Review: Cinema of Shadows by Michael West

ISBN: 0983740208

At the risk of sounding too squee, let me preface with this: I absolutely loved this book. Over the last few years I’ve found myself increasingly bored with straight horror novels. Perhaps it’s my perceptions as a writer (picking out storytelling elements and good things gone cliché automatically instead of gleefully falling for them) or the by-the-numbers or just-like-Stephen-King styles that are prevalent. Regardless I find myself looking for something just plain different.

Cinema of Shadows isn’t actually different. It’s the tale of a group of college kids who are part of a paranormal investigations class (what college has that class? I want to go!) who are investigating the Woodfield Movie Palace. The Woodfield began as a live performance theater in the 20s, then a single theater movie place. Then it degraded into a porn theater before the last owner shot his fiance and himself in the ticket booth.

It goes without saying that the Woodfield is very, very haunted, and maliciously so. The kids are in for a world of trouble, especially since one of them is a natural channel, drawing trapped spirits to her for liberation.

In many ways, great ways, Cinema of Shadows is a typical horror novel. It’s clear West loves the genre, but also understands some of its failings. He manages make the book a ton of fun by playing on reader expectations and turning them over. The lead females can be in distress, without having to be saved and they can be saved without being weak and useless. Likewise the males can be tough guys, but still get into trouble and need a little help themselves.

Cinema of Shadows was fun to read, hard to put down though I had strong suspicions where it was going. Definitely recommended, especially by those who miss having a little fun and humor with their ghosts and gore.

Contains: sex, violence, language