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Apparition
Every year, thousands of children are killed...by their own parents. Now, Shane Wills is about to discover why, as he comes under attack from an evil that has existed since the beginning of time. An evil that invades loving parents and turns them into something else. An evil that feeds on the blood and despair of dying children. An evil that most people will never know, because they cannot perceive… the APPARITION.
425 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2012
252 people are currently reading
648 people want to read
About the author
Michaelbrent Collings
92 books661 followersOne of the most versatile writers around, Michaelbrent Collings is an internationally bestselling novelist, produced screenwriter, and multiple Bram Stoker Award finalist. While he is best known for horror (and is one of the most successful indie horror authors in the United States), he has also written bestselling thriller, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, humor, young adult, and middle grade works, and Western Romance.
In addition to being a bestselling novelist, Michaelbrent has also received critical acclaim: he is the only person who has ever been a finalist for a Bram Stoker Award, a Dragon Award, a RONE Award, and a Whitney award: and he and his work have been reviewed and/or featured on everything from Publishers Weekly to Scream Magazine to NPR. He is also a frequent guest at comic cons and on writing podcasts like Six Figure Authors, The Creative Penn, and Writing Excuses.
Find more about him at his website, WrittenInsomnia.com, or sign up for his mailing list (and get a free book!) at http://writteninsomnia.com/michaelbre....
In addition to being a bestselling novelist, Michaelbrent has also received critical acclaim: he is the only person who has ever been a finalist for a Bram Stoker Award, a Dragon Award, a RONE Award, and a Whitney award: and he and his work have been reviewed and/or featured on everything from Publishers Weekly to Scream Magazine to NPR. He is also a frequent guest at comic cons and on writing podcasts like Six Figure Authors, The Creative Penn, and Writing Excuses.
Find more about him at his website, WrittenInsomnia.com, or sign up for his mailing list (and get a free book!) at http://writteninsomnia.com/michaelbre....
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
July 28, 2013
Wow! Michaelbrent Collings has taken an awful topic and turned it into an unforgettable work of "fiction"! The factual accounts given at the beginning of each chapter make the story that much more intense and evocative. While the storyline itself is "fictional", it gives us an unprecedented insight into a horrific real life event. Collings is nothing short of a mastermind when it comes to creating compelling stories that you can't put down--no matter how much you may want to! He has seamlessly taken a very sensitive subject, and created an unforgettable novel that will leave you thinking about the characters and situation long after.
Highly recommended! Michaelbrent Collings is now on my list of "must read" authors!
Highly recommended! Michaelbrent Collings is now on my list of "must read" authors!
August 10, 2018
Every once in a while, you run across a book that has a pretty hight rating, an intriguing sounding premise and some really nice reviews to back it up. So, you enthusiastically pick it up and begin reading. It'll start out slow, but thats okay. We've all read books that seem to stumble around the first 25% until they find their footing and then they take off. As you approach the 40% mark, you think, "damn, this thing better have one hell of a second half!" Then, for many people, there comes a point where you pass the "point of no return". This is where you've already invested so much damned time in the story that you now just have to ride it out. Others can simply toss the book and move on. I'm not cut from that cloth. I have to finish it, even if I'm cussing it out every other page until the end. Stupid, I know. But that's how I'm wired.
So, as you've already figured out, APPARITION was that way for me. The premise is good. Delving into the phenomenon of filicide and to see if there's another reason that parents decide to kill their own children besides they're crazy, perhaps something ancient and evil. I like it. I'd like to go down this road and see where it takes us. For me, the road that is APPARITION was a long, tedious and frustrating one. First of all, barely anything happens for the first 50% of the story. Now don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a slow burn if its told right, ala Peter Straub and Charles L. Grant. But this wasn't a slow build up, it was an excruciating exercise of patience. One of the things that didn't work for me, was when Collings would write from the little boy, Matthew's POV. When he would switch into that character's telling of the story, I wanted to slit my wrist. Throughout the the story, he had Matthew talking and thinking anywhere from a 3-year old little boy to a college junior psychology major. I also found that the description of the characters thoughts kept stumbling over each other. At numerous points in the story, I wanted to scream, "I KNOW! You just said that for the hundredth time... now get on with it!" Now, I do think Collings can write. In fact, there were a couple of scenes in the first half that literally made my skin crawl and I would think, "Alright! Here we go" and then it would go back into the plodding, repetitive pacing that plagued the entire story. Unfortunately, the characters weren't interesting or sympathetic enough for you to invest in their well-being. And the ending was "meh". Nothing shocking, surprising or the least bit satisfying. So there you have it. That's my review. Now, keep in mind, many other people like this story, many of whom I respect their opinions and I usually agree with the majority of the time. So you may like it too. For me, APPARITION didn't work.
