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Fans of the X-Files will find this novel of the paranormal a very worthy diversion. With its consistent and intelligent narrative voice, Superstition heightens the terror with its careful balance of the real, the scientifically plausible, and the fantastic. When university psychologist Sam Towne assembles a group of eight people to test his hypothesis that group telepathy can call into being a ghost who exists only in their imagination, he gets much more than he bargained for. And Joanna Cross, the cynical reporter who sniffs another headline-making story about fraudulent spiritualists, is glad to play along. But when Adam Wyatt, the Revolutionary War hero created in a group exercise, breaks through from another dimension and reveals himself to be a darker shade than anyone could have guessed, those who thought him into existence are stymied in their efforts to send him back where he came from. As members of the group who would deny him reality begin to die, Sam and Joanna realize the strength of the force they've unleashed, but it may be too late to recapture it. Reason, logic, and faith fail them, and even the power of the love that flourishes between the two attractive protagonists may not be enough to put the genie back in the bottle. Superstition is a riveting supernatural thriller that will keep readers turning pages--each more horrifying than the next--until the shocking denouement. --Jane Adams
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First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
July 10, 2022
Una vez más me zambullo en una novela de los años 90 y al igual que algunas de sus contemporáneas que me he leído no puedo calificarla con más puntuación que un 3,5🌟.
Esta novela parte de una premisa realmente interesante : un experimento de psicoquinesia, el poder de la mente sobre la materia inventado por el profesor de la Universidad de Manhattan Sam Towne.
Él, junto con la inestimable ayuda de la periodista Joanna Cross, especialista en destapar fraudes paranormales y junto a otras 5 personas más deciden inventarse un fantasma llamado Adam Wyatt, otorgándole identidad propia.
Una serie de fenómenos físicos relacionados con la conciencia y la Ciencia es lo que vamos a tener entre manos.
¿Todo saldrá bien? ¿Qué implicaciones conlleva crear este fantasma para nuestro grupo?.
En los agradecimientos, se nos cuenta que esta novela está basada en un experimento realizado en Toronto a principios de los años 70, es decir, que no todo lo narrado es producto de la imaginación del autor.
Una vez explicado todo esto os cuento mis impresiones; aún siendo una premisa interesante, la forma en que está narrada se me hizo tediosa en exceso, excepto en sus últimas páginas donde todo se sucede de forma muy rápida y aquí sí que entramos un pasa páginas muy entretenido.
Me ha parecido muy compleja la temática y siendo una profana en todo lo que se nos presenta, se me hacía muy fácil dispersarme de la lectura.
Tiene algunos pasajes muy buenos donde miras a tu alrededor incómoda pero desde luego no la catalogaría como una novela de terror, para mí es Ciencia Ficción.
En resumidas cuentas, una novela que se deja leer y resulta interesante, aunque no haya hecho mella en mí a pesar de su magnífica premisa.
Esta novela parte de una premisa realmente interesante : un experimento de psicoquinesia, el poder de la mente sobre la materia inventado por el profesor de la Universidad de Manhattan Sam Towne.
Él, junto con la inestimable ayuda de la periodista Joanna Cross, especialista en destapar fraudes paranormales y junto a otras 5 personas más deciden inventarse un fantasma llamado Adam Wyatt, otorgándole identidad propia.
Una serie de fenómenos físicos relacionados con la conciencia y la Ciencia es lo que vamos a tener entre manos.
¿Todo saldrá bien? ¿Qué implicaciones conlleva crear este fantasma para nuestro grupo?.
En los agradecimientos, se nos cuenta que esta novela está basada en un experimento realizado en Toronto a principios de los años 70, es decir, que no todo lo narrado es producto de la imaginación del autor.
Una vez explicado todo esto os cuento mis impresiones; aún siendo una premisa interesante, la forma en que está narrada se me hizo tediosa en exceso, excepto en sus últimas páginas donde todo se sucede de forma muy rápida y aquí sí que entramos un pasa páginas muy entretenido.
