Book Review: The Night Parade by Ronald Malfi

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“You hold the key that could save us all.”

📚

David Arlen and his 8-year-old daughter, Ellie, are on the run, fighting for survival as society crumbles around them, threatened by a plague slowly eradicating humanity. The catch? Ellie is special, and she knows her father is lying to her about her mother, why they’re running, what they’re trying to escape, and more, including her role and importance in it all: she might be the key to finding a cure

The Night Parade offers a heartbreaking look at a post-apocalyptic world in which a virus called Wanderer’s Folly wreaks havoc on mankind. It begins when birds vanish and insects take over, followed by random and rapidly spreading madness. An incurable, mysterious affliction steals the mind, inducing delusions of nightmares, memories, and daydreams, rendering sufferers incapable of remaining in the present even as their bodies do horrible things.

Mysterious tension pervades the storyline from the get-go, as the reader is left to wonder what happened to cause David and Ellie to flee, as well as what’s actually going on. The writing is smooth, engrossing, and propulsive, making this 420+ pager fly by, but be warned: it can be an extremely anxiety-inducing experience, especially considering the current state of affairs, the tenuous future, and the past five tumultuous years — a testament to the story's power and relevance.

This reader’s favorite moment in any novel is the title source reveal (when done right), and this one is fantastic, reminiscent and on par with The Catcher in the Rye’s emotional impact. Add to that a pulse-pounding storyline and a heart-wrenching finale, and this is an incredible ride perfect for readers who enjoy dystopian/apocalyptic horror with excellent characterization, immersive settings, creative plotting, and terrifying plausibility.

Next up in the Ronald Malfi universe: Small Town Horror.

🖤Amanda

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