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Dark Miracle
Ten-year-old Allison Kent, suffering greatly with leukemia, is cured when her parents take her to a miraculous healer, but sinister voices begin to sound in her head, telling of death and retribution.
- GenresHorror
320 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1989
3 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Stephen R. George
19 books26 followersStephen R. George is a Canadian author of horror fiction, suspense and dark fantasy. He writes under his own name and the pseudonyms Jack Ellis and Valerie Stephens. He has published 14 novels. His novels have been translated into Italian, Polish, Russian, and Norwegian. His short stories have appeared in a number of publications and anthologies including Cemetery Dance and the Hot Blood series. George was born in Scotland in 1959; he lives and works in Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
September 28, 2024
Wow, this is a tough one to review. "Dark Miracle" is a deceptively long novel because each page is dense with prose in small print, and there's a lot to unpack within the text. This may elevate the experience for some readers and turn others off.
So let's talk about how the style and execution might not work for you. This book came out in the horror paperback boom and is clearly marketed for horror fans. While the book does deliver what horror aficionados want, mostly what you get is domestic drama and romance.
The first act is largely about a divorced couple slowly brought back together over their daughter's leukemia. Harry ran out on his wife and kid six years prior, but returns when he hears the news about his daughter's impending death. Now, I must confess, I loved this part. Call me sentimental, but I thought Stephen R. George did a remarkable job with this material. As a father of children who are roughly the same age as the young girl in this book, it was easy to put myself in Harry's shoes. He is shocked to see how his once happy little girl has deteriorated into a ghost. But the author doesn't just tell you this with dry exposition. He evokes other senses to convey what Harry is experiencing--his disgust at the nursing home smell of the child's bedroom, his shock at how light she feels when he carries her to her bath, the sound of her restlessly rustling in her sheets due to the pain. His wife has been dealing with this alone for a year, and so she is both perversely pleased that he is now getting slammed in the face with this reality, but simultaneously happy that he is there to support her daughter and herself, so you can appreciate the wife's incredible inner turmoil and vulnerability. And the daughter is such a great character, clearly suffering but cracking jokes and putting on a brave face because she is more sensitive to the anxieties of her parents than her own death. I found it all very compelling.
As a last ditch effort, they bring the girl to a local charismatic preacher who is said to have healed many in his congregation through baptism. And sure enough, the girl seems to get rapidly better. As their daughter's health improves, so does Harry's relationship with his ex-wife. But before they can think about taking a second spin at marriage, they begin to realize that their daughter just doesn't seem to be the same...
At this point in the plot, your patience will be tested. I read all sorts of literature, and so I don't necessarily pick up a horror novel expecting to get straight to the carnage candy. I enjoy when a novel of any genre takes the time to bring me solid characters and themes like this one. That being said, I can understand how this can be tedious for many readers.
There's only so many domestic discussions over coffee-drinking and cigarette smoking and cooking and eating that one stand in a row. And there's a lot of this. One page has the couple making coffee, pouring coffee, sipping coffee, or refilling coffee SIX times! I was starting to get the caffeine jitters before they switch to beer. Harry takes a deep swallow of beer, while Leanna sips her beer. Thrilling! Then they talk about what they are going to eat for the umpteenth time. You'll be on the edge of your seat as our heroes are faced with a difficult decision--pizza or hot dogs! Then they watch some "Star Wars" ripoff on the tube. I hope it was "Message from Space" and not "Star Odyssey"!
Kidding aside, there is a reason for all of this, as ham-fisted as it can be at times. The author really wants us to get in the head of the couple, because this is supposed to be about the Dark Miracle that brings them together. This is about a man who was too immature when he first got married, and how growing up can change a person and rekindle that special magic of selflessness that is a true marriage, bringing him to an understanding of just how empty life can feel without being at the side of people who love you. So you are meant to experience Harry's epiphany and comfort as he navigates such apparently boring things as watching his daughter enjoy a bowl of Rice Krispies, or cuddling on the couch with a movie and the wife. But there is a tragic evil behind the healing miracle that should have represented everything that is good in life, and which threatens to yank all this away. If you can't connect with the characters on this level, then the horror seems trite and sparse.
