Something is Killing the Children: Hope is a Knife – Book Review

The incredibly popular comic book from BOOM! Studios, Something is Killing the Children recently released a novel, written by James Tynion IV and Kiersten White. Whether you’ve read every comic from this world, or have no clue who Erica Slaughter is, if you like horror novels this is a creepily fantastic read, and no prior knowledge is needed to enjoy it. However, once you’ve read it, you just might find yourself at the closest comic book shop looking for all the comics. Nevertheless this can absolutely be enjoyed stand alone.

The World of ‘Something is Killing the Children’

The main premise in this world is to kill monsters, and protect the fact that they’re real. Monsters are conjured up by the fear of a child, and only children can see them. However, there are adults who are part of an organization called, the Order of St. George. They make it so they can still see these monsters past childhood, and they kill them, or turn them into totems. However, they also help keep monsters a secret. The lengths some in this organization will go to to protect the fact that monsters are in fact real, calls into question who the real monsters are. While many of these “hunters” view this world as black and white, the main character, Erica Slaughter, does not.

There are other comics that focus on different characters in this world that are also fantastic, but Erica Slaughter is the main character of this world, and the main character of the novel: Something is Killing the Children: Hope is a Knife.

The Story for ‘Something is Killing the Children: Hope is a Knife’

Erica is off to investigate if a couple dead kids in a small town are the result of monsters or something else. Having to figure out which child’s fear possibly conjured up something unbelievably evil, she has to do some incredibly shady things, quickly putting her on the radar of everyone in town. Some of these small town people surprise her, in both good and bad ways. Nevertheless if this is something supernatural, she’s their only hope and they have no clue.

As the investigation continues we flash to the past every so often. We meet a family, we’re unfamiliar with. As the book moves along the story being told decades in the past, and the one today begin to intertwine. However, the way in which they do goes in a direction I thought I saw coming, but then it took a surprising turn. A turn that made my skin crawl, but had me nodding in genuine enjoyable surprise.

The Comics V. The Novel

I have been reading the comics for a few years now, and have absolutely loved them. The story and characters are incredible, and the art is gorgeous in a very dark way. That being said, I absolutely loved this novel. I got to get inside not only Erica’s head in a way I never have, but also those watching her. Including the kids. The Point of View changes with each chapter, so we truly get a good idea what each person is thinking and feeling. This was one of those books where there’s never a dull moment. I was instantly sucked into another world from beginning to end.

Overall Grade: 9.5/10

If you’re a fan of horror, Something is Killing the Children: Hope is a Knife, is an absolute must read. I really hope they make more novels in this world. I would love to explore this world more in novel form alongside the comic books.

Check out more from the Nerd Initiative book club HERE, and purchase ‘Something is Killing the Children: Hope is a Knife HERE!

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Have you stepped into this world yet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.