'Supernatural: Nevermore' a Must Read for Fans (Book Review)

If other fans of CW's Supernatural are anything like me they are going to love the new novel series based on the show. First up is "Supernatural: Nevermore" by Keith R.A. DeCandido.

This series is only the second time that I've read books based on a TV show. The first time was with the series Charmed. The Charmed book series was more like a set of short stories. You barely had time to get into the book and it was over. They were more of a guilty pleasure that a serious read for me.

The case is not the same with the Supernatural series. "Nevermore" was like just like watching an episode of the series, but better. Why better? Because you get a chance to look into the mind of Dean and Sam, to see what they are thinking and feeling. And I have to say that the author did a pretty could job of channeling the Dean and Sam we've come to love as portrayed by Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki.

But fear not, those of you who have never seen an episode of Supernatural, the book also does a great job of giving you enough background on Dean and Sam Winchester and their quest to battle the supernatural to understand the story without boring loyal fans. And although the novel is easily a stand-alone story, I can't imagine anyone not wanting more.

Meant to take place during Season 2 between the eighth and ninth episodes, "Nevermore" takes the supernatural-fighting Winchester brothers to the Bronx to help a friend of a friend rid his house of a ghost – a ghost sporting a heavy metal t-shirt from the '80s and only appearing on nights when the homeowner's cover band plays at the local bar.

But if a screaming banshee isn't enough, the boys also stumble upon some gruesome murders that are so strange and shocking they could only be dreamed up in the mind of Mr. Dark and Creepy himself, Edgar Allan Poe. Add the fact that these murders are being reenacted all in the vicinity of the Poe Cottage, Poe's last home, and the Winchesters fear a ritual is underway. But what is the ritual for and who is performing it?

The adventure that follows is a great blend of the same qualities that make the show great – dark and spooky mystery that delves into the supernatural and occult without crossing the line into horror, witty dialogue exchange between two vastly different brothers bonded forever in their demon-hunting pursuit to find their parents demonic killer, and the well placed, but hilarious pop-culture references.

The novel even picks up on two of my favorite aspects of the show – the car and the music. The black 1967 Impala is the Winchesters only mode of transportation and Dean's one prized possession. Dean's only other love (besides women) is his heavy metal music.

Given that one of the storylines was about a band that covers heavy metal songs, music played a large role in the story. But Dean's relationship with the music was so well described that I felt like I was not only listening to the music myself, but could also see Dean jamming away and feel Sam's annoyance with Dean for letting it get in the way of the "job."

And even though I'm not familiar with the boroughs of New York myself, I felt like I was right there in the Bronx with the Winchester boys. The description of the Bronx was so detailed I wasn't surprised to find that author was a native.

If I'm going to be forced to be without my favorite show during this drought we know as the writers strike, I can at least take solace in knowing that I can continue with the adventures of Dean and Sam in the Supernatural novel series and the new comic book series, "Supernatural: Rising Son," which debuts in April.

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