Wicked Dead: Torn [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

This is the second book in the Wicked Dead series, and like Lurker before it, it is a creepy horror/murder story, geared towards young adult readers.

Back-story:

The ghost girls find themselves in a spot of trouble with the Headmistress, and Anne purposely gets herself into hot water to save their precious bones. The bones, you see, choose the ghost girl who will tell the next story, which may possibly be their only means of passing on to the next life. More specifically, if by chance the said sad story selected turns out to be the terribly true tale of the teller, she hits the jackpot and wins a free pass out of the confines of the grim orphanage and the Headmistress.

Mary's turn:

The story launches itself with a slamming Fender (guitar, not part of car), played by Devin, a member of the teenaged rock band "Torn". Other than an off tempo bassist, the four guy, one gal band is all set for take-off, except they don't have enough material to get them past a 15 minute set.

Devin digs deep into his childhood memory banks, and comes up with a killer ballad, and I mean that literally. A video recording of the group playing the song reveals more than meets the eye, and before long a band member is murdered in a most gruesome manner, followed by another.

The truth is out there, but can Devin solve the mystery before the killer strikes again?

Summary:

Lurker was a bit creepier, but this one had more bite.
Rated: 4.5 stars

Amanda Richards, January 16, 2008

The Headmistress of Lockwood Orphanage caught Anne, Mary, and Daphne in a place where the wards are not allowed. Anne talks back insisting that since she and the others are dead the Headmistress can do nothing to harm her; outraged the Headmistress takes Anne the ghost to the Red Room for punishment while warning the others. Mary, Daphne and another child Shirley decide to play the game of the bones without Anne, but vow not to tell her they did; they rationalize that Anne won the last time (see LURKER). Mary wins so she tells the tale of TORN.

High school rock band Torn consists of five members: Devin, Cheryl, Ben, Karsten and Cody. They are becoming popular but front man Cody demands Devin get off the fence between making it and slacking it starting with firing Karsten who stinks as their bass. Devin writes a tune "Lying to the Angels" based on a lullaby his granny used to sing to him. The group especially his girlfriend Cheryl loves the tune, but Karsten fails at the bass. The others leave when a frustrated Devin keeps working with Karsten only to find he stole money from him. Devin confronts Karsten when something invades the house. This monster kills Karsten and the band and the song becomes popular because of the paranormal that haunts the tune. Soon afterward after performing to a packed house at the Tunnel Vision, the monster returns and goes after Cody who upset Devin. Stunned Devin wonders if the music created the monster.

The second Wicked Dead young teenage ghost story is a fabulous tale that grips the audience from the opening riff until the final note is played. The five members of Torn have unique personalities although Devin is the star of the novel that is. Fans will appreciate the fast-paced story line as the monster is in the music and the music is in Devin.

Harriet Klausner

If this book is any indication, the Wicked Dead series is a wonderful addition to the Young Adult horror genre. Not only is Torn a compelling little novel, there's actually a really good premise linking all of the books in the series. A group of young female ghosts are trapped, along with their horrible Headmistress, at Lockwood Orphanage, and the only way they can escape is by "throwing the bones" - taking turns telling chilling stories and hoping they will hit upon their own forgotten stories, for that is the only way for them to get their spirits released.

Torn is just one of many unknown teenaged rock bands hoping to hit the big time - except Torn actually has a chance to do just that. Lead singer Cody will do whatever it takes to be a star, whether that means borrowing money from a dangerous gang or insisting that the struggling bass player be thrown out of the band. One Word Ben is something of an undeveloped character, but he seems to be pretty well ensconced on Cody's coattails. Devin, for his part, is just enjoying the experience more than anything else - he doesn't dream of stardom, but he doesn't exactly recoil from the sound of applause for Torn's debut gig down at Tunnel Vision, either. The fact that his girlfriend Cheryl plays drums in the band is a definite plus for him as well. Still, despite the group's first signs of success, Devin is uneasy. Part of it is the fact that he's too nice a guy to simply throw his buddy Karston under the bus despite Cody's insistence that he do so. The rest of it, though, is something else entirely - something increasingly unnatural.

Torn's newest song soon takes on a life (and then a few deaths) of its own. Devin was inspired to write it by an old lullaby his Namana used to sing to him when he was a child. It's not what you would call a happy song, as the original lullaby basically explains the severe consequences of childish misbehavior - but that just gives the new tune a haunting air which increases exponentially when the killings begin. By the time a second band member is killed, the story of the "haunted song" quickly approaches legendary status - thanks in no small part to a most intriguing and surreal live performance video making the rounds among local teens. Having glimpsed the monster responsible for the deaths - a monster he himself cannot even begin to explain to authorities or his remaining band mates - Devin begins to fear that his song has somehow unleashed something from the outside, a boogeyman such as that described in his Namana's original lullaby.

The authors do a great job of building suspense and introducing some wholly natural complications to the plot, as well. It's far from clear exactly who or what is executing these vicious killings until late in the story, and one never knows who will be the next to die. There is a certain level of ambiguity to the ending, but this is still a strong, compelling read that seems custom-made for the growing young adult horror genre. This Wicked Dead series is definitely one to watch.