2 Children Swallowing Demons out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://intothemacabre.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
So, as you've already figured out, APPARITION was that way for me. The premise is good. Delving into the phenomenon of filicide and to see if there's another reason that parents decide to kill their own children besides they're crazy, perhaps something ancient and evil. I like it. I'd like to go down this road and see where it takes us. For me, the road that is APPARITION was a long, tedious and frustrating one. First of all, barely anything happens for the first 50% of the story. Now don't get me wrong, I do enjoy a slow burn if its told right, ala Peter Straub and Charles L. Grant. But this wasn't a slow build up, it was an excruciating exercise of patience. One of the things that didn't work for me, was when Collings would write from the little boy, Matthew's POV. When he would switch into that character's telling of the story, I wanted to slit my wrist. Throughout the the story, he had Matthew talking and thinking anywhere from a 3-year old little boy to a college junior psychology major. I also found that the description of the characters thoughts kept stumbling over each other. At numerous points in the story, I wanted to scream, "I KNOW! You just said that for the hundredth time... now get on with it!" Now, I do think Collings can write. In fact, there were a couple of scenes in the first half that literally made my skin crawl and I would think, "Alright! Here we go" and then it would go back into the plodding, repetitive pacing that plagued the entire story. Unfortunately, the characters weren't interesting or sympathetic enough for you to invest in their well-being. And the ending was "meh". Nothing shocking, surprising or the least bit satisfying. So there you have it. That's my review. Now, keep in mind, many other people like this story, many of whom I respect their opinions and I usually agree with the majority of the time. So you may like it too. For me, APPARITION didn't work.
2 Children Swallowing Demons out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://intothemacabre.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
August 28, 2018
Michaelbrent Collings’ book Apparition is a sick and demented tale based on a real-life phenomenon that is far worse- parents who kill their children. Frankly, he deserve a lot of credit for willing treading where most writers wouldn’t. The greatest human evils need to be dealt with, not ignored. While science, medicine, and psychology have the most important part to play in explaining and fighting such evils, but literature can help us process the evils of the world. Kudos to Collings for being willing to do that. This is clearly a personal book for him, as he describes in his very touching afterwords, and which I strongly recommend also.
The action of the book revolves around Shane Wills and his very damaged family. What happens and brings them to their breaking point is covered in the first few terrifying pages of the novel. The shadow of that event in the platform upon which all further action is staged. After the opening, the book is something of a slow burn. That’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but its something I enjoy immensely and I think it works exceptionally well for the type of tale Collings in trying to tell here. When dealing with a slow descent into what may or may not be insanity, it is “fun” to take your time and slowly see it grow and sink it’s claws in. It add to the experience and I think Collings gives us enough build up to full enjoy where he is going without making the narrative drag.
The characters are well written and fully three dimensional. He does an especially good job writing children. (I am surprised by how many authors don't seem to do a good job at writing children at all.) When all things start to come to a head at the end, you care about hat happens to them and can feel the pains they are going through.
I also liked the way each chapter started with facts regarding to filicide. I checked and they are shockingly true and upsetting. It helps educated you on how this is also a real world phenomenon and makes the whole dark tale a few shades darker.
Collings’ use of the Semitic religious and mythological tradition also deserves honorable mention. He uses some of it for a plot point that become clearer as the story moves along. I hold advanced degrees in religion and theology and it is easy for me to see when someone hasn’t done their homework. Collings has. He took the time to learn the nuances of the middle eastern monotheistic and pagan religious traditions, and to use them right and well.
I should add this also: it is not a ghost story. When I first picked it up, I thought that it was probably some sort of haunting/ghost tale. It really isn’t a ghost story when all is said and done. So, don’t be disappointed on that score. And don’t worry, it goes to good and creepy enough places all on it’s own that it is worth your time all the same.
Some folks I know who are parents and horror fans can’t stomach tales where bad things happen to kids. If you are one of them, I think this book - no matter how good it is - is probably one you should skip. For the rest, if you love horror you will probably love this. Recommend!
The action of the book revolves around Shane Wills and his very damaged family. What happens and brings them to their breaking point is covered in the first few terrifying pages of the novel. The shadow of that event in the platform upon which all further action is staged. After the opening, the book is something of a slow burn. That’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but its something I enjoy immensely and I think it works exceptionally well for the type of tale Collings in trying to tell here. When dealing with a slow descent into what may or may not be insanity, it is “fun” to take your time and slowly see it grow and sink it’s claws in. It add to the experience and I think Collings gives us enough build up to full enjoy where he is going without making the narrative drag.
The characters are well written and fully three dimensional. He does an especially good job writing children. (I am surprised by how many authors don't seem to do a good job at writing children at all.) When all things start to come to a head at the end, you care about hat happens to them and can feel the pains they are going through.
I also liked the way each chapter started with facts regarding to filicide. I checked and they are shockingly true and upsetting. It helps educated you on how this is also a real world phenomenon and makes the whole dark tale a few shades darker.
Collings’ use of the Semitic religious and mythological tradition also deserves honorable mention. He uses some of it for a plot point that become clearer as the story moves along. I hold advanced degrees in religion and theology and it is easy for me to see when someone hasn’t done their homework. Collings has. He took the time to learn the nuances of the middle eastern monotheistic and pagan religious traditions, and to use them right and well.
I should add this also: it is not a ghost story. When I first picked it up, I thought that it was probably some sort of haunting/ghost tale. It really isn’t a ghost story when all is said and done. So, don’t be disappointed on that score. And don’t worry, it goes to good and creepy enough places all on it’s own that it is worth your time all the same.