Me ha parecido muy compleja la temática y siendo una profana en todo lo que se nos presenta, se me hacía muy fácil dispersarme de la lectura.
Tiene algunos pasajes muy buenos donde miras a tu alrededor incómoda pero desde luego no la catalogaría como una novela de terror, para mí es Ciencia Ficción.
En resumidas cuentas, una novela que se deja leer y resulta interesante, aunque no haya hecho mella en mí a pesar de su magnífica premisa.
August 7, 2009
This one has the feel of an old-school horror movie, like Psycho, The Exorcist, or an old Hitchcock film - it's definitely a psychological suspense. A lot of it is setting the mood, meeting the characters, and all that stuff. I would say the first two-thirds of the novel moves pretty slowly, although that's not to say it wasn't interesting. Basically, the characters are planning on creating a ghost, with the idea that the mind has the power to do so, and there's a lot of discussion about how this is so. It's based on an actual experiment that took place, and even mentions this fact in the forward and throughout the novel. I enjoyed the philosophical/scientific/paranormal talk that took place - I thought it was all very interesting and thought-provoking, and it made the experiment that much more real to me. In fact, if I could I would read the original book about the real experiment that took place (and I'm not one of those people who whole-heartedly believes in all that stuff).
It's in the last third of the novel that things really pick up. I literally couldn't put the down at this point, and I can honestly say it is one of the few books I've read that gave me goose bumps (and no, that wasn't because the air conditioner was on). I read the end straight through, and finished it at about 1:30 in the morning, at which I had to wake up my husband to tell him I had just read a seriously creepy book (no easy task, that, and all he did was murmur "uh-huh" and roll over to go back to sleep). "Creepy" really is the best word to describe it. I've read scary books, and I've read action books, and this one doesn't really fit into either category. This is one that will haunt you (no pun intended) well after you read it. I find myself randomly thinking about it every once in awhile. The ideas in it are chilling, and the ending is one of the best I've read in a long time.
I would definitely recommend this book, but it isn't for someone who's looking for a fast-moving book from the very start. You have to stick with this one, but in the end it definitely pays off.
It's in the last third of the novel that things really pick up. I literally couldn't put the down at this point, and I can honestly say it is one of the few books I've read that gave me goose bumps (and no, that wasn't because the air conditioner was on). I read the end straight through, and finished it at about 1:30 in the morning, at which I had to wake up my husband to tell him I had just read a seriously creepy book (no easy task, that, and all he did was murmur "uh-huh" and roll over to go back to sleep). "Creepy" really is the best word to describe it. I've read scary books, and I've read action books, and this one doesn't really fit into either category. This is one that will haunt you (no pun intended) well after you read it. I find myself randomly thinking about it every once in awhile. The ideas in it are chilling, and the ending is one of the best I've read in a long time.
I would definitely recommend this book, but it isn't for someone who's looking for a fast-moving book from the very start. You have to stick with this one, but in the end it definitely pays off.
March 5, 2017
A great book that I will definitely read again.
