Customer Reviews

Asylum

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"Asylum" wraps up The Blackstone Chronicles series with Oliver Metcalf's uncle, Harvey Connally, receiving a razor case that reveals the sources of tragedies occurring in Blackstone, New Hampshire--the item later resulting in Harvey's own death.

Meanwhile, after being abducted in part 4, Rebecca Morrison is still being held captive and possibly next to die. The ending to "Asylum"--or, rather, Rebecca's lamebrained excuses for her abductor--was aggravating. But still, compared to Stephen King's prior six-part serial series, I prefer The Blackstone Chronicles much more, mainly because this series is more suspenseful and horror-filled than "The Green Mile."

Though all six installments are sold separately--"An Eye for an Eye: The Doll" (#1), "Twist of Fate: The Locket" (#2), "Ashes to Ashes: The Dragon's Flame" (#3), "In the Shadow of Evil: The Handkerchief" (#4), "Day of Reckoning: The Stereoscope" (#5), and this one: "Asylum" (#6)--I'd recommend just buying the all-in-one novel; it's easier to read and less expensive that way.

This last installment left me totally iritated. After holding me spellbound for the first book, somewhat intrigued with books 2 and 3, a little too predictable with 4 and just mediocre with book 5, I expected at least some satisfying closure with the last book. NOT! The book didn't end so much as it just suddenly stopped-like the author realized he was running out of paper and had to rush it to a conclusion. It had a million hanging loose ends, a dumb climax, and [a poor] final scene. This could have been a great work in the tradition of Stephan King, if only the author spent more time developing the background stories of the original inmates or the character of Malcom Metcalf (i.e. the "sources and nature of the evil")...

I suppose this explosive ending to The Blackstone Chronicles is essentially why I like John Saul's writing so much. The suspense in this story is built beautifully, and I was truly on the edge of my seat. The main character Oliver is now forced to face the reality of his dark past, and in the process finds healing and hope. After reading every Blackstone Chronicles, I was very satisfied with the ending.

I love John Saul. I think he is the best horror author around. I loved these stories I could hardly wait for the next one to come out. It had a very surprising ending. John Saul is # one.

this book sucke

john saul is the most fear-fulfilling writer since king....in fact king he might have you beat.

I thought Saul out wrote King's Green Mile which was a one note serial. Each episode had a full story--a beginning, middle and end. And the whole series held a full over-arching story. The madness in Blackstone was eerie enough and the stories were a ball to read. Best thing I've read in a long time!!!

I pushed myself to finish this book just to read this ending and the ending itself wasn't what I hoped. In Asylum we're told all of Oliver Metcalf's secrets after his uncle dies and gives him the razor his twin sister was killed with. This brings back memories Oliver had blocked out for years, including how his father tortured him and who really killed his sister. Also in Asylum, Oliver tries to kill "someone" during another one of his blackouts.

Very disappointing conclusion to a disappointing series. The finale is, to put it mildly, unsatisfying, full of old horror-cliches and very badly written. Saul may not be the greatest horror author alive but he has proven in other novels that he can do better than THAT

Following the success of the monthly serial, "The Green Mile" comes John Saul's "Blackstone Chronicles." While the books are printed in a similiar six-part format with attractive black glossy covers, what lurks beneath the cosmetics is merely a shadow of Stephen King's inspired tale.

Saul's creates some interesting characters and is able to conjur up a few chills but the pay-off is not worth the investment as loose plot-strings dangle upon reaching "Asylum's" final page.