eyeing the scarecrow cover] we meet again. Do you ever get the feeling you’ve been here before and done this? ‘Cause we have you know. Too many times to count and really, why bother? The point is that although we’ve already seen the sights at Bitch Lane and Moan Avenue, we must revisit. Why? Simply to help out all the authors out there who are

I have absolutely no interest in finishing this one.

While I'll be the first to admit that this isn't the greatest work of deep and impactful literature, I have to say this is just what the doctor ordered. Sometimes you just want a nice creepy Halloween-themed book to read around the end of October and that's exactly what this book is. Everything in it is tailored to evoke the Halloween season, and if you read it at the right time of year, it's certain to either get you in the Halloween spirit.The book will grab your attention from the first page

"He gave another involuntary shudder, and stood looking at the sign as the train huffed into life behind him and pulled slowly away. There were cold fingers of air on his back at the sudden emptiness behind him. The sign said: ORANGEFIELD.He had a feeling in the deepest, coldest part of him that he would never leave here again. At least not alive."Yikes! Within the first few paragraphs the author gives us this beginning for the story's focal point character Corrie Phaeder. This is book 2 in the

The only real issue I had with Hallows Eve was the ending. Not the event of the ending or the resolution to the horrific events of the novel, but the rushed feeling of the ending. Honestly, I felt like I was only half way through the story when the final act started, and I thought this story would've been better served as a longer tale that expanded on ... well, I don't want to give anything away.I did throroughly enjoy the read, and I'm going to give Mr. Sarrantonio the benefit of the doubt and...

A supernatural thriller of no small emotional poignancy. Characters act, and some make real sacrifices out of love and solidarity.

Fun little horror read

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 it's cards up front. The villians are introduced way too fast, there's not enough mystery remaining, the characters aren't really latched on to, and the ending wasn't anything overly powerful. Still, All Hallow's Eve isn't too bad...it kept me reading, and that's saying something. If a novel is genuinely bad, I usual...

To be honest, I went into this one a bit negatively. I'm kind of tired of the small-town-during-Halloween stories. They're so ubiquitous that they run together. They're almost always the same. They use the same formula. It's a bit of a bore. However, I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. While it does use the same formula (up until the end), there is enough different about it to keep my interest. There was one thing in particular that I enjoyed, because it runs so contrary to any kind

It surprises me how some readers have bashed this book. I guess maybe my expectations weren't too high to begin with. So, I admit, I've enjoyed this book and the first book, too. By the time I finish the third book, Halloween will be over and I'll be ready for something different.I admit, these books have a lot of cheese. With these covers, you were expecting them not to? They could use some better editing, yes. But come on, they're retro-type fun and I loved the Pumpkin Man when I first read ab...

New book review video is up! This weekend I reviewed Hallow's Eve by Al Sarrantonio.https://youtu.be/vA8TSBgHQ-M

I find it hard to pin down just how I feel about this one. It wasn't a bad story, and I can say that it kept me going all the way through, but it wasn't outstanding in plot or characters either. If you want a fun, slightly spooky Halloween read, this might be just what you need!

This was ok. I had a hard time getting into the story or the characters.

Great book!

Hard to get into in the beginning. I found it a little difficult to take a cop story with spirits seriously but it had a decent pace. It picked towards the middle/end and had overall satisfying end.

Worse than mediocre "Halloween" novel about the end of the world. The characters are so two dimensional and the dialog so wooden we never end up caring about anyone and consequently never invested in their outcome. The action however is totally berserk from the first page with monsters, murderous possessed persons, venomous insect swarms, and poltergeists making appearances at regular and frequent intervals. Somehow Sarrantonio manages the brilliant feat of making none of it the least bit creepy...

For anyone unfamiliar with the Leisure Horror Book Club (RIP 2010), allow me to offer the following disclaimer: the publisher produced two titles a month at its height, reprinted novels that may or may not have been part of a series, and ultimately (especially at its end) seemed concerned with producing QUANTITY over quality. That said, a gnawing awareness that any offering from the line may or may not fall victim to these practices is present. Sadly, I feel Hallows Eve belongs in this diagnosis...