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The Sorrows #1
The Sorrows
Ben Shadeland and Eddie Blaze are the hottest young music composers in Hollywood. Fresh off an Oscar nomination, they've just been chosen to score a big-budget horror movie by Lee Stanley, the most demanding director in film. But Ben, the creative half of the duo, hasn't written a note since his wife divorced him and got custody of their three-year-old son.
Chris Blackwood is the gambling-addicted heir to the Blackwood fortune, which includes the Sorrows, an island off the coast of northern California. The island and its castle have been uninhabited since a series of gruesome, unexplained murders in 1925, but Chris needs money, and to get it he allows Ben, Eddie, Claire Harden (an aspiring composer), and Eva Rosales (Lee Stanley's gorgeous assistant) to stay a month in Castle Blackwood.
Eddie is certain an eerie, isolated setting is just what Ben needs to find musical inspiration for a horror film. But what they find is more horrific than any movie.
277 pages, Hardcover
First published March 6, 2012
About the author
Jonathan Janz
47 books1,874 followersJonathan Janz is a husband, father, novelist, screenwriter, and public schoolteacher. He’s represented for film and television by Ryan Lewis (executive producer of Bird Box), and his literary agent is Priya Doraswamy. His ghost story The Siren and the Specter was selected as a Goodreads Choice nominee for Best Horror. Additionally, his novels Children of the Dark and The Dark Game were chosen by Booklist and Library Journal as Top Ten Horror Books of the Year. Jonathan’s main interests are his wonderful wife and his three amazing children. You can sign up for his newsletter (http://jonathanjanz.us12.list-manage....), and you can follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Amazon, Threads, Bluesky, TikTok, and Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
September 1, 2022
WoW!
This is a book where nightmares are born. A graphic horror story that is certainly not for the feint hearted or sensitive about extreme violence, profanity (not too much), lewd and crude sexual behavior, bizarre supernatural happenings and other situations that are down-right nasty. What a terrific and sick (in a great way) this book is, so read at your own risk to become delighted or remorseful!
The storyline revolves around two men and two women who travel to a secluded island named The Sorrows that has a reputation and long history
of several mysterious deaths and being possibly haunted.
The foursome are going to the island with hopes of stimulating Ben (popular musician) in composing a music score for a horror movie named "The House Of Skin" which he has a contract to fulfill in less than a few months. Ben has been suffering from writer's block due to may personal problems with his ex-wife and the custody of his son. His best friend, Eddie is the arranger of Ben's music as well the one responsible for arranging this month long stay on the island.
Then there is Christine who wants to intern with the duo and gorgeous Eva who is the director's (Lee Stanley) assistant.
They are staying in a renovated old castle which really sets the mood for this non-stop action and intense story.
..I enjoyed this story tremendously even though it was quite unsettling. I experienced chills and shivers, as well as some nauseous moments, yet I had to continue reading this adventure into hell to find out why and how this book would finally end.
I would have read this story in one sitting if time would have allowed me, that is how well-written this book was to read.
I highly recommend this intensely creepy book to anyone who loves
great horror and have given a rating of 4 1/2 intense 🌟🌟🌟🌟✴
I want to thank the author Jonathan Janz the publisher Flame Tree Press and Netgally for allowing me to read this book based on my honest and unbiased opinion!!
This is a book where nightmares are born. A graphic horror story that is certainly not for the feint hearted or sensitive about extreme violence, profanity (not too much), lewd and crude sexual behavior, bizarre supernatural happenings and other situations that are down-right nasty. What a terrific and sick (in a great way) this book is, so read at your own risk to become delighted or remorseful!
The storyline revolves around two men and two women who travel to a secluded island named The Sorrows that has a reputation and long history
of several mysterious deaths and being possibly haunted.
The foursome are going to the island with hopes of stimulating Ben (popular musician) in composing a music score for a horror movie named "The House Of Skin" which he has a contract to fulfill in less than a few months. Ben has been suffering from writer's block due to may personal problems with his ex-wife and the custody of his son. His best friend, Eddie is the arranger of Ben's music as well the one responsible for arranging this month long stay on the island.
Then there is Christine who wants to intern with the duo and gorgeous Eva who is the director's (Lee Stanley) assistant.
They are staying in a renovated old castle which really sets the mood for this non-stop action and intense story.
..I enjoyed this story tremendously even though it was quite unsettling. I experienced chills and shivers, as well as some nauseous moments, yet I had to continue reading this adventure into hell to find out why and how this book would finally end.
I would have read this story in one sitting if time would have allowed me, that is how well-written this book was to read.
I highly recommend this intensely creepy book to anyone who loves
great horror and have given a rating of 4 1/2 intense 🌟🌟🌟🌟✴
I want to thank the author Jonathan Janz the publisher Flame Tree Press and Netgally for allowing me to read this book based on my honest and unbiased opinion!!
September 10, 2022
Spooked out of my skin!
Backstory:
There is an island called The Sorrows that is located not too far from the coastline of California which has a castle that has been abandoned for a very long time. There were murders that happened in the castle back in the 1920's along with something happening to a research team in the 1970's and the castle was shut down to avoid anything bad happening to anyone else.
When two film composers Eddie and Ben are offered a chance to stay in the castle for a month from the owner, they jump at the chance to go as they are wanting to film a horror movie and what better place to get inspiration than to stay in a supposedly haunted castle.
Eddie and Ben decide to take along two female companions, Eva and Claire, so that they can all take advantage of the opportunity to be in the castle. The only way to get to the island is by helicopter so there is a little trepidation among Eva and Claire as they worry if something should happen then a rescue is impossible as there is no phone and internet communications available on the island.
The castle has new visitors and it has been a very long time since fresh meat walked through its doors. Something has been dormant for a long time, but it has now woken up when it realizes that tenants have arrived!
What is laying in wait at The Sorrows? What have Eddie and Ben walked into? Does anyone survive The Sorrows? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Thoughts:
Very atmospheric haunting book and some chapters have a journal that was written describing the history of the island from the past which gives more insight of how the castle came to be haunted.
Mysterious, suspenseful, fast paced with blood and gore!
Second time reading this book and better the second time around which is driving up my star rating to five as I could not put the book down! Gore suit time and insomnia fuel of this book just kept me glued to my kindle! Giving this one five "Spooky Shivering" stars for keeping me creeped out through most of the book!
Note: There is a sequel to this book called the Castle of Sorrows which I am planning on reading before the end of this year. :)
Backstory:
There is an island called The Sorrows that is located not too far from the coastline of California which has a castle that has been abandoned for a very long time. There were murders that happened in the castle back in the 1920's along with something happening to a research team in the 1970's and the castle was shut down to avoid anything bad happening to anyone else.
When two film composers Eddie and Ben are offered a chance to stay in the castle for a month from the owner, they jump at the chance to go as they are wanting to film a horror movie and what better place to get inspiration than to stay in a supposedly haunted castle.
Eddie and Ben decide to take along two female companions, Eva and Claire, so that they can all take advantage of the opportunity to be in the castle. The only way to get to the island is by helicopter so there is a little trepidation among Eva and Claire as they worry if something should happen then a rescue is impossible as there is no phone and internet communications available on the island.
The castle has new visitors and it has been a very long time since fresh meat walked through its doors. Something has been dormant for a long time, but it has now woken up when it realizes that tenants have arrived!
What is laying in wait at The Sorrows? What have Eddie and Ben walked into? Does anyone survive The Sorrows? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
Thoughts:
Very atmospheric haunting book and some chapters have a journal that was written describing the history of the island from the past which gives more insight of how the castle came to be haunted.
Mysterious, suspenseful, fast paced with blood and gore!
Second time reading this book and better the second time around which is driving up my star rating to five as I could not put the book down! Gore suit time and insomnia fuel of this book just kept me glued to my kindle! Giving this one five "Spooky Shivering" stars for keeping me creeped out through most of the book!
