“Intriguing horror entertainment!” – review of The Unseen on RisingShadow

Artwork by Alison Buck; Cottage photograph by 1000 Words/shutterstock.com
Artwork by Alison Buck; Cottage photograph by 1000 Words/shutterstock.com

On RisingShadow.net, Seregil of Rhiminee has posted a review of The Unseen, the latest novel from Dave Weaver. Seregil admits that he is a big fan of horror and starts by saying that The Unseen is a welcome addition to paranormal horror fiction. He says that it’s “an entertaining and intriguing novel, because it’s simultaneously a horror story and a paranormal thriller with elements of psychological horror.” He comments that “The Unseen has a touch of British coolness that separates it from other horror novels. Although it’s partly a traditional supernatural story, it has freshness that makes it different and entertaining.” He observes that The Unseen “has a surprise ending that suddenly steers the story into a new direction” which is “an intriguing twist that will thrill readers”, adding that he thinks “it’s good that the author has not settled for an ordinary ending, but has thought of something different”.

Describing Dave Weaver as a “versatile and talented author who has written interesting speculative fiction novels” Seregil says that, in The Unseen, Dave “easily creates a strange atmosphere that is filled with supernatural menace”. He has “created a fully three-dimensional protagonist in John Mason” and the supporting characters are “interesting and well-created”. One of the reasons why John is such an interesting protagonist is that “he is not perfect and has made mistakes. He is tormented by his past and has feelings of guilt. He has problems with alcohol, but he has gotten treatment for it”. Once he moves into his new cottage in Hambleford, John comes to believe that it is haunted by Evangeline Foret, a young girl who was found hanged in nearby woods almost 100 years ago. Seregil compliments Dave on creating “an intense, strange and hallucinatory atmosphere by gradually revealing what happens to John and what he finds out about the past events related to Evangeline”. He says that Dave “effectively infuses the story with dark eroticism and feelings of guilt” which “adds plenty of depth and punch to the story” and about which Dave “writes well”.

Seregil enjoyed reading The Unseen and says he’d “like to see Dave Weaver write more this kind of fiction, because he has potential to become a thrilling horror author. He has all the necessary talents to break out into the genre and cause amazement with his fiction.” He concludes by recommending The Unseen as an excellent novel for anyone looking for an entertaining and gripping story, that keeps you intrigued by various twists and turns and surprises you with its ending.

You can read Seregil’s full review here.