#paranormal-experiment #occult #in-the-name-of-science #this-should-be-a-movie
#paranormal-experiment #occult #in-the-name-of-science #this-should-be-a-movie
October 7, 2018
I struggled with this book. The first 1st act was super slow - I know it needed to establish a lot of technical things and characters, etc. But it was slow - it wasn't a slow burn, it was simply slow and I couldn't focus a lot of the times and even considered quitting it. But I pushed on. Then I reached the 2nd act and that's where the story picks up speed and where the actual paranormal/ghosts happenings started to occur. And I liked that part and it was engaging -- till I reached the 3rd act. *sigh* I was back to square one again. It wasn't that it dragged, but that it changed plot all together. The story forgot about the invented ghost, the experiment was pushed aside, and it's focus shifted to a new plot theory and character that was mentioned at the start, that I had forgotten about - heck I even had to go to the beginning of the book again to see if that was the same person - and it was. Oi. In the end, I was left confused, aggravated cause I needed answers - maybe I missed some of them - I don't even know how I feel about this book - meh! All I know it started off as a paranormal/horror story and it ended up as a paranormal/sci-fi-ish story with Joanna disappearing and ending up in a void that just magically transpired in the 3rd act. What did it have to do with the Murrays - did they invent this - did they have powers all along? oi, i'll stop.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2012
Superstition by David Ambrose
Ambrose uses an actual experiment carried out in Toronto Canada by a team of Parapsychologists known as the “Phillip Experiment” as a platform and structural foundation for his novel. Ambrose writes a rather decent suspense/ Ghost story, definitely scary in its’ own way. In 1972 the Phillip experiment was conducted to try to prove a theory that simply stated that ghosts and possibly other forms of paranormal activity were produced in the human mind, and can be produced through expectation, imagination and visualization. If you are well versed in the results of the experiment you know the basic, very basic, outline of events and occurrences through the novel. In Ambrose’s novel Superstition a parapsychologist Sam Towne invites a journalist, recently involved in exposing paranormal frauds, and seven other volunteers to take part in en experiment to prove ghosts can be created using the human mind. Many issues that arose with the Phillip Experiment also arise in this novel. One being, does the groups combined unconscious minds affect the outcomes or has the paranormal events truly been conjured by the group. The Premise of this novel got me interested enough to pick it out of a large group of books to read, but the action and its’ plot development, and possible outcomes drew me to the finish, as if being coaxed to the edge of a multi-story balcony only to be pushed over the edge with the hard hitting realization of the conclusion.
Ambrose uses an actual experiment carried out in Toronto Canada by a team of Parapsychologists known as the “Phillip Experiment” as a platform and structural foundation for his novel. Ambrose writes a rather decent suspense/ Ghost story, definitely scary in its’ own way. In 1972 the Phillip experiment was conducted to try to prove a theory that simply stated that ghosts and possibly other forms of paranormal activity were produced in the human mind, and can be produced through expectation, imagination and visualization. If you are well versed in the results of the experiment you know the basic, very basic, outline of events and occurrences through the novel. In Ambrose’s novel Superstition a parapsychologist Sam Towne invites a journalist, recently involved in exposing paranormal frauds, and seven other volunteers to take part in en experiment to prove ghosts can be created using the human mind. Many issues that arose with the Phillip Experiment also arise in this novel. One being, does the groups combined unconscious minds affect the outcomes or has the paranormal events truly been conjured by the group. The Premise of this novel got me interested enough to pick it out of a large group of books to read, but the action and its’ plot development, and possible outcomes drew me to the finish, as if being coaxed to the edge of a multi-story balcony only to be pushed over the edge with the hard hitting realization of the conclusion.
November 28, 2019
I was mildly indifferent to the story and the characters in the beginning, gripped in the middle, and kind of lost by the end.
It's difficult to write about it without spoilers, hence the other reviews are so intriguing, I guess :)
The beginning of the novel is a weird scene, and then we jump to the events that happened one year before that, and it seems impossible that these events of the past could lead to the events of this beginning (i. e., ending), so one keeps guessing whether the final explanation would make any sense.
Except for that, the first 100+ pages are not particularly exciting, and although some of the supporting cast are nice, the main characters do not seem particularly likeable (maybe it's just me, of course).
Then the story gets scary and the book becomes a page-turner; one doesn't understand what's going on except that it is frightening (and interesting).
I must admit the final explanation does have some logic behind it, but, for my liking, too many things are left for the reader to figure out as best she can :)
I did not particularly enjoy the writing itself, but the writer has an eye for body language: I could not always imagine what the characters felt, but I always saw how they moved.
I'm sorry if this isn't helpful :) This book was part of my 'scary novels to read around Halloween' list, and the other two were by Shirley Jackson, and I enjoyed them much more. But 'Superstition' is eerie.
It's difficult to write about it without spoilers, hence the other reviews are so intriguing, I guess :)
The beginning of the novel is a weird scene, and then we jump to the events that happened one year before that, and it seems impossible that these events of the past could lead to the events of this beginning (i. e., ending), so one keeps guessing whether the final explanation would make any sense.
