Brian Keene’s “Urban Gothic” is a fast paced thriller that leaves the reader guessing until the end. For six teenagers it is a fight for survival as they navigate through a maze as well as try to avoid cannibalistic mutant-like monsters.The individual development of the characters is done sparingly at the beginning of the novel, but as the novel goes on, their unique personalities become clearer.
Among the themes of the novel is racism shown through the eyes of the six inner city youths who frighten the white middle class teens.
The beginning of the novel has six teenagers (who are about to enter college) returning from a concert. Their leader, Tyler, decides it would be good idea to drive through a rundown neighborhood at night on the way to get some drugs. Unfortunately, the car breaks down on the side of the road, and the teenagers file out of the car to see what is wrong.
While the teenagers are fiddling around with the car, another group of teens come up to them. Startled and more than a little frightened by the teens’ appearances, the most timid of the group yells at them and then takes off running. The others quickly follow suit and head into an old presumably abandoned building.
Inside the house, the teens have only the light from their cell phones and lighters to guide their way through mazes and monsters lurking in the shadows waiting to take them by surprise and then eat them.
Outside, the inner city youths led by their leader, Leo, sidle up to Mr. Watkins’s house in the hopes of using his phone to call 911 and get the teens out of the house. When this proves unsuccessful, they daringly decide to go in the house as well to save them.
It is definitely worth a read!