School Library Journal
YA Although these four stories have failings, they'll make readers jump when things go bump in the night. Klein sometimes lets his idea of what is literary obtrude on his storytelling; all in all, however, these are among the best the genre has to offer. These tales are not for gore-fest fans; the horrors generally do not get detailed descriptions. But readers who are admirers of Lovecraft will recognize the master's influence. ''Black Man with a Horn'' is a direct tribute to the Lovecraft tradition. In ''Petey,'' middle-aged angst provides the background for a more concrete terror; ''Children of the Kingdom'' is an interesting experiment with horror in an urban setting; and ''Nadelman's God,'' a black comedy about the nihilistic follies of idols, is excellent. So advise readers to avoid those dark paths and enjoy the shivers. Catherine Chauvette, Fairfax County Public Library, Va.