We've reviewed a few earlier works by horror author Brandon Ford (here, here, and here) and now he is back with his latest novel, Open Wounds. This time though, he is treading on different ground. This is a different type of horror and it has Ford traveling on roads with the likes of Jack Ketchum.
Truth be told? He travels the road well and gives us a dark, haunting, and tragic story of a young girl whose life spirals out of control after her parents divorce and her mother hauls her to Philadelphia.
While horrific things happen in this story, I'd almost hesitate to call it a horror novel. It really is a dark drama and a nightmarish coming of age story. I don't want to get to deep into the plot for fear of spoilers but let's just say that Ford puts his heroine through hell.
I'm a big fan of Ford's and have enjoyed his work thus far. Open Wounds is another success for him but it is not without a few flaws. Personally, I think we lose a few of the characters too soon and their involvement and actions sort of feel forced to fit the scope of the story. This doesn't ruin the book by any means, I just think certain characters should have reacted differently and been more intricate in how things eventually turn out.
That said, Brandon Ford has again given us a dark and at times disturbing story that gets under your skin and stays there for days after having finished it. That is not an easy task and it is a testament to his talent that he can give us characters that we feel for and root for and who sticks with us even after the book is closed.
Open Wounds is not for the faint of heart, it is not for those looking for a fun scary read. It is intense, it is dark, and it is an author flexing his skills and delivering a truly affecting work of fiction.
Open Wounds by Brandon Ford
8/10 Cuts!
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