SFF

Suffer the Children

by Craig DiLouie
Gallery. May 2014. 352p. ISBN 9781476739632. pap. $16; ebk. ISBN 9781476739649. HORROR
COPY ISBN
The premise of this chilling horror novel by the author of The Killing Floor is a parent's worst nightmare: one day, every child who has not gone through puberty simply dies. One moment a child might be playing, and the next—gone. The world is grieving beyond measure, and the press calls the phenomenon Herod's Syndrome. But then, days later, the children return to life, merely climbing out of their mass graves. The joy of the parents rapidly turns to confusion when the children become sluggish and unresponsive, and then to horror when they realize that the only thing that brings their kids fully to life is for them to ingest human blood.
VERDICT The ghoulish premise is given nuance by focusing on the reaction of ordinary parents both immediately pre-Herod's Syndrome and after the children return changed. This vampire variation of recent resurrection fiction (Jason Mott's The Returned) will be especially terrifying for any guardian, as they ponder what lengths they might go to for their children's sake.
Reviewed by Megan M. McArdle , Apr 15, 2014
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

FICTION

Lightfall
by Crocker, Ed
FICTION

An Honored Vow
by Blair, Melissa
FICTION

We Lived on the Horizon
by Swyler, Erika
FICTION

Glow of the Everflame
by Cole, Penn
FICTION

The Martian Contingency
by Kowal, Mary Robinette
FICTION

Galaxy Raiders: Abyss
by Douglas, Ian
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?