Some folks I know who are parents and horror fans can’t stomach tales where bad things happen to kids. If you are one of them, I think this book - no matter how good it is - is probably one you should skip. For the rest, if you love horror you will probably love this. Recommend!
June 8, 2013
Good grief; what a book. I'm going to not give away any of the particulars of the book because that's not my style but I do feel the need to warn possible readers as well; especially those who have children. This book goes to a very dark place & even though the kids in the story give you many chuckles and laughs as their characters unfold throughout the book, I can guarantee you'll be left with an unending chill long after you finish reading this book, IF you even can.
I wanted to stop reading the book several times because it just got too uncomfortable and for me that's saying something. But I kept going because I was hoping for a certain ending (and no I won't say if I got that ending or not or it'd ruin the book).
I'll just finish this by saying the author definitely knew how to get to the very darkest part of the human mind and soul when he wrote this book.
I wanted to stop reading the book several times because it just got too uncomfortable and for me that's saying something. But I kept going because I was hoping for a certain ending (and no I won't say if I got that ending or not or it'd ruin the book).
I'll just finish this by saying the author definitely knew how to get to the very darkest part of the human mind and soul when he wrote this book.
August 22, 2021
Very disturbing
I hated the ending. It ruined the book. The book was hard to read anyway due to the content. It was about evil and parents that kill. This evil invaded the parents and took them over and tried to make them kill their kids. It really got to me. I think it was written well but my personal opinion is that it is hard to read. The poor Father tried everything to save the kids and the mother did too but a monster had taken them over. I felt for those kids to see what they say. Each chapter start with a true story where a parent kills their child, or biblical references where parents tried to kill their child. It was very quick reading but I kind of want to put my light on before I go to sleep. The ending was just sad. I didn't want that to happen.
I hated the ending. It ruined the book. The book was hard to read anyway due to the content. It was about evil and parents that kill. This evil invaded the parents and took them over and tried to make them kill their kids. It really got to me. I think it was written well but my personal opinion is that it is hard to read. The poor Father tried everything to save the kids and the mother did too but a monster had taken them over. I felt for those kids to see what they say. Each chapter start with a true story where a parent kills their child, or biblical references where parents tried to kill their child. It was very quick reading but I kind of want to put my light on before I go to sleep. The ending was just sad. I didn't want that to happen.
July 19, 2012
Apparition wasn't what I expected it to be. I think I went into it thinking that it would be a soft ghost story. Perhaps something sweet and almost innocent like "The Woman in Black". That wasn't the case, and I was delighted by it.
Apparition is a deadly book. Deliciously dark, with a few scenes that literally made my stomach turn. Ghost stories can give me a delightful shiver, but this book touched on something much more than that. Citing several true examples of parents that murdered their children, Apparition got under my skin. It reached the point that I was getting uncomfortable with the subject matter, and that's a good thing. I was reminded of reading Nabokov's Lolita. The disgust was there, the awkward shifting of feet, but at the same time you understand the twisted desire that the main character has. While Shane, the protagonist in Apparition, is struggling with newfound feelings, I was equally horrified and sympathetic. It takes a good writer to turn distasteful subject matter into something compelling.
The epilogue was wonderful. But even more striking was the Author's Note at the end, explaining the motivation behind the story. I'll admit that I was surprised that a devoted family man could pen such a story. But after reading Colling's very honest explanation at the end, I see that it precisely BECAUSE he is such a family man that this tale rings so true. This explanation added depth to what I had just read.
Collings takes true horror and builds on it in this book. Although a few narrative passages ran a little long for my taste, I found it a thoroughly satisfying read. I'd recommend it.
Apparition is a deadly book. Deliciously dark, with a few scenes that literally made my stomach turn. Ghost stories can give me a delightful shiver, but this book touched on something much more than that. Citing several true examples of parents that murdered their children, Apparition got under my skin. It reached the point that I was getting uncomfortable with the subject matter, and that's a good thing. I was reminded of reading Nabokov's Lolita. The disgust was there, the awkward shifting of feet, but at the same time you understand the twisted desire that the main character has. While Shane, the protagonist in Apparition, is struggling with newfound feelings, I was equally horrified and sympathetic. It takes a good writer to turn distasteful subject matter into something compelling.
The epilogue was wonderful. But even more striking was the Author's Note at the end, explaining the motivation behind the story. I'll admit that I was surprised that a devoted family man could pen such a story. But after reading Colling's very honest explanation at the end, I see that it precisely BECAUSE he is such a family man that this tale rings so true. This explanation added depth to what I had just read.
Collings takes true horror and builds on it in this book. Although a few narrative passages ran a little long for my taste, I found it a thoroughly satisfying read. I'd recommend it.
April 18, 2014
Oh where do I even begin. Well, from the very beginning, I found myself laughing out loud at the book's "deep" and "serious" prose. Here are some examples just from the first couple chapters:
"Cruelty comes in many shapes. Sometimes, survival itself is one of them."
"Fear fed on ignorance, just as ignorance fed on fear. The great truths were always circular."
"He saw a flash of panic in his daughter’s eyes, sleep now fled from them – perhaps forever."
