4,5 Stars ****

Second Child by John Saul is a fantasic horrific read that every horror fan would love.

It keeps you awake at night because it is so intense. You forget the time because you got sucked into the characters and the story. You feel mixed emotions towards multiple characters.
Some of them you really want to slap them in their faces. And some of them you feel so sorry for, you wan to give them a hug.

I did enjoyed this one really much I read through it like a train.

Rating: 8,8/10

It's not often enough that I pick up a paperback and feel so compelled to keep reading as I did with "Second Child". I was first introduced to John Saul as a teenager and remembered liking his work a lot. Really enjoyed this YA Horror novel although the antagonists were nasty and self-absorbed with pretty much no redeeming qualities whatsoever and the good characters were maybe a little TOO good, too innocent - which made them all a bit flat - the plot was fast and kept my interest enough to let that all slide.

Move over Stephen King

Absolutely terrifying. John Saul is a writer who never disappoints! His stories always keep you on the wedge of your seat said to turn the page but hungry for more.

Creepy, I don’t know what was scarier. The ghost or the people. This was a great book. Not a lot of mystery in it but it really does keep you hooked with what’s going on

I’m gonna go 3.5 and round it up. This was not a bad book, a bit above average but not as good as the other Saul book I have read, Darkness. I still plan on reading more by the author, this one just drug a bit in the first 1/3-1/2. It did pick up though and got quite exciting, with some interesting twists along the way. I’d still say it’s worth the read, it’s not a very long book and is quite easy to read.

I really loved this book. I found it at a random thrift store for $2.00 & wasn't expecting to be as enthralled in the book as I was. The way John Saul writes really ignites the passion inside me. He can make you really feel the emotions of the characters -- Like Phyllis: Absolutely despise Phyllis. Despise the young, rich, and entitled country clubbers of the book. Feel for Melissa, who is driven to points of insanity of the book.

Was just really into the storyline of the book, how the storyline got divulged and connected between the characters. I felt like there was something new in every chapter and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

I was completely creeped out by this book! It has been years since I read it but I can still remember not wanting to turn out the lights! Great fun! Spooky read!

Talk about hard to get through…

TW: arson, homicide of family, abuse physically and emotionally

The 17 year old female main character purposefully sets fire to her mom and stepfather’s house and kills them. The last straw was when she strangled the dog to death and then hung him in the attic to scare the shit out of her half sister, Melissa.

Literal chills. First of all I was so pissed and then worried and then pissed and then furious lol what a wild ride! Bonkers. I think I’m definitely going to be looking for more books by John Saul!

Second Child by John Saul was entertaining at times, but mostly it felt cliche and forced. I didn't believe or connect with the characters, so unfortunately ultimately I couldn't feel engaged to the story. The first 50 pages or so got me curious, as I felt a mystery was being slowly presented and I wanted to see how things would play out. But then towards the middle of the book it all started getting really annoying. By the final chapters I didn't really care that much anymore.

I probably would have enjoyed this when I was a teenager - back then, I skipped from R.L. Stine straight to Stephen King, who was a little too mature for me at the time. Somehow I passed over John Saul's books until recently, but this one would have been a great transition between YA and adult books for me. Reading it now, as an adult and a seasoned horror fan, it's decent enough to pass the time for a few hours but it didn't scare me or knock my socks off. I wish Goodreads allowed us to give half-star increments in our ratings. I'd rate this 2.5/5.

this was a book that belonged to my mom and which I read as a teenager and still recall this story. I have read it numerously over the years. I no longer have my copy, but still grab it from the library once every couple of years.

this was my first introduction to John Saul's books and he doesn't leave you disappointed.