This is one of the freakiest Christian fiction stories I have ever read. 
In rural Alabama, two couples find themselves in a fight for survival. Running from a maniac bent on killing them, they flee deep into the woods and seek refuge in a house. They soon realize the killer has purposely lured them to this house and that they are now trapped. As they huddle around an old fireplace, a tin can falls through the chimney. Scrawled on its side is a message from the killer, establishing his House Rules. The rules call for their deaths unless they kill at least one of the four.
[From Welcome to TedDekker.com | The Official Site for Ted Dekker]
It took a while to get into the book. I bought it a couple of months ago but couldn’t quite get into it. Up until yesterday I had only finished the first 100 of the 372 pages. I think it is because I just didn’t like any of the characters. However, that all changed. I finished the book today.
The Good Stuff
Amazing imagery, symbolism, plot development and twist. Eventually, I started having empathy for the characters and really liked that my feeling about all of them changed dramatically by the end of the book. Some for the better … some not … and then changed again… and again. I also liked that it was Christian fiction that didn’t all end perfectly. I mean, one of the end results was completely predictable. I saw it coming from the first chapter. However, how that part of the plot got there was pretty … freaky :). However, some of it ended very badly. I appreciated that because while this was far removed from reality, sometimes reality does not end well. Not that other Christian writers aren’t being honest but I found it refreshing that not everything ended with a pretty pink bow on a perfectly wrapped ending.
I think modern Christian art could use a good dose of darkness from time to time to help communicate the truth of our spiritual condition and lives in this darkened world. A lot of Christian art is sanitized for the consumer and I think that is tragic. Well, I guess it isn’t “tragic” in every situation but … well, I am about to get to preaching and I think the point has already been made.
I *loved* the use of the “perfect Haunted House” as a metaphor for the Human condition. I won’t go into it so as not to spoil anything … but it was amazing. VERY good job. The doors mirroring the literal biological function of the heart … awesome. Read it and you will get it :).
I also completely enjoyed the villain’s realization of his mistake at the end. Again, no spoilers but … I think Christians will love it and non-Christians will think it very clever.
The Bad Stuff
I had nightmares because of this book! Seriously, it was a true horror novel. There was a lot of graphic violence and tragedy. I do not and will not watch some of the modern gore fests called movies. I say that because, while this book was not anywhere near the grotesque imagery of those horrible movies … it has some seriously dark and despairing imagery. Dekker’s website says that Lionsgate is going to make this into a movie SO … I have no doubt it will be turned into something gruesome. I hope they stay true to the book’s end because it was really very good.
Again, I did not like the characters at first. That may not be the authors fault and may very well be their intent. The shortcomings of the characters caused me, and may cause other reader’s to self reflect by the end of the book. So, while it was an effort to invest in the characters, it was an effective way to develop their characters … by the end of the book :).
Recommendation?
I would recommend this book for those who really like scary supernatural horror stories. Just don’t do what I did and read it late into the night!
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