Now, don't think that this story is otherwise void of traditional horror delights. There are some genuinely uncomfortable scenes, and the gore gradually amps up until it gets bat shit crazy by the end. More than once did the violence make me wince. It made me never want to take my shoes off ever again.
Most characters are written quite well. In addition to the central family of the story, we have Colonel Culp, a cleanup man for the military's messes. He is extremely likeable and adds a bit of needed flavor to the cast. There's also Andrew, a young doctor who is in love with Harry's ex, but once he learns that her child is in danger, he puts aside any feelings of jealousy at Harry's return (and puts himself bravely in physical danger) in order to help solve the mystery. That's a general trend among the protagonists in this book. Unlike a lot of horror fare, the characters never do stupid things for the sake of plot conviences. All are very smart, perceptive, and eager to do the right thing. How refreshing!
I was also entertained by a side plot involving a military investigation of paranormal activity surrounding the pond where these healing baptisms take place. It's very much in the vein of "The X-files," before that show was even a thing, especially regarding the science fiction elements and the whole government conspiracy rabbit hole. I don't want to spoil the concepts at play, but let's just say they are timely, involving a kind of artificial intelligence as well as an interesting twist on the typical "possession" trope. The government conspiracy subplot also feels like a cliche, but when contrasted against the theme of family, a powerful final message is formed that no bureaucratic power has yet understood--that loyalty to the State doesn't mean jack shit if the State doesn't protect families. A State that doesn't put the interest of family first is willing to sacrifice children, and thus the very future of that State, dooming it to a slow and chaotic death no matter how its leaders scramble to cover their own asses. This theme hits hard in the chaotic and action-packed final chapter which left me breathless but satisfied.
I admit that this is far from a perfect novel. It needed better editing before publishing due to content inconsistencies and just overall repetitiveness. It could have packed more of a punch with at least fifty pages shaved off. But overall, I found more to enjoy than to criticize. If you can make it past the slow first third, you will be rewarded by a whole package that is a thoughtful and engrossing.
It's still available as an e-book for those who aren't interested in collecting original paperbacks. Give it a try, but watch where you step!
SCORE: Three cups of coffee and a half-smoked cigarette, rounded to 4/5
So let's talk about how the style and execution might not work for you. This book came out in the horror paperback boom and is clearly marketed for horror fans. While the book does deliver what horror aficionados want, mostly what you get is domestic drama and romance.
The first act is largely about a divorced couple slowly brought back together over their daughter's leukemia. Harry ran out on his wife and kid six years prior, but returns when he hears the news about his daughter's impending death. Now, I must confess, I loved this part. Call me sentimental, but I thought Stephen R. George did a remarkable job with this material. As a father of children who are roughly the same age as the young girl in this book, it was easy to put myself in Harry's shoes. He is shocked to see how his once happy little girl has deteriorated into a ghost. But the author doesn't just tell you this with dry exposition. He evokes other senses to convey what Harry is experiencing--his disgust at the nursing home smell of the child's bedroom, his shock at how light she feels when he carries her to her bath, the sound of her restlessly rustling in her sheets due to the pain. His wife has been dealing with this alone for a year, and so she is both perversely pleased that he is now getting slammed in the face with this reality, but simultaneously happy that he is there to support her daughter and herself, so you can appreciate the wife's incredible inner turmoil and vulnerability. And the daughter is such a great character, clearly suffering but cracking jokes and putting on a brave face because she is more sensitive to the anxieties of her parents than her own death. I found it all very compelling.
As a last ditch effort, they bring the girl to a local charismatic preacher who is said to have healed many in his congregation through baptism. And sure enough, the girl seems to get rapidly better. As their daughter's health improves, so does Harry's relationship with his ex-wife. But before they can think about taking a second spin at marriage, they begin to realize that their daughter just doesn't seem to be the same...
At this point in the plot, your patience will be tested. I read all sorts of literature, and so I don't necessarily pick up a horror novel expecting to get straight to the carnage candy. I enjoy when a novel of any genre takes the time to bring me solid characters and themes like this one. That being said, I can understand how this can be tedious for many readers.
