The Drowning Pool by Syd MooreMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
"The fire blew sparks over Corinne's side. She stamped them out and then started into the flames. I followed her gaze. In the centre of the drum shapes were shifting, mirroring each other in a ghostly preternatural dance."
Syd Moore's debut novel reads like an odd amalgamation of pulpy chicklit and horror - and I'm not sure it's a combination that works awfully well. I found the novel to have an odd pace with the focus directed at a group of Essex girls and their friendship, as well as a budding romance with the rather cliché arsehole-turned-misunderstood good guy rather than the more horror-orientated parts of the novel.
The lack of balance made me wonder whether the book would be better suited if it were reclassified, as the focus seemed more well-suited to chicklit with a paranormal slant rather than outright horror. But then again, how would you classify that? Chick-Horror? Romance-Horror?
Unfortunately the direction just didn't sit well with me at all and I feel like all atmosphere was killed by the light and frivolous nature of the writing. It just lacked excitement and suspense, leaving it a flat read that felt like two books that should never have been blended.
Buy The Drowning Pool on Amazon.
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