"She shuddered, but there was no way of knowing if the shudder was born of the tickling touch of the roach’s leg on her bare skin, or came from the cool air around them or even from the dreams that held her captive in dark halls whose brickwork was half past-memory and half future-fear."
There are so many passages like these where you feel like the author typed out the sentence and then sat back, hands behind his head, satisfied at what a clever wordsmith he is. And many of them appear apropos of nothing. To go in-depth into the book's many other problems would take much more time than I'm willing to invest. So I'll just highlight a few of them.
One of the children who is either six or eight (both ages are given) never sounds like an actual kid and every character sounds almost exactly the same. Even though it's written in third-person subjective, the characters frequently somehow intuit what other characters are thinking or feeling. And then there's the climax (and epilogue), which I won't detail so as not to spoil, but somehow it manages to be a clunky, dumb, unfrightening disappointment even though nothing I'd read previously indicated I'd get anything else.
I'd say this book was a waste of time but I was actually laughing too much for that to be entirely true. You might think it's a waste of time though, so I'd stay away from it if I were you.
"Cruelty comes in many shapes. Sometimes, survival itself is one of them."
"Fear fed on ignorance, just as ignorance fed on fear. The great truths were always circular."
"He saw a flash of panic in his daughter’s eyes, sleep now fled from them – perhaps forever."
"She shuddered, but there was no way of knowing if the shudder was born of the tickling touch of the roach’s leg on her bare skin, or came from the cool air around them or even from the dreams that held her captive in dark halls whose brickwork was half past-memory and half future-fear."
There are so many passages like these where you feel like the author typed out the sentence and then sat back, hands behind his head, satisfied at what a clever wordsmith he is. And many of them appear apropos of nothing. To go in-depth into the book's many other problems would take much more time than I'm willing to invest. So I'll just highlight a few of them.
One of the children who is either six or eight (both ages are given) never sounds like an actual kid and every character sounds almost exactly the same. Even though it's written in third-person subjective, the characters frequently somehow intuit what other characters are thinking or feeling. And then there's the climax (and epilogue), which I won't detail so as not to spoil, but somehow it manages to be a clunky, dumb, unfrightening disappointment even though nothing I'd read previously indicated I'd get anything else.
I'd say this book was a waste of time but I was actually laughing too much for that to be entirely true. You might think it's a waste of time though, so I'd stay away from it if I were you.
October 7, 2012
Cover was scarier than the actual book.
August 20, 2014
This is a deeply disturbing horror story with ghosts, a haunted house and disgusting cockroaches.
October 15, 2019
I've had this on my TBR pile for months, and decided it was time to read it this spooky season. I was attracted to the cover, and I knew something evil was in the works within its words. Michaelbrent Collings is also one of the nicest and coolest authors I follow on social media, so I knew I had to start reading his works -- and there are a ton out there! I'm glad I did, I was in for a ride.
This book revolves around the dreadful idea of parents killing their own children -- that in itself is just a horrific thing to think about, so I was curious on how this book was written and what the story truly is. I have also learned that there is a term for that atrocity, and it is filicide. What drives parents to kill their own child? Shane and Kari Wills and their two children seem to be a regular family living their life, until evil starts creeping in and removes all sense of normalcy and strips this family of joy. Is there hope for them?
I am a very visual reader which means my imagination takes me away as I read, and this book made me shudder from beginning to end, and I kid you not I was already feeling icky from the first 10 pages. Part of my experience stems from the fact that I HATE roaches, I believe that they are pests and that there is no need for them in this world, although they have lived since before the dinosaurs so maybe I'm crazy but roaches just disgust me. And then if you start talking about flying roaches -- oh boy, you have just taken this to the next level! I don't think I have katsaridaphobia (fear of roaches), or entomophobia (fear of insects); I just don't like bugs crawling on my skin, and I have had the worst experiences of a cockroach crawling on me as a kid and I've also had my share of childhood experiences involving a flying cockroach landing on my hair on a couple of occasions so... NO. Let this serve as a warning to whoever attempts to read this with an aversion to these gross crawlies. My hands were physically flailing around in the air as I read parts of the book talking about them. And can you imagine the germs they carry? Eew. To the Nth level.
Alright, enough of the icky creatures, back to the book. I found his writing style unique and just carries you throughout the story. I find myself feeling sad for what's going to happen to this family and it helps that we are presented with both their interactions with each other, as well as their thoughts and feelings as things develop. And if you are not disgusted by the subject matter alone and reading this work of fiction, you are given some dark facts and tidbits in the introduction of each chapter, which takes you back to real life horror happening in this world that leaves your head shaking in disappointment that some people actually commit the act.
Throughout the book, I was taken on a roller coaster of emotions, from shivers down my spine, to revulsion and disgust, to anger, to feeling light-hearted and happy and then back to having it ripped away again in sadness. I gasped, I grunted, I screeched, and I had my mouth open in stunned silence. If you want to experience something and not just read something, delve into this book. This book consists of so much more -- even if you're a horror fan who's into the subgenre of creature features, paranormal / supernatural, slashers, crime / murder, or even asylum / insanity, there is a little bit of something in here for you.