There's only so many domestic discussions over coffee-drinking and cigarette smoking and cooking and eating that one stand in a row. And there's a lot of this. One page has the couple making coffee, pouring coffee, sipping coffee, or refilling coffee SIX times! I was starting to get the caffeine jitters before they switch to beer. Harry takes a deep swallow of beer, while Leanna sips her beer. Thrilling! Then they talk about what they are going to eat for the umpteenth time. You'll be on the edge of your seat as our heroes are faced with a difficult decision--pizza or hot dogs! Then they watch some "Star Wars" ripoff on the tube. I hope it was "Message from Space" and not "Star Odyssey"!
Kidding aside, there is a reason for all of this, as ham-fisted as it can be at times. The author really wants us to get in the head of the couple, because this is supposed to be about the Dark Miracle that brings them together. This is about a man who was too immature when he first got married, and how growing up can change a person and rekindle that special magic of selflessness that is a true marriage, bringing him to an understanding of just how empty life can feel without being at the side of people who love you. So you are meant to experience Harry's epiphany and comfort as he navigates such apparently boring things as watching his daughter enjoy a bowl of Rice Krispies, or cuddling on the couch with a movie and the wife. But there is a tragic evil behind the healing miracle that should have represented everything that is good in life, and which threatens to yank all this away. If you can't connect with the characters on this level, then the horror seems trite and sparse.
Now, don't think that this story is otherwise void of traditional horror delights. There are some genuinely uncomfortable scenes, and the gore gradually amps up until it gets bat shit crazy by the end. More than once did the violence make me wince. It made me never want to take my shoes off ever again.
Most characters are written quite well. In addition to the central family of the story, we have Colonel Culp, a cleanup man for the military's messes. He is extremely likeable and adds a bit of needed flavor to the cast. There's also Andrew, a young doctor who is in love with Harry's ex, but once he learns that her child is in danger, he puts aside any feelings of jealousy at Harry's return (and puts himself bravely in physical danger) in order to help solve the mystery. That's a general trend among the protagonists in this book. Unlike a lot of horror fare, the characters never do stupid things for the sake of plot conviences. All are very smart, perceptive, and eager to do the right thing. How refreshing!
I was also entertained by a side plot involving a military investigation of paranormal activity surrounding the pond where these healing baptisms take place. It's very much in the vein of "The X-files," before that show was even a thing, especially regarding the science fiction elements and the whole government conspiracy rabbit hole. I don't want to spoil the concepts at play, but let's just say they are timely, involving a kind of artificial intelligence as well as an interesting twist on the typical "possession" trope. The government conspiracy subplot also feels like a cliche, but when contrasted against the theme of family, a powerful final message is formed that no bureaucratic power has yet understood--that loyalty to the State doesn't mean jack shit if the State doesn't protect families. A State that doesn't put the interest of family first is willing to sacrifice children, and thus the very future of that State, dooming it to a slow and chaotic death no matter how its leaders scramble to cover their own asses. This theme hits hard in the chaotic and action-packed final chapter which left me breathless but satisfied.
I admit that this is far from a perfect novel. It needed better editing before publishing due to content inconsistencies and just overall repetitiveness. It could have packed more of a punch with at least fifty pages shaved off. But overall, I found more to enjoy than to criticize. If you can make it past the slow first third, you will be rewarded by a whole package that is a thoughtful and engrossing.
It's still available as an e-book for those who aren't interested in collecting original paperbacks. Give it a try, but watch where you step!
SCORE: Three cups of coffee and a half-smoked cigarette, rounded to 4/5
October 25, 2024
By far the longest book penned by George, Dark Miracle never achieved the 'cult classic' status of some of his other works; a pity. This story unfolds like a slow moving train wreck, albeit one with lots of surprises along the way. Our lead, one Harry Kent, starts the novel heading back to a small town in Minnesota (Stanhope) to see his ex-wife and dying 10 yo daughter. Harry and his wife split several years prior, and now Harry, a former pro-football player, now teaches physed in a high school.
