I read The Haar last fall and it stuck with me long enough that I’m feeling like writing about it. It’s one of those horror novels that wrenches its way into your head and won’t let you go, clinging on with visceral imagery and a surprising amount of heartbreak and longing. From a wronged main character to a villain a la Lex Luthor to a monster who is surprisingly tender at times, it’s a book that both haunts and inspires.

I can’t say that I’m always a huge fan of creature features, at least in terms of novels. I’ll watch Godzilla any day of the week, but creatures in writing often don’t pull me in. They either feel too pared down or they’re not on the page enough to really get the frights in. The Haar is the exact opposite, throwing you into the deep end with a truly horrifying creature that can barely be explained. I’ve never read body horror like this, and if that’s not your thing this is definitely not the book for you. My eyes were as wide as possible for much of the book, to the point where my mouth was hanging open at the descriptions. True, I’m not a regular of that subgenre either, but I think it’s safe to say it’s as intense as it could be. 

The protagonist is what really takes this book to the next level. She’s stubborn, refusing to leave her home in the face of developers who want to tear down her beloved town and the home she shared with the love of her life who died long ago. She’s haunted by memories, and those memories come crashing in with the arrival of this creature. It both saves and haunts her, leaving her in this kind of fugue state that takes her down dark roads. She becomes a bit of a monster herself but it’s hard not to side with her in the end. The villains get their comeuppance in truly horrifying ways and she watches, happy to see her life defended from those who would erase it.

Is the book for everybody? Definitely not, but if you’re a horror fan who wants something original from an author who should have a much larger readership, this one is for you. Like I said earlier, it’s been three months and it still haunts me to this day. If you’re questioning that, just take a look at the cover and you’ll understand.