Pavor Nocturnus is a haunting tale by Trevor Whittemore, and it takes a step back into a rather classic scenario. With a very subtle tone, Whittemore lays the groundwork for an intriguing story, pitting good against evil and overcoming the odds. Even though it might not be the most sophisticated literary execution, it holds a lot of promise.
Michael is an 8-year-old boy who moves into a new house with his mom and dad, Tanya and Ron. He finds it difficult to make friends, and he starts to have very intense nightmares, eventually building up a fear towards entities that might be in the house. While a pregnant Tanya sympathizes with her son, Ron believes it’s nothing more than a phase.
Michael finally makes a friend, but the nightmares also become more intense. In fact, they start manifesting when his parents aren’t around. Tanya decides to investigate the situation further, only to find their new home was indeed the setting for a horrific ordeal. However, Tanya remains doubtful as Ron insists his wife and son are imagining things.
As mentioned in the introduction, the story is based on many classic elements. For example, the haunted house with a very dark past, the child who has a hard time convincing his parents that real danger exists, and finally the confrontation between a heavenly entity and a demon. In terms of originality, the story probably won’t make much of an impression, but it does cater to an audience who like this type of situation. So if you enjoy having an idea of what’s coming, you’ll enjoy this book.
Even though Whittemore did a good job at presenting a solid horror story, it was the “experimental” tone that attracted me the most. Whittemore has a definite talent, but it’s obvious he hasn’t found his unique style quite yet. I love reading books from indie authors because they have an overwhelming sense of passion while they lack technical perfection, which ultimately gives it a lot of character. So, while this particular story won’t see a spot on the New York Bestseller list, readers will most likely remember Whittemore.
The overall pacing is relatively slow, and Whittemore is very focused on selling the authenticity of his characters. There’s also a constant build-up with certain climaxes in-between, so it’s probably better to read the book in one night instead of spreading it over a few days.
Every book and every writing style are subject to personal opinion, but if I had to give a general description for Pavor Nocturnus, it would be “potential”. I don’t know whether this is Whittemore’s debut, but if it is then, I commend his first attempt. There remains some work regarding execution and his technical approach, but the essence of the book is very entertaining. What the Whittemore lacks in experience he makes up in passion telling a spellbinding story.
If you are the type of reader who expects nothing less than Stephen King quality, it might not be the book to read. But if you like discovering new talent and having an open mind towards passionate writers, you’ll get totally wrapped up in the pages.
Reviewed by Damnetha Jules
Damnetha is a staff writer, horror book and movie critic.
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