2009 Book 5: The Devil's Labyrinth

Book #:	117
Book Title:	The Devil's Labyrinth
Author:	John Saul
Publisher:	Ballantine Books
Pub. Date:	2007
Pages:	352
Started:	January 21, 2009
Finished:	January 26, 2009
Time to Read:	6 Days
Back Cover / Inside Flap:	"After his father's untimely death sends fifteen-year-old Ryan McIntyre into an emotional tailspin, his mother enrolls him in St. Isaac's Catholic boarding school, hoping the venerable institution with a reputation for transforming wayward teens can work its magic on her son. But troubles are not unknown even at St. Isaac, where Ryan arrives to find the school awash in news of one student's violent death, another's mysterious disappearance, and growing incidents of disturbing behavior within the hallowed halls. Things begin to change when Father Sebastian joins the faculty. Armed with unprecedented knowledge and uncanny skills acquired through years of secret study, the young priest has been dispatched on an extraordinary and controversial mission: to prove the power of one of the Church's most arcane sacred rituals, exorcism. Willing or not, St. Isaac's most troubled students will be pawns in Father Sebastian's one-man war against evil - a war so surprisingly effective that the Pope himself takes notice of the seemingly miraculous events unfolding an ocean away. But Ryan, drawn ever more deeply into Father Sebastian's ministrations, sees - and knows - otherwise. As he witnesses with mounting dread the transformations of his fellow pupils, his certainty grows that forces of darkness, not divinity, are at work. Evil is not being cast out...something else is being called forth. Something that hasn't stirred since the Inquisition's reign of terror. Something nurtured through the ages to do its vengeful masters' unholy bidding. Something whose hour has finally come to bring hell unto earth."
Stars:	****
Review:	I'm a sucker for Catholic-based fiction, and have always held an especial fascination for exorcism. I was very hopeful when this story began, and for the most part I wasn't disappointed. Here's what I loved: great paced story, wonderful characters, extremely interesting plot. Here's what I didn't: too little backstory on Ryan, too much foreshadowing of the conclusion. All in all, though, it worked well, and I will read John Saul again!

If you have read or are planning to read this book, please make sure to stop back by and leave me a comment to let me know your own thoughts!

From my library to yours,

Tiffany