Ararat by Christopher Golden Published by St. Martin's Press on April 18th 2017
Genres: Horror, Thriller, Paranormal
Pages: 320
Format: eBook
Source: NetGalley & St. Martin's Press
When a newly engaged couple climbs Mount Ararat in Turkey, an avalanche forces them to seek shelter inside a massive cave uncovered by the snow fall. The cave is actually an ancient, buried ship that many quickly come to believe is really Noah’s Ark. When a team of scholars, archaeologists, and filmmakers make it inside the ark for the first time, they discover an elaborate coffin in its recesses. The artifact tempts their professional curiosity; so they break it open. Inside, they find an ugly, misshapen cadaver—not the holy man that they expected, a hideous creature with horns. A massive blizzard blows in, trapping them in that cave thousands of meters up the side of a remote mountain…but they are not alone.
**Special thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for supplying my copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**
It’s true that ambition is the path to success. But when ambition leads them to the top of Mount Ararat, ambition might turn to be out a lot more. Ararat is the horror novel by Christopher Gold which is one of the best horror books for 2017.
Maryam and Adam are a newly engaged young and very ambitious couple. Together they have coauthored a lot of books about their adventures and travels to thrilling and dangerous places. To them, that thrill is not only about making a living, it’s the way they feel alive. Having written three very successful books, Meryam comes to Adam with the new opportunity in hand. An adventure on Mount Ararat to explore an ancient cave over there. After a recent avalanche, the cave had emerged. Can this cave be related to Noah’s Arc? Can this be their opportunity to a groundbreaking discovery and thus to worldwide fame and fortune?
A team of researchers, archeologists, film makers and even UN and US representatives is assembled. Together they work at this extremely dangerous altitude to unravel the cave’s secret. The joy of the discovery is thrilling, but something is not right. Something is lurking in the shadows and waiting for them.
Ararat has been one of the best horror books I read this year. The adventure is very thrilling. Also the setting is more than wonderful. I love books about mountains and snow. If climbing such mountain as Ararat was not challenging enough, then there’s the mysterious evil on the top. It’s not only that. Christopher Gold has his way of setting the events and the characters. The writing style is eloquent and encompassing. I loved the way he weaved myth into his story, I stayed all night unable to put the book down. My eyes were closing, yet I was dying to know what comes next.
One of the things I loved about the book was the ending. It follows some classical masterpiece of literature, but I still loved it. I think it also gives way to a second installment. I don’t know whether the author intended to have other installments. All I am saying is that his ending allows for that. It can be a fantastic second installment.
Some few things I noticed about the book. I believe the author wasn’t successful in portraying how women are treated in the Middle East. He emphasized how the Turkish guide was not used to reporting to women and just tried to ignore Meryam and scorn her. Well, that’s not the case. Women in the Middle East are well educated and respected and can have whatever post they are entitled to just like men.
About Christopher Golden
Christopher Gold is the New York Times bestselling author of such novels as Snowblind, Tin Men, The Myth Hunters, Wildwood Road, The Boys Are Back in Town, The Ferryman, Strangewood, and Of Saints and Shadows. He has also written books for teens and young adults, including Poison Ink, Soulless, and the thriller series Body of Evidence, honored by the New York Public Library and chosen as one of YALSA’s Best Books for Young Readers.
Golden co-wrote the illustrated novel Baltimore, or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire with Mike Mignola, which became the launching pad for the cult favorite comics series Baltimore. As an editor, he has worked on the short story anthologies Seize the Night, The New Dead, and The Monster’s Corner, among others, and has also written and co-written comic books, video games, screenplays, a BBC radio play, the online animated series Ghosts of Albion (with Amber Benson), and a network television pilot.
Golden was born and raised in Massachusetts, where he still lives with his family. His original novels have been published in more than fourteen languages in countries around the world.