Note: There is a sequel to this book called the Castle of Sorrows which I am planning on reading before the end of this year. :)
December 6, 2020
5+ stars
Terrifying, disturbing, twisted, gory, and EXCELLENT!
In fantasy novels you often hear the term "world-building" and many will base part of their enjoyment of the book on how well the author does this. For The Sorrows, I am going to use the phrase "Haunted House Building", and Janz does it perfectly. I just love what he has done here is creating a creepy castle on a creepy island and all of the related creepy lore. If you love a good haunted house story, look no further.
There area few things I could be nit-picky about. At times things are coincidental and convenient. Maybe it is a little obvious that something happens just to keep the plot moving. But, at no point did these things distract to the point of lessening my enjoyment.
One plot hole that kind of bugged me . Oh well, it was not big enough of a deal to ruin the plot or my enjoyment.
If you like your horror a bit demented, and your suspense intense (this book did not let up AT ALL during the last 1/3) then you have to try The Sorrows. This is my second Janz book and after having great experiences with both I am surprised he is not yet more widely known among horror readers.
Terrifying, disturbing, twisted, gory, and EXCELLENT!
In fantasy novels you often hear the term "world-building" and many will base part of their enjoyment of the book on how well the author does this. For The Sorrows, I am going to use the phrase "Haunted House Building", and Janz does it perfectly. I just love what he has done here is creating a creepy castle on a creepy island and all of the related creepy lore. If you love a good haunted house story, look no further.
There area few things I could be nit-picky about. At times things are coincidental and convenient. Maybe it is a little obvious that something happens just to keep the plot moving. But, at no point did these things distract to the point of lessening my enjoyment.
One plot hole that kind of bugged me . Oh well, it was not big enough of a deal to ruin the plot or my enjoyment.
If you like your horror a bit demented, and your suspense intense (this book did not let up AT ALL during the last 1/3) then you have to try The Sorrows. This is my second Janz book and after having great experiences with both I am surprised he is not yet more widely known among horror readers.
November 26, 2018
Film composers, Bill & Eddie go to "Castle Blackwood" to get inspired for their next musical score: A horror movie. They travel with two guests, Eva Rosales & Claire Harden (mainly for no other reason than to hook up with them). Castle Blackwood is on this eerie, isolated island with a seriously disturbing history.
The perfect set up for a horror novel.
Except, unfortunately, I had so many issues with this book that it wasn't a very enjoyable experience for me. First, I feel like I must preface this review with the statement that I am a huge Janz Fan. I recently told Scream Magazine readers that Jonathan Janz is one of the best horror storytellers of our time. His newest release THE SIREN AND THE SPECTER was an incredible five star read.
But I don't put on fangirl blinders when I read books. I might have biases and I might reach for their new releases without hesitation but I never overrate a book I didn't enjoy just because I'm a fan of the author. SO
With that being said and understood,
THE SORROWS.
This is a previously released title, Janz's first I believe, and it is being reissued for a December release this year. I read an ARC sent from Flametree.
The book starts off pretty compelling--I was intrigued but in the back of my mind, I was also annoyed. Both of the female characters are quickly relegated to "meat market" status. The narrative overly describes their looks and their bodies and basically rates them accordingly. Eva is the hot, sexy one. Claire is the not so hot "plain Jane" who will probably compromise her morals to get ahead in life. I wasn't a fan of either Claire or Eva (don't get me started on Eva's mother) and I was less of a fan of Bill & Eddie who were difficult to differentiate from as they were both similar in machismo and horniness.
(I'm also a bit picky about names--I'm easily distracted by fictional names. I read a book once where everyone's first and last names started with the same letters, like Curtis Crabell and Lisa Lamore and I about died. In THE SORROWS, I thought the names of places and people were sort of silly, "Ben Shadeland" "Eddie Blaze" but I figured it could be Janz trying to make them all sound very 'Hollywood' so I let it go.) There is a HUGE cast here--lots of characters. Which was a wee bit confusing or muddy at times.
As the story progressed, I found that I was suspending disbelief in a few areas, not just names. The hauntings and strange activity begin so suddenly and aggressively, I found that I was dragging my heels as events were unfolding. And maybe it's because I had just come off of reading some slow burn, atmospheric and emotional horror that I wasn't in the right frame of mind for this "Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am" style? But I found the sex to be banal, the characters two dimensional and the horror a bit over the top.
In other words, I almost DNFd in a few places.
Ugh, it pains me to say all of this. Mostly because Janz has clearly come a long way in writing chops since this debut because CHILDREN OF THE DARK, EXORCIST FALLS and THE SIREN AND THE SPECTER are dazzling in their skill and character development.
But it's okay--this is my experience and it is what it is. It took me about 12 days to finish-lots of pick ups and put downs and at the end of the day, this is just not my cup of tea. However, lots of horror reviewers I trust LOVE this book so I could be out of step on this one. You must try for yourself.
I can't wait for the rest Flametree's Janz reprints. Especially SAVAGE SPECIES and THE NIGHTMARE GIRL.
The perfect set up for a horror novel.
Except, unfortunately, I had so many issues with this book that it wasn't a very enjoyable experience for me. First, I feel like I must preface this review with the statement that I am a huge Janz Fan. I recently told Scream Magazine readers that Jonathan Janz is one of the best horror storytellers of our time. His newest release THE SIREN AND THE SPECTER was an incredible five star read.
But I don't put on fangirl blinders when I read books. I might have biases and I might reach for their new releases without hesitation but I never overrate a book I didn't enjoy just because I'm a fan of the author. SO
With that being said and understood,
THE SORROWS.
This is a previously released title, Janz's first I believe, and it is being reissued for a December release this year. I read an ARC sent from Flametree.
The book starts off pretty compelling--I was intrigued but in the back of my mind, I was also annoyed. Both of the female characters are quickly relegated to "meat market" status. The narrative overly describes their looks and their bodies and basically rates them accordingly. Eva is the hot, sexy one. Claire is the not so hot "plain Jane" who will probably compromise her morals to get ahead in life. I wasn't a fan of either Claire or Eva (don't get me started on Eva's mother) and I was less of a fan of Bill & Eddie who were difficult to differentiate from as they were both similar in machismo and horniness.
(I'm also a bit picky about names--I'm easily distracted by fictional names. I read a book once where everyone's first and last names started with the same letters, like Curtis Crabell and Lisa Lamore and I about died. In THE SORROWS, I thought the names of places and people were sort of silly, "Ben Shadeland" "Eddie Blaze" but I figured it could be Janz trying to make them all sound very 'Hollywood' so I let it go.) There is a HUGE cast here--lots of characters. Which was a wee bit confusing or muddy at times.
As the story progressed, I found that I was suspending disbelief in a few areas, not just names. The hauntings and strange activity begin so suddenly and aggressively, I found that I was dragging my heels as events were unfolding. And maybe it's because I had just come off of reading some slow burn, atmospheric and emotional horror that I wasn't in the right frame of mind for this "Wham Bam Thank You Ma'am" style? But I found the sex to be banal, the characters two dimensional and the horror a bit over the top.
In other words, I almost DNFd in a few places.
Ugh, it pains me to say all of this. Mostly because Janz has clearly come a long way in writing chops since this debut because CHILDREN OF THE DARK, EXORCIST FALLS and THE SIREN AND THE SPECTER are dazzling in their skill and character development.
But it's okay--this is my experience and it is what it is. It took me about 12 days to finish-lots of pick ups and put downs and at the end of the day, this is just not my cup of tea. However, lots of horror reviewers I trust LOVE this book so I could be out of step on this one. You must try for yourself.
I can't wait for the rest Flametree's Janz reprints. Especially SAVAGE SPECIES and THE NIGHTMARE GIRL.
December 8, 2018
Ben is a famous horror film composer, but his divorce has left him in a rut he can’t seem to shake, so his partner Eddie decides what Ben needs is a month-long stay on a haunted island named The Sorrows. When the two men and the women staying with them arrive, they begin to realize that the island’s grisly, murderous past might not be over yet.
