Christopher Rice definitely inherited his mother's knack for creating complex characters with complicated storylines. Part supernatural sci fi and part horror, The Heavens Rise takes place in Rice's hometown of New Orleans and revolves around a handful of characters and their relationships to each other. At the center is an unexplained parasite that gives people mind control abilities as well as the unexpected ability to turn into a part human - part creature related to their biggest fear. The parasite is linked to a swimming pool fed by a well, but that really isn't even the most important part.

In fact, there are lots of details left out (mostly the who, what, when, where, and why) at times. But you'll soon discover, it doesn't matter! Rice purposely throws the reader deep into the story and you are just meant to enjoy the ride. Not even the characters are privy to all of the information throughout the whole book. You'll soon discover you don't need a lot of explanation and Rice isn't going to spoon feed you the answers to them anyway.

At the center there is a love story. Two young men are torn over the same girl. Rumors abound, but the girl has disappeared unexpectedly with her parents. One of the men is involved in a freak accident that leaves him a vegetable for several years with strange occurrences happening around him in the hospital. A reporter friend is left to solve the puzzle until the man wakes up from his coma and sets out to find the answers on his own, and also seeks revenge.

In a way, the book is a love letter to New Orleans. Rice sheds some light on its public problems, both nationally and locally. There's a statement here but Rice is not standing on a soap box to tell it. Overall, it's a solid mystery / horror novel that new and old fans of Rice will devour.

Thank you for extending the ARC of "The Heavens Rise" to me -- I was unable to finish this book before it expired, so I plan to purchase a copy and read it Thank you anyway!

This was a really good book. The characters were well thought out. It was very true to life. I also love the way the author tells a story.

I started reading this not knowing what to expect and come out a bit disappointed. It is on the darker side, which I enjoyed. I had a problem connecting with the actual story though. I don't know if it was the plot of the characters, but I didn't enjoy it very much. It took me a while to finish it.

What makes this book different from all others?

And why should anyone care?

This was an amazing book--I could not put it down, loved the fusion of supernatural and the South