They Came Out After Dark

     When I received this ebook, free from one of my daily newsmails, I was actually excited.  The synopsis read like a true horror story, but as with many stories that carry an Asian theme, they are drawn out with extensive backstory and near suicidal personalities.  I really doubt I'll move on to the other two books in this series.

     The story is about a school group that traveled into the mountains of Japan to visit  a study camp in British Heights- an out of place museum, theater and more.  Its owned by Mr. Forbes, a s'diddi billionaire who cares for his precious antiquities more than the people paying to visit them.  Students are suddenly trapped in a white-out snow storm, doubled over from an illness I shall not name, since I don't believe in SPOILERS and hunted by something that comes out of Edgar Allen Poe's, The Raven! 

     To be honest, the only reason I finished this book is because the author promised me a monster.  The characters were a bit drab but strong enough in Jun and Akane to make me command my eyes show me to the ending... or new beginning.  Other than that, I read about a bunch of foolish teenagers who (periodically) did the same thing to their British instructors as to me and my friends when I lived in Japan: They spoke ugly words in their native tongue while pretending to be kind and respectful.  That part was true to life to me.  Ugh...

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     Anyway, Ward wrote an okay YA story, but by adding the mysterious creatures and 'the monster', it became confusing.  It took me a very long time to finish this book.  I read ebooks at night, in bed before sleeping; this book kept putting me to sleep instead of giving me someone to anxiously await.  What disappointed me was the feeling of A Cabin In The Woods- which I loved, by the way.  I don't like it when a particular style that makes one thing unique is copied and that's what They Came Out After Dark did.  Oops!  Did I say too much... ?

     Once the action begins, it's pretty good but it still felt off.  It was unique in who was behind who and how, but everything else about the story just didn't do it for me.  I tried to research the author but didn't find much.  Many other readers love his work- maybe I need to look into his other books, but I won't delve any deeper into this series.  The book is okay- not the best nor the worst.  If you're a Chris Ward fan, I apologize for nothing!😉 On to the next book. 📚

Rating:  👓👓 1/2 out of 5 specs
*What She Left Behind is next.
**eBook from my private library, but FREE from eReader News Today & Amazon.com.