Pandora's Game

While Christopher Andrews may be an exceptional writer and a master of storytelling, I have a bone to pick with him regarding "Pandora's Game." The problem begins with the plot. Two friends--a writer and an artist--team up to create a comic book about a vampire, a werewolf, and a zombie (who never walk into a bar). Far from being hackneyed genre stereotypes, these three horror icons have complex and often unexpected character traits that give them a strong emotional resonance. The way these comic-book characters gain their rich history is through a series of hypnosis sessions, in which the writer and artist "become" the characters. This begins to split the novel's narrative into two alternate worlds: one being reality as we know it, and the other the reality of the characters. Before long these lines begin to blur into a psychological web of paranoia and delusion. Both alternate worlds are so completely engrossing that I never wanted to leave one for the other. I would be so completely enveloped in a story from the vampire's history that I hated to go back to the present day. Then, twenty pages later, I'd be so involved in the present-day story that I didn't want to jump into the werewolf's back story. Ten pages later, I'd be so interested in that that I didn't want to move on again. Rarely does a book come along that is so well written that I can't tolerate interruption. A book that's so well written that I can't tolerate it interrupting *itself* is unheard of. To maintain this level of complexity for twenty-one chapters is an incredible storytelling feat. And that brings me to the aforementioned bone and the picking thereof. While reading "Pandora's Game" on the bus, I became so lost in the world that Christopher Andrews has created that I missed my stop. Never before has a book been so engrossing that it added a mile-long walk to my commute. That said, I can't wait to see how far I'll have walk for the sequel.

I read Dream Parlor first and was impressed. Pandora's Game solidifies my view that Mr. Andrews' is a brilliant writer and a wonderful storyteller. I started and finished it without putting it down. It's a smooth ride, it's weaving plot keeping you drawn in until the very end. I can't wait to get my hands on Mr. Andrews' next novel!

Andrews keeps you on your toes with every twist and turn of this unforgettable plot. He portrays vampires, werewolves and zombies not always as the bad guys. This is a great story and a must read.

This is a wonderful piece of work -- it does an excellent job of taking you into the characters' adventure and the consequences of their actions. Christopher Andrews did an excellent job of making it seem as if all this could really happen. I would love to see this put on the big screen!

An impressive debut by Christopher Andrews. This dark, chilling tale of Alistaire Bachman, a wealthy, deeply religious vampire who is created by Neil Carpenter. Through hypnosis Neil assumes Alistaire's identity. A simple game that takes a evil turn.The scariest part of this horror tale is that it could be real. Too real. Read "Pandora's Game" with the lights ON!