Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
33(33%)
4 stars
30(30%)
3 stars
37(37%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
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100 reviews
July 15,2025
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Blah.

Blah is a rather simple and perhaps somewhat unassuming word. It can be used in various contexts to express a lack of specific content or to convey a sense of vagueness.

For example, when someone is speaking and they can't quite think of the right words to say, they might utter "blah" as a placeholder.

It can also be used in a more dismissive or uninterested way, as if to say "I don't really care about this" or "this is just blah".

However, despite its simplicity, "blah" can actually have some interesting connotations and uses. It can add a touch of informality or playfulness to a conversation, and can even be used to create a sense of humor.

In some cases, "blah" might be used to describe something that is dull or unexciting, but it can also be used to describe something that is so complex or overwhelming that it's difficult to put into words.

Overall, while "blah" may not be the most exciting or descriptive word in the English language, it does have its place and can be used in a variety of ways to convey different meanings and emotions.
July 15,2025
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It’s extremely rare for a book to truly terrify me.

From the very beginning, the imagery in this book sent shivers down my entire body.

The story is so captivating that it’s easy to get lost in it and almost become transfixed by the situations of the characters.

The violence described in the book’s narration is truly chilling.

If you easily immerse yourself in a story and block out the world around you, I suggest you avoid reading this one at night.

I was being ridiculous and started the book right before going to sleep, and I think that was a HUGE mistake.

There’s an abundance of deadly venomous spider imagery and incredibly violent axe attacks.

The crazy thing is that once I started, I really couldn’t put this book down.

That’s how you know it’s good – no matter how chilling it is, you can’t discount excellent writing.

No matter how scared I was at any point of entering the village of Bethany Sin, I couldn’t stop reading.

If you’re an original in the horror genre, then this is an excellent book to add to your library.

I really can’t praise enough the realistic tone and writing style that accompanied the terror inside of Bethany Sin.

This book, I would highly recommend to readers.

If you love to read and can appreciate fiction, this is something I truly think you need to experience.

Because this book isn’t just a read; it’s an absolute experience.
July 15,2025
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Hell yes! I would reread this any given day of the week. Back in the early 90's, after reading They Thirst, I rapidly became a McCammon fan. I decided to skip his debut Baal (something just told me no, and I never told myself yes since) for this little gem. And boy, was I pleasantly surprised. I wasn't expecting much, considering this to be his second novel overall. But let me tell you, I'm completely offended that they never gave this a chance on the big screen. Come to think of it, I don't think any of Robert's work was ever given a shot at film. How funny is that? Good enough to win the Bram Stoker Awards, but not good enough for movies? Anyways, getting back to Bethany's Sin. A family relocates to a quiet, new town. And Evan's wife soon starts getting more attention than he is. Why!? * SPOILER * Because she's a woman! This town, named Bethany's Sin, is a little different from your typical town because * SPOILER * It's run by axe-wielding women who ride horses at night! It starts off a little slow, but it's a great read. I highly recommend it for the suspenseful, thrilling climax alone. This isn't the kind of stuff anyone thinks of anymore. If you want the good stuff, get yourself a copy of this classic and see what I'm talking about!

July 15,2025
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While it is quite evident that this is one of McCammon's first novels, the book still manages to deliver an engaging story. The reader is effortlessly pulled into the world of Evan, who is grappling with PTSD and a rather unique gift, or perhaps curse, of getting glimpses of the future in his dreams. His wife, Kay, a teacher, also seems to have her own set of troubles. And then there's their daughter Laurie. New to the town of Bethany's Sin, they initially see only the superficial layer of perfection, completely unaware of the menacing forces that lurk beneath.


However, due to their individual issues, Evan and Kay don't really appear to have a strong bond holding them together. They were already having problems before arriving in the town, and the strange atmosphere here only makes matters worse. Personally, I didn't find Kay to be a particularly likable character. She scolds Evan when he attempts to discuss his dreams, yet at the same time complains about him hiding things, even though she herself is guilty of doing the same.


Nevertheless, the plot of the story was quite good and was intriguing enough to keep me hooked and reading until the end. Although it may not be one of McCammon's absolute best works, I still found myself enjoying it and looking forward to seeing how the story would unfold.

July 15,2025
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The article seemed to have some drawbacks.

It was unnecessarily long, with certain parts dragging on and becoming quite boring.

Moreover, there didn't seem to be a distinct climax that could really engage the readers.

However, it had one redeeming quality - the suspense at the beginning was truly intriguing.

This initial suspense managed to capture the readers' attention and make them curious about what was going to happen next.

If only the rest of the article could have maintained that level of interest and built up to a more exciting climax, it would have been a much better read.

As it stands, it feels like a missed opportunity to create a truly engaging and captivating piece of writing.

Perhaps with some revisions and a more focused approach, the author could turn this into a more satisfying and thrilling story.
July 15,2025
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It's Sunday, and the temperature outside is soaring above 100 degrees. I have absolutely no responsibilities today. So, why not just finish reading this book?

This is an unusual early work from one of my recently discovered favorite writers. It was indeed an enjoyable read, and it was not overly difficult to keep turning the pages. However, this book undoubtedly ranks at the bottom of the McCammon collection (even though I haven't read all of them yet). There are a few issues. The writing isn't terrible, considering it's McCammon, but he has definitely improved a great deal since then. Additionally, there is some content in this book that might not meet today's social standards. While this doesn't bother me personally, I can understand how it could be a problem for some people. Overall, I would rate this book 3.5, rounded up to 4. The main reason for this is that I just couldn't bring myself to give it 3 stars. I have a great love for McCammon, and after all, the story kept me engaged, and it's a relatively quick read.

