The Complex by Brian KeeneMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
"The Complex" is easily one of the scariest and most fun horror novels that I have read in quite some time. Brian Keene does a fantastic job of creating believable characters that are so well written, you feel as if you are getting to know them as the story progresses. Some of the characters has appeared in other works, mainly the serial killer turned hero called "The Exit." Sam, a suicidal author who finds a reason to live has also appeared in another story. Keene has never been afraid of using graphic violence in his works, but he doesn't use violence as filler to compensate for a weak plot. All of the violence here propels the story forward while making the surreal scene of blood-thirsty naked attackers as terrifying as it would be in real life. The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars was I did see the ending coming. I spent a good part of the book thinking, "why aren't they doing this thing that I can't mention because it would make me a horrible person who spoils books for people." Then when the characters finally do this thing, I started thinking, "that's probably a really stupid thing to do, why would they do that, this isn't going to end well."
Of course, I don't go into a Brian Keene novel expecting everything to be rainbows and fluffy puppies. In fact, if there were fluffy puppies, I would expect them to get eaten. As for the ending of "The Complex" it is rather ambiguous, but that's not a problem either. I wouldn't mind visiting with the characters again in other stories, especially The Exit, Stephanie (a trans-gendered woman), and Caleb ( a young boy who adjusted to his horrific surroundings so quickly he started to give me the creeps.) Even though it does falter slightly near the end, "The Complex" is still worth the read and should haunt your dreams for some time to come.
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