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.

- The Wyrm -
- Stephen Laws -

"The Wyrm" is a novel surrounding the events that unfold when an ancient evil is unleashed
in a small town. The plot isn’t that original and nothing was done with it that shouted 
"Behold! I am unique!" but it still managed to keep this reader turning the pages. 
The main characters are a former writer who has been imprisoned by his past personal fears 
and former breakdown, a young girl ruled by her father who happens to be the town loon, a 
religious and protective restaurant owner and a rebeling teenage boy heading for trouble 
every way he turns.
The 'sherriff' was my favorite. He was humorous and real and I loved reading about his 
scenes. The parts where he turns to 'Michael' the writer for advice (simply because the 
man wrote horror) and asks him about ancient monsters (which 'Michael,' of course, knows 
about) was a bit too much of an obvious plot factor but I can overlook this.
'The Wyrm' is an ancient sort of demon that is accidently released from it's chamber and 
comes up to wreak the ultimate havoc.
Some of the characters are a bit stereotypical but in other ways they ring true. They 
aren’t the main core of the novel, but in order for it to work they need to be written 
well and Laws did a great job.
The atmosphere of "The Wyrm" was dark and eerie in parts, never completely sunny and 
always a bit tense. It started out a little slow but then quickly jumped into the ball 
crushing action. 
Laws writing style is straight forward and, as a result, I was never left out of the 
picture.
While not an award winner, "The Wyrm" is worth reading. It tells the story of an ancient 
creature capable of much damage and there is cruelty here to satisfy the most avid of horror 
gurus. 
"The Wyrm" speaks of pure evil, and while done with a one-dimensional touch, manages to 
entertain after all. 

Reviewed By Erin Williams.

Click here to read how this page is protected by copyright laws.