Good John Saul thriller.

Absolutely phenomenal, without a doubt Sauls’ best work. Once I started this book I could NOT put it down and it’s very rare that a book does that to me. Sure, some of it was a bit campy or cheesy but I found that almost a charming (I don’t know how else to put it) and the well written plot twist really compensate for that. Going into this book I really wasn’t expecting much but was instead met with an incredibly intriguing premise, captivating and compelling characters, and amazing writing. Saul clearly put his all into establishing the setting, and did not shy away from being vulgar and gorey which certainly amplified my enjoyment (I fully expected watered down violence). I’ve seen multiple reviews saying it’s overly violent and grotesque without reason but that couldn’t be further from the truth, all of it is done with the intention of showing how dangerous and brutal the world in the tunnels is. Also it really does it’s job as a horror, is made me disturbed in all the best ways. I’m not very good at putting it all into words but the book is way deeper than I’d expected, to put it shortly my entire perspective on homelessness has changed. The only reason this review is four stars is because my favorite character died, I am oh so very salty about this. Rip jagger you were a real one fr. On a serious not I seriously do not like how jaggers death was handled, his character was undoubtedly the most interesting to me and it was genuinely devastating to see him die before getting over the whole internalized homophobia thing. Also I hate how when he died Jeff was like “damn… anyways!” Like Jagger literally saved his life and they went so much trauma with one another like you think he’d be like a tad bit affected, nope. In all honesty his death seemed utterly pointless and I feel like his character was so interesting just to be like thrown away despite so many loose ends in his story like it would’ve been so interesting to see him like becoming accepting of himself (and hopefully a bit less violent) like i was rooting for him so hard just for the least climactic character death in the entire book. Still an amazing read but I didn’t care much for that, or for the ending (mostly just pissed jagger wasn’t at least mentioned)

I had not read much John Saul and was surprised at the level of depth (no pun intended) he would go to create the atmosphere in this book. Wrongly convicted Jeff is forced to fight his way out of the underground labyrinth of Manhattan's old sewer, transit, and shelter tunnels. If this sounds like a bad Nicolas Cage movie, then you are right. The book is well written, fast-paced, and delivers on what you want to happen to the main character and his life but it is just shy of 4 stars.

It's not that it is not a good book, but the story and the twists and turns are formulaic and hit all of the tropes of their ilk. Wrongfully accused and forced into some sort of life or death yet totally unbelievable situation? Yes. Replaced bodies? Check. Misplaced blame and money making deals behind closed doors by an evil cult of rich assholes? Oh yeah, quintuple check...

3.5-4*
On the surface this is a story about a high class society (guild/cult) who hunts felons for the fun of it in the Manhattan undergrounds. This theme might have been less beaten down when the story was written, than it is now, where we have several stories, series, movies with rich people having fun with hunting, hurting, etc. other people (The Hunt and Squid Game to mention two recently released).
But this story is much more a tale of homeless/homefree (or Houseless) people living in the undergrounds.

Both themes are interesting imo, but I can't help sitting back with the feeling of this story fails to deliver; my immediate thought was, it felt like 80% introduction and 20% unfolding the story, and I need more. I want to know more about the people living in the undergrounds, I want to know details of the Hunt Club, and such. The epilogue was a bit lifetime-movie-like, but it didn't ruin my experience.
It had so much potential.
The afterword from the author explaining his research of both the legal system/correctional facilities, and the invisible "society" in the undergrounds in Manhattan, did make me appreciate the story more, but on the other hand, it also strengthened my feeling of this story really had more potential, because the author has put so much effort in the background research.

All in all, I don't feel I've wasted my time, and the authors afterword offered me a context that actually made me enjoy the story more

Just could not get into it. Could not even finish it.

Could not turn the pages fast enough!!! What a ride

Excellent book, as all of his books! I've read it in 5 hours.

An average, run-of-the-mill thriller only slightly elevated by John Saul's writing.

Disappointingly predictable, and ranging from utterly unimaginative to completely unbelievable. Unbelievable in the sense that my suspension of disbelief was perpetually broken; I could not immerse myself in the story because every other page I was thinking, "That'd never happen".

You want believable dystopian horror? Try "1984". Perfection!

The near-constant swearing didn't help this book's case either.

No surprises. So many coincidences, and so predictable. My hunches were always right. Didn't need to read the chase scenes 'cause the book still had several hundred pages to go and the hero can't die yet. Don't like the gross events, and what do they do with their "trophies" after they show them off?

Средна хубоС... Ясно е, че сюжетът - "лов в урбанистична среда" - е дъвкан и предъвкван през годините - шедьоврите на Стивън Кинг Бягащият човек и на Робърт Шекли Десетата жертва са само малка част от заглавията, които изникват в ума ми... Джон Сол обаче се е пуснал по лекия наклон - плоски образи, монотонен сюжет, който можеше да бъде доста повече окървавен, предвидим край... Абе-е, както започнах - Средна хубоС...

This book was repulsive! My book club chose it. I did not read it all. I skipped whole chapters throughout because it was nauseating. The idea of humans hunting other humans purely for sport is not something I care to read about. I read to be entertained or to learn; I do not read to become nauseated.

The only reason I rated it a 2 was because some members of our club liked it. I don't want my humble opinion to take it off someone's to be read list.