There were a few parts in the middle that ran a little longer and there were some mentions of religious stories on a couple of chapter introductions that I probably could have done without, other than that, this was a very gratifying read. Only a skilled writer can take this topic and turn it into something engaging.
And please, please read the author's note in the end. It gives you an insight into Collings' thoughts, what influenced his decision to write this story, and also into the kind of family man he is. It's worth your two minutes and it's not to miss. This book has my recommendation and obviously I will be reading more of this author's work, no doubt.
Highlights:
https://www.goodreads.com/notes/15758...
This book revolves around the dreadful idea of parents killing their own children -- that in itself is just a horrific thing to think about, so I was curious on how this book was written and what the story truly is. I have also learned that there is a term for that atrocity, and it is filicide. What drives parents to kill their own child? Shane and Kari Wills and their two children seem to be a regular family living their life, until evil starts creeping in and removes all sense of normalcy and strips this family of joy. Is there hope for them?
I am a very visual reader which means my imagination takes me away as I read, and this book made me shudder from beginning to end, and I kid you not I was already feeling icky from the first 10 pages. Part of my experience stems from the fact that I HATE roaches, I believe that they are pests and that there is no need for them in this world, although they have lived since before the dinosaurs so maybe I'm crazy but roaches just disgust me. And then if you start talking about flying roaches -- oh boy, you have just taken this to the next level! I don't think I have katsaridaphobia (fear of roaches), or entomophobia (fear of insects); I just don't like bugs crawling on my skin, and I have had the worst experiences of a cockroach crawling on me as a kid and I've also had my share of childhood experiences involving a flying cockroach landing on my hair on a couple of occasions so... NO. Let this serve as a warning to whoever attempts to read this with an aversion to these gross crawlies. My hands were physically flailing around in the air as I read parts of the book talking about them. And can you imagine the germs they carry? Eew. To the Nth level.
Alright, enough of the icky creatures, back to the book. I found his writing style unique and just carries you throughout the story. I find myself feeling sad for what's going to happen to this family and it helps that we are presented with both their interactions with each other, as well as their thoughts and feelings as things develop. And if you are not disgusted by the subject matter alone and reading this work of fiction, you are given some dark facts and tidbits in the introduction of each chapter, which takes you back to real life horror happening in this world that leaves your head shaking in disappointment that some people actually commit the act.
Throughout the book, I was taken on a roller coaster of emotions, from shivers down my spine, to revulsion and disgust, to anger, to feeling light-hearted and happy and then back to having it ripped away again in sadness. I gasped, I grunted, I screeched, and I had my mouth open in stunned silence. If you want to experience something and not just read something, delve into this book. This book consists of so much more -- even if you're a horror fan who's into the subgenre of creature features, paranormal / supernatural, slashers, crime / murder, or even asylum / insanity, there is a little bit of something in here for you.
There were a few parts in the middle that ran a little longer and there were some mentions of religious stories on a couple of chapter introductions that I probably could have done without, other than that, this was a very gratifying read. Only a skilled writer can take this topic and turn it into something engaging.
And please, please read the author's note in the end. It gives you an insight into Collings' thoughts, what influenced his decision to write this story, and also into the kind of family man he is. It's worth your two minutes and it's not to miss. This book has my recommendation and obviously I will be reading more of this author's work, no doubt.
Highlights:
https://www.goodreads.com/notes/15758...
January 17, 2020
Yikes. I finished 2 one star books today
🤮
This book is awful.
The writer may have been trying to channel Shakespeare, and wrote grandiose useless prose for no reason and then there us the boy. 6 or 8 years old depending on what description you chose to believe who thinks and acts like a 30 year old. And a cardboard cut out of a teenage girl -every cliche ever attributed to a teen-she does.
The mom being possessed then unpossessed, the possessed again.
The stupid creepy Asian lady
Lousy book.
🤮
This book is awful.
The writer may have been trying to channel Shakespeare, and wrote grandiose useless prose for no reason and then there us the boy. 6 or 8 years old depending on what description you chose to believe who thinks and acts like a 30 year old. And a cardboard cut out of a teenage girl -every cliche ever attributed to a teen-she does.
The mom being possessed then unpossessed, the possessed again.
The stupid creepy Asian lady
Lousy book.
October 30, 2020
Interesting dynamic here: filicide vs haunted house vs monsters under the bed. The idea for this story was brilliant but the execution was slightly off. I think Michaelbrent is a fantastic author but I think what made this less than a five star story was that it seemed a bit repetitious. Michaelbrent’s books are typically non-stop action with marvellous characters. I just felt that this component was missing. The story dragged a bit and I guess maybe I was hoping for more back story to the Lamia. I truly appreciated the author’s note at the end because I’ve lived the same tragedy.
March 27, 2017
Dragged a bit in the middle,but a great ending bumped this one up to 4 stars.
September 19, 2018
I first noticed the book because of its creepy cover (the screaming face one). Funnily, and completely wrongly, I always figured the story would be about some kind of epidemic mass-going-crazy thing, where all parents turn evil and against their children at the same time or something along those lines.
Instead, 'Apparation' centers around one man and his family, that is the remainders of his once happy family, until the day his wife tried to kill their daughter. Now, Shane Wills is trying to bring back some normalcy into a family life that can't ever be repaired. And the evil that befell his wife is still there, watching and waiting to strike again - and this time it will use Shane to finally get the kids.