Except for that, the first 100+ pages are not particularly exciting, and although some of the supporting cast are nice, the main characters do not seem particularly likeable (maybe it's just me, of course).
Then the story gets scary and the book becomes a page-turner; one doesn't understand what's going on except that it is frightening (and interesting).
I must admit the final explanation does have some logic behind it, but, for my liking, too many things are left for the reader to figure out as best she can :)
I did not particularly enjoy the writing itself, but the writer has an eye for body language: I could not always imagine what the characters felt, but I always saw how they moved.
I'm sorry if this isn't helpful :) This book was part of my 'scary novels to read around Halloween' list, and the other two were by Shirley Jackson, and I enjoyed them much more. But 'Superstition' is eerie.
February 15, 2012
I found what might otherwise have been an ordinary horror story, (I'm not a fan of horror), surprisingly interesting because of the thought provoking concepts it contained. I've written a number of novels that involve the paranormal--(THE THIRD EYE, STRANGER WITH MY FACE, SUMMER OF FEAR, etc.)--as well as one non-fiction book, PSYCHIC CONNECTIONS: A JOURNEY INTO THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD OF PSI (now out of print) which I co-authored with parapsychologist Dr. William Roll. During the course of that project, with Dr. Roll as my guide, I was given an in-depth look at the type of scientific research that is now being done on the very subjects that are dealt with as fiction (?)in David Ambrose's novel. Mr. Ambrose must have done the same sort of research, because in very disconcerting ways this story has the ring of truth. What do we truly know about the nature of reality? About the effects that the energy of our minds might have on the world around us?
Besides that, the story -- as a fiction story -- contained what I considered a fascinating twist.
Besides that, the story -- as a fiction story -- contained what I considered a fascinating twist.
October 21, 2020
I'm just not having the best luck with some of these older mass market paperback horror novels, I guess. It takes way too long for Superstition by David Ambrose to get going. I zoned out during a good chunk of this. I like a good slowburn story that has a good pay off, but I wouldn't even call this slowburn just poorly paced. I will say that the final act is decent although I wouldn't call it worth sticking with for 400 plus pages.
October 28, 2014
Doing a reread of a book I really liked about 15 years ago.
I still really like this book; keeping it at 4 stars. It feels like a throwback to the late 70s/early 80s books about telekinesis and studying ghostly phenomena and the like. The character attitudes and dialogue were a bit dated too (I kept looking at the copyright page to confirm: huh, it really was published in 1997!).
There are cheesy moments here, but overall this is gripping story--and an unusual take on ghosts.
I still really like this book; keeping it at 4 stars. It feels like a throwback to the late 70s/early 80s books about telekinesis and studying ghostly phenomena and the like. The character attitudes and dialogue were a bit dated too (I kept looking at the copyright page to confirm: huh, it really was published in 1997!).
There are cheesy moments here, but overall this is gripping story--and an unusual take on ghosts.
April 27, 2008
\had a few problems with this one , the lead characters annoying in a kind of Harry Potter way " well funny you should ask this is blah blah blah" is used to explain evrything , also the " ghost " is perfectly justified in killing everyone that created him , because they wrote the worlds dorkiest backstory for him. really bad
January 24, 2009
Paranomal Psychologist Sam Towne creates an experiment to test his hypothesis that group telepathy can create a ghost who, although wholly created by the group, physically manifests in the world and can interact with the group. Only, what happens if the "ghost" wants more...
I found the premise intriguing. Various real world experiments have been conducted to explore the power of the collective unconscious. By deftly handling the great unconsciousness I think the author manages to tap into some of our irrational fears, and our beliefs about what might just be possible, to maintain the tension of the book. I do think that the book was much longer than it really needed to be, though.
Plus, I do think that the whole thing could be explained by the idea that what the group actually did was to open up a black hole into a parallel universe (see Hugh Everett's theory of quantum mechanics, for example) where Adam Wyatt existed but where members of the group did not..and the rest follows.
