Genre: Horror
Publisher: Pan
Publishing Information: Paperback, 368 pages
ISBN 10: 0330514962
ISBN 13: 978-0330514965
Reviewer: Yagiz
On the Back of the Book
Some doors are better left closed . . .
In Barrington House, an upmarket block in London, there is an empty apartment. No one goes in, no one comes out. And it’s been that way for fifty years. Until the night watchman hears a disturbance after midnight and investigates. What he experiences is enough to change his life forever.
A young American woman, Apryl, arrives at Barrington House. She's been left an apartment by her mysterious Great Aunt Lillian who died in strange circumstances. Rumours claim Lillian was mad. But her diary suggests she was implicated in a horrific and inexplicable event decades ago.
Determined to learn something of this eccentric woman, Apryl begins to unravel the hidden story of Barrington House. She discovers that a transforming, evil force still inhabits the building. And the doorway to Apartment 16 is a gateway to something altogether more terrifying . . .
Analysis
I love good horror stories. 15-20 years ago, I used to read much more horror than fantasy. I'm not sure what changed: my tastes, the horror genre or people's fears (probably all) but I hadn't read a good one for awhile. That's one of the reasons why I was very excited to pick up my copy of Apartment 16. Its blurb wetted my appetite when I first read it and I thought it was a promising book if it was said to be "a blend of Stephen King and Edgar Allen Poe".
I also love stories that start fast putting the reader right in the middle of an important piece of event that arouse curiosity so much that she cannot let the book go. From this point of view, Apartment 16's prologue is very engaging. It puts the reader in the mood right from the beginning and readies her for what's to come.
The story line can be considered simple: The arrival of Apryl to London and her discovery of her great-aunt's apartment in a building hiding the worst nightmares. But the real question remains "what's truly behind the door marked with the number 16, fixed in brass on the teak?" And also "how evil is evil?" "Who are its pawns?" "Who are the good guys and who are the bad ones?" "Can you trust anyone in your search for truth?" All these questions make Apartment 16 a very enjoyable book.
The main protagonists, Apryl and Seth are very interesting characters, especially Seth. They both create some ups and downs in the story that make the reader question and doubt the details. Seth's dark side probably makes him a better candidate for the most memorable character of the book.
However the thing that sets this book apart for me was Nevill's style. At one stage, one of the protagonists' nightmares were so well written, dark, impressive that I could picture the vivid details in front of my eyes. The darkness of the setting was so well imagined and it was so well conveyed that the whole experience was truly disturbing at times, something that I would expect from a good horror book.
Last but not least, I like Apartment 16's cover. Over all, it captures and radiates a disturbing feeling that matches the mood of the book.
Summary
I really enjoyed Adam Nevill's Apartment 16. What truly impressed me was his style and his ability to describe the horror setting so vividly. I'm going to keep an eye on Nevill's future books and in the meantime, I am adding his Banquet for the Damned on my TBR list.
Memorable Quotes
"The disgust must come. Let it drip down the walls. Scorch the ceiling black with hatred. Liberate rage. Forgiveness is overrated. Compassion is dead." - Seth
"Perfume's potential mystery is only truly realized when wafting from the pale throat of a beautiful woman." - Seth
Book Rating
Plot: 7/10
Characters: 7/10
Style: 9/10
Overall: 8/10
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