Horns is a taut novel that, while strongly supernatural, stops short of being a work of horror. The premise is relatively simple: one day, the protagonist wakes up having grown horns which, among other effects, make others reveal their darkest desires to him (they also lead to him eventually being followed around by hundreds of snakes, so there’s that).
It’s an interesting premise, even if the warping effect where everyone’s secrets arc towards hate, spite, and deviancy is never really probed. Layered on top of this is a truly amoral character, someone who, it turns out, is far more evil and dangerous than the demonic impact of the horns.
It’s a contemporary page-turner, well written, creepy in all the right spots, and with just enough character development to make you care about how the various storylines all end up.
The use of set and setting is notable: there are a few distinct locations that are introduced, become iconic, and are present both in the current story line and in various memories and flashbacks. It works well to ground a supernatural story in some solid realism. It also contributes to my sense that I can’t imagine there aren’t discussions of a movie in the works …
#WhatIWishICouldDo
I’ve written this before, but, plot. The pace is good, there are surprising twists and turns, and it all comes together in a satisfying climax and denouement.