After hearing such good things about this book, and the likening of it to Stephen King, I must say I was a bit disappointed. Maybe it was because I read a couple graphic novels between this book, and also read a new, all-time favorite novel that made me read ravenously. This book I picked up, put down, read bits during lunch breaks, and didn't get truly involved until the last 70 pages. It certainly is a dark, violent book. Definitely for older teens. It is a bit slow, but it's taking its time building its creepy-factor and making sure you're entirely seeped in the darkness of the book before it delivers its climactic blow.