After reading The Siren and the Specter from Jonathan Janz earlier this year—and deeming it not only my favorite horror read of the year, but perhaps of my life thus far—I can easily say he won me over as the kind of reader who will happily pick up anything he writes without hesitation, so I was beyond delighted to pick up this re-release of his debut novel, The Sorrows.
Except this building did not look like it could fall. It looked like it would stand forever, far outliving its inhabitants.
Or claiming them.
First, let’s revisit that last statement: this is his first novel, from 2012, and yet what amazes me is that—having read work he’s written this year as well—his writing was just as incredible then as it is now. If that’s not proof that Jonathan has a natural talent for storytelling deep in his bones, I don’t know what is.
There was something corruptive here, a palpable sense of depravity.
The other thing that amazes me about Jonathan’s writing is how effortless he makes it seem when he scares the hell out of me! I’ve spent years complaining over my seeming inability to find books that genuinely terrified me, with very rare exceptions, but Jonathan’s imagination gets so twisted at times that I just can’t help being frightened. What’s fascinating about The Sorrows in particular is the way the island brings out the inner demons in each person, once again forcing us to ponder which is worse—actual monsters, or the ‘monsters’ humans can become?
No, the presence I felt was something totally unfamiliar, and even more disturbing, wholly unfriendly.
Finally, he has this way of writing some characters that I can’t help but root for despite their flaws—while other characters in his stories are so fun to hate that I’m left literally cheering when they meet their demise. Ben is an easy protagonist to like, and the feelings he has for his son are so authentic and familiar that it’s easy to see where Jonathan’s love for his own family shone through in the writing here.
Even now I wish to live, to experience any emotion, even sorrow.
Dear God. I hear something in the hallway.
The love interest, Claire, is also very near and dear to my heart. Not only did her entire personality resonate so much with me—her protective nature, the tremendous guilt she feels when facing very difficult decisions, and her struggles with her own appearance—but Jonathan handles the topic of body positivity so flawlessly in her character. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an adult horror novel shut down fat-shaming so quickly and handle it with such care, and I’m adding it to the long list of reasons Jonathan has earned me as a lifelong supporter.
“It is you who have brought me death—but you shall know much of horror before the year is through.”
One last thing: this book does tackle a lot of assault-related issues, as well as featuring some on-page assault, so it’s a tough read at times, but those moments are thankfully brief, far between, and handled with care. Though the story was written 6 years ago, there’s even a very Weinstein-esque character who felt tremendously relevant to issues that are being discussed heavily in Hollywood lately, and I thought that representation felt fitting and well-done. As with everything, it’s clear that Jonathan handles each of these sensitive issues with careful hands and good intentions.
I cannot get over how enjoyable Jonathan's work is, and how creepy and artful his stories are. I loved this just as much as I knew I would, and I cannot wait to read more from him. I love the settings he weaves, the characters he creates, and the careful way he treats sensitive topics within his creations.
Content warnings for fat-shaming, sexism, racism, assault, abuse, gratuitous violence and murder (all challenged in text)
All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Flame Tree Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 11, 2022
Quite honestly, this was some major screwy book! I'm just glad that I stuck around for the ride! When I started this book I kept thinking w.t.h? Sure that any moment I was just going to d.n.f. the damn thing. But, this story was so messed up and I thought just a few more chapters. Is it a ghost story? Satyr? Crazy dead folk? Crazy living folk? Um, yes....Man, I'll tell ya' what, I dont care how far offshore that island was, I'd have been swimming from day 2. I think I love Janz' books! Funny thing is that I have 6 or 7 of his books on my kindle, yet I've never read them. Samhain, before they shut down would have a sale, and I'd buy it. Didn't matter if I knew the author or not. I just always enjoyed the book's they published. My thanks, to Flame Tree Press, and Netgalley. I'm quite enjoying their offerings!
November 24, 2018
This story is seriously messed up.
I don't mean that in a bad way. I mean that in a creeptastic horror story way.
Totally. Messed. Up.
After reading a couple of Jonathan Janz's books, I realize this is his normal MO. Awesome!
With a deadline to produce a music score for a horror movie quickly approaching, Composers Eddie and Ben decide to spend some time at an island estate off the coast of California. Castle Blackwood is nicknamed The Sorrows because of all the twisted, horrible things that have happened there. In 1925, there were several murders on the island. A group that stayed there in the 1970s to research the murders met a similar fate. Now the two composers and two female companions head to The Sorrows hoping to revive their musical muse.
Not a good idea. Very, very bad idea.
Hallucinations. Dark Thoughts. Violence. Ancient Evil.
The Sorrows has plans for all of them.
I'm not going to reveal much about the plot because it needs to catch readers by surprise. There were some parts I really liked....others that felt a bit B-movie....and some were just completely out there. But, all in all, as I finished up this story I felt like it all worked.
What I will say is this --- prepare to dislike every character in this story. They are all pretty reprehensible people for one reason or another. And travelling to a cursed/evil island with a group of folks like that is never, ever a good idea for those involved. Luckily, a reader does not have to like the characters in a horror story to enjoy the creepiness. To be completely honest, I found myself rooting for the ancient evil. Go evil! Eat the awful people! :)
The Sorrows is actually a re-release. First published in 2012, The Sorrows was Janz's first book. There is a sequel, Castle of Sorrows. Definitely adding this second book to my TBR list!
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
I don't mean that in a bad way. I mean that in a creeptastic horror story way.
Totally. Messed. Up.
After reading a couple of Jonathan Janz's books, I realize this is his normal MO. Awesome!
With a deadline to produce a music score for a horror movie quickly approaching, Composers Eddie and Ben decide to spend some time at an island estate off the coast of California. Castle Blackwood is nicknamed The Sorrows because of all the twisted, horrible things that have happened there. In 1925, there were several murders on the island. A group that stayed there in the 1970s to research the murders met a similar fate. Now the two composers and two female companions head to The Sorrows hoping to revive their musical muse.
Not a good idea. Very, very bad idea.
Hallucinations. Dark Thoughts. Violence. Ancient Evil.
The Sorrows has plans for all of them.
I'm not going to reveal much about the plot because it needs to catch readers by surprise. There were some parts I really liked....others that felt a bit B-movie....and some were just completely out there. But, all in all, as I finished up this story I felt like it all worked.
What I will say is this --- prepare to dislike every character in this story. They are all pretty reprehensible people for one reason or another. And travelling to a cursed/evil island with a group of folks like that is never, ever a good idea for those involved. Luckily, a reader does not have to like the characters in a horror story to enjoy the creepiness. To be completely honest, I found myself rooting for the ancient evil. Go evil! Eat the awful people! :)
The Sorrows is actually a re-release. First published in 2012, The Sorrows was Janz's first book. There is a sequel, Castle of Sorrows. Definitely adding this second book to my TBR list!
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
December 5, 2019
If there is one thing I'm learning, it's that Mr. Janz does not hold anything back in his books! This is my third one of his I've read, and he's been consistent in dealing out the hardcore horror. I enjoyed this book. It's got a lot of action, lots of twists and turns, a great supernatural evil and is filled with lots of interesting characters running the gambit from repulsive to sympathetic. Lots of fun if you enjoy 80's B-movie horror (which I love and say in a very positive-meaning way!). Looking forward to more of these books in my future.
September 20, 2022
I had a fantastic time reading this one! Loved the characters and the setting was absolutely perfect! Writing style and characters are the most important things for me and I loved both in this book. I'm a Janz junkie now! Is that a thing?
April 24, 2016
4.5 stars
This was my second read by author Jonathan Janz, after his amazing 5-star SAVAGE SPECIES. While I really enjoyed The Sorrows, it wasn't "quite" as spectacular to me as SS; thus, the 4.5 rating. This is one of his earlier novels, and it was interesting to step back and see his progression as an author.
