“Blank Space” by John Durgin is a book I’ve been meaning to read for a while, since the cover immediately grabbed my attention. I’m so glad I finally got around to it because it’s such a powerhouse of a read. If you enjoy haunted house books involving ghosts and children, this horror book is for you. Before I begin my review, I found the following trigger warnings while reading… - Violence against small animals - Violence against children - Foster homes - Drinking and driving - Child abuse If any of these trigger you, please do not read this book. Moving along, this is the third book I’ve read by Durgin, and he’s one hell of an author. I love his writing style, which brings a modern twist to horror tropes we’ve seen done before, but in a more refreshing way. Right from the start, the introduction to this book completely blew me away. I always approach a horror book with a clear mind, knowing nothing of what to expect from the descriptions, to immerse myself in it. The way everything started in this book had me hooked beyond belief. The sheer violence, gore, and madness set the tone for the rest of the book. I loved the fantastic story, on top of all the horror, which centered on foster kids and what happens when you bring one into your home, only to find that you get something straight out of a demonic horror movie. I never read a story like this that tapped into horror, emotional loss, family, children, and more. I also loved the levity of some of the most hilarious dad jokes I’ve ever heard. These corny dad jokes, sprinkled amidst the gore, added surprising levity. There was one joke that had me laughing out loud for about two minutes straight. There was also a moment that sent a chill down my spine early on in the book. Don’t worry. I’d never spoil anything for my fellow horror readers, but yeah, Durgin got me good there, and it creeped me out. That was creepy as hell. “Blank Space” was a genuine page-turner, and if it weren’t for starting this in the middle of my work week, I would have finished this in a single night. It’s the perfect day off or weekend horror read, clocking in at just 114 pages. It’s a brilliantly written ghost story, and one of the most original ones I’ve ever read. The characters are memorable, and I was utterly engaged in the story until the very end. Speaking of which, my goodness, that ending was awesome. I loved how all the built-up suspense and tension delivered one hell of a conclusion. The sheer terror was tremendous, keeping me on the edge of my seat as I wasn’t sure how it would end. Durgin delivered and then some, where everything came together nicely, and I finished this book with a big smile on my face. I got my horror fix in a book I’ll remember for many years to come. I give “Blank Space” by John Durgin a 5/5 for being one of the most unique horror stories I’ve ever read. The story was fantastic, the malignant specter that haunted these pages left its mark, and I’d consider this a must-read for horror readers. Especially those of you who want to enjoy a captivating story about the whole foster kids process taken to nightmarish levels you never thought possible. submitted by /u/LTJ81 [link] [comments]