I found the premise intriguing. Various real world experiments have been conducted to explore the power of the collective unconscious. By deftly handling the great unconsciousness I think the author manages to tap into some of our irrational fears, and our beliefs about what might just be possible, to maintain the tension of the book. I do think that the book was much longer than it really needed to be, though.
Plus, I do think that the whole thing could be explained by the idea that what the group actually did was to open up a black hole into a parallel universe (see Hugh Everett's theory of quantum mechanics, for example) where Adam Wyatt existed but where members of the group did not..and the rest follows.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2016
This book had a fascinating premise and was an intense read until the last few chapters that became totally confusing, which came close to ruining the experience.
It was amazing to read about the experiment where the group of chicks were able to make the little robot they had imprinted with as their mom, come to them when they were caged several feet away from it!
The ending is inconclusive, because you are not even sure what is going on! What happened to Adam? It also would have been better without the needless occasional crude sexual remarks and "F" bombs.
However, I am going to reread it to see if I can understand the ending better, it is that good!
Probably the most thought provoking /mind-boggling book that I have ever read!
I'm sure this will be long remembered.
ETA: Ok after rereading the Prologue and the last few chapters, I understand it better now and have raised my rating from 4 to 5 stars!
It was amazing to read about the experiment where the group of chicks were able to make the little robot they had imprinted with as their mom, come to them when they were caged several feet away from it!
The ending is inconclusive, because you are not even sure what is going on! What happened to Adam? It also would have been better without the needless occasional crude sexual remarks and "F" bombs.
However, I am going to reread it to see if I can understand the ending better, it is that good!
Probably the most thought provoking /mind-boggling book that I have ever read!
I'm sure this will be long remembered.
ETA: Ok after rereading the Prologue and the last few chapters, I understand it better now and have raised my rating from 4 to 5 stars!
January 27, 2015
Great story line where a group comes together to try and disprove the existence of ghosts or of the unknown in general. Coming at it from the perspective that we ourselves are creating the paranormal occurrences that may happen. So they try to create a ghost, someone who has never existed before, but what happens when the Ouija board comes out blows them away. This is a great ghost story and I loved this book.
This was one of those "unputdownable" books. Its broke up into short chapters, which I like, it helps me to keep going in other books. This one I didn't want to stop. It has lots of surprises in it, lots of thrills, no blood and gore, it was written back in the day so I like some of the innocence in it, things to me were way better back in the 70s and 80s with books and movies. I love rotary phones and no cell towers lol.
This was one of those "unputdownable" books. Its broke up into short chapters, which I like, it helps me to keep going in other books. This one I didn't want to stop. It has lots of surprises in it, lots of thrills, no blood and gore, it was written back in the day so I like some of the innocence in it, things to me were way better back in the 70s and 80s with books and movies. I love rotary phones and no cell towers lol.
November 20, 2014
What just happened?
WOW!!!!!! I would really love to discuss this book with different people and get their takes on "what just happened"? This book is captivating, can't put it down, you think you know what is going on - but do you? Without spoiling the book by telling you what goes on - all I will say is my cousin and I read the book together and she couldn't figure it out. I actually couldn't either; however, I kept pondering over it like a sliver stuck in my hand that needed to come out yet I couldn't get to it. Finally I came to a conclusion!!!!!! explained it to my cousin and she could see my resolve and accept it. phew!!!! Now that makes an excellent read! Have you read this??? Let me hear your theories............
WOW!!!!!! I would really love to discuss this book with different people and get their takes on "what just happened"? This book is captivating, can't put it down, you think you know what is going on - but do you? Without spoiling the book by telling you what goes on - all I will say is my cousin and I read the book together and she couldn't figure it out. I actually couldn't either; however, I kept pondering over it like a sliver stuck in my hand that needed to come out yet I couldn't get to it. Finally I came to a conclusion!!!!!! explained it to my cousin and she could see my resolve and accept it. phew!!!! Now that makes an excellent read! Have you read this??? Let me hear your theories............