One thing that I have to highly compliment is Janz's use of characterization. This is one of his strongest abilities, I feel. His characters are real, flawed--you have moments that you love them, and moments that you hate them. I simply can't emphasize enough how much skill he demonstrates in this particular area. If you write a story with forgettable, cliched characters, your readers are just not going to be thinking about them after the end of the novel. In this, Janz has me hooked completely!
The atmosphere surrounding this castle where are cast end up is stunningly eerie! I enjoyed the periodic back-tracks where we learned more about the history surrounding the island, and what event led up to it being such an accursed place. This novel didn't have a "let-down" point--it flowed very well from scene to grisly scene. The last third of the novel I felt was particularly fast-paced, with so much action, that there was no chance of leaving until the very end.
And the ending.....
Well, I just leave that up to all of you to discover on your own... ;)
Highly Recommended!
**EDIT for re-read 4/16: I think I loved this one even more the second time around! I really got into the "gothic atmosphere" of the island. Additionally, the backstory of Gabriel was paced out so well--added in small increments throughout the entire novel--that it blended the past with present event perfectly.* * *
This was my second read by author Jonathan Janz, after his amazing 5-star SAVAGE SPECIES. While I really enjoyed The Sorrows, it wasn't "quite" as spectacular to me as SS; thus, the 4.5 rating. This is one of his earlier novels, and it was interesting to step back and see his progression as an author.
One thing that I have to highly compliment is Janz's use of characterization. This is one of his strongest abilities, I feel. His characters are real, flawed--you have moments that you love them, and moments that you hate them. I simply can't emphasize enough how much skill he demonstrates in this particular area. If you write a story with forgettable, cliched characters, your readers are just not going to be thinking about them after the end of the novel. In this, Janz has me hooked completely!
The atmosphere surrounding this castle where are cast end up is stunningly eerie! I enjoyed the periodic back-tracks where we learned more about the history surrounding the island, and what event led up to it being such an accursed place. This novel didn't have a "let-down" point--it flowed very well from scene to grisly scene. The last third of the novel I felt was particularly fast-paced, with so much action, that there was no chance of leaving until the very end.
And the ending.....
Well, I just leave that up to all of you to discover on your own... ;)
Highly Recommended!
**EDIT for re-read 4/16: I think I loved this one even more the second time around! I really got into the "gothic atmosphere" of the island. Additionally, the backstory of Gabriel was paced out so well--added in small increments throughout the entire novel--that it blended the past with present event perfectly.* * *
February 21, 2015
Janz's first novel and it shows the potential that he's capable of. The Sorrows is a unique take on the Shirley Jackson classic, The Haunting of Hill House and the movie House on Haunted Hill. I've always had a problem with the whole overused and tired premise of trying to drag a bunch of characters to a secluded house where bad things have happened and making it seem realistic. It has always come across as a bad B-movie with idiots for characters. Janz did a good job coming up with a reason to justify that and have it seem plausible. The characters are in the horror movie business and are looking for inspiration to score the music for the next blockbuster they are working on. And what better place to get an inspiration than a creepy castle located on a secluded island off of California where murders took place in the 1920s? OK. I can buy it. Janz offering does have the feel of a B-movie. In some places it works quite well. He takes inspiration from Brian Keene's Dark Hollow and offers us up a very unique monster whose exploits will stay with you long after you've finished the book. In other places, there's still some of that tired cliche-like characters that feel a little like wooden stereotypes and not realistic people. But, Janz produces a slow burn throughout The Sorrows and gives us some wonderful eerie moments that overcome any short comings it might have. All in all, an enjoyable read and insight on what's to come from one of the new heavy hitters in horror.
4 out of 5 stars
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4 out of 5 stars
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TWITTER - @KenMcKinley5
November 22, 2018
This book was sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't realize when I first saw the gorgeous cover for this novel published by Flame Tree Press that The Sorrows is Janz's first novel. A number of people in the horror community have been fans of Janz since he first published with the now defunct Samhain Publishing, but I didn't become a fan until this year because I didn't know about him. Needless to say I'm over the moon that Flame Tree Press is reissuing all of Janz's back catalogue, since it took me so long to discover him and become such a big fan. Now that I've finished it, it's hard for me to believe that The Sorrows is the first book he published. This novel is truly just as amazing as his later works.
One of the things that I really love about Janz's writing is his characters. The bad guys are absolutely repugnant, and the good guys you root for so hard you fall in love with them a little. The dichotomy between these two character types is a chasm so wide that I often wonder how Janz can come up with characters that are that deplorable. Janz has some dark little monsters roaming around in his head, and we as readers have the privilege of reading that darkness translated into words. I'm always amazed at just how far he takes his bad guys.
The Sorrows is a small island off the coast of northern California with a castle that has belonged to the same family for generations. In 1925 something so terrible happened there that it lead to multiple murders. Those details are told in diary entries and interspersed with chapters about a group of people who are staying at the castle in present day. Even though the current owner of the castle knows about the murders and why they happened, he's a gambler who owes a lot of money, so out of desperation for his own life, he allows a small group of four to stay at the castle for a month, totally isolated from the outside world.
Ben Shadeland, a composer, and his partner Eddie have a tight deadline for a movie soundtrack, so they decide to spend a month on the island in order to get the creative juices flowing with minimal distractions. Accompanying them are two assistants, Eva and Claire. The group has heard rumors about the castle, but none of them believe that anything sinister resides on the island. Then things slowly start to go seriously wrong, and the group of four find themselves fighting just to stay alive.
This book has everything that I have come to expect from Janz. Terrible people doing repulsive things, good people fighting both human threats as well as the supernatural, and tons and tons of gore. I always try to read a Janz novel slowly so that I can really relish them, but it never works. I always end up devouring them, and then I'm left waiting for more. I cannot wait until Flame Tree releases his next book.
I didn't realize when I first saw the gorgeous cover for this novel published by Flame Tree Press that The Sorrows is Janz's first novel. A number of people in the horror community have been fans of Janz since he first published with the now defunct Samhain Publishing, but I didn't become a fan until this year because I didn't know about him. Needless to say I'm over the moon that Flame Tree Press is reissuing all of Janz's back catalogue, since it took me so long to discover him and become such a big fan. Now that I've finished it, it's hard for me to believe that The Sorrows is the first book he published. This novel is truly just as amazing as his later works.
One of the things that I really love about Janz's writing is his characters. The bad guys are absolutely repugnant, and the good guys you root for so hard you fall in love with them a little. The dichotomy between these two character types is a chasm so wide that I often wonder how Janz can come up with characters that are that deplorable. Janz has some dark little monsters roaming around in his head, and we as readers have the privilege of reading that darkness translated into words. I'm always amazed at just how far he takes his bad guys.
The Sorrows is a small island off the coast of northern California with a castle that has belonged to the same family for generations. In 1925 something so terrible happened there that it lead to multiple murders. Those details are told in diary entries and interspersed with chapters about a group of people who are staying at the castle in present day. Even though the current owner of the castle knows about the murders and why they happened, he's a gambler who owes a lot of money, so out of desperation for his own life, he allows a small group of four to stay at the castle for a month, totally isolated from the outside world.
Ben Shadeland, a composer, and his partner Eddie have a tight deadline for a movie soundtrack, so they decide to spend a month on the island in order to get the creative juices flowing with minimal distractions. Accompanying them are two assistants, Eva and Claire. The group has heard rumors about the castle, but none of them believe that anything sinister resides on the island. Then things slowly start to go seriously wrong, and the group of four find themselves fighting just to stay alive.
This book has everything that I have come to expect from Janz. Terrible people doing repulsive things, good people fighting both human threats as well as the supernatural, and tons and tons of gore. I always try to read a Janz novel slowly so that I can really relish them, but it never works. I always end up devouring them, and then I'm left waiting for more. I cannot wait until Flame Tree releases his next book.
