Savage Survival

One morning the residents of Walden, Virginia, woke up to find the rest of the world gone. Just . . . gone. Surrounding their town was a wall of inky darkness, plummeting Walden into permanent night. Nothing can get in - not light, not people, not even electricity, radio, TV, internet, food, or water. And nothing can get out. No one who dared to penetrate the mysterious barrier has ever been seen again. Only their screams were heard. But for some, the darkness is not the worst of their fears. Driven mad by thirst, hunger, and perpetual night, the residents of Walden are ready to explode. The last few sane prisoners of this small town must prepare a final stand against their neighbors, themselves, and something even worse . . . something out there . . . in the darkness.

DARKNESS ON THE EDGE OF TOWN by Brian Keene is one of the most depressing novels I've ever read, mostly because the darkness is the only fictional aspect. People losing their minds, throwing laws and morals out the window, and rampaging around town like a bunch of savages is not only believable, but a recurring theme in human history. In fact, you could probably find something similar happening in the news right now.

I don't choose stories like this for the violence, and Keene doesn't get very graphic with his descriptions in this story, in any case. However, I love how thought-provoking horror can be, particularly when it comes to survival themes, and the author provides a banquet within this book. I wish I could be as proactive as Robbie. Unfortunately, I'd likely off myself like so many of the residents. I think about the way my neighbors attack each other on our local Facebook page over dog poop and lawn mowing, and I know my town would be totally screwed in Walden's situation.

If you enjoy horror with evil taking the form of a familiar face, or if you're entertained by characters attempting to problem-solve in the middle of a waking nightmare, this is a story you need to read. The ending might frustrate many people, but such is the author's style. Keene doesn't wrap things up neatly, he leaves the story soaking in a puddle of blood and ash.

As always,
AstraDaemon