The Bottom Line: An immensely satisfying paranormal thriller that manages to be playful, haunting and engrossing all at once.
[easyazon_image add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”B00SPIJGJK” cloaking=”default” height=”500″ localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” src=”//ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61FNUS5IcYL.jpg” tag=”bestthricom-20″ width=”333″]When people in Glenwood say they are battling “demons,” they don’t just mean that metaphorically. Built on the ruins of a lost Puritan settlement, this small, affluent Massachusetts town has problems that only some of its most perceptive residents can see.
That brings us to High school freshman Tim Hanson, high school teacher Jay Gallagher and nine-year-old Sarah Connolly – all of whom see spirits. When the residents of Glenwood start to disappear, they have only each other to confide in.
Apart from the ability to see the supernatural, author Tim, Jay and Sarah also have something else in common – they all deal, in one way or another, with bullies. As the new kid in town, Tim has already suffered nine stitches, two black eyes, a split lip, and a wealth of bruises up and down his chest and back. The mean kids at school call Sarah Snake Girl because she has a lisp. And despite being voted Teacher of the Year, Jay is dismissed by an unnaturally powerful principal when his performance starts to slip due to alcoholism.
As if all this weren’t enough to deal with, the trio comes under the scrutiny of FBI agents investigating the disappearances.
Can these three unlikely allies rescue Glenwood from a terrifying supernatural force? And more importantly, can they emerge the ordeal as strong people who can stand up for themselves and each other?
It all works thanks to Derik Cavignano’s careful drawing of this three co-protagonists. All the relationships in Colony of the Lost feel authentic and free-flowing. The plot delivers heavy doses of suspense, but it never feels particularly dark or heavy. Consider putting this one on your shortlist of possible beach reads (and also check out Derik’s other great book, The Righteous and the Wicked).
[easyazon_cta add_to_cart=”default” align=”left” asin=”B00SPIJGJK” cloaking=”default” height=”42″ key=”tall-orange” localization=”default” locale=”US” nofollow=”default” new_window=”default” tag=”bestthricom-20″ width=”120″]