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kayebye's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I really enjoyed this book, but found that the main characters were less developed than I would have liked. I did not understand some of their motivations, and the main character Quinn seemed to change her opinions of some of the other characters on a whim. Despite this, the plot was fast moving and really engaging, if a bit predictable. I think Cesare has a very good grasp of writing tension, and I enjoyed most of the twists that the story took. I will definitely be reading the sequel, mostly because I became more invested in the main characters than I expected to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Gore, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Car accident and Death of parent
lee_brahms's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Blood, Medical content, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gun violence, Addiction, Gore, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Death of parent
Minor: Alcohol, Police brutality, Vomit, Animal death, and Mass/school shootings
lucereads98's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Loved this!!!! It’s a perfect fast paced, campy, slasher with an amazing cast of characters and plenty of twists. I had only heard good things about this so my hopes were high but it exceeded my expectations. Very excited for the sequel!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Suicide
cherryufos's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book was on my to read list for quite some time and honestly, at first glance, I thought it would be paranormal.
It’s not. Now that in itself would be fine except the amount of gore in this book was just too much for me. It was just way too descriptive into the kills and just felt like the majority of the book was describing murder. If you like any of the characters, good luck; about 90% die by the end.
I also didn’t like that there was a few plot holes or things left unsaid. Who were the other clowns? What did Janet’s mom do after the news? And why did Cole’s father become a deranged clown killer at the end(at least it seemed implied). I understood the clown idea for the town but why would the dad go to Cuba and just become a killer? I would’ve liked it better if he was missing in the cornfield, Cole not knowing when he’d appear.
Now besides all the negatives, I did enjoy something’s. I found the writing voice well, it was the only reason I could finish it. I also enjoyed the reference to things that are happening in today’s standards. I feel I would enjoy Adam’s other books if there isn’t any gore. This book just wasn’t for me; I’m too squeamish. If you like this type of thing though, you may enjoy this book!
It’s not. Now that in itself would be fine except
I also didn’t like that there was a few plot holes or things left unsaid. Who were the other clowns? What did Janet’s mom do after the news? And why did Cole’s father become a deranged clown killer at the end(at least it seemed implied). I understood the clown idea for the town but why would the dad go to Cuba and just become a killer? I would’ve liked it better if he was missing in the cornfield, Cole not knowing when he’d appear.
Now besides all the negatives, I did enjoy something’s. I found the writing voice well, it was the only reason I could finish it. I also enjoyed the reference to things that are happening in today’s standards. I feel I would enjoy Adam’s other books if there isn’t any gore. This book just wasn’t for me; I’m too squeamish. If you like this type of thing though, you may enjoy this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, and Gore
Moderate: Grief, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, and Kidnapping
Minor: Suicide, Misogyny, and Fire/Fire injury
reading_under_covers's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.0
The perfect book to dive into Halloweekend with 🤡
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Gore
Moderate: Suicide
_chelseachelsea's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Did you guys know it’s possible for a book to pull off a jump scare??
I finished Clown in a Cornfield in one night. Cesare is smart - he knows you picked up this book because you want to see some clowns, some corn, and some gore, so he doesn’t waste much time. Even though the fast pace makes the characters’ motivations a bit of a stretch in terms of believability, it ultimately works in the story’s favor. You get what you came for, and the book truly delivers on creepiness and slashing.
I preferred the smaller moments of horror (one person being stalked by the killer) over the chaotic, large-scale action that dominates most of the last 2/3 of the book, but again, Cesare knows what he’s trying to deliver. This isn’t a slow-burn slasher, it’s CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD, baby.
There’s a message to the violence of CIAC that’s not very subtle and a little too spelled-out, but given the book’s YA themes, I’m going to be forgiving there. This is a scary story about rebellion, revenge, and rage, and even when the plot’s pacing is somewhat uneven, it never loses sight of those ideas.
I finished Clown in a Cornfield in one night. Cesare is smart - he knows you picked up this book because you want to see some clowns, some corn, and some gore, so he doesn’t waste much time. Even though the fast pace makes the characters’ motivations a bit of a stretch in terms of believability, it ultimately works in the story’s favor. You get what you came for, and the book truly delivers on creepiness and slashing.
I preferred the smaller moments of horror (one person being stalked by the killer) over the chaotic, large-scale action that dominates most of the last 2/3 of the book, but again, Cesare knows what he’s trying to deliver. This isn’t a slow-burn slasher, it’s CLOWN IN A CORNFIELD, baby.
There’s a message to the violence of CIAC that’s not very subtle and a little too spelled-out, but given the book’s YA themes, I’m going to be forgiving there. This is a scary story about rebellion, revenge, and rage, and even when the plot’s pacing is somewhat uneven, it never loses sight of those ideas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Medical trauma, Police brutality, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Cancer, Car accident, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Medical content
sheryl_macca's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A small American town surrounded by corn fields is stuck in a time when life was good before all industry, opportunity and hope had died. The proud community spirit is just barely alive amongst the born and bred residents, along with it's corn syrup clown mascot, Frendo. The strong, silent, sheriff and the ambitious, fake mayor are united only in their hatred of the local kids pulling pranks for YouTube, having parties out in the fields, making their own fun since duck shooting and fishing just doesn't cut it anymore.
With nothing to do, nowhere to go and little phone or WiFi signal the neighborhood teenagers are thrown together and forced to be creative. Friends and frenemies flirting, drinking, letting off fireworks, gossiping and figuring out the new girl from Philadelphia with the dead Mom. Nothing seriously criminal but enough to anger the old school seemingly conservative adults of the town.
Enter a serial killer Frendo with a crossbow and a flaming torch to teach those kids a lesson. Another killer clown appears with a circular saw, even more Frendo's are hunting down the party goers with axes and shotguns. All killing indiscriminately with an insatiable hunger for a revenge that the teenagers don't yet understand. What separates the teens is quickly forgotten as they realise that they can only survive by working together. Their differences are not important right now but they won't stay forgotten for long.
Adam Cesare has created a modern slasher love child of a Point Horror book and a Stephen King short story. Clown In A Cornfield has just the right amount of cliché