This is the first book in a series by Simon Holt. The 2nd book "Soulstice" is coming out in September '09. I wasn't able to find how many books are planned for this series so if anyone knows; speak up!

Reggie and Aaron are horror fanatics. Reggie finds an old journal at the horror bookstore she works at. The journal talks about Vours, evil entities that can take over your soul during winter soulstice. The Vours can only enter the minds of people who are truly afraid. In an effort to scare themselves silly Reggie and Aaron try to tempt the Vours to take over them by daring each other to face their worst fears on Winter Solstice. They are disappointed that nothing happens but Reggie's little brother is not so lucky; he has been a scared little boy since their mother left and the Vours find him easy pickings.

In other book reviews I have mentioned that I don't like scary things; be they books, movies, or haunted houses. Well for the other woosies like me out there, beware, this is a scary book. For those who revel in all things horror; you will be delighted. The horror aspect in this book is more around the magical/psychological type of horror. Although fans of classic horror get their due too; with the appearance of an ax wielding clown, refreshements laid out in open rib cages, and people buried alive. Also if you have any type of fear of spiders I would steer clear of this book.

The book itself was very well written. The characters were likeable and engaging. The idea of the people you love and trust becoming evil incarnate overnight is very Exorcist; and totally creeped me out. I really liked Reggie and Eben, the bookstore owner. I felt for all of the characters. The book was fast-paced and I couldn't put it down. This is a book that focuses less on high-school life and more on the unusual events in Reggie's life; which I enjoyed. If you really enjoy all the gossiping and angsting that is included in some young adult books like this you might be disappointed.

There was some swearing in the book, but it was pretty mild. I was also surprised that the book was very scary without being excessively gorey. The story was a good one and was tightly put together and well thought out. This book works well as a stand alone book; although Eben mentions that the Vours are just the tip of the evil iceberg.

So, the million dollar question is will I read Soulstice when it comes out? I am tempted to; The Devouring is a fascinating book and a quick and engaging read. Do I want to have to sleep with the lights on for another night and suffer nightmares for a couple nights? No, not really. I found Laura Faria Stolarz's "Blue is for Nightmare's" to also be too scary for me. So if you loved "Blue is for Nightmares" you will probably love this book. I actually thought the Devouring was much more creative and interesting than "Blue is for Nightmares".

As a great young adult horror book I think this book is a winner. For me personally it is just too darn scary.

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Reviewed by Samantha Clanton, aka "Harlequin Twilight" for TeensReadToo.com

Reggie Halloway is a freshman in high school, she's a bit awkward, and since her mother left her family, she has had to take over the household duties and become a "surrogate-mother" for her younger brother, Henry.

Reggie is a horror junkie. She can recall the works of Poe and Lovecraft from memory, but she also tries to make her little brother braver by reading him some of these same stories. While at work in a local horror bookstore, Reggie comes across a journal titled The Devouring, which contains the scribbling and drawings of someone that would put a madwoman to shame.

This journal contains the creepy, shiver-inducing story of The Vours. The Vours are these demonic, creepy-as-hell beings that inhabit a host on Sorry Night (it's December 22), then devour their fear and take over. They turn your brother, sister, friend, or loved one into a hollow shell of what they once were.

Then Henry starts acting strange - he becomes dark, cold, distant, mean. Reggie, with the help of her nerdy but enjoyable friend Aaron, comes to realize that what they wrote off as the musings of a lunatic are true. These creatures not only exist but they have taken Henry.

Reggie then has to find out what happens when your deepest fears become reality. She needs to learn how to save the people she cares for by figuring out how to survive within a world that's one big nightmare. She has to decide if she can devour her own fears before those fears devour not only her, but also the people she loves.

Talk about scary. This is not a story for the faint of heart. Sometimes the imagery is so vivid that you can picture it within your head. If you've never had a story that stayed in your head, then be prepared, because after reading THE DEVOURING it sticks for a bit.

For me, at least, the story has made me think more about my own fears. Could I be so terrified that my guard was so low as to allow a demon into my head and let it put me in my own personal form of Hell? I don't think so, but you never know. You must conquer your fears, before they conquer you.

It's a terrifying story, but terrifying in a good way. Put on some happy music, and settle in for a horrifying, yet fascinating, ride.

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Simon Holt's new series is perfect for Goosebumps lovers who are ready to move on to a higher level.

It is clear to anyone how much thought the author put into creating his fictional monsters, monsters that feed off of fear and use it to conquer others. It is easy to read this as an important look into how humans interact with their own fears--yet at the same time, it can be read for pure entertainment. Reggie and Aaron are solid characters who do well with carrying the bulk of the book's excitement on their backs.

It's no Stephen King, of course. There are many moments when something disturbing is happening in the story, and yet the fear doesn't translate to the readers. The disgust and horror of THE DEVOURING mostly comes from the gross-out factor: the Vours' ways of intimidation are highly physical. This physical-over-psychological type of horror makes it appropriate for younger readers, who will probably find it easier to be creeped out.

THE DEVOURING is geared towards more impressionable younger readers, but veterans of YA lit will still be able to find entertainment from this decent series starter. I am intrigued to learn more about Reggie, Aaron, Henry, and the Vours in the next book of the series, SOULSTICE.

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