The disturbing visions that helped Daniel Byers solve a deadly mystery have finally quieted, and the sixteen-year-old basketball star is looking forward to things settling back to normal. But when his father mysteriously disappears, Daniel realizes that the key to finding his dad rests in deciphering his chilling hallucinations.
Soon, long-buried secrets begin to surface, revealing clues that could help him locate his father. But as the past collides with the present and reality begins to blur around him, Daniel faces a race against time to save his dad before it’s too late.
Filled with pulse-pounding suspense, Fury continues the thrilling young adult Blur Trilogy from bestselling author Steven James.
Review
Once upon a time, I devoured mysteries (I’m looking at you Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys). Then I got tired of mysteries. But there is one author I buy for his mysteries no matter what: Steven James. So naturally I picked up Fury (which is YA). But I would almost argue that this book is more or less Christian horror (yes, that’s right, you heard me). My thoughts:
What I liked
The horror part. Oh my goodness did this book have me jumpy. My sister opened my bedroom door and I almost threw something at her. This book ranks high on the creepy factor. And I loved every moment of it. Dead people? yes. Hallucinations? Yes. Unreliable narrator? Yes.
Daniel. Poor Daniel. He is simultaneously smart and crazy. He is completely unreliable as a narrator because he’s never sure what is real and what is not real. While this was introduced in the first novel, it was really taken to the extreme in this novel. I completely admired his friends for staying with him…even though they came across as often not trusting a word he said. I know what you’re thinking, how does this work for a main character? It just does. And it plays with your mind too.
The mystery. I love mysteries that pull on the past and reference the future. Thinking about the book a day later, though, I’m still not entirely sure what the old mystery had to do with the new mystery. But. That in no way detracts from the fun. Dead girl from 80 years ago, creepy lighthouses where people committed suicide, homicidal sleep-walking. Yes.
Spiritually, Daniel begins asking questions about demons and their influence on people. His girlfriend, who is a believer (why is she dating an unbeliever???), assures him that God’s power is stronger than any demonic influence.
What I didn’t like
The only thing that had me shaking my head was just how smart Daniel’s friends were. I can deal with Daniel being smart. Anomalies are one thing. But I have a teenage sister and I know her teenage friends….and while I won’t say that they’re not smart, I will say that they are interested in “teenage” things and not research and…stuff….
Romantic scale: 5 (Dan has a gf)
Overall, I had so much fun with this book! It’s not often I read books that give me the creeps, but I so enjoyed the suspense of this one and I had to know what had happened!
remaininhislove 