Long before the film there was the written word. Long before we settled down in
front of video or now DVD players for our fright-fests, we would read tales of 
terror by candlelight.
For most, this has been lost, however there are still those that prefer the pages
to celluloid or even both and why not?
This section then is for you. To help you to search through the rubbish and find
stories worth your time to read. If you're an avid reader of horror novels then
why not join 'Castle Dracula' as an official 'staff member' reviewing them.
To do so, just click on the 'Join My Staff' link in the menu to the left for 
details of this and other vacancies.

- Borrowed Flesh -
- Sephera Giron -

NOTE: For the importance of the review, I have included the back cover synopsis:

"Poor Alex. She thought she would have some fun, take a chance, maybe fool 
around a little. Instead she’s lying dead in her own blood, cut open like a 
slaughtered animal. But the worst is still to come. Her tender young flesh 
will soon be used in an unspeakable act, an unholy ritual that few sane people 
could even believe. 
Alex was not the first, nor will she be the last. Not as long as Vanessa is 
alive - and she plans to be alive forever. Vaness’s unnatural life has become
a search for victims, virgins to satisfy her body’s need for eternal youth. 
But Vanessa doesn’t know that there are things in the world more powerful, 
more terrifying than even herself..."

*Now, onto the review itself:

Sephora Giron brings us the unique story involving a witch who has discovered 
the secret to eternal life, and the only way to obtain these powers is through 
death. The death of others that is!
There is one thing that should be said outright concerning the story: THE BACK 
OF THE COVER BLURB MAKES THIS BOOK SEEM LIKE SOMETHING IT’S NOT. The 
murdering of the young girls is not the focal point. 'Vanessa' is definitely 
the main star, although it’s more about her life and a separate mystery going 
on that doesn’t involve the deceased for the majority of the story.
This book is a light read and not much more. It is not as complex as I would 
have hoped and in the end is mainly shallow. The plot was mainly a predictable 
offering, the characters weren’t anything worth focusing on and when the two 
"baddies" came face to face, the fight didn't hold that much pizzazz.
Some of the details were a bit uneven. For instance, what ever happened to 
the girl 'Marie?'
There’s not much that bothers me more than when a character is shown in 
distress and then we never know what happened.
The pace of the book is fast but there is no tension. The style Giron uses is 
simple and to the point, but I felt at times a bit too overdone and repetitive. 
For one thing, 'Vanessa' is haunted by always being alone, the point can be 
gotten and felt without repeating it every damn chapter. 
I give brownie points to the author for granting her characters with emotion, 
but it just didn’t seem leveled out to me. 
The characters were nothing to write home about. 'Vanessa' has different
emotions swimming through her but they don’t clash well. 
'Ashely’s' reaction at the end is completely unrealistic. With her mistrust 
and newly acquired knowledge towards 'Vanessa,' why did she suddenly turn 
so naïve and trusting when confronted? 
Didn’t make much sense and seemed to be more of something placed in to 
propel the plot where it needed to go. 
Overall the writing is smooth but the plot promises more than it is. The 
characters are sketchy at best, there isn’t much excitement to keep you 
going, and what’s there isn’t enough. I can’t say I recommend this book much, 
and if you do give it a go, I’d recommend a library checkout, not hard-earned 
cash.

Reviewed By Erin Williams.

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