This is a very original and imaginative debut by Malerman and one that does actually make you turn the pages very quickly! Switching from the past to present day, Bird Box is the story of the monsters that drive people insane upon seeing 'them'; no-one knows what they are or why they exist but they know the last thing they want is to see one. Malerman has a talent for creating suspense and the characters are well developed; a great book for horror fans or someone that just wants a bit of a scary thrill!

I received a pre-published copy to review and my initial thoughts were very exciting: the ominous black cover warning “don’t open your eyes”, the briefest of synopsis and no information about the author all created a feeling of mystery and anticipation. You’re plunged straight into the world of Malorie as she fights to survive a world catastrophe. The author immerses you in a surreal, scary world with brilliant writing that builds tension and fear through short chapters and a handful of characters. I’d recommend reading it all in one sitting to immerse yourself in this frightening world of horror, bewilderment and nescience. I’d also avoid finding out too much about the story beforehand so that you can experience it first hand and live through the terror as the characters do. Highly recommended.

Not the sort of book I would usually read but I did it enjoy it and read it all in one sitting. It explores the confusion and fear that arises when some sort of creatures suddenly appear that no one can look at leaving people having to hide away at home and only venture outside blindfolded. It follows Malorie's ordeal through this bringing up two children, jumping backwards and forwards between two separate points leaving you wondering how she came to be where she was. It's more of an exploration of human fear and our instinct for survival than anything else as there are never any answers given as to what has happened or why, presumably leaving it open for a follow up novel.

This book has moments that will have you in genuine fear. The writing creates suspense through a lot of use of short simple sentences and it's very effective. The fear of the unknown is heavily emphasised and is the main premise of the novel. It makes the novel mysterious and leaves you on the edge of your seat at several points. However, I did feel as though the novel was slightly disjointed at points but I could ignore this due to the brilliant story telling. The characters are also fairly underdeveloped but it's not necessary for you to know much about any of them- in fact in some ways it adds to the mystery of the story, by not being completely sure who you can trust.

The concept is relatively simple. Something, some creature, some event, some miasma in the air is making people go mad. Not rocking back and forward in a corner mad; but full blown tear your loved ones limb from limb and then scoop your own eyes out with a melon-baller mad. Once the madness hits there is always violence ending in murder and eventual suicide. No one knows exactly what causes this insanity because no one has seen the cause and stayed sane long enough to give any kind of testament as to what they have seen; the only thing that anyone knows is that if you see what ever it is, then you instantly go violently crazy and kill. Obviously this has led to hysteria, presumably world wide as the madness spreads from Russia and into the US. Those who can cover their windows and stay inside, any trips outside involve blindfolds and closed eyes. This story is darkly atmospheric and has some absolutely vile moments made worse by the oblique nature of visual information. Pretty much everything is left to the reader's imagination and the sense of unease is ramped up again and again.