About this deal
Remember, the tension has been mounting from the very beginning of the novel, constantly working its way to this final moment.
So keep that in mind when you read it, this is one of those stories that you have to look bigger than what's in front of you. I’d say that it’s more like Crickley Hall than The Rats, in that it doesn’t have as much blood and gore and that it’s more about the slow but sure buildup of a threat. The level of gore is, by the author's standard, fairly mild but the lurking malevolence still comes across strongly.True enough we’re ultimately talking about a plot pretty much involving demonic possession and a mass misguided belief and far little else.
And as the storyline becomes more hectic, with the miracles sparking massive media coverage, so this underlying tension just keeps on mounting to gigantic proportions. Another Herbert novel, another new direction for the author, and in my opinion, another damn fine addition to a thoroughly impressive back catalogue.In its core, an exploration Roman Catholicism; poses some interesting questions about the religion, its icons, and faith.