November 16, 2018
When Samhain Publishing shut down in 2016, readers lost a wealth of great horror novels and up-and-coming authors. Granted, many of those books have found their way back to market in some form or another and those authors have been able to pursue new opportunities in indie publishing, either self-publishing or signing on with small presses. One of the hardest losses for me was the wealth of material from Jonathan Janz that up and vanished. Luckily, new publisher Flame Tree Press snatched him up and will be publishing his new titles along with his entire back-list.
Originally published in 2011, The Sorrows is the first to get a reissue. Fittingly enough, this was also Janz's debut novel, although it sure as hell doesn't feel like it. Coming into The Sorrows for the very first time seven years after its first publication date, I'm a bit surprised at just how much it doesn't feel like a first novel.
Usually when you've been reading an author's later works, you can tell you're taking a few steps back with their earlier stuff. Typically, those books just don't feel as polished or maybe the author hasn't quite found his voice yet, or possibly some plot points are a little sticky, if not downright sloppy, regardless of whatever promise they show. They're young pups learning their craft, a rising star whose hasn't quite found his groove yet. You've know they've got that special something, but they just haven't hit their fullest potential yet.
Well, The Sorrows doesn't suffer from any of that first-novel syndrome, and, man, Jonathan Janz hit the fucking ground running with this one. It makes me wonder how many shoddy trunk novels this dude squirreled away before he felt sure enough of his own talents that he finally pursued publication. Seems to me, Janz emerged fully-formed, his authorial voice strong, and his talents firmly on display and ready to rock. Maybe it seemed this way to Janz, too - The Sorrows is peppered with references of things to come. Take, for instance, the name of the film many of this book's characters operate on the periphery of, House of Skin, a film that shares the title and plot elements of Janz's second (and, at the time of this book's original publication date, then unpublished) novel. Even our lead male protag's name will sound awfully familiar to those familiar with the setting of Savage Species and Children of the Dark.
Ben Shadeland is a film composer with writer's block. Not a good thing to have when the film he's supposed to be scoring is ready to get locked-in and its release date is coming up fast. Hoping to avoid a breach of contract lawsuit, Ben's partner Eddie has them and their assistants, Eva and Claire, flown out to an abandoned castle situated upon an isolated island sure to get the creative juices flowing. Since this is a horror novel, there's plenty of other bodily fluids flowing and spilling all over the place, too.
What's most interesting about The Sorrows is the plot itself, particularly in the clever ways Janz develops and subverts the haunted house genre. While it shares plenty of aspects and more than a few devices with your typical ghost story, Janz takes it up a few notches, giving readers not only a haunted castle, but haunted people as well, along with a really interesting development that I didn't see coming.
This is a dazzling story, and the horror tropes at the core of it are well explored, particularly the history of Castle Blackwood and the ignominious murders that have since left it deserted. Janz's talents in delivering a fully and deeply layered horror story are solidly evident here, as is his incredible knack for characterization. Early in the book's opening, we get a look at Ben's marital troubles and the anguish his separation from his son is causing. We don't spend a lot of time with his ex-wife, but based on the state three-year-old Joshua is in, this probably isn't a bad thing at all. Through only a few sentences, Janz is able to tell us a lot about the kind of mother Jenny is, and we can infer pretty easily the type of spouse she was for Ben. I've always been impressed with how Janz can communicate so much about his characters in so little words, in such small spaces, and immediately get us to ally ourselves with his protagonist and hate his repulsive human antagonists. It's a talent he's only gotten better at since this debut, but even here it's still pretty damn sharp.
Pretty damn sharp, too, was Flame Tree Press for locking down the rights to Janz's work. That's some smart business sense right there, and I'm looking forward seeing the rest of this author's catalog getting a rapid release over the course of next year. There's a lot of Janz's books I haven't read yet, and I'm excited to dive into them as they relaunch. With a brand-new release dropping in the middle of all this, it's safe to say 2019 will be the Year of Janz and I, for one, will be celebrating all year long.
[Note: I received an advanced reading copy of this title from the publisher, Flame Tree Press, via NetGalley.]
Originally published in 2011, The Sorrows is the first to get a reissue. Fittingly enough, this was also Janz's debut novel, although it sure as hell doesn't feel like it. Coming into The Sorrows for the very first time seven years after its first publication date, I'm a bit surprised at just how much it doesn't feel like a first novel.
Usually when you've been reading an author's later works, you can tell you're taking a few steps back with their earlier stuff. Typically, those books just don't feel as polished or maybe the author hasn't quite found his voice yet, or possibly some plot points are a little sticky, if not downright sloppy, regardless of whatever promise they show. They're young pups learning their craft, a rising star whose hasn't quite found his groove yet. You've know they've got that special something, but they just haven't hit their fullest potential yet.
Well, The Sorrows doesn't suffer from any of that first-novel syndrome, and, man, Jonathan Janz hit the fucking ground running with this one. It makes me wonder how many shoddy trunk novels this dude squirreled away before he felt sure enough of his own talents that he finally pursued publication. Seems to me, Janz emerged fully-formed, his authorial voice strong, and his talents firmly on display and ready to rock. Maybe it seemed this way to Janz, too - The Sorrows is peppered with references of things to come. Take, for instance, the name of the film many of this book's characters operate on the periphery of, House of Skin, a film that shares the title and plot elements of Janz's second (and, at the time of this book's original publication date, then unpublished) novel. Even our lead male protag's name will sound awfully familiar to those familiar with the setting of Savage Species and Children of the Dark.
Ben Shadeland is a film composer with writer's block. Not a good thing to have when the film he's supposed to be scoring is ready to get locked-in and its release date is coming up fast. Hoping to avoid a breach of contract lawsuit, Ben's partner Eddie has them and their assistants, Eva and Claire, flown out to an abandoned castle situated upon an isolated island sure to get the creative juices flowing. Since this is a horror novel, there's plenty of other bodily fluids flowing and spilling all over the place, too.
What's most interesting about The Sorrows is the plot itself, particularly in the clever ways Janz develops and subverts the haunted house genre. While it shares plenty of aspects and more than a few devices with your typical ghost story, Janz takes it up a few notches, giving readers not only a haunted castle, but haunted people as well, along with a really interesting development that I didn't see coming.
This is a dazzling story, and the horror tropes at the core of it are well explored, particularly the history of Castle Blackwood and the ignominious murders that have since left it deserted. Janz's talents in delivering a fully and deeply layered horror story are solidly evident here, as is his incredible knack for characterization. Early in the book's opening, we get a look at Ben's marital troubles and the anguish his separation from his son is causing. We don't spend a lot of time with his ex-wife, but based on the state three-year-old Joshua is in, this probably isn't a bad thing at all. Through only a few sentences, Janz is able to tell us a lot about the kind of mother Jenny is, and we can infer pretty easily the type of spouse she was for Ben. I've always been impressed with how Janz can communicate so much about his characters in so little words, in such small spaces, and immediately get us to ally ourselves with his protagonist and hate his repulsive human antagonists. It's a talent he's only gotten better at since this debut, but even here it's still pretty damn sharp.
Pretty damn sharp, too, was Flame Tree Press for locking down the rights to Janz's work. That's some smart business sense right there, and I'm looking forward seeing the rest of this author's catalog getting a rapid release over the course of next year. There's a lot of Janz's books I haven't read yet, and I'm excited to dive into them as they relaunch. With a brand-new release dropping in the middle of all this, it's safe to say 2019 will be the Year of Janz and I, for one, will be celebrating all year long.
[Note: I received an advanced reading copy of this title from the publisher, Flame Tree Press, via NetGalley.]
July 13, 2014
A truly impressive haunted house tale, that deftly blends old school Gothic atmosphere with new school wetwork. The result is a finely balanced work of dark fiction that will please both fans of the classics as well as the folks too jaded to read ghost stories.
Janz builds the suspense masterfully, using journal entries to fill readers in on the castle's checkered history, while keeping the story moving, and the scares coming. His characters are marvelously human, their faults, quirks and errors in judgement ring true.
