Jessica (HDB)

One word for Richard Wright's novel: Intense. Thy Fearful Symmetry isn't a read for a sunny day at the beach. No, this book is more the type that you drag into your bed and read under the covers with a flashlight. The end of the world as we know it is here. The apocalypse, Judgement Day, call it what you will. It's upon us, and Richard Wright's view of that day is sure to scare the living daylights out of you!

First off I have to applaud the brilliant cast of characters that make their debut in this story. From the two creatures who start this process, right on down to a priest who has lost his faith, each character has a perfectly designed space in the story line. In fact, that's what drew me into this story. We all like like to believe that we'd react logically and practically in the face of terror. However I quickly realized that the reactions in this story are spot on. Imagine a world where fire rains from the sky at the same time as pure, white snow. A world where the dead walk the Earth. Faced with that, logic goes out the window. The people in this story are raw and real. Broken and sullied. Terrified.

I definitely recommend that you have a strong stomach for what you'll find in Thy Fearful Symmetry. That's not to say that this is your run of the mill, pulpy horror novel. Quite the opposite actually, as this is one of the best story lines I have read in a long time. The writing is gorgeous, evoking the perfect emotions at just the right times. Mixing horror and thriller aspects, Thy Fearful Symmetry literally kept me right on the edge of my seat. Let me be the first to say that I hope, if the world does end, it doesn't end this way.

At the end of the day, despite a few minor issues, I completely loved this book. I devoured every single page of Thy Fearful Symmetry in one sitting, hanging on each word, eagerly flipping pages with fear in my heart. This isn't a happy read, but it is definitely enjoyable. The love of two beings who shouldn't be together, the way human kind reacts when the world is at its end, all of this culminates into one amazing read. I highly recommend Richard Wright's book. You absolutely need to read this one.