Instruct: Classify the given Amazon review as either positive or negative.
Query: Well written and gloriously unspectacular.

I suppose what makes a horror novel successful, above all other criteria, is the degree of suspense felt by the reader; this, of course, varies from person to person. Nathaniel was virtually free of suspense: most of the scenarios that Saul tosses at us are suspense of the cliffhanger variety. That is to say that although there is suspense by virtue of the situation, the reader more or less expects the outcome of each and every situation. This applies to all elements comprising the conclusion as well. It simply isn't a very good book where the story is concerned. But, in order to balance out the review, the writing skill must be mentioned. John Saul can, in short, tell an unenthralling story incredibly well. The details are drawn out to the very last strand of hair, the pace of the story varies incredibly well and, most importantly, Saul keeps a consistent third person tone. Unheard of! If only the story had been better.