Book 58: “Damien: The Omen II” by Joseph Howard

 

Damien: Omen II

Joseph Howard

 Released: May 9th, 1978

My 1st book for 2025 was Joseph Howard’s “Damien: Omen II”.

Just to reflect on 2024, I only read 27 of my 30 books, so this year, I will attempt to read 63 books.  That's double my previous years, plus the 3 I missed last year.  It's going to be a good year for reading.

Starting off the year by finishing my last book started in 2024.  I read the first Omen novel and wanted to continue on into the second to keep with the story.

It's not a bad read.  Definitely some sequel elements.  You see how they tried to connect the series with subtle references and other things.

Damien is more defined as a character here.  Where in the first one, it felt more like he was in the background, this one has a lot more dialogue and a sense of his personality and demeanor.

You also learn more about Damien's family, and how his father and uncle got along during their times together growing up.  We see a friendship between Mark and Damien grow.  We also learn about Thorn Industries, which is the family business Damien is set to inherit.

I definitely have to check these movies out at some point.  The premise is interesting, and perhaps I'll understand more about it once I see it.

Here is what I learned:

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• Joan Hart has Auburn hair and flashing eyes.

• She is a freelance photo-journalist.

• Damien was rehomed with his uncle Richard. 

• Damien Thorn is 12 years old now.

• Damien is close to his cousin Mark.

• Damien’s grandfather was Reginald Thorn.

• He built the near-palace his relatives and Damien live in.

• Richard runs Thorn Industries.

• Ann is Richard’s 2nd wife.

• Richard had lost his first wife in a freak car accident.

• All old ladies douse themselves in lavender.

• Aunt Marion owns 27% of Thorn Industries.

• Her net worth is nearly $3 billion.

• “Well, what I guess is that the Bible is composed of grand and wonderful metaphors.  It’s up to us to find meanings that are useful to us.”

• Damien is sent to the Davidson Military Academy.

• Bill Atherton is the President of Thorn Industries.

• Atherton is 64 years old.

• Robert Thorn played quarterback for the Academy.

• Thorn’s father worked in the stockyards.

• The Thorn Museum sits on Lake Michigan.  It was built in 1940 for $10 million.

• Damien and Mark celebrate their birthday together.

• Mark doesn’t mind losing to Damien.

• Mary doesn’t like Richard’s stuffed 16-pt buck.

• Mark and Damien both get Swiss Army Knives for their birthdays.

• Richard wears shirts designed by Brooks Brothers.

• Atilla page 117.

• Mark is lead bugler.

• Richard prefers to read the Wall Street Journal.

• Ann prefers to read the Chicago Tribune.

• The Thorn family has a cemetery plot on the North Shore.

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Overall, not a terrible book.  It expands more on the characters in the first film as opposed to having much of a plot.  There is one, but not to the level of the first book.  I enjoyed it though but probably not for everyone.

Recommended for fans of the series and Horror in general.

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Poll Results:

My next book was supposed to be Regis Philbin's "Who Wants To Be Me?"  However, I held a poll on December 31st, asking which book should be read next thinking I would at least start it.  Long story short, I didn't, but I'm still going to read both, and as a result of the vote, I will read Macaulay Culkin's "Junior" first.

Thank you to everyone who participated!  Happy New Year!

On to Book #59: "Junior" by Macaulay Culkin.