NOS4A2

A Novel

By: Joe Hill

Narrated by: Kate Mulgrew

Length: 19 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

The spine-tingling, bone-chilling novel of supernatural suspense from the number one New York Times best-selling author of The Fireman and Horns - now an AMC original series starring Zachary Quinto, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Ashleigh Cummings.

"A masterwork of horror." (Time)

Victoria McQueen has an uncanny knack for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. When she rides her bicycle over the rickety old covered bridge in the woods near her house, she always emerges in the places she needs to be.

Charles Talent Manx has a gift of his own. He likes to take children for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the vanity plate NOS4A2. In the Wraith, he and his innocent guests can slip out of the everyday world and onto hidden roads that lead to an astonishing playground of amusements he calls Christmasland.

The journey across the highway of Charlie's twisted imagination transforms his precious passengers, leaving them as terrifying and unstoppable as their benefactor.

Then comes the day when Vic goes looking for trouble...and finds her way to Charlie. That was a lifetime ago. Now, the only kid ever to escape Charlie's evil is all grown up and desperate to forget. But Charlie Manx hasn't stopped thinking about Victoria McQueen. On the road again, he won't slow down until he's taken his revenge. He's after something very special - something Vic can never replace.

As a life-and-death battle of wills builds, Vic McQueen prepares to destroy Charlie once and for all - or die trying.

©2013 Joe Hill (P)2013 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"Quite simply the best horror writer of our generation, Joe Hill’s masterful storytelling is on full display in NOS4A2. It is by turns terrifying and hilarious, horrifying and full of heart, and relentlessly compelling." (Michael Koryta, New York Times bestselling author of The Prophet)

"Fascinating and utterly engaging, this novel is sure to leave readers wanting more. One thing is for certain, however. After reading this book, readers will never hear Christmas carols in quite the same way again." ( Library Journal, starred review)

"[A] new take on the fantasy-horror genre...Highly recommended." ( The Sun Herald Sydney, Australia)

Nature or Nurture? Either way it was Very Good !

Knowing that Joe Hill is Stephen King's son, I had fairly high expectations for this book and Mr. Hill didn't disappoint. Although the book got bogged down now and then, overall I was hooked! Yea, this story had much of the the "Kingesque" feel, I found myself anxious to get back to the story to see what would happen next. I liked that Hill gave us characters with such depth and I'm happy to report that the narrator was a great fit for the story too. If you want a good super creepy read that suspends belief, this might be just right for you.

Delightfully Creepy

Joe Hill surpasses his father in storytelling. Despite a few plot points that I didn't feel were adequately explained, I really enjoyed this book. The story never felt like it was dragging and there are few wonderfully creepy passages that gave my jaded ear a start. I thoroughly enjoyed Kate Mulgrew's narration, although I do understand why others may not like it. If you listen to the sample and are put off, spring for a print version. This story is definitely worth a credit.

Outstanding

I’ve listened to this novel twice and absolutely love it. A must read for fan of horror/suspense/thriller. Kate Mulgrew gives an amazing performance!
Stephen King has always been my favorite author.... until I read my first Joe Hill book that is.

great book

loved it. a great book for any fan of the unusual. I highly recomend it.

Builds up suspense quite well

Was not a fan of Kate's performance, but when 80% in to the story, I warmed up to it. I feel like having such believable characters is what made this story well worth the listen, and the interesting take on Christmas sure adds a special dimension. However, be ready for excessive use of similes...Hill is quite the fan.

Couldn't take it..

I was excited to try out Joe Hill (knowing who's son he is), and being a lover of Christmas & Horror.
Maybe I could still give this book a try in written format, but forget it in audio - the narrator was too annoying with her selection of voices for the adults. I believe I read this in other reviews previous to purchasing this book, I should have listened. The adult voices from this narrator sound like whiny children, it is extremely annoying and I just couldn't take any more (after 3 hours of listening).
Ugh, such a bummer! So thankful for Audible's return policy!

On the edge of your seat horror reading!

I really enjoyed the t v. series and had to have more of the storyline. So glad I did. Even with the book deviating from the t.v. series (or is it the other way around), I wad able to connect the dots. I look forward to the sequel and hope it's available soon.

A bit too long, otherwise great...

I know this is an unabridged version but it's too long. I loved the beginning and the end, all the characters were great but the middle lost me. I understood the importance of elaborating on certain character's personal struggles but felt bored when it went on too long. Also, I got tired of the profanity. So much of it! In the end I couldn't stop listening. Go Lou!

The performance was OK. Her voice for certain characters made me turn down the volume I found it annoyed me.

Joe Hill Makes His Own Mark

Would you consider the audio edition of NOS4A2 to be better than the print version?

Kate Mulgrew's performance adds SO much to the atmosphere of this story that I can't imagine getting into it as much with static print.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I liked Vic and Lou both, neither of them were perfect, both were very flawed and very human but together they were strong. Together the brought about good things and I like that it took them working together to do so.

Which scene was your favorite?

I really like the first time Vic uses her Inscape, you could feel the wonder and mystery of it and you got the thrill she felt.

If you could take any character from NOS4A2 out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Lou, I'm as big of a geek as he is so we'd have a lot to talk about.

Any additional comments?

Joe Hill has truly found his legs as a writer and his father, Stephen King must be so proud. Joe certainly has his father's gift of suspense and weaving complex tails, but he also has his own voice and is very good and crafting a story.

Great Story; Awesome Narration

Another amazing story from Joe Hill. Kate Mulgrew gives the book a powerful narration that really pulled me into the tale. Well worth a credit!