We’ve all heard the legends of the extreme-horror ten-level house, if you make it to the end, you’ll receive a cash bonus. When we look for such a house, we find it’s an urban legend. Legend Has It by D. J. Slater is a horror novel that explores the age-old question of what if the legend was real.
Seth McCartney and his best friend Peyton Fischer have explored haunted houses for years. They started in grade school and now are in their early twenties. Seth feels let down when Peyton admits that he’s outgrown the thrill of their October ritual. Seth’s loath to walk away from his past. A short time later, Seth and Peyton learn their friend Marcus has found an extreme haunted house in the Wisconsin wilderness. They recruit three more friends—Dante, Angie, and Jessica to accompany them for one final thrill. They arrive at an abandoned, haunted house with no one else around. The attractions greeter appears suddenly, accepts no money, and warns them they won’t survive. He leads them to the back entrance, and they descend four levels to a horrifying, and deadly, experience.
Legend Has It has an intriguing hook as this local legend had persisted for decades. Movies like Hell House LLC and Haunt riff on the same theme. This novel has a meta-moment before they enter where the six visitors discuss what makes for a frightening experience. Seth proposes a slow build up, disarming the audience when the thrills come. This novel follows that blueprint.
It takes a few chapters but then it becomes clear to the group that their lives are in danger, and the panic sets in. The “house” increases its punishments as the six proceed upward. Author Slater uses many haunted attraction tricks but then twists them toward a deadlier outcome. The house not only has savage denizens, but murderous traps as well.
The highlight of Legend Has It includes the creative themes of each level. Again, the settings rely on horror tropes of a darkened hallway with chains, stone passageway, or a rundown hotel interior. What is unique is how they twist to become an element of horror. Curved mirrors, two-image pictures, exhibits behind glass transform into the reader’s nightmares. The scenes are effective and chilling.
The characters serve their purpose with Seth being the most fleshed-out. While they contain a typical cast—the horror aficionado, the athlete, the love interest—they each have a moment where they show their mettle. As the novel progresses, the reader roots for them.
Superb setting descriptions, realistic dialog, and entertaining puzzles round off this exciting offering. A few minor drawbacks include the choice of omniscient point-of-view, a handful of technical issues, and a misdirection that is used twice. However, the strength of the rest of the narrative overshadows any of these quibbles.
Legend Has It is for readers who love horror novels, creepy creations, and interesting traps. For fans of urban legends that come to life, especially haunted houses, it’s highly recommended.