Jonathan Janz is an author to watch.
Highly recommended.
Janz builds the suspense masterfully, using journal entries to fill readers in on the castle's checkered history, while keeping the story moving, and the scares coming. His characters are marvelously human, their faults, quirks and errors in judgement ring true.
Jonathan Janz is an author to watch.
Highly recommended.
January 1, 2019
Very well done for a first novel and a long overdue read for me since I do dig me some Janz.
There's a lot going on in this one and although it got a wee muddled here and there, Janz managed to keep it moving and there were some truly excellent scenes of depravity and violence, which of course, I enjoy.
I was also glad to see that Damien and Lee got along so well. Although Damien was top dog in that relationship. Haha.
Jonathan Janz has skills and it is immediately apparent even from his first novel. I dig it.
There's a lot going on in this one and although it got a wee muddled here and there, Janz managed to keep it moving and there were some truly excellent scenes of depravity and violence, which of course, I enjoy.
I was also glad to see that Damien and Lee got along so well. Although Damien was top dog in that relationship. Haha.
Jonathan Janz has skills and it is immediately apparent even from his first novel. I dig it.
May 16, 2020
I read the Samhain version waaay back in 2014, but I see this is the second edition via Flame Tree Press. I'll give it a go again.
The first time through, I skipped the sexual parts...I got no dog in the man-woman fight, left that arena last century...and eye-rolled my way through some of that ever-unappealing manly-man stuff...but the horror and the eerie atmosphere have stuck with me for six years. Castle Blackwood was a stark and powerful picture. I'll see what Author Janz has done in the second edition, and review it on the appropriate edition page.
The first time through, I skipped the sexual parts...I got no dog in the man-woman fight, left that arena last century...and eye-rolled my way through some of that ever-unappealing manly-man stuff...but the horror and the eerie atmosphere have stuck with me for six years. Castle Blackwood was a stark and powerful picture. I'll see what Author Janz has done in the second edition, and review it on the appropriate edition page.
April 30, 2015
I very rarely accept friend requests from authors. Most of them are looking to expand their visibility, and I don't begrudge them that: it is their livelihood after all. I'm just not interested in being used like that.
However, when I checked out Jonathan Janz's profile, he was not only an author, but an active Goodreads reader and reviewer of books. And we had the same tastes, and he did not offer free material for 'honest review'.
So I never felt obligated to read him. I hate being obligated to read anything.
Then a few weeks ago I was listening to Brian Keene's horror podcast and he mentioned Jonathan Janz's Dust Devils as one of his top 10 favourite reads in 2014. Well, the name sounded familiar and lo and behold, hey, this guy friended me on Goodreads last year!
So I checked him out a little closer and discovered that Keene had also raved about his first, The Sorrows. So that did it, I slapped it on my to-read list.
Now the obvious dilemma: What if I don't like it? I have to maintain my integrity as a reviewer (I was THE Bill of Bill's Brutally Honest Book Reviews website, don't you know), and he seems like a really good guy.
So I threw the dilemma to the wind and started reading it.
And, oh shit...this really wasn't working for me. This revelation happened on a Friday night, and with my favourite reading morning a mere eight hours away, I decided at 30% that I was no longer interested in it, and I would start Saturday morning with something new. I'd just delete the book and not review it at all.
The morning came and, undecided on what to read next, thought I'd read just a couple of more pages to give it one last chance.
And got severely hooked.
Janz had a couple of story arcs going at this point, and each were intense and very very absorbing. I could hardly put it down. This, to my delight (and relief), was destined for a five star rating.
So what happened to the five star rating? Well,
I was going to give this three stars overall. But he was so stellar for a good chunk of the novel, I think he deserves better than that. So four it is, and I will likely read him again.
However, when I checked out Jonathan Janz's profile, he was not only an author, but an active Goodreads reader and reviewer of books. And we had the same tastes, and he did not offer free material for 'honest review'.
So I never felt obligated to read him. I hate being obligated to read anything.
Then a few weeks ago I was listening to Brian Keene's horror podcast and he mentioned Jonathan Janz's Dust Devils as one of his top 10 favourite reads in 2014. Well, the name sounded familiar and lo and behold, hey, this guy friended me on Goodreads last year!
So I checked him out a little closer and discovered that Keene had also raved about his first, The Sorrows. So that did it, I slapped it on my to-read list.
Now the obvious dilemma: What if I don't like it? I have to maintain my integrity as a reviewer (I was THE Bill of Bill's Brutally Honest Book Reviews website, don't you know), and he seems like a really good guy.
So I threw the dilemma to the wind and started reading it.
And, oh shit...this really wasn't working for me. This revelation happened on a Friday night, and with my favourite reading morning a mere eight hours away, I decided at 30% that I was no longer interested in it, and I would start Saturday morning with something new. I'd just delete the book and not review it at all.
The morning came and, undecided on what to read next, thought I'd read just a couple of more pages to give it one last chance.
And got severely hooked.
Janz had a couple of story arcs going at this point, and each were intense and very very absorbing. I could hardly put it down. This, to my delight (and relief), was destined for a five star rating.
So what happened to the five star rating? Well,
I was going to give this three stars overall. But he was so stellar for a good chunk of the novel, I think he deserves better than that. So four it is, and I will likely read him again.
November 28, 2018
Things I've learned from this book:
1. It's ok to be a 71/2 as long as you look like a Renoir girl;
2. Never go to a Castle with a shady history just to try and prove yourself (especially if you're a girl);
3. Never try to save a child in the woods unless you're absolutely certain he doesn't have a home; and
3. If all else fails, always kick 'em in the balls!
For some reason I failed to notice that this is Janz's debut novel! WHAT?! I recently read Siren & The Specter and loved it so when given the opportunity to receive this for review, well... how could I say no?! Once again we get some interesting, gruesome sex scenes, some crazy ass characters and a horned monster who wants what it wants WHEN IT WANTS IT. I never got any creepy creepy chills while reading this but I did enjoy the past to present perspectives as we learn about several of the characters.. at first it feels like a lot but then I got used to it and everything fell into place.
The men are men - constantly ogling and trying to get theirs. The women are using their wiles to get theirs. All of them are subject to die. I didn't think I was going to actually connect to any of the characters but I'll be honest - there was one moment with Claire and Chris that was like "ah..." and then I was all "wait, what? Why do I feel like this?!" Haha.
Overall I found this a highly entertaining book with the usual trope of sex, violence, vengeance and the paranormal. Check, check, check and CHECK! I think I like The Siren and the Specter a bit better and can see the maturity in his writing from this book to that one and for that I'll rate this a little bit lower than I did for Siren. I'll tell you what though, Janz is on my list of horror writers to keep a watch on and I can't see what he brings to the table for us next!
3.5 stars, rounding to 4 for Goodreads.
Thanks to Flame Tree for this copy to review!
1. It's ok to be a 71/2 as long as you look like a Renoir girl;
2. Never go to a Castle with a shady history just to try and prove yourself (especially if you're a girl);
3. Never try to save a child in the woods unless you're absolutely certain he doesn't have a home; and
3. If all else fails, always kick 'em in the balls!
For some reason I failed to notice that this is Janz's debut novel! WHAT?! I recently read Siren & The Specter and loved it so when given the opportunity to receive this for review, well... how could I say no?! Once again we get some interesting, gruesome sex scenes, some crazy ass characters and a horned monster who wants what it wants WHEN IT WANTS IT. I never got any creepy creepy chills while reading this but I did enjoy the past to present perspectives as we learn about several of the characters.. at first it feels like a lot but then I got used to it and everything fell into place.
The men are men - constantly ogling and trying to get theirs. The women are using their wiles to get theirs. All of them are subject to die. I didn't think I was going to actually connect to any of the characters but I'll be honest - there was one moment with Claire and Chris that was like "ah..." and then I was all "wait, what? Why do I feel like this?!" Haha.