Actually, the book contains two parts: the made up story about an ancient evil that makes parents want to kill their children, which was already creepy as hell. Being a parent myself, I can't imagine what it must be like to be forced to act against your children without being able to stop it, helplessly watching - and losing - the inner battle against the evil intruder.
The second part consisted of introductory paragraphs for each chapter. It was rather a documentation of statistics and facts about real life child murder and abuse by their own parents. To learn that filicide really happens, and in much larger numbers than one would ever expect, scared me on an astronomic scale. The horror I felt while reading the fictional part never even came close to the icy feeling instilled at the beginning of each chapter by a couple of inconspicuous seeming sentences.
This book is much more than just another horror story, and thanks to the author for raising the awareness about one of the darkest aspects of real life human society.
Instead, 'Apparation' centers around one man and his family, that is the remainders of his once happy family, until the day his wife tried to kill their daughter. Now, Shane Wills is trying to bring back some normalcy into a family life that can't ever be repaired. And the evil that befell his wife is still there, watching and waiting to strike again - and this time it will use Shane to finally get the kids.
Actually, the book contains two parts: the made up story about an ancient evil that makes parents want to kill their children, which was already creepy as hell. Being a parent myself, I can't imagine what it must be like to be forced to act against your children without being able to stop it, helplessly watching - and losing - the inner battle against the evil intruder.
The second part consisted of introductory paragraphs for each chapter. It was rather a documentation of statistics and facts about real life child murder and abuse by their own parents. To learn that filicide really happens, and in much larger numbers than one would ever expect, scared me on an astronomic scale. The horror I felt while reading the fictional part never even came close to the icy feeling instilled at the beginning of each chapter by a couple of inconspicuous seeming sentences.
This book is much more than just another horror story, and thanks to the author for raising the awareness about one of the darkest aspects of real life human society.
March 10, 2014
Horror that hits right at the beating heart of fear
What do you fear most? This seems to be the question MichaelBrent Collings asks every time he sits down to write a novel. His terror masterpiece, Apparition, is no exception. In this book, Collings strikes a nerve, especially in those who have children, when he takes on the morose subject of filicide (the murder of one’s children). In each chapter heading, Collings scrawls out a terrible fact about this ghastly practice. Just reading the chapter headings alone brings chills to the spine. But his story digs deep into mythology and puts reason and a supernatural spin on filicide, making Apparition a complete package.
Here’s my warning. Don’t read this book at night. Don’t read this book alone. Don’t read this book under the influence of alcohol or hallucinogens. But DO read this book. If you are a fan of deep characters full of compassion, if you are a fan of being genuinely scared by a terrifying story, you have no excuse. Pick up a copy of Apparition today.
Be sure to read Collings’s authors note at the end of the story; it sheds a little light on an otherwise dark subject. There is reason and thought behind his decision to pen this story.
What do you fear most? This seems to be the question MichaelBrent Collings asks every time he sits down to write a novel. His terror masterpiece, Apparition, is no exception. In this book, Collings strikes a nerve, especially in those who have children, when he takes on the morose subject of filicide (the murder of one’s children). In each chapter heading, Collings scrawls out a terrible fact about this ghastly practice. Just reading the chapter headings alone brings chills to the spine. But his story digs deep into mythology and puts reason and a supernatural spin on filicide, making Apparition a complete package.
Here’s my warning. Don’t read this book at night. Don’t read this book alone. Don’t read this book under the influence of alcohol or hallucinogens. But DO read this book. If you are a fan of deep characters full of compassion, if you are a fan of being genuinely scared by a terrifying story, you have no excuse. Pick up a copy of Apparition today.
Be sure to read Collings’s authors note at the end of the story; it sheds a little light on an otherwise dark subject. There is reason and thought behind his decision to pen this story.
May 3, 2015
It's not often that a book can make me afraid to sleep. Actually, I'm not sure it has happened before at all; not until I read Apparition.
When I first got this book I figured it was just your basic ghost story, but I was very wrong! It took me down a path I wasn't expecting, and considering it dealt with filicide (something that is very real) and the snippets at the beginning of each chapter, made me wary of turning off my bedroom light after I finished reading.
Michaelbrent Collings wrote the book in a way that made you terrified and wanting to cover your eyes, yet still wanting to read it. Before Apparition I had never heard of Collings, he is now on my top authors list! I recommend this book to anyone who's into supernatural or horror stories!
When I first got this book I figured it was just your basic ghost story, but I was very wrong! It took me down a path I wasn't expecting, and considering it dealt with filicide (something that is very real) and the snippets at the beginning of each chapter, made me wary of turning off my bedroom light after I finished reading.
Michaelbrent Collings wrote the book in a way that made you terrified and wanting to cover your eyes, yet still wanting to read it. Before Apparition I had never heard of Collings, he is now on my top authors list! I recommend this book to anyone who's into supernatural or horror stories!
