The Talisman
by Jonathan Aycliffe
Blurb:
A statue, unearthed in ancient Babylon during the course of an archaeological dig, is transported to London. Once there, it quickly exerts an evil influence over those with whom it comes into contact; an influence which threatens to spread throughout London and beyond, and which pits the living against the dead in a battle for all mankind.
My Reaction:
This was a three-star read for me. I've enjoyed some of this author's horror in the past, but it doesn't always land. This one was right in the middle—effective in spots, but not quite there.
There are elements of classic horror here, such as Rosemary's Baby, which is a good thing (in my opinion, at least), but ultimately it's just too flat and meandering. It's like a less interesting and less compelling version of those old classics. For much of the story, we're getting the second- or third-hand version of events, and while epistolatory writing can be very effective for spooky or creepy tales, somehow it just doesn't work as well here, for me.
Perhaps part of the problem is that an element of horror will be introduced, but then it just doesn't ever quite "climax". It's just... lingering there. In the background. Which is becoming progressively more cluttered with "horror stuff". The story is being pulled in too many different directions, and it doesn't know where it wants to go!
I also found that this book lacked the proper sense of urgency, especially toward the end. Something dramatic will happen—something shocking will be hinted at or even discovered—and then in the next scene, the characters act like they've forgotten all about it or can't be bothered to get a hustle on and do something about any of it. The fate of the world is hanging in the balance (not to mention their own loved ones, friends, and allies), and they decide to have a leisurely (boring) conversation. Frustrating and unrealistic behavior.
It wasn't all bad, though, and I actually thought the epilogue was okay.
(I listened to an audio version of this book, by the way. Entertainment while piecing a quilt!)
