Book Review: The Descent-A Halloween Novel
Book cover image from Amazon
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The Descent by Donna Kathryn Kelly is a psychological thriller that explores the depths of what jealousy and greed can do to a person’s mind, soul, and spirit.
Six Lowden Law School alums gather to celebrate the 30th birthday of Galena, one of their beloved housemates. Galena is a successful lawyer in Jo Daviess county, with a grief-filled past.
The event is held over Halloween weekend in Oregon, Illinois. One of the attorneys, Lorne, rents their old rooming house as an extra kick of nostalgia.
What are the plans for the weekend celebration? Only Lorne knows. This gathering of friends becomes a nightmare for Galena. One she may regret for the rest of her life…if she survives!
The Descent draws the reader into the mythos of this book quickly. Not only is it an excellent horror story, but it has all the elements needed to make the reader feel the presence of Halloween breathing down their necks. No time is wasted in the “scare” department.
Kelly’s words paint a frightening picture of her world that will haunt the reader long after the book is finished. Especially if they live in Northern Illinois.
Normally I don’t use first person pronouns when reviewing a book, but for The Descent, I will make an exception. I live in this novel.
I grew up hiking the paths that are featured in the book. My parents made it a point to visit Chief Black Hawk’s statue (Lowden Park) when the leaves were changing in October, and I am currently living in one of the towns mentioned in the book.
This book became very personal, very fast. It was as if I was one of the housemates. I could smell the fall air as Galena hiked the trails, I know the sense of awe when looking up at Chief Black Hawk’s statue, and even the layout of the town of Oregon was familiar. I also know this area is steeped in mystery.
The women gathering in the house, the evil collecting around them and the terrifying events of the weekend had me shouting to the group not to do whatever action it was that they were set to do. It was as if I was watching a horror movie unfold.
Kelly’s storytelling was beautiful, and frightening. Her knowledge of the occult was accurate, which made the experience of the storyline more believable. I learned quickly to not assume what I thought would happen next. I was wrong on many occasions.
I found the main character’s name, Galena, an interesting choice. Not only is it a historic town an hour away from where I live, but it’s also the home of Ulysses S. Grant. (and my cousin’s Italian restaurant) Galena is a grounding crystal, as the character was the ground for the entire book.
Kelly hit gold with this book. There’s only one thing I would like clarified. How did you know the location of my parent’s first apartment in Oregon?
Donna Kelly, you must be psychic.
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Sue Cook lives in Freeport, Illinois with her husband Randy and two dogs. Her passions include assistance dogs, rescue dogs, music, acting, theater, poetry, and Doctor Who. She’s been in both film and theater and is a regular cast member of the podcast Doctor Who’s Line is it….Anyway? Sue is an advocate for the use of Service Dogs to assist their disabled handlers to maintain their independence. Quigley’s Quest, her first children’s book, addresses how a dog becomes a Service Dog.
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