Review: Amazing new book!! NOT for the squeamish!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 10, 2013
I'm a huge A.R. Wise fan! I've read all of his Deadlocked Series (plus Broken Pieces 1&2) and both 314 books. A.R. has been telling his fans on FB for quite some time now about this new book he was working on called, Daughter of Bathory. He's been teasing us quite a bit (in typical A.R. fashion) with little bits of information. We were told many times over that this book is unlike anything he's every written before. He mentioned that this is the darkest horror story he's ever attempted and that there is quite a bit of gore, violence, sex, and drugs. He, most certainly, did not exaggerate one bit! It has been many MANY years since I've read anything quite like this. I've been a big Stephen King fan ever since I started sneaking my brothers books when I was about 10 years old. He is the reason I love the horror genre as much as I do. For me, no one comes even slightly close to being able to do with a story what King can do. The minute I was finished reading Daughter of Bathory, my first thought was "Look out Stephen King! A.R. Wise just raised the bar for horror!" I don't like to compare authors because each has their own voice and their own style but after spending 25+ years believing that there is only one "master of horror", it's hard not to compare them a little! A.R. has an incredibly unique way of describing scenes so that you truly feel the pain, the torment, the suffering, the emotions.....you feel it as though it really is happening to you! I can't tell you how often I caught myself holding my breath or cringing as I read some of the more gory scenes in the book. With all of that being said, let me tell you a little bit about this story.First we have Ophelia, a Daughter of Bathory, who is probably the utmost horrific and evil character to ever be written into a novel. She shows no mercy. She controls everyone around her and loves every second of it. She is the epitome of evil and will torture anyone who stands in her way. No one is safe in Winter Manor in the clutches of Ophelia.Next we have the "Pales". These are the unfortunate men who live only to serve their queen. They will do anything (and I mean anything) to please her and be noticed by her. The favored Pale is Andrew. He gets the pleasure of being the closest to Ophelia and is at her side to do whatever it is that she needs and he is also the one to give the other Pales the queens orders (if she's not doing so herself). Andrew feels honored to be the favored Pale until he realizes just how sick and twisted his "lady" is.Finally there is the Mulroney family. The Father just adores his children and will do anything for them. Their mother, Pauline, is a heroin addict that just up and disappeared for 2 years and is just now making an appearance for the first time since leaving. The Father and the 4 children (all adults now) have supported each other endlessly and have all put on their "happy masks"  while dealing with Pauline and all the problems she brings along with her. Neva and Hayden (fraternal twins) have had the hardest time dealing with the situation and have been "handling" it in other ways. Neva has a deep dark secret that only she knows and is struggling between trying to find herself and dealing with not having a mother in her life.Through a series of events, Neva and her brothers end up attending an extravagant party at Winter Manor which is hosted by Ophelia herself. At first, they feel lucky to be there but it doesn't take long for Neva to realize that there's something very strange about their Hostess.If you're a fan of A.R. Wise, I urge you to read this book. It is unlike anything he's ever written. This book is meant for adults only and people that aren't bothered by gore. If you aren't sure that this is your "cup of tea" , I would suggest giving it a try and keeping an open mind. By the time you've finished I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the great tale Wise has woven for his fans!! This is, by far, the absolute best book I've read in a very very long time!! Great job A.R.! Keep them coming! I'm ready for more!! :-)