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Cover of DEVIL IN THE PALE MOONLIGHT
★★★★★
4.42

Based on 26 Goodreads ratings

DEVIL IN THE PALE MOONLIGHT

by an addiction to a virtual\u002Dreality game called “the Siv,” in which players are promised a way to escape from their troubles (in reality, becoming half\u002Dvegetated slaves to the game’s economy). Enter Tomahawk “Hawk” O’Murtaugh, a construction worker who, at the novel’s outset, quickly loses both his father and his good friend Cezare in rapid succession. The back\u002Dto\u002Dback deaths send Hawk reeling into the world of the Siv, both as a distraction and as a way to understand the blight to which so many of his fellow countrymen, most notably his grandfather, are addicted. Once inside the game, Hawk discovers that his grandfather left him an inconceivably huge inheritance and was in fact one of the game’s founding designers. Determined to use his grandfather’s complicated legacy for good, Hawk sets out to liberate the masses enslaved by the game—a tall order, especially considering a ruthless serial killer is also making his way through the Siv, with his virtual victims perishing in the real world, too. Anderson’s novel deftly captures the strange anomie of living in a tech\u002Ddriven world, as described by Hawk shortly after first engaging with the Siv: “I feel like I just jumped off a diving board into a swimming pool and somehow landed in the middle of the ocean.” While the narrative is set 95 years into the future, its problems are recognizable echoes of present\u002Dday issues. There is a lot to keep track of here—from the politics, to the future tech, to the characters themselves—but the plot is snappy and likely to keep readers on Hawk’s side as he tries to rescue civilization from itself."

Book Details

Publisher:In the year
Published:2120-01-01
Format:paperback
Language:English
ISBN:9798284973

Reading Info

Age Range:12-18

About This Book

This supernatural thriller plunges readers into a world where ancient evil awakens in a quiet town, forcing a group of teens to confront a malevolent force that preys on their deepest fears. The atmo...

Our Review

This supernatural thriller plunges readers into a world where ancient evil awakens in a quiet town, forcing a group of teens to confront a malevolent force that preys on their deepest fears. The atmospheric horror builds steadily through shadowy woods and unsettling encounters, creating a palpable sense of dread that will keep young adult readers turning pages long past bedtime. With its blend of small-town secrets and supernatural menace, this novel delivers the kind of chilling suspense that horror enthusiasts crave.

What sets this story apart is its focus on psychological terror rather than graphic violence, making it accessible for younger teens while still delivering genuine scares. The protagonist's journey from skepticism to belief mirrors the reader's own immersion into this haunting narrative, creating an immediate emotional connection. Readers who enjoy character-driven horror with rich atmospheric tension will find this story lingers in their imagination, proving that the most frightening monsters often wear familiar faces.

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