Overall I found this a highly entertaining book with the usual trope of sex, violence, vengeance and the paranormal. Check, check, check and CHECK! I think I like The Siren and the Specter a bit better and can see the maturity in his writing from this book to that one and for that I'll rate this a little bit lower than I did for Siren. I'll tell you what though, Janz is on my list of horror writers to keep a watch on and I can't see what he brings to the table for us next!
3.5 stars, rounding to 4 for Goodreads.
Thanks to Flame Tree for this copy to review!
February 16, 2022
This book surely was written just for me!!! It was right up the "Ghost Story Junkie's" alley. Ben and Eddie are composers who specialize in film scores. They’ve just been hired to score a major new horror movie, but Ben has writer’s block. Eddie thinks that spending some time in a castle on an island off the coast of Northern California will help Ben get his groove back. But no one has lived there since a bunch of people were killed there in the 20’s. Only one way on or off the island...what could possibly go wrong? Horror, gore, and more ensue. I wish we had been able to find out a little more about the entity and the island’s multiple mysteries since as I still had questions in the end. I see there is a sequel called Castle of Sorrows, so maybe we will find out more. It feels like there’s more to this island and I will definitely be scheduling a return trip!
September 6, 2020
I found out after reading this book that it is Janz’s debut novel and I’m absolutely floored. I absolutely loved it before I found that out but now that I know, I’m just STUNNED that this is a freaking debut and it’s given me a whole new level of appreciation for this book! This is my favourite kind of horror, where it feels like you’re watching a movie and constantly shaking your head at the characters and thinking you’d obviously survive when they don’t because they’re total idiots but you secretly love that they don’t because you get to watch them brutally murdered. That’s what reading this book felt like to me and it was glorious! I also immediately ordered the sequel the second I was finished reading because I NEED MORE of this!!!
March 19, 2016
I bought this book shortly after joining the HA group here on GR. The author is a member and guess what? He's not just there pimpin' his stuff! He's an active participant in many threads, not just the author promotion pages.
A little background, I'm not the splatter/gore/blood and guts type horror reader, that's disgusting but not really scary, at least not to me. I prefer the psychological, anticipatory dread that creeps up on you. This book was a very good mix of both types.
The story centers around a family curse that extends back several generations from the current time frame. Our main characters get caught up in the curse in a somewhat unique way. Ben and Eddie write and compose music for movies and decide to inspire Ben by paying for the right to use Castle Blackwood which sits on an private island off the coast of California. The castle has plenty of stories that swirl around the Blackwood family and several unexplained incidences. The history of the castle and Robert Blackwood are told through journal entries made by Calvin Shepherd from the early 1900's. I thought the background of the main characters was well done and added a nice depth to the story. There are some of the "what the hell are you thinking/don't go down there" moments but the author pokes at those tropes a bit by having his characters say the same things to themselves.
There were some gross out moments but not enough to make me put the book down(which I have done on occasion). The balance between gore and creepy was spot on for me. A very entertaining read.
A little background, I'm not the splatter/gore/blood and guts type horror reader, that's disgusting but not really scary, at least not to me. I prefer the psychological, anticipatory dread that creeps up on you. This book was a very good mix of both types.
The story centers around a family curse that extends back several generations from the current time frame. Our main characters get caught up in the curse in a somewhat unique way. Ben and Eddie write and compose music for movies and decide to inspire Ben by paying for the right to use Castle Blackwood which sits on an private island off the coast of California. The castle has plenty of stories that swirl around the Blackwood family and several unexplained incidences. The history of the castle and Robert Blackwood are told through journal entries made by Calvin Shepherd from the early 1900's. I thought the background of the main characters was well done and added a nice depth to the story. There are some of the "what the hell are you thinking/don't go down there" moments but the author pokes at those tropes a bit by having his characters say the same things to themselves.
There were some gross out moments but not enough to make me put the book down(which I have done on occasion). The balance between gore and creepy was spot on for me. A very entertaining read.
Want to read
March 7, 2017This hardcover edition of the Sorrows is copy number 14 of 60 copies and is signed and numbered by Jonathan Janz.
This is book volume 3 of Thunderstorm Books series Shadow Sides.
Cover by Zach McCain
This is book volume 3 of Thunderstorm Books series Shadow Sides.
Cover by Zach McCain
May 9, 2019
I'm about to ramble but this has a point, please bear with.
At the beginning of the year I noticed I had a few Flame Tree Press books to read and decided that it was unacceptable behaviour to have not read them yet so, as is my wont, I decided to do an Instgram post in which I tagged the publisher and authors of the books I had and said I would be getting to them forthwith. I then received a reply from Jonathan Janz thanking me for having some of his books to read, I asked which order he would suggest I read them in and his reply was 'The Dark Game, The Siren and the Specter and then The Sorrows', as he believed the first 2 were stronger than this one. I took his advice (Obvs) and have to say, yes, the other 2 are stronger , but I still rate this as a 5 star read. Here's why:
Ben and Eddie are composers, asked to score a film by a renowned horror director and with the deadline looming and Ben having yet to find inspiration, Eddie suggests they try and rent The Sorrows, an island off the coast of Northern California with it's own castle, uninhabited since a series of gruesome murders supposedly happened there in 1925.
The owners son, desperately in need of money, agrees to let them use the island and Castle Blackwood for a month while they write the score, along with Ben and Eddie there are 2 women, Eva, the girlfriend of the director and Claire, who really wants to work with Ben as she loves his work.
Things are creepy and slightly off from the start, mysterious noises, shadows, things you catch out of the corner of your eye and weird dreams. told in present day and through journal enteries going back many, many years, we see the backstory of the Blackwoods and the history of the castle, horiffic, inhumane and despicable things that should never happen.
The characters are interesting, each having their own reasons to be there and having their own doubts about the castle and how it makes them feel. It's creepy and foreboding, dark places, shadows, a scary basement/dungeon, voices calling to them, sending each of them a little bit mad.
There's more sexy times in this book than the previous 2 I've read by this author and some of it feels like it's there without purpose, I know what he's trying to achieve and I believe it could've been done with less sexy times and a bit more alluding to said sexy times.
It's gruesome, horrific, chilling and surprisingly heartbreaking, some of the things that happen throughout the backstory had me furious, disturbed and having violent thoughts against people (in the story, not in real life).
Overall, despite my thoughts about the sexy times, I really enjoyed this, you can see the building blocks he's used in this as he moves through the story, his descriptions of the island and the castle are wonderful, the tortured characters, some redeemable, some not, how the story builds and takes the turns it does. Yeah, the other 2 I read first ARE stronger but the base is there, the way he weaves the narrative, his descriptions and the wonderful humour breaking up the tension just when it needs it, nearly all superfluous pieces taken out, I loved it.
I'm impatiently waiting for the 11th July now when Castle of Sorrows is re-released and I can get my hands on that! I can't wait to see what happens next.
Do you see my point? If not I can't help you, there's a point in here somewhere, you just have to read between the lines to see it (and maybe have some coffee, that helps :D)
*Huge thanks to Jonathan Janz, Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
At the beginning of the year I noticed I had a few Flame Tree Press books to read and decided that it was unacceptable behaviour to have not read them yet so, as is my wont, I decided to do an Instgram post in which I tagged the publisher and authors of the books I had and said I would be getting to them forthwith. I then received a reply from Jonathan Janz thanking me for having some of his books to read, I asked which order he would suggest I read them in and his reply was 'The Dark Game, The Siren and the Specter and then The Sorrows', as he believed the first 2 were stronger than this one. I took his advice (Obvs) and have to say, yes, the other 2 are stronger , but I still rate this as a 5 star read. Here's why:
Ben and Eddie are composers, asked to score a film by a renowned horror director and with the deadline looming and Ben having yet to find inspiration, Eddie suggests they try and rent The Sorrows, an island off the coast of Northern California with it's own castle, uninhabited since a series of gruesome murders supposedly happened there in 1925.
