I first got a taste of Billy Young's writing in October 2008 when I read his book Banshee Angel of Judgement. Having been an avid fan of horror in high school, I still enjoy the occasional read that can send shivers up my spine. Mr. Young has a talent for not falling into horror stereotypes where it's easy to guess who will die first and who won't die at all. His writing also appealed to me because he actually concentrates on building a strong plot rather than focusing on the fear factor of the story. His latest book, Bublos, is no different.
Bublos traces the journey of a hidden scroll from the Book of Revelations and the effects it has on those who come in contact with it. Going all the way back to WWII, Mr. Young takes the reader on a detailed account of those who have had the scroll in their possession. When it's recent possessor dies, two men - Joe and Toby - help clean out his flat and find the scroll.
Joe is immediately drawn to it, but doesn't know why. Upon taking the scroll, he soon discovers it comes with serious repercussions when it costs his friend, Toby, his life. Joe soon discovers he is being followed and the plot really begins to pick up as a battle between good and evil breaks out.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bublos because of the history that Mr. Young uses to introduce the scroll and the power that it actually holds, although it's not really mystical or haunted. In the end, it's just a bunch of codes written on paper. Authors have used inanimate objects for years as the center of attention in their narratives, and Mr. Young does a fine job here. He begins with a nice slow, but detailed, account of something that is real and can be related to easily and builds into forces that beyond our world.
Introducing each chapter with a quote from the Bible also added a nice touch. The biggest downfall of the novel is that sometimes Mr. Young can get carried away and be a bit over descriptive. His use of adjectives can slow the book down in parts. There's also a lot of foul language, but I didn't mind it so much.The book is also much deserving of a better book cover.
Reminiscent of such great books as The Amulet by Michael McDonnell or The Talisman by Peter Straub and Stephen King, Bublos was a good read for me. Despite its minor flaws which I've mentioned, it has great potential. Part Dan Brown, part Tim LeHaye, and yes, part King even, Mr. Young weaves a tale rich in history, religion, and suspense. Good job!
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