August 21, 2016
I don't normally read novels about the paranormal, but this one grabbed me right away and held me to the very end. As an experiment in group telepathy, a psychologist Sam, a journalist Joanna, a noted physicist, and several lay people form a group to, in essence, invent a ghost to communicate with them. They create a Revolutionary war figure named Adam Wyatt completely from their joint imaginations. The experiment is successful but then takes a turn none were prepared for. I'm surprised this was never turned into a movie as it has all the elements and the pacing. The suspense derives from how this experiment will ultimately play out as the ghost they seemingly invented becomes more powerful.
July 25, 2009
LOVE THIS BOOK--read twice and will definitely read again.
January 20, 2019
Sam knew that what he was looking out on now was something far more alien than the past.
It has been a long time since a novel has made me unable to sleep where I ended up turning on the bedside lamp. Reminded me of the movie Drag me to Hell and tv series Rose Red. So it comes as no surprise film rights have been sold.
Kirkus Reviews: Featuring a cast of warmly attractive adult characters and no human villain in sight, the latest from David Ambrose has been sold to Tri-Star films for one million. If the film sticks to it's terrific ending, this could make one of the scariest, brainiest, most memorable love stories ever made about the unseen. (Film rights to Interscope/Columbia/Tri-Star).
It's a love story; it's a story of revenge. For fans of the paranormal, supernatural, and the occult. For fans of Lois Duncan, queen of the young adult dark fiction genre.
Joanna blew him a kiss, and stepped into the night.
It has been a long time since a novel has made me unable to sleep where I ended up turning on the bedside lamp. Reminded me of the movie Drag me to Hell and tv series Rose Red. So it comes as no surprise film rights have been sold.
Kirkus Reviews: Featuring a cast of warmly attractive adult characters and no human villain in sight, the latest from David Ambrose has been sold to Tri-Star films for one million. If the film sticks to it's terrific ending, this could make one of the scariest, brainiest, most memorable love stories ever made about the unseen. (Film rights to Interscope/Columbia/Tri-Star).
It's a love story; it's a story of revenge. For fans of the paranormal, supernatural, and the occult. For fans of Lois Duncan, queen of the young adult dark fiction genre.
Joanna blew him a kiss, and stepped into the night.
December 16, 2021
Aunque sea un libro en el que haya que valorar más el concepto que el estilo literario (algo parecido a lo que me ocurrió años atrás con "Simulacron 3", que me obsesionó independientemente de lo mejor o peor escrito que estuviera o de su horrible traducción) y que no arranque hasta llegado prácticamente el centenar de páginas, me voy a llevar un grato recuerdo de este "Superstición" de David Ambrose. El punto de partida está ligeramente inspirado en el "Phillip Experiment" ocurrido en Toronto (Canadá), en el que un grupo de parapsicólogos intentaron "crear" un fantasma en base al poder de su mente, otorgándole una biografía y unos rasgos de carácter propio. Lo que ocurre aquí es que dicha creación, Adam Wyatt, termina acoplándose a nuestro continuo espacio-tiempo, alterando el devenir de la realidad tal y como la conocían los protagonistas. Admito que me lo he pasado en grande con su tramo final, sus desbarres filosofo-científicos y su evidente envoltura a lo "Twilight Zone".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2019
This novel was incredible! I rarely get frightened to the point of not wanting to go to bed (bc of that fear factor) but with this book, I had those feelings more than once. I like the premise of this entire book and how it was an experiment but even more, I love how this is based on an ACTUAL experiment that truly did take place. That is so CREEPY to me. What an awesome book!
September 6, 2024
Dieses Buch verändert die eigene Wahrnehmung von Vergangenheit, Gegenwart und Zukunft. Sehr spannend und zugleich auch sehr sachlich, eine gute Lektüre für Menschen, die sich gerne mit Fragen über die Realität beschäftigen.
October 31, 2023
Loved how this book was written and what it was about
Creating ur own ghost gone wrong
The main character was so good but her boyfriend just made me mad, this all could've been avoided if he just admitted that the experiment was dangerous and uh maybe everyone of the group slowly dying isn't a green flag.