His daughter, Allison, came down with leukemia and now has been given just a few weeks or months to live. George takes his time at first, introducing Harry, Allison and Leanna, his ex-wife as they struggle with the dying child and their broken relationship. Meanwhile in town, some second-rate preacher, who rolled into town three years or so ago, seems to have enacted some miracle cures on some of his parishioners. The local rag basically dismisses the priest, but what if their is some truth? Well, running out of options (and hope), Harry and Leanna take Allison to the priest's church and, low and behold, it seems she to be cured!
Now, the very beginning of the book opens up with some teens fooling around down by an old USDA research station, one that fronts upon a small lake, with the crank preacher's church on the other side. While the teens lay screwing around (literally) on the grass by the lake, the grass seems to come alive, slicing the gal to ribbons; the boy quickly follows. Ok, some something hinky is going on down by the lake, if not the lake itself, and the preacher 'cures' people by dunking them in the lake...
I do not want to give spoilers here to ruin the unfolding of the story. Pretty obviously, however, scientists were doing some bizarre research at the old USDA station that somehow, a decade or so after shutting the station down, seems to have gotten loose. A crack team of Special Service personal quickly arrive at the site. These folks are basically government 'cleaners', who cover up and clean up various messes induced by secret research or anything relating to national security. One man, Culp, has been doing this for years and really has had enough killing of innocent civilians to keep national secrets. His boss, however, wants this current mess contained.
Not sure why Dark Miracle possesses such a low overall rating here at GR. This reads like a Stephen King novel, rich with detail and length, and that may turn some folks off. The relatively slow pacing also contrasts with most of George's other novels as well. Yet, the foo here and the general OTT craziness I really dug. Spooky at times, sinister with covert government agencies doing their nefarious deeds, and rich characters? Good stuff. 4 Dark Stars!!
His daughter, Allison, came down with leukemia and now has been given just a few weeks or months to live. George takes his time at first, introducing Harry, Allison and Leanna, his ex-wife as they struggle with the dying child and their broken relationship. Meanwhile in town, some second-rate preacher, who rolled into town three years or so ago, seems to have enacted some miracle cures on some of his parishioners. The local rag basically dismisses the priest, but what if their is some truth? Well, running out of options (and hope), Harry and Leanna take Allison to the priest's church and, low and behold, it seems she to be cured!
Now, the very beginning of the book opens up with some teens fooling around down by an old USDA research station, one that fronts upon a small lake, with the crank preacher's church on the other side. While the teens lay screwing around (literally) on the grass by the lake, the grass seems to come alive, slicing the gal to ribbons; the boy quickly follows. Ok, some something hinky is going on down by the lake, if not the lake itself, and the preacher 'cures' people by dunking them in the lake...
I do not want to give spoilers here to ruin the unfolding of the story. Pretty obviously, however, scientists were doing some bizarre research at the old USDA station that somehow, a decade or so after shutting the station down, seems to have gotten loose. A crack team of Special Service personal quickly arrive at the site. These folks are basically government 'cleaners', who cover up and clean up various messes induced by secret research or anything relating to national security. One man, Culp, has been doing this for years and really has had enough killing of innocent civilians to keep national secrets. His boss, however, wants this current mess contained.
Not sure why Dark Miracle possesses such a low overall rating here at GR. This reads like a Stephen King novel, rich with detail and length, and that may turn some folks off. The relatively slow pacing also contrasts with most of George's other novels as well. Yet, the foo here and the general OTT craziness I really dug. Spooky at times, sinister with covert government agencies doing their nefarious deeds, and rich characters? Good stuff. 4 Dark Stars!!
August 24, 2020
Dark Miracle
By Stephen R. George.
Zebra Books.
1989.
🎃🎃
A total mess of a book, written by one of the better writers in the Zebra Horror stable, Stephen R. George.
This is the third of his I read, and the third book he wrote in 1989 alone. Definitely going for quantity over quality here.
His previous titles, Brain Child and Beasts, were fun and serviceable, but pedestrian. This just carries over the pedestrian part, makes everything overlong, adds lots of padding/repetitious chain smoking and meal eating to add to the word count for no reason and takes away all the fun.
