Karl wakes up from an illness to a different world. Everybody is gone. House doors are all open, the sky has a red tint, and everything is so, very quiet.
Alright, let’s dive into the latest offering from Adam Nevill, All The Fiends Of Hell. I was pretty pumped for this one, especially after hearing it had all the makings of a gripping alien invasion tale, reminiscent of the intensity in 28 Days Later. And let me tell you, the beginning really delivers and hooks you in from the start with some intense setup.
Nevill has a real talent for setting the scene, and the atmosphere he creates is downright chilling. You can practically feel the tension building with each page turn. As always, his ability to weave a sense of dread and creepiness into the narrative is truly impressive. You can practically feel the chill creeping down your spine as you read.
Now, here’s where things take an unexpected turn – just when you’re gearing up for an epic showdown with little green men, the story veers off into child abduction territory. It’s like hitting a speed bump in the middle of a high-speed chase. And honestly, I’m not sure it was the right move. I mean, judging Nevill’s choices is not my place, of course. It just didn’t work for me. I stopped playing The Walking Dead’s other chapters because they stuck Clem with a baby, even though I made all the right choices not to be stuck with it. I think by bringing small children into the equation, it feels like the story loses some of its edge.
Don’t get me wrong, the core concept is still intriguing. I mean, who doesn’t love a good alien invasion story? And while the threat of the aliens looms in the background throughout the book, it’s not the main focus after that. It’s like having a storm brewing on the horizon, but you never quite get to see it unleash its full fury. There’s some exceptionally vivid imagery describing the event in the beginning. That scene will stay with me for a long time. Incredible start to the book.
And speaking of pacing, things slow down a bit too much in the middle after we move away from the threat. It’s like hitting the breaks after racing through the opening chapters. Plus, for a horror novel, it’s missing some of those spine-tingling moments that really make your hair stand on end. When aliens are around, we still get those moments. They are actually horrifying and mysterious, and they pose a real threat. And yet, we don’t read about them as much. That broke my heart.
It feels like the story would’ve been better off sticking to its survival roots. I was all geared up for some intense 28 days later vibes, but then suddenly, we’re knee-deep in a whole different plotline. It’s a bit of a letdown, to be honest.
Now, that’s not to say All The Fiends of Hell doesn’t have its moments. The beginning is strong, and there’s definitely potential there. But in the end, it falls short of delivering the full horror experience I was hoping for. It’s worth a read for Nevill’s fans, but if you are expecting a full-blown scarefest, you might want to adjust your expectations accordingly.
Have you read All The Fiends Of Hell? What’s your favorite Adam Nevill novel? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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