The ending tho, so satisfying
But like woa what if I'm in a parallel universe rn and that just keeps happening and happening and I'm just a silly clueless girl
Creating ur own ghost gone wrong
The main character was so good but her boyfriend just made me mad, this all could've been avoided if he just admitted that the experiment was dangerous and uh maybe everyone of the group slowly dying isn't a green flag.
The ending tho, so satisfying
But like woa what if I'm in a parallel universe rn and that just keeps happening and happening and I'm just a silly clueless girl
June 17, 2020
Tolle Geistergeschichte!!!
April 11, 2010
I stumbled upon this novel when I was searching for thrillers that were suspenseful and genuinely creepy, and this book certainly meets (and exceeds) those criteria.
I won't rehash the plot, because others have done such a good job of detailing it. I have to say, though, that the subject matter is certainly provocative, in that it explores the genesis of ghostly encounters and stories by focusing on the power of the mind in terms of first creating and then actually manifesting entities and energies. It becomes even more interesting when people lose control of their creation, and then have to contend with reality as they know it irrevocably changing as a direct result of what they've done.
Ambrose interweaves typical ghost- and poltergeist- story threads with philosophy and physics, as he details how events in the present change the past, which ultimately serves to actually alter the present. It is definitely confusing when Ambrose begins his foray into this line of thought, but it quickly begins to not only make sense, but also becomes quite disturbing.
The novel isn't perfect - there are some slow parts, as well as times when the narrative becomes a bit too rambling. That said, the vast majority of the book is compulsively readable, and includes a love story or two; ghost/poltergeist activity (complete with Ouija boards); fraudulent psychics; curses; incompatible realities; murders; and fascinating discussions about everything from French history to the laws governing the universe. Above all, Ambrose conveys a sense of dread from early on in the novel that builds significantly with the turning of each page.
It's a great, scary, suspenseful book that was extremely difficult to put down. This will definitely fit the bill for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking thrillers and/or ghost stories.
I won't rehash the plot, because others have done such a good job of detailing it. I have to say, though, that the subject matter is certainly provocative, in that it explores the genesis of ghostly encounters and stories by focusing on the power of the mind in terms of first creating and then actually manifesting entities and energies. It becomes even more interesting when people lose control of their creation, and then have to contend with reality as they know it irrevocably changing as a direct result of what they've done.
Ambrose interweaves typical ghost- and poltergeist- story threads with philosophy and physics, as he details how events in the present change the past, which ultimately serves to actually alter the present. It is definitely confusing when Ambrose begins his foray into this line of thought, but it quickly begins to not only make sense, but also becomes quite disturbing.
The novel isn't perfect - there are some slow parts, as well as times when the narrative becomes a bit too rambling. That said, the vast majority of the book is compulsively readable, and includes a love story or two; ghost/poltergeist activity (complete with Ouija boards); fraudulent psychics; curses; incompatible realities; murders; and fascinating discussions about everything from French history to the laws governing the universe. Above all, Ambrose conveys a sense of dread from early on in the novel that builds significantly with the turning of each page.
It's a great, scary, suspenseful book that was extremely difficult to put down. This will definitely fit the bill for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking thrillers and/or ghost stories.
July 15, 2014
I found this book much by chance. I was waiting for my friends to arrive so we could catch up and I'd just received a call to tell me they were running late so I decided to have a look at the books in the local charity shop. I read the blurb and was vaguely intrigued so I bought it for 50p and off I went.
I honestly never been happier that my friends were late. It gave me an extra hour to read this book and it was worth it.
This story is so thought provoking, it really does make you question the real reason's behind ghosts and the paranormal. The mix between the 'ghost hunters' idea and the science behind all of the 'happenings' is really interesting and well done.
I've seen a few people saying that the were disappointed with the ending but I felt quite the opposite. Books like this one can so often be horribly predictable and so when you finally get to the end all you can think of is "Oh wow, I totally didn't see that one coming" with perhaps an added eye roll for emphasis.
When I read this book I was expecting a completely different ending and when I finally got to the actual one I was blown away, stuck in a state of being both confused and impressed. Why? BECAUSE IT WAS SO EXPECTED IT WAS UNEXPECTED!
