Unthinkable

I have mixed feelings for Unthinkable. The writing was amazing, but the plot was disappointing. To me, Unthinkable was just another cheesy horror book.


Let's start with the things I liked. Unthinkable is a very fast very light read, you won't be able put it down until you finish it. I know I couldn't.


Now for the things I didn't care for. The plot was not very original. I would compare it to a cheesy horror movie from the 90's. The characters were lacking and I didn't like the way that Duke introduced a new character in the book


I do not regret reading this book, but if Duke releases a new book I'm not sure if I would pick it up judging on the originality of Unthinkable. I think if the book sounds good to you give it a try, but if you don't care for this type of book, you won't miss out on anything big by not reading it.

If you like horror, then this is the book for you. Imagine being popular in high school for the horror stories you write. This may not seem like much unless you are the teen writing them. Omar Phillips posts his stories on Facebook. His friends can’t wait to read the next story. But something is wrong. Suddenly things have changed and Omar is having visions that he must write down. He can’t seem to stop his hands. No matter where he is or what he’s doing he must stop and write the story. Everyone loves it until his stories start coming true. The police think he is responsible and his friends are beginning to stay away from him. Then the strange and unpopular Goth girl at school seeks Omar out and tells him she knows what he is going through. She insists they are alike and she can help him. The question is, at what cost?
I really enjoyed this book. The stories Omar wrote were very intense. I could feel the fear all through the book. This is an author I will definitely read again.

What if every story you wrote down came true? If you ask me that is pretty creepy but I love this plot. Not only was it unique but I love that the main character was boy who was a writer. His stories are creepy and very detailing. For a young writer, he has some great potential.

The plot was good. Very good. I love how he was compelled to write as if he couldn't control it. He needed to write, to get it out. He had no idea that they will come true. I love how the plot twist with the new character Sophie. The twists and turn in the plot were creepy and messed up. I would have never thought it to be that way.

My only gripe about this book is that it is short. Its only 116 pages so I finished this real fast. I was hoping to learn more about Omar and the wonderful creepy stories he writes. Unthinkable is a great, creepy book. The only thing I can compare it to is The Secret Window but with a teen writer. Great creepy stories that makes you wonder how in the world did they ever come to life?

Omar wants to eventually be a published horror writer, and for now, he posts his stories on his Facebook page, where he receives positive feedback from his friends. When a former friend is found murdered in the same fashion as the story he recently posted on Facebook, her father, a police officer, zeroes in on Omar as a suspect. Then a horrible ferry accident occurs .. one that mirrors a story Omar posted the day before. As Omar's visions begin to occur more frequently, and a voice dictates to him what to write, he tries to keep himself from chronicling what he know feels will come true if he actually writes it down.

Sophie is a Goth girl from his school who tells him that she is the same as he is; that her art used to have the same consequences. She promises to show him how to put an end to the visions, but will the cure be worse than the curse? Will she be able to help him or will she only hurt him more?

This is a short, novella-type of read, so there isn't a whole lot of room for character development; however, it is written in simple and clear prose that is perfect for the target audience of middle school to high school students. As an adult reader, this one gave me what all good stories should give: the "what comes next?" feeling. Although it is a horror story, it is not a gruesome, graphic one, and I don't think that most parents would have any objection to the content. The first quote below lists what I feel to be the most graphic scene, so as a parent, you can be the judge.

I would recommend this one for middle readers, and especially for reluctant boy readers.

QUOTES

She pointed at the far side of the boulder. On the ground was a clump of human hair.

"You're in deep, deep trouble."
"I know."
"I mean, like Biblical trouble, Omar. Like the-devil-wants-your-soul trouble."

Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Characters: 3 out of 5 stars
Reading Immersion: 4 out 5 stars

BOOK RATING: 3.75 out of 5 stars

This is a great short read for those under the cover scary read nights. Omar is experiencing creepy visions that he then puts to horror stories on his Facebook page. When he discovers that his visions are true, a goth girl from school approaches him with how to stop them from happening, but what are the consequences?