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Exorcist Falls

Jonathan Janz

Start date: March 15, 2017

Finish date: April 15, 2017

Discussion: Group Read: Guest Author Invite

Discussion leader: Kenneth McKinley

Why we're reading this: March Group Read
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Showing 2 of 13 topics — 1,164 comments total

Group Read: Guest Author Invite

December 2017 Group Read with Guest Author, William Meikle
By Kenneth · 89 posts · 86 views

last updated Aug 19, 2018 06:23PM

April 2017 Group Read with guest author Glenn Rolfe
By Kenneth · 109 posts · 74 views

last updated Dec 23, 2017 08:15PM

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What Members Thought

Mar 28, 2017 Kenneth McKinley rated it it was amazing

Janz has done it again. I've been crowing about how great Exorcist Road was ever since I turned the last page two years ago. Much to my delight, Janz is continuing where he left off with Father Jason Crowder exercising young Casey Hartman's demon from his teenage body. Unfortuanately, the demon didn't go away. Neither did the Sweet Sixteen Killer. Now it's up to Father Crowder to finish what he started and bring the killer to justice and dispose of the demon once and for all.

Exorcist Falls also ...more

25 likes · Like · see review

Mar 27, 2017 Addy rated it it was amazing

The novella in this book introduced the characters who would be in the novel itself. It was a nice little addition that was fast, intense and kept the suspense going. It was tough for me to distinguish who the killer was til the very end. Exorcist Falls continues the story with Father Jason Crowder. Again, the novel was very fast paced and never got dull for me. I also enjoyed the many surprises that popped out throughout the book. Great characterization! The ending was like a rollercoaster rid ...more

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Mar 27, 2017 Hunter Shea rated it it was amazing

An excellent demonic possession novel with a fresh perspective. This sequel to Exorcist Road (which is also reprinted here) picks up with a freshly possessed Father Crowder, a flawed man of the cloth who has literally made a pact with the demon inside him. The Sweet Sixteen Killer is still at large, and its up to Father Crowder - battling the demon within - to stop him. A real page turner, Exorcist Falls is not to be missed. Jonathan Janz knows terror.

12 likes · Like · see review

Mar 17, 2017 Jen from Quebec :0) rated it liked it

Shelves: aty-challenge, reading-challenge-books, horror-aff-tbr-challenge-books, buddy-reads, disney-challenge

I had the joy of reading this as a Group Read along with the author himself. This was actually 2 reads in one: a novella from 2014 called Exorcist Road, followed by its sequel Exorcist Falls, all in one package. The reason I can only give this 3 stars is that while I LOVED the novella, the novel just didn't hit the right tones for me. It felt uneven and some of the actions did not seem to fit the characters doing them. I LOVED the main character, I LOVED the exorcism story of the novella, but th ...more

10 likes · Like · see review

Apr 07, 2017 Jason Parent rated it really liked it

Another quality work from Mr. Janz!

7 likes · Like · see review

May 17, 2017 Elke rated it really liked it

Shelves: horror, free4review, novels, review, e-mobi, sinister_grin, ha-group-read, 2017

First, let me admit that I am not a great fan of religious horror, stories about demonic possession/exorcism and the like. My earliest encounter with the genre would have been Blatty's work, but I can't say it did more than entertain me while reading it, but did not leave any lingering impression on me. Regarding the movie, it was already several years old when I watched it. While some movies keep their charm through the ages, I found this one partly boring, but mostly amusing in its attempt to First, let me admit that I am not a great fan of religious horror, stories about demonic possession/exorcism and the like. My earliest encounter with the genre would have been Blatty's work, but I can't say it did more than entertain me while reading it, but did not leave any lingering impression on me. Regarding the movie, it was already several years old when I watched it. While some movies keep their charm through the ages, I found this one partly boring, but mostly amusing in its attempt to nauseate the audience (especially the spinach scene), which may have had the desired effect back when it was released, but did nothing to actually scare me.

But back to the book at hand: I was curious to see what impact this type of story would have on me today and if my tastes had changed over the years. The first part, which actually contains the previously published novella 'Exorcist Road' and works as the prequel to 'Exorcist Falls', almost confirmed my fears. It delivers a classical horror-story exorcism just as expected, with a large number of revolting scenes some readers may find too gross, but IMHO the main story stalled a bit in favor of yet another shocking tantrum of the demon-possessed boy. Therefore, my rating for the novella part is an average 'liked it'.

However, things changed with the second part of the book, which was much more character-driven. While the demon was still present, the possession plot took a step back to provide the setting for a much more interesting story about a priest struggling with his faith, or lack thereof. While I could not really sympathize with Father Jason Crowder (or most of the characters in this story), I was at least able to follow his motives and actions. It was fascinating to see how the demon actually helped him restore his dwindling belief, though in a twisted way. This second part started with a surprising turn which made this story stand out and grab my undivided attention. Where the first part read mainly like a gore-feast, the follow-up is much more complex and in depth. My rating for this second part of the book is a satisfied 'really liked it', so that I can recommend the whole work with a very strong thumbs-up. ...more

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Mar 19, 2018 Nick rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This one might have tied with The Nightmare Girl for my favorite Janz. Really nasty and dark book.

3 likes · Like · see review

Oct 26, 2018 Jay rated it really liked it

Exorcist Falls and the novella Exorcist Road were included in the audiobook version I was given. Exorcist Road was an intense ride about a boy inhabited by a demon and the chaos that surrounds the household and the priests who perform the Exorcism. It was brutal and fast-paced and through it all there is finger pointing as the demon reveals the deepest and darkest secrets from everyone it touches. Hovering in the background is the suggestion that someone involved in the evening's craziness is mo ...more

2 likes · Like · see review