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The Lucifer Child
Vintage paperback
238 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1980
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 14, 2024
Fun early 80s horror pulp by Katz, who also penned Alligator among a few others around the same time. I did not have high expectations going in however, expecting a 'creepy kid' story so popular during this era. And, well, yes, it does have a creepy kid, 'Adam' only really features in the second half of the novel.
The story starts with a brilliant, albeit obsessed professor of genetics, who finally 'cracked' the code for human DNA, along with his only research assistant Cassidy (also brilliant). When this was written, the genetic revolution was just kicking off, and the first genetically modified living organism was first patented in 1981. While the science is more than a little dated here, what the 'mad scientist' did was genetically modify a 'perfect' human fetus and started it growing in an incubator in his lab. His trusty IBM mainframe, however, kept telling him the child would be evil and long story short, he managed to kill it while succumbing to a massive stroke.
His assistant Cassidy, finding himself out of work, but with the research notes, manages to convince an old, very rich, college buddy to set up a secret lab out in the desert (California or Nevada somewhere) and continue with the experiment. The first part develops the main characters to a degree and chronicles their trials and tribulations setting up the lab and their research. The outcome-- Adam, a perfect human, created from a mixture of Cassidy's and his rich buddy's DNA. Well, flash forward 4 years or so and the second half finishes the tale...
This would have made a great B movie for sure, but so it goes. Fun pulp with some obvious warnings about genetic engineering. Designer babies? Well, you may not get what you wish for! 3.5 frankenstars, rounding up for the denouement!
The story starts with a brilliant, albeit obsessed professor of genetics, who finally 'cracked' the code for human DNA, along with his only research assistant Cassidy (also brilliant). When this was written, the genetic revolution was just kicking off, and the first genetically modified living organism was first patented in 1981. While the science is more than a little dated here, what the 'mad scientist' did was genetically modify a 'perfect' human fetus and started it growing in an incubator in his lab. His trusty IBM mainframe, however, kept telling him the child would be evil and long story short, he managed to kill it while succumbing to a massive stroke.
His assistant Cassidy, finding himself out of work, but with the research notes, manages to convince an old, very rich, college buddy to set up a secret lab out in the desert (California or Nevada somewhere) and continue with the experiment. The first part develops the main characters to a degree and chronicles their trials and tribulations setting up the lab and their research. The outcome-- Adam, a perfect human, created from a mixture of Cassidy's and his rich buddy's DNA. Well, flash forward 4 years or so and the second half finishes the tale...
This would have made a great B movie for sure, but so it goes. Fun pulp with some obvious warnings about genetic engineering. Designer babies? Well, you may not get what you wish for! 3.5 frankenstars, rounding up for the denouement!
September 9, 2023
While this started out as an extremely pulpy (and hence really fun!) read, filled with such nonsense as a mad scientist whose IQ was so high that it was impossible to measure using a traditional IQ test, wheelchair fights, and a 6’2” landlady with 250 pounds of PURE MUSCLE on her and “testosterone levels a good bit above average even for a man,” it did get more serious as it went along. But by serious, I mean it instead opted to focus on said mad scientist guy having a female gorilla give birth to a fucking Lucifer Child, a being created from the latest and greatest in genetic engineering, and let me tell you, the little shit was not only telepathic, he was also super intelligent, super evil, and, naturally, super duper Aryan. So fret not, because even though the initial insanity got toned down a bit, this thing never actually got anywhere near being boring. Its omission from Grady Hendrix’s Paperbacks from Hell is really, really unfortunate.
November 15, 2021
Despite the title and cover, this is not a book of the Omen or Baal ilk, rather, it's more akin to test tube horror and genetic enhancements; mad scientists with too much cash and time on their hands and far too little sense to make meaningful strides for mankind.
The 'Lucifer' child, as it were, is a genetically enhanced designer baby who grew in a monkey's womb (this is 80's horror after all!) and only shows up in the book in the last third. Naturally, the child is evil incarnate with the ability to read minds and move inanimate objects. Before too long his 'family' feel the brunt of his power as the story moves into a classic good verses evil story until the bloody end.
Overall, The Lucifer Child is a decent read, which, while taking some time to get going is entertaining enough despite the formulaic approach to the horror troupes within.
The 'Lucifer' child, as it were, is a genetically enhanced designer baby who grew in a monkey's womb (this is 80's horror after all!) and only shows up in the book in the last third. Naturally, the child is evil incarnate with the ability to read minds and move inanimate objects. Before too long his 'family' feel the brunt of his power as the story moves into a classic good verses evil story until the bloody end.
Overall, The Lucifer Child is a decent read, which, while taking some time to get going is entertaining enough despite the formulaic approach to the horror troupes within.
February 24, 2018
Umm lol I thought it was ok.... The plot didn't really get me. I was like 170 something pages in before I was introduced to "The Lucifer Child" and even then I was like ok the title of the book doesn't match with the story at all. But yeah I guess it was ok🤔🤔😒😒😪😪
November 25, 2023
This book is WILD. The first few chapters - I was laughing and shaking my head. This could never ever ever be published today. A "paperback from hell" if there ever was one. So entertaining but I'll probably get in trouble for saying so.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews