James Herbert, Portent Review

Good Points
Ummmmm...the paperback's cover wasn't too bad!

Bad Points
By far Herbert's weakest offering. Very poor storyline, poor characterization and a constant attempt at suspense that just falls drastically short. From such a talented author, this really is a damn shame.

General Comments
James Herbert, Portent - Synopsis:

"Set in the near future, global disasters are multiplying, then a series of ominous events signal the emergence of new, terrifying forces and that something incredible is about to begin".



If I'm going to be completly honest, I really didn't enjoy this book at all. I've read a lot of Herbert's work and feel that this is by far his weakest offering. Herbert has proved that he is a master of suspense and has an outstanding ability to create a truly dark and creepy atmosphere (see the Shrine). Yet here Herbert seems to have by-passed such talents and has put together a novel that seems to float through a threadbare plot that never really seems to develop itself. The ending just wanders into place, leaving the reader (well me anyway) with a sense of dissatisfaction. With such experience and exceptional talent, one would have thought that Herbert would have gripped the reader in some way with this novel, but I felt bored as I battled through the mundane novel chapter after chapter.



Obviously, this is only my opinion on the book and others may well think something completely different, but if you are new to Herbert's work, I would strongly recommend The Rats, Lair, The Fog, The Survivor, Sepulchre and '48. All are outstanding pieces of imaginative work.



The book is 319 pages long and was released back in June 1996, following the release of Creed.