When Stephen King was struck by a van, out of the stark realization of his mortality, I started looking for new horror authors. King won't live forever. Long live the King. Alex Laybourne is one of the few authors that I've discovered, who can sate me, when I'm having a King craving.
The premise of Highway to Hell is extremely clever. How does an author convince readers to care about people who are being tortured in Hell? If most of us think of Hell, at all, it is with the quiet conviction that we won't be going there. Hitler, people who commit heinous acts such as abusing, or murdering children--they all belong in Hell and we hope that it's uncomfortable, for a long, long time. Well, Laybourne takes these expectations and he turns them on their ear.
The premise of Highway to Hell is extremely clever. How does an author convince readers to care about people who are being tortured in Hell? If most of us think of Hell, at all, it is with the quiet conviction that we won't be going there. Hitler, people who commit heinous acts such as abusing, or murdering children--they all belong in Hell and we hope that it's uncomfortable, for a long, long time. Well, Laybourne takes these expectations and he turns them on their ear.
He presents the tortures of Hell (extremely graphic, equal in impact to Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of Christ') but, in a twist, his characters have been sent to Hell by some cosmic error. They didn't earn Hell, but they are unaware of this fact, for the majority of the novel. Laybourne's readers are forced to ponder the characters' assorted transgressions. Most will probably find at least one sin with which they also have in common. For me, it was probably the most innocent of the group, a woman who couldn't quite manage to like her in-laws. Really, I thought, this sends you to Hell? It's a brilliant plot devise and Laybourne milks it well.
I warn you to strap on your seatbelt because Highway to Hell is bumpy ride, and whatever you do, don't stick your hand out the window, or God forbid, your head. Hell is not for sissies, but this novel kept me totally engrossed for a full week. It provided well developed characters, compelling situations, and the type of horror that will leave you metaphorically weaving from lane to lane, hoping for a nearby exit. You're going to get car-sick reading this sincerely frightening masterpiece. I can't wait for part two of the series!
I warn you to strap on your seatbelt because Highway to Hell is bumpy ride, and whatever you do, don't stick your hand out the window, or God forbid, your head. Hell is not for sissies, but this novel kept me totally engrossed for a full week. It provided well developed characters, compelling situations, and the type of horror that will leave you metaphorically weaving from lane to lane, hoping for a nearby exit. You're going to get car-sick reading this sincerely frightening masterpiece. I can't wait for part two of the series!
Click Here to check out a Teaser from Highway to Hell.
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