I honestly never been happier that my friends were late. It gave me an extra hour to read this book and it was worth it.
This story is so thought provoking, it really does make you question the real reason's behind ghosts and the paranormal. The mix between the 'ghost hunters' idea and the science behind all of the 'happenings' is really interesting and well done.
I've seen a few people saying that the were disappointed with the ending but I felt quite the opposite. Books like this one can so often be horribly predictable and so when you finally get to the end all you can think of is "Oh wow, I totally didn't see that one coming" with perhaps an added eye roll for emphasis.
When I read this book I was expecting a completely different ending and when I finally got to the actual one I was blown away, stuck in a state of being both confused and impressed. Why? BECAUSE IT WAS SO EXPECTED IT WAS UNEXPECTED!
July 26, 2010
Convinced that ghosts are actually manifestations of the combined will of living individuals, Sam creates an experiment bringing a group of people together to try to do just that. They create a fictional character and start the experiment. But when things start to go bad and they want to stop the test, people start dying.
I enjoyed this book. I like the premise and think it is very original. It kept me engaged but there is quite a bit of theory that got repeated often. So at some points I felt like say, I get it already!. But that does not stop me from recommending it. It is not a super scary book, it is creepy.
I enjoyed this book. I like the premise and think it is very original. It kept me engaged but there is quite a bit of theory that got repeated often. So at some points I felt like say, I get it already!. But that does not stop me from recommending it. It is not a super scary book, it is creepy.
March 20, 2014
The book's got its own moments.
I really liked the amalgamation of science and supernatural element, especially the part where the experiments are detailed out.
There are some chills in the first half of the book.
But I thought the book lost it way somewhere thereafter and the ending was a disaster. I had expected a lot more from what could have been a real interesting read, but rather turned out to be a disappointing one.
I really liked the amalgamation of science and supernatural element, especially the part where the experiments are detailed out.
There are some chills in the first half of the book.
But I thought the book lost it way somewhere thereafter and the ending was a disaster. I had expected a lot more from what could have been a real interesting read, but rather turned out to be a disappointing one.
August 1, 2013
The book itself was pretty entertaining most of the time, enough for me to keep going anyway.
But the ending was so disappointing and poorly put together that I finished regretting I'd kept going in the first place.
But the ending was so disappointing and poorly put together that I finished regretting I'd kept going in the first place.
February 6, 2013
Held my interest, then lost steam at the very end. I found that to be most unfortunate since the last quarter was the best part of the story. 5 of 10 stars for this almost good tale.
September 21, 2018
Einer der Besten Bücher die ich gelesen habe. Einfach unheimlich Fantastisch
May 2, 2021
I read this book as a young adult. At the time, I was intrigued by the "mystique" it seemed to provide, which later promoted me into trying Ouija with my sister in an old building. I remember it felt very, very wrong, and I'm very fortunate that I escaped unscathed. This book is foolishly dangerous to read, as it preys on the naive, which I admit I was at the time. I do not respect this author.
On a literary level, this book is poorly written and the author is willfully arrogant. The plot depicts a group of "psychics" who try to create a "ghost" by undergoing a "seance". Nothing against real psychic phenomenon, but this book falsely represents something with real potential to be beautiful (psychic phenomenon, NOT Ouija), luring innocent people, such as myself for one. A very dangerous read indeed for the inexperienced, or anyone for that matter.
If I could have given this book zero stars, I would have. I warn anyone reading this review to not give this author any accolades or attention. The only reason I give this author MY attention is to warn the others.
On a literary level, this book is poorly written and the author is willfully arrogant. The plot depicts a group of "psychics" who try to create a "ghost" by undergoing a "seance". Nothing against real psychic phenomenon, but this book falsely represents something with real potential to be beautiful (psychic phenomenon, NOT Ouija), luring innocent people, such as myself for one. A very dangerous read indeed for the inexperienced, or anyone for that matter.
If I could have given this book zero stars, I would have. I warn anyone reading this review to not give this author any accolades or attention. The only reason I give this author MY attention is to warn the others.
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