I would recommend this book to readers who have already read several of McCammon's works and are familiar with his style. If you're new to his writing, I would suggest skipping this one for now and picking up one of his later books instead.
July 15,2025
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Who relocates to a town named Bethany's Sin? If one does, it is advisable not to pose questions. Somewhere in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, there are Amazon women who are engaged in the act of killing men. The book, although not outstanding, was decent. The narration within it was extremely good. It managed to draw the reader in and keep their attention throughout. The story had its moments of excitement and mystery, which added to its overall appeal. However, there were also some areas that could have been further developed or enhanced. Despite this, it was still an enjoyable read, especially for those who have an interest in unique and somewhat unusual storylines.

July 15,2025
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It seems that this is an earlier work of McCammon's.

Personally, I found it disturbing and unsettling.

Bethany's Sin is a seemingly picture-perfect town, yet it harbors dark secrets.

In 1965, when archeologist Kathryn Drago discovers an ancient site and enters the underground fortress alone, dark forces seize hold of her. Later, she becomes the mayor of Bethany's Sin, and the women of this small, quaint village fall under her spell. They are possessed by Amazon spirits with a lust for battle and a hatred of men. At night, they hunt, either killing the men who dare to travel after sundown or capturing them and using them as breeding slaves.

The hero, a Vietnam veteran marine, has a touch of the second sight and notices strange happenings in Bethany's Sin, where he moved his family in search of a better life. He is tormented by nightmares that are prophesies, but his wife doesn't believe in them. She thinks he is losing his mind.

The story progresses slowly until about 50-60%, and then it takes off into page-turning horror. I never really cared much for any of the characters except the hero, who was very well-developed. However, I didn't feel the love between him and his wife as strongly as the author intended. In my opinion, this is not one of his best works.

Content concerns: Graphic blood and gore. Torture. Sexual content. Cursing. Unhappy ending.
July 15,2025
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Good, but he has written far superior books.

This work presents an interesting kind of inversion of The Stepford Wives story. Here, it's the women who take over and keep the men deliberately quadriplegic, solely for mating purposes.

The narrative is dark, wickedly funny, and deliberately feminist. It explores themes of power, gender roles, and the lengths to which some might go to assert control.

Despite its overt feminism, it remains a good book. The author manages to blend these elements in a way that engages the reader and makes them think about the complex issues at hand.

It's not just a simple story of gender reversal; it delves deeper into the human psyche and the consequences of extreme actions.

Overall, while it may not be the author's best work, it still has its merits and is worth a read for those interested in exploring these themes.

July 15,2025
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An early novel by Robert McCammon.

Overall, it is a highly enjoyable read.

The story combines elements of mythology with horror, all set within the backdrop of a small town.

Here and there, there are some entertaining gore sequences that add to the overall atmosphere.

The action is fast-paced and the story is engaging, constantly keeping you eager to turn the pages.

It's a book that manages to draw you in and hold your attention from beginning to end.

Whether you're a fan of mythology or horror, or simply looking for a good read, this early McCammon novel is definitely worth checking out.

You'll find yourself immersed in the small town's mysteries and horrors, eagerly anticipating what comes next on each page.

So, pick up this book and get ready for a thrilling and enjoyable reading experience.
July 15,2025
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Bethany's Sin is indeed one of Robert McCammon's early masterpieces.

This book takes readers on a thrilling journey filled with mystery and suspense. The story unfolds in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

The characters are well-developed and their actions and decisions drive the plot forward. You can't help but become invested in their lives and root for them as they face various challenges and obstacles.

And let's not forget about the ending! It is truly great, tying up all the loose ends and leaving you with a sense of satisfaction.

Overall, Bethany's Sin is a must-read for fans of McCammon and anyone who enjoys a good mystery novel. It showcases his talent as a writer and will leave you eager to explore more of his works.
July 15,2025
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I'm sure that when McCammon first published Bethany's Sin, it was well received. After all, it was released in 1980, at the beginning of the surge of American horror. However, the problem is that 80's horror flicks were, for the most part, boring, and so too was this book.

In a way, it pains me to say that. I've become a huge fan of McCammon in the last year or so, and I think he's constantly overlooked in a genre already too full of great authors. I also understand (and was pretty lucky to come across) that Bethany's Sin was only his 2nd novel, and one he actually had pulled from publication because it just wasn't up to snuff against his more nuanced and better written work. So yes, I'm not just some idiot who's never read McCammon or discovered the history behind his books.

It still doesn't change the fact, however, that at times this novel can be increasingly frustrating and tough to get through. I started reading this in the beginning of August 2015 and didn't finish it for over a month, going back and forth with it in place of other books. It's not because McCammon isn't a bad author (and for a sophomore release, McCammon was still a hell of a writer), but rather because it's just so slow. At 348 pages, the book is fairly short, though nothing of any significance occurs until more than mid-way through. And even when the good stuff finally starts rolling, the basic plot and premise are just too full of holes to really grasp and cause far more questions than should be necessary. For example, if the town is being constantly drained of men, wouldn't the other surrounding villages notice? And how can they stay so isolated? And if the spirits are able to exist outside the women's bodies, how are they taken care of by Evan?

Yet still, somehow, for the most part, this book does manage to work. I give most of that credit to McCammon. Like I said, the guy is a phenomenal author; he writes compelling characters and vivid scenes that draw the reader in and make us feel like we are there. This ain't Swan Song or Mine, but you can easily see the talent McCammon had and the way he has evolved over his career. Had anyone else tried to write this book, I'm sure it would have failed miserably.

Though I can't exactly recommend this as a first start to McCammon, it still marks an important book in his catalogue. And though it wasn't a rip-roaring, page turner, being able to read this was a plus, especially now that it's out of print (though still available in digital).
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