The owners son, desperately in need of money, agrees to let them use the island and Castle Blackwood for a month while they write the score, along with Ben and Eddie there are 2 women, Eva, the girlfriend of the director and Claire, who really wants to work with Ben as she loves his work.
Things are creepy and slightly off from the start, mysterious noises, shadows, things you catch out of the corner of your eye and weird dreams. told in present day and through journal enteries going back many, many years, we see the backstory of the Blackwoods and the history of the castle, horiffic, inhumane and despicable things that should never happen.
The characters are interesting, each having their own reasons to be there and having their own doubts about the castle and how it makes them feel. It's creepy and foreboding, dark places, shadows, a scary basement/dungeon, voices calling to them, sending each of them a little bit mad.
There's more sexy times in this book than the previous 2 I've read by this author and some of it feels like it's there without purpose, I know what he's trying to achieve and I believe it could've been done with less sexy times and a bit more alluding to said sexy times.
It's gruesome, horrific, chilling and surprisingly heartbreaking, some of the things that happen throughout the backstory had me furious, disturbed and having violent thoughts against people (in the story, not in real life).
Overall, despite my thoughts about the sexy times, I really enjoyed this, you can see the building blocks he's used in this as he moves through the story, his descriptions of the island and the castle are wonderful, the tortured characters, some redeemable, some not, how the story builds and takes the turns it does. Yeah, the other 2 I read first ARE stronger but the base is there, the way he weaves the narrative, his descriptions and the wonderful humour breaking up the tension just when it needs it, nearly all superfluous pieces taken out, I loved it.
I'm impatiently waiting for the 11th July now when Castle of Sorrows is re-released and I can get my hands on that! I can't wait to see what happens next.
Do you see my point? If not I can't help you, there's a point in here somewhere, you just have to read between the lines to see it (and maybe have some coffee, that helps :D)
*Huge thanks to Jonathan Janz, Flame Tree Press and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*
April 9, 2019
Review copy
I was a bit late to the party when it came to discovering the work of Jonathan Janz. As a result, I totally missed The Sorrows when it was originally published by Samhain Publishing in 2012.
When Samhain ceased operations on March 1, 2017 many great works went out of print, including this debut from one of the most popular horror writers working today.
The Sorrows presents the reader with a wonderful cast of characters secluded at Castle Blackwood located on a private island known as The Sorrorws. Eighty miles off the coast of northern California and the site of one of America's strangest unsolved mysteries.
There are more than a few cringe-worthy moments including this little gem...
"A hand slipped inside Chris’s boxer shorts, the scalpel tracing an almost delicate line down his penis, the sharp point pausing on the shriveled tip and grinding into the urethra. Chris groaned, the voice rasping at his ear, '…so many places I can dig.'"
The Sorrows is a wonderful example of a place exercising its influence over its occupants. Gothic horror at its finest.
Janz's first novel shows the promise of greatness and in the years since its release, the author has matured into one of today's leading horror writers. One whose work is looked forward to by many readers, including this one.
With all its horror and disgusting moments, The Sorrows is secretly a love story. I dare you to prove me wrong on this one.
If you missed The Sorrows when it was first released, be sure to read it now.
Fully recommended.
This re-release of The Sorrows is published by Flame Tree Press and is available now in hardcover, paperback, e-book, and Audible formats.
From the author's bio - Jonathan Janz is the author of more than a dozen novels and numerous short stories. His ghost story The Siren and the Specter was selected as a Goodreads Choice Awards nominee for Best Horror. Additionally, his novel Children of the Dark was chosen by Booklist as a Top Ten Horror Book of the Year. Jonathan's main interests are his wonderful wife and his three amazing children.
I was a bit late to the party when it came to discovering the work of Jonathan Janz. As a result, I totally missed The Sorrows when it was originally published by Samhain Publishing in 2012.
When Samhain ceased operations on March 1, 2017 many great works went out of print, including this debut from one of the most popular horror writers working today.
The Sorrows presents the reader with a wonderful cast of characters secluded at Castle Blackwood located on a private island known as The Sorrorws. Eighty miles off the coast of northern California and the site of one of America's strangest unsolved mysteries.
There are more than a few cringe-worthy moments including this little gem...
"A hand slipped inside Chris’s boxer shorts, the scalpel tracing an almost delicate line down his penis, the sharp point pausing on the shriveled tip and grinding into the urethra. Chris groaned, the voice rasping at his ear, '…so many places I can dig.'"
The Sorrows is a wonderful example of a place exercising its influence over its occupants. Gothic horror at its finest.
Janz's first novel shows the promise of greatness and in the years since its release, the author has matured into one of today's leading horror writers. One whose work is looked forward to by many readers, including this one.
With all its horror and disgusting moments, The Sorrows is secretly a love story. I dare you to prove me wrong on this one.
If you missed The Sorrows when it was first released, be sure to read it now.
Fully recommended.
This re-release of The Sorrows is published by Flame Tree Press and is available now in hardcover, paperback, e-book, and Audible formats.
From the author's bio - Jonathan Janz is the author of more than a dozen novels and numerous short stories. His ghost story The Siren and the Specter was selected as a Goodreads Choice Awards nominee for Best Horror. Additionally, his novel Children of the Dark was chosen by Booklist as a Top Ten Horror Book of the Year. Jonathan's main interests are his wonderful wife and his three amazing children.
November 30, 2018
I received this arc from Netgalley.
What a creepy, scary read. I enjoyed every page of it. A very entertaining read that I could hardly put down. I hope to find other books by this author.
What a creepy, scary read. I enjoyed every page of it. A very entertaining read that I could hardly put down. I hope to find other books by this author.
June 1, 2019
Great to see this back in print as it is a brilliant take on a familiar trope. Who doesn't love a haunted island with a sinister reputation? Add to that a cast of characters, each with their own flaws and back stories, and all the ingredients are there for a story that starts as a relatively slow burn but then builds irresistibly to an explosive ending with a last minute twist. I loved the characters (even when I hated them), all of whom had a part to play. In among the suspense and horror, there were genuine human traits and reactions - some less than savoury, others compassionate, others scared out of their wits (well, who wouldn't in their situations?) An early Jonathan Janz but one which demonstrates why he is so highly regarded. This was a great read - and he keeps on getting better.
March 7, 2015
Second Jonathan Janz book for me, after Savage Species. Loved this one too! Never a dull moment and I agree what another poster said about the great characters. I've already downloaded the next one
July 14, 2021
I definitely needed this book after trying so many so so stories. A group of people stay at a castle on a island with n evil that lurks deep within...waiting.
January 18, 2016
Castle Blackwood is located on an island located off the coast of California. It has been abandon since 1925, because of some brutal murders that were never solved. Eddie Blaze, Ben Shadeland, Eva and Claire, will be flown to the island and left there. Eddie and Ben are there to try and get some juices flowing in order to compose a movie score for Lee Stanley' new horror flick. We learn more about the castle from the entries in the journal of Calvin Sheppard. The four are about to enter the gates of hell,
where a creature who inhabits the island waits for them. The creature is seeking flesh and blood and will not stop until everyone is dead.The characters are well developed and helps to make the story stronger. Janz is a good writer and an excellent storyteller. I recommend this book.
where a creature who inhabits the island waits for them. The creature is seeking flesh and blood and will not stop until everyone is dead.The characters are well developed and helps to make the story stronger. Janz is a good writer and an excellent storyteller. I recommend this book.
November 9, 2018
The premise sounded simple enough as I settled in to read what I expected to be a spooky but not unusual tale of a haunted castle. I should have known after my last foray into horror with Jonathan Janz (The Siren and The Specter) that this is not an author who does "simple." While this book is heavy with supernatural horror, it also showcases the fact that sometimes the worst monsters are of the human variety. It frazzled my nerves and had me terrified over whether or not the characters I cared about would survive, while simultaneously wishing a horrific death to those who deserved one.
5 out of 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy for review.
5 out of 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy for review.
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