I won this book from LibraryThing. I like movies and books about prehistoric times and was looking forward to reading this one. It was just ok for me. I didn’t like some of the grisly descriptions it portrayed and I didn’t find many likable characters either. I did like the the story though. ( )

I have read a number of Brian Keene's books, so I was thrilled when I won a copy of this book through a LibraryThing giveaway. The book is an extremely quick read but, with far too many characters and copious amounts of violent death of same. The character-by-character introductions at the start of the book offered only brief glimpses of the individual and were probably more annoying than helpful because I felt like I needed a scorecard to keep everybody straight. Unfortunately, the frenetic pace of the book never allowed many of these characters to be fully fleshed out.

I didn't realize this until I had finished the book, but as it turns out, this novel is actually the prequel to Keene's Lost Level series. I haven't read any of those books - nor do I intend to after this experience - because of the bizarre nature of the plot and the sheer burden of trying to keep track of over a dozen characters. The book's premise can't distinguish itself between sci-fi, horror, fantasy, or splatterpunk. Aliens, dinosaurs, angels, weird flora and fauna, and (did I mention) a whole bunch of less-than-likable characters (even a serial killer) are all present in this strange little story. By the way, I don't think I've ever read a book with as many characters who went into shock as did in this novel.

I'm sure that many of those who gave this book a higher rating than I did are fans of the Lost Level series, so I understand and respect that. For this reader, however, I'll give Keene's zombie stories another look, but this will be my last visit to the Lost Level. ( )

If you are looking for a tense adventure into deadly territory with a large group of hapless fellow mortals than strap in, because that is what you get with Brian Keene’s Hole in the World. Over the past few years I have become a fan of Keene’s work which usually dwells primarily in the realm of supernatural horror. The Ghoul, The Darkness on the Edge of Town, and Dark Hollow are my personal favorites. I haven’t read his entire library; as when I enjoy a writer, I like to ration my consumption. When I received an early review copy of this book I was surprised to see that this book seemed more of a weird/sci-fi horror story.

Hole in the World imagines an airport shuttle full of people that end up in a strange new world. Without explanation, the survivors of the initial crash through dimensions must manage to survive in a jungle landscape that holds a wonderland like variety of horrors and deadly encounters. Keene’s excellent use of tense situations and visceral horror courses throughout this quick read. If that is what you want, then you will be satisfied glutting on the deadly story of strangers having to rely on each other and make split second decisions in the face of perpetual danger. However, if you are looking to connect to characters on a human level, or even follow a normal character arc of development you are out of luck with this one. There are so many characters in this group, none of which really rise to central protagonist. The first chapter introduces so many folks that you should prepare for flipping back continually just to remember who each one is.

This book acts as a kind of prequel or fun exposure to the universe Keene has written about in the Lost Level series. If you are a fan of those, this short read is a must. If you just want to watch one of the most entertaining storytellers working in the horror genre today play in a gruesome sandbox filled with unexplained phenomena, alien threats, killer plants and dinosaurs, then Hole in the World is right where you want to be.

I rate this book at three enraged dinosaurs. ( )

The first chapter seems to go on a bit as Keene circles around the entire bus to give each person their introduction and to present their inner thoughts. We meet a quadriplegic, a serial killer, and protective mom, to name a few. Once Chapter 2 start, the novel is quick-fire action as the passengers try to survive without their cell phones, tools, or a true north in this hostile world.

Though their encounters with hungry dinosaurs and flesh-dicing, poisonous plants devastate the group, they also learn that sometimes it is the other passengers they must be wary of. This is a theme often seen in post-apocalyptic and zombie storylines, but here it’s twisted into a story that is more sci-fi than fantasy – and it definitely puts Keene’s horror senses to good use.

After reading the story and Keene’s afterward explaining how it came about, I can say it was nonstop entertaining once past the first chapter. Yet the description “weird fantasy prequel” is an honest one. This will not be everyone’s cup of tea. It’s not a neat and typical novel – and the ending will dissatisfy some. But if you love seeing how characters handle being thrown out of their comfort zones and enjoy fast-paced action, it’s worth checking out.

(To read my full review, check it out on Spellhawks Press: https://spellhawks.wordpress.com/2019/04/02/review-hole-in-the-world-weird-prequ... ( )

Hole in the World by Brian Keene is a book I won from LibraryThing. I like the fact that it had a totally different take on "where" they went and "when" ! A shuttle full of people is being driven during a blizzard. The airport has shutdown flights and people are having to hold up in a hotel. They don't make it to their destination. They crash into a creature like a dinosaur! It is sunny out. On board is a serial killer, a paraplegic, mother and daughter, and a variety of others. What happens there is very different from other books and it is not 'what' or 'where' the reader would normally read about. Lots of interesting developments! I was bouncing between a 4 and 5 star but this is so unusual that I had to give it the 5! ( )