Vengeance Child

by Simon Clark

Can revenge reach out from the grave? - Orphan Jay doesnt want to hurt anyone he tries so hard not to. Yet he has a terrible secret . . . Nurse Laura Parris is determined to protect him, but when she meets Victor Brodman, a widower, she wonders if she can finally reveal Jays disturbing past. That hes the only survivor of a terrifying shipwreck, the vengeance child, and that soon his shadow will fall over all humanity . . .

Genres: Horror

232 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2009

About the author

Born, 20th April, 1958, Simon Clark is the author of such highly regarded horror novels as Nailed By The Heart, Blood Crazy, Darker, Vampyrrhic and The Fall, while his short stories have been collected in Blood & Grit and Salt Snake & Other Bloody Cuts. He has also written prose material for the internationally famous rock band U2.

Raised in a family of storytellers – family legend told of a stolen human skull buried beneath the Clark garage – he sold his first ghost story to a radio station in his teens. Before becoming a full-time writer he held a variety of day jobs, that have involved strawberry picking, supermarket shelf stacking, office work, and scripting video promos.

He lives with his wife and two children in mystical territory that lies on the border of Robin Hood country in England.

Reviews

[Wayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book kind of reminded me of that episode of "The Twighlight Zone" where the kid wishes people into the corn fields and "The Omen." It is nicely written. It's just sort of silly after a spell. It keeps you reading throughout. It just makes you say "Phhhffft. That's silly."

A boy aged eleven is called a witch by other kids because he can make bad things happen to them if he repeats their name over and over. He was rescued in the Atlantic Ocean, alone after the ship of refugees he was on sinks and everyone else died. Seems all the vengeance in those hundreds of people are concentrated in him. He goes on holiday with other orphans to an isolated island and bad things start to happen.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't believe this is published by Severn House. It's not what I was expecting, that's for sure. It's horror, but more in a R.L. Stine kind of way. I was a little scared last night before bed, but the funny sex scenes that were supposed to be passionate made me giggle and ruined the scariness. [return][return]Basically, a foundling child (or vengeance child) is horrifically created after a boat sinks in the ocean. The boy is evil and creates havoc wherever he goes. [return][return]I just thought the book was kinda cheesy, but could see some teens liking it. It's scary, but not bloody gross.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of Clark's better books of his later ones, and not only did it not fall heavily into the formulaic manner his novels tended to follow, it was actually a much more original concept than his other works. 3.5/5*

[Geoff Battle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vengeance Child contains a myriad of elements which, thankfully, when mixed together produce an interesting approach to horror fiction. It's refreshing to have a malevolent child at the centre of a horror yarn which doesn't originate from Oriental fiction. Clark's demon child is far more akin to Damien, offering a haunting undertone, which may not be equal to that of Seltzer's Omen, yet is engaging enough. Add to that a desolate island and a power hungry and ruthless mayor, and there is enough for a TV mini-series. This is a pacey book and although the characterisations are somewhat two-dimensional, it's easily forgiven since it moves so fast. The breakneck speed continues in to the conclusion, which is somewhat predictable and rushed, however getting there is pleasurable enough. It's reminiscent of older school horror and although it could have been darker, the terror escalated further, Vengeance Child is still a horror story worth reading.

[Bandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simon Clark almost never disappoints. He's got the imagination, talent and readability to make him easily one of my favorite writers. Vengeance Child was a quick read, not quite as lyrical as some of Clark's work, but the story was solid, possessed kids are ever so creepy. The best part of the story was the setting, Clark managed to convey the sense of claustrophobia compounded by impending dread superbly, in my opinion. Plus you gotta love the cover :)

[Paul Fletcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was at time where I would read Simon Clarks books and couldn't put them down, I just wanted them to go on and on. At some point something changed and each book got progressively worse. The ideas were there but the writing style wasn't. This and his next novel I really struggled with. It become a chore not a pleasure unfortunately.