June 27, 2016
Apparition is genuinely scary in several parts (I don't scare often, but at the midpoint of the book I was reading alone, in the dark, after midnight... not recommended). The characters were great and believable. And while I felt myself screaming at them "don't do that!", I could only do it because I knew what kind of story they were in. For the most part, their decisions make sense, given who they are, and sometimes even make what seems to be the smart, safe choices... for all the good it does. The horror keeps getting inexorably closer, chapter by chapter,
The really freaky thing was the descent into madness. It's a nasty spiral around a whirlpool of darkness, doom, and despair all the way down, punctuated by moments of chills and scares, leading to a massive cinematic climax.
The really freaky thing was the descent into madness. It's a nasty spiral around a whirlpool of darkness, doom, and despair all the way down, punctuated by moments of chills and scares, leading to a massive cinematic climax.
January 24, 2013
I absolutely loved this book. I was turned off at first because of the child killer theme, but as I read, it was soo much more than that. It was about possession. It had a theory that was based on ancient legends, the child eater, which gave the book a nice twist. I fell in love with the characters and was rooting for them, though the ending was kind of sad. The Apparition had some beautiful writing especially when Shane describes the love and completeness of his family. It was also scary as hell and the atmosphere was eerie and tension filled. I hope everyone gets a chance to read this book.
March 8, 2015
Your Worst Fears Come To Life
This book had several things that scare the crap out of me: filicide, roaches, demons, etc. So scared, that night I finished it, I had a horrendous nightmare. I read horror all the time so this doesn't happen often.. impressive.
It was also well written. I didn't see any obvious mistakes that took my attention off the story and that is always a good thing.
I will read anything else from this author.
This book had several things that scare the crap out of me: filicide, roaches, demons, etc. So scared, that night I finished it, I had a horrendous nightmare. I read horror all the time so this doesn't happen often.. impressive.
It was also well written. I didn't see any obvious mistakes that took my attention off the story and that is always a good thing.
I will read anything else from this author.
November 21, 2015
Wow! This is the first book I've read that made me scared to be home alone while reading it. My imagination played the story like a movie in my head. The author led me through every heart-pounding, hair raising, breath holding scene. There was a point when I thought, "There's only one way this can end." The author does not disappoint, his imagination and story-telling ability keep you turning pages even if you have to fall asleep with the lights on.
November 25, 2015
I learned a new word while readingt this book...filicide. I never knew that that there was a word for the killing of ones children, I just thought the word was evil. That is a good description of this book. It was filled with just the right amount of creepiness to leave you analizing every shadow and noise.
October 14, 2020
Scary
This is a SCARY thrill ride. A intense read you never know what will happen next. Keeps you guessing until the end.
This is a SCARY thrill ride. A intense read you never know what will happen next. Keeps you guessing until the end.
October 17, 2019
Always spoiler free. This book starts with simple sentences with an almost halting, slow motion, dream like feeling. I was taken aback by this and wondered if I was going to like this author's writing style. This was happening while the action was actually happening in a massively rapid pace.
The father, during this time made, IMO, a couple extremely illogical decisions.
I decided, in retrospect, that all of the previously mentioned oddities may have happened due to shock or possibly the influence of an unseen force or both.
The pace soon picked up and the writing style became very good. The slow build up of terror was distressing, horrifying, and very satisfying. It became very hard to put the book down as the horrors of things to come were tantalizingly foreshadowed.
I am so glad that I persisted through the unusual beginning. For me, this book was Terrifying with a capital "T".
There was one thing in the end that just plain could not have happened in light of what happened in the beginning. But the ending was truly great except for that one thing. Since this is paranormal, I guess I can forgive one thing that couldn't have happened and yet did. To be honest, I didn't even realize that glaring inconsistency until the day after I read it. And that's how good this book is...I was still thinking about it the day after I read it and after I had already started another book!
If you want to wonder what will happen next and yet are afraid to find out, this is the book to read.
The father, during this time made, IMO, a couple extremely illogical decisions.
I decided, in retrospect, that all of the previously mentioned oddities may have happened due to shock or possibly the influence of an unseen force or both.
The pace soon picked up and the writing style became very good. The slow build up of terror was distressing, horrifying, and very satisfying. It became very hard to put the book down as the horrors of things to come were tantalizingly foreshadowed.
I am so glad that I persisted through the unusual beginning. For me, this book was Terrifying with a capital "T".
There was one thing in the end that just plain could not have happened in light of what happened in the beginning. But the ending was truly great except for that one thing. Since this is paranormal, I guess I can forgive one thing that couldn't have happened and yet did. To be honest, I didn't even realize that glaring inconsistency until the day after I read it. And that's how good this book is...I was still thinking about it the day after I read it and after I had already started another book!
If you want to wonder what will happen next and yet are afraid to find out, this is the book to read.
November 24, 2021
Dark. Disturbing. Edge of your seat.
I've read several of Collings' books and this one took some will power to get through. It's an incredibly written book about filicide. If you're not familiar with this term, look it up. Proceed with caution.
Apparition takes you on a journey through the mind and actions of a parent struggling to control unnatural urges that can't be scientifically explained even in our day and age.
The Wills family is shattered when Kari, the mother, loses her grip on reality and Shane, the father, tries to run as a means of escape only to find his attempts useless. Ella and Matthew, their children, are faced with the excruciating realization that parents do not always protect their children and are sometimes the cause of pain.