A pair of divorced parents reunify over their 10 year old terminally ill daughter and bring her to a healing preacher. Miraculously, said daughter appears to be cured after a baptism in a holy lake. Downside? She also seems to be possessed now and have powers that allow her to shake tree branches in a spooky fashion. Lol.
There are also tons of b-movie subplot with the military and science experiments. And, some goopy monstery stuff at the end...
But it's way too boring, way too convoluted, way too long to make it worth getting there.
Skip the one, unless you're a completist like me. The writing is better than most Zebra titles and I was pretty invested for the first couple hundred pages. Then...it just crashed. Add a half star for that rad cover art, take one away for being over 100k words for no reason. Blah.
By Stephen R. George.
Zebra Books.
1989.
🎃🎃
A total mess of a book, written by one of the better writers in the Zebra Horror stable, Stephen R. George.
This is the third of his I read, and the third book he wrote in 1989 alone. Definitely going for quantity over quality here.
His previous titles, Brain Child and Beasts, were fun and serviceable, but pedestrian. This just carries over the pedestrian part, makes everything overlong, adds lots of padding/repetitious chain smoking and meal eating to add to the word count for no reason and takes away all the fun.
A pair of divorced parents reunify over their 10 year old terminally ill daughter and bring her to a healing preacher. Miraculously, said daughter appears to be cured after a baptism in a holy lake. Downside? She also seems to be possessed now and have powers that allow her to shake tree branches in a spooky fashion. Lol.
There are also tons of b-movie subplot with the military and science experiments. And, some goopy monstery stuff at the end...
But it's way too boring, way too convoluted, way too long to make it worth getting there.
Skip the one, unless you're a completist like me. The writing is better than most Zebra titles and I was pretty invested for the first couple hundred pages. Then...it just crashed. Add a half star for that rad cover art, take one away for being over 100k words for no reason. Blah.
August 12, 2018
Wish I could be more generous with this book, but I can't. It's a "Zebra horror" book, but I would call it more of a mash-up of many different styles. Sci-fi, military action, a touch of horror and a lot of romance. Yes romance.
First off, this book is 416 pages of very small writing. I needed a stronger readers to get through it. This comes in way to long for this kind of story. It's also written in circles. By that I mean the main characters, a man, woman and their child, split up, come back, split up, have doubts about coming together again. Get back......on and on. We are treated to endless pages of this. Next, the hand of a monster coming out of water leads you to believe we might have a creature on the loose. Nope. We have recombinant dna and a healing preacher that ties together. Another thing, small but still worth noting is that the little girls age is 11, than 10. Matches become lighters. Coffee people drink turn to juice. Not supposed to, authors fault.
The crux of this whole thing begins with a "smart" field of land. Nature that can think for itself. A charlatan preacher that can all of a sudden cure people on deaths door. A man and ex-wife who take their little girl to him and is cured. Then things go bad. If the author would of took more time to center some of the story on the horrors of the situation, this could of worked better. The way he dealt with it though, was to give it a wide berth. Read at your own risk.
First off, this book is 416 pages of very small writing. I needed a stronger readers to get through it. This comes in way to long for this kind of story. It's also written in circles. By that I mean the main characters, a man, woman and their child, split up, come back, split up, have doubts about coming together again. Get back......on and on. We are treated to endless pages of this. Next, the hand of a monster coming out of water leads you to believe we might have a creature on the loose. Nope. We have recombinant dna and a healing preacher that ties together. Another thing, small but still worth noting is that the little girls age is 11, than 10. Matches become lighters. Coffee people drink turn to juice. Not supposed to, authors fault.
The crux of this whole thing begins with a "smart" field of land. Nature that can think for itself. A charlatan preacher that can all of a sudden cure people on deaths door. A man and ex-wife who take their little girl to him and is cured. Then things go bad. If the author would of took more time to center some of the story on the horrors of the situation, this could of worked better. The way he dealt with it though, was to give it a wide berth. Read at your own risk.
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