Spook Rock

Reviewer's Bookwatch, March, 2005 by Nancy Jackson

Spook Rock

Pasquale J. Morrone

iUniverse

ISBN 0595311520 $32.95 395 pp.

Spook Rock is a brilliant blend of both fiction and historical facts. Between the haunting words of witchcraft, magic, legends and folklore to the gripping fast-paced plot, Pasquale J. Morrone delivers a stunning read.

If you love to delve into tales of witches and be told stories passed along from one generation the next?if you crave supernatural tension and a plethora of twists and turns?you will be hooked immediately into the pages of Spook Rock. The complexity of the story is laden with intrinsic characters, suspense, intelligent ideals and strange coincidences. Add to that the already intriguing pieces of history from the Salem witch trial, zombies, creatures of mythology to satanic demons, and you have yourself a page turning delight. This is the kind of book that reaches out to you with intellect and doesn't let up for a minute.

The Banning Corporation is a powerful force, one with money and prestige behind its name. With a need to become modernized for the international popularity of video games and production, filmmaker Brad Banning, son of his deceased father Jacob Banning, decides to take on the job. Joe Halester, comes up with an idea for a video game titled The Guardians, about witches from the sixteen hundreds, and pitches it to the Banning Corporation. With an assembled team to help with research and realistic design, they suddenly become the key players in a game bigger than they could ever imagine. Unknowingly, Brad Banning uncovers a host of secrets buried deep in a place discreetly known as Spook Rock. Disturbing a vicious and revengeful creature, he and his crew venture in too far and must deal with the repercussions.

As the team fights for their lives, they must believe in and accept the very things that seemed like they were once only campfire stories. The eyes of the sadistic creature watch their every move, and darkness closes in fast. I won't divulge how many times I shivered or looked behind me, as that would be embarrassing, but I will say that the whole premise makes for an eerie read that requires nerves of steel and a well-lit area.

The author writes in a sharp style that begs you to ignore all the things you think you know, and rather let your imagination take over. After all, isn't that what storytelling is about? The escape to the unknown, reading between the lines, forcing you to ask questions and revel in the many possible answers; and at the same time is thoroughly entertaining from start to finish? Pasquale J. Morrone does this with fine-tuned skill and creates a novel that demands attention. Not only is this a thinking persons book, it is a tribute to creative minds everywhere. Spook Rock will draw you in and mesmerize even the most stubborn of non-believers. In short, it's a gem worth discovering.

Nancy Jackson, Reviewer

www.nancyajackson.com