Excellent world building, incredible character development, and a dark and twisted plot only Collings can deliver.
I've read several of Collings' books and this one took some will power to get through. It's an incredibly written book about filicide. If you're not familiar with this term, look it up. Proceed with caution.
Apparition takes you on a journey through the mind and actions of a parent struggling to control unnatural urges that can't be scientifically explained even in our day and age.
The Wills family is shattered when Kari, the mother, loses her grip on reality and Shane, the father, tries to run as a means of escape only to find his attempts useless. Ella and Matthew, their children, are faced with the excruciating realization that parents do not always protect their children and are sometimes the cause of pain.
Excellent world building, incredible character development, and a dark and twisted plot only Collings can deliver.
December 22, 2021
I've read several of Collings' books and this one took some will power to get through. It's an incredibly written book about filicide. If you're not familiar with this term, look it up. Proceed with caution.
Apparition takes you on a journey through the mind and actions of a parent struggling to control unnatural urges that can't be scientifically explained even in our day and age.
The Wills family is shattered when Kari, the mother, loses her grip on reality and Shane, the father, tries to run as a means of escape only to find his attempts useless. Ella and Matthew, their children, are faced with the excruciating realization that parents do not always protect their children and are sometimes the cause of pain.
Excellent world building, incredible character development, and a dark and twisted plot only Collings can deliver.
Thank you for your review.
Apparition takes you on a journey through the mind and actions of a parent struggling to control unnatural urges that can't be scientifically explained even in our day and age.
The Wills family is shattered when Kari, the mother, loses her grip on reality and Shane, the father, tries to run as a means of escape only to find his attempts useless. Ella and Matthew, their children, are faced with the excruciating realization that parents do not always protect their children and are sometimes the cause of pain.
Excellent world building, incredible character development, and a dark and twisted plot only Collings can deliver.
Thank you for your review.
May 24, 2017
It's an embellished, self indulging waste of time. I have never read anything else from this author, but this work in particular is simply best left unread. I will give you the run down. There's an evil spirit that wants parents to kill kids. There's a mom who tries to kill her kids. The father moves the kids into a new house after the mom is sent to a mental hospital. At the end, the kids survive after torture and torment from animated toys and a cockroach. Then, kids beat the spirit.
Predictable and insipid. Skip it. Please, for the love of God (or whatever entity you believe in) skip it. This book gave me a serious headache to get through. I'm not even joking about that. I almost puked from the mental pain it took me to finish it.
Predictable and insipid. Skip it. Please, for the love of God (or whatever entity you believe in) skip it. This book gave me a serious headache to get through. I'm not even joking about that. I almost puked from the mental pain it took me to finish it.
November 17, 2017
This is the first book that I read by Michaelbrent Collings and I was blown away. I really enjoyed this book. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I read through the whole thing in one night. I loved the character Shane and really felt for him trying to fight an evil force all the while trying to protect his children from it and eventually from himself. If you are a parent like I am it's a horribly scary thought that something like this could ever happen to you or to your family. I have continued to read books by Mr. Collings but this one is by far my favorite out of all the ones I have read thus far.
July 18, 2020
Great Story!
A chilling story, to say the least. Michaelbrent Collings takes a horrible subject (filicide) and creates a dark tale that lingers. The characters are sympathetic (which is scary) and three dimensional.
Shane Wills tries to build a new life with his children, after his wife mysteriously tries to kill their children. He moves into a house with a bloody past (a past that isn't quite done with the Wills family).
Something has followed the Wills family...and it wants his children.
Great pacing and good subtext. There are some minor typos but only rarely did it take me away from the story.
A chilling story, to say the least. Michaelbrent Collings takes a horrible subject (filicide) and creates a dark tale that lingers. The characters are sympathetic (which is scary) and three dimensional.
Shane Wills tries to build a new life with his children, after his wife mysteriously tries to kill their children. He moves into a house with a bloody past (a past that isn't quite done with the Wills family).
Something has followed the Wills family...and it wants his children.
Great pacing and good subtext. There are some minor typos but only rarely did it take me away from the story.
August 8, 2018
I listened to the audible version but had to return it (the first time I've done that) fairly early on because I just can't stand the slow, repetitive writing style, full of needless description. The author spends a lot of time describing, in great detail, the furniture in a perfectly normal, modern day bedroom. He compares someones movement to a puppet or a reptile, and then feels the need to explain to the reader what he means by those cliche descriptors, explaining that the puppet like movement was jerky and unnatural.
September 26, 2019
WARNING: Do not read before bed!
After reading this book, I found myself looking over my shoulder, and checking corners for dark shadows.
It was hard to put down, but after making the mistake once, of reading a bit before I went to sleep, I made myself stop reading at least 2 hours before bedtime.
Really scary, and fast paced. I would definitely read other books by this author.
After reading this book, I found myself looking over my shoulder, and checking corners for dark shadows.
It was hard to put down, but after making the mistake once, of reading a bit before I went to sleep, I made myself stop reading at least 2 hours before bedtime.
Really scary, and fast paced. I would definitely read other books by this author.
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