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For the best of the Horror/Cult/Exploitation film experience
The Cell
Stephen King is a name that has become synonymous with the entire horror genre. Whether it's his numerous eighties "classic" novels or his personal involvement within its movies his middle name should be horror (even as clichéd as it sounds). There is no denying to anyone who loves the genre that King has made a considerable contribution. Although many of his novels were better read as books than watched as films, many of his creations and ideas have been nothing short of masterpieces. This rant brings me to the topic of this review, his latest horror novel, "Cell."
"Cell" starts with a bang within the first handful of pages and doesn't really let up a whole lot until its final page. The story follows an eventful portion of the life of graphic novelist Clayton Riddell. Clay, as he prefers, lives north of Boston in a small town called Kent Pond. He makes the trip down to the big city to negotiate the possible sale of his most recent creation, a graphic novel called "Dark Wanderer". After a very brief introduction to Clay and his surroundings all hell begins breaking loose!
Clay was simply waiting in line to purchase some ice cream when many of the people of Boston begin to go crazy. People are violently attacked, "Duck Boat" tour vehicles crash, cars collide, men fall from high rises, and numerous other "Armageddon like" events are displayed. Clay reacts like many of us would, at first in initial shock, and soon into survive at all costs mode. Before long the plot proceeds with Clay meeting up with some people who are as distressed and confused as him.
It comes into fruition that some form of mind control was unleashed through cell phones and whoever happened to use one at a time period labeled as "the Pulse" had become a violent zombie like incarnation of their former self. Clay and his new found friends band together and journey on foot into the New England countryside en route to New Hampshire as Clay is in dire need to find his estranged wife and especially his nine year old son. The remainder of the story follows this quest as more information is discovered about the cause of this catastrophe, Clay and company run into numerous obstacles, and everything leads into the final climax.
As I stated previously in this review, King gets right into things within the first few pages and the story only dulls down a bit at a few certain points. It was honestly one of those books that were very difficult to put down. The story became more and more interesting as the main plot progressed and the overall flow of the story was both unique and creative to keep me turning the pages. There are portions of all out action, humor, and (as most horror fans crave) good old fashioned gore. There are detailed accounts of hanging intestines, puss, blood, decapitation, people burning alive, crucifixions, and many other gory antics.
Honestly I have read only one other Stephen King novel, "Eyes of the Dragon", which isn't even a horror novel. "Eyes of the Dragon", though, is probably one of the best books that I have personally read and made me see what all the hype surrounding Stephen King as a writer is all about. "Cell" continues to attribute to these thoughts as after finishing, King is two for two with me. I can't wait, now, to read what most consider classics such as "The Stand", "It", "Salem's Lot", and numerous others. If you're looking for a fun, horrific, action packed, and bloody good read this summer, look no further than one of horror's greatest weapon's newest tales. "Cell" delivers.
Rating -***
-Jared Bajoras
Stephen King is a name that has become synonymous with the entire horror genre. Whether it's his numerous eighties "classic" novels or his personal involvement within its movies his middle name should be horror (even as clichéd as it sounds). There is no denying to anyone who loves the genre that King has made a considerable contribution. Although many of his novels were better read as books than watched as films, many of his creations and ideas have been nothing short of masterpieces. This rant brings me to the topic of this review, his latest horror novel, "Cell."
"Cell" starts with a bang within the first handful of pages and doesn't really let up a whole lot until its final page. The story follows an eventful portion of the life of graphic novelist Clayton Riddell. Clay, as he prefers, lives north of Boston in a small town called Kent Pond. He makes the trip down to the big city to negotiate the possible sale of his most recent creation, a graphic novel called "Dark Wanderer". After a very brief introduction to Clay and his surroundings all hell begins breaking loose!
Clay was simply waiting in line to purchase some ice cream when many of the people of Boston begin to go crazy. People are violently attacked, "Duck Boat" tour vehicles crash, cars collide, men fall from high rises, and numerous other "Armageddon like" events are displayed. Clay reacts like many of us would, at first in initial shock, and soon into survive at all costs mode. Before long the plot proceeds with Clay meeting up with some people who are as distressed and confused as him.
It comes into fruition that some form of mind control was unleashed through cell phones and whoever happened to use one at a time period labeled as "the Pulse" had become a violent zombie like incarnation of their former self. Clay and his new found friends band together and journey on foot into the New England countryside en route to New Hampshire as Clay is in dire need to find his estranged wife and especially his nine year old son. The remainder of the story follows this quest as more information is discovered about the cause of this catastrophe, Clay and company run into numerous obstacles, and everything leads into the final climax.
As I stated previously in this review, King gets right into things within the first few pages and the story only dulls down a bit at a few certain points. It was honestly one of those books that were very difficult to put down. The story became more and more interesting as the main plot progressed and the overall flow of the story was both unique and creative to keep me turning the pages. There are portions of all out action, humor, and (as most horror fans crave) good old fashioned gore. There are detailed accounts of hanging intestines, puss, blood, decapitation, people burning alive, crucifixions, and many other gory antics.
Honestly I have read only one other Stephen King novel, "Eyes of the Dragon", which isn't even a horror novel. "Eyes of the Dragon", though, is probably one of the best books that I have personally read and made me see what all the hype surrounding Stephen King as a writer is all about. "Cell" continues to attribute to these thoughts as after finishing, King is two for two with me. I can't wait, now, to read what most consider classics such as "The Stand", "It", "Salem's Lot", and numerous others. If you're looking for a fun, horrific, action packed, and bloody good read this summer, look no further than one of horror's greatest weapon's newest tales. "Cell" delivers.
Rating -***
-Jared Bajoras
