Horns: #2 by Hill

It's been a while since I posted, so I have some catching up to do. Recently I read Joe Hill's second novel, Horns. I can't decide if I liked it more than his first (Heart-Shaped Box) or not, but it was good. I especially liked the way the backstory of Merrin and Ig's relationship was slowly revealed, and then how more and more of the night she was killed is gleaned from insight into various characters. It's not very happy, since you know at least partly how it ended right from the start, but the story is very well executed and still manages to throw surprising twists right to the end.

There is some lightness...I enjoyed the humor in the way Ig takes on more and more attributes of the devil...the goatee, the horns, the red skin, and even the old pitchfork.

One basic element of the story is how Ig reacts to the false accusation of murder, and it made me think of how such a scenario would play. How does Ig even survive when he's seen as a pariah in his home town, and not even his parents believe in his innocence? Which leads me to Glenna...she seems kind of weak and pathetic at first, but as more and more of the story unfolds, she is a strong person who has endured so much pain in her life, and is the only one who believes and comforts Ig. She's a great character.

And it was a great book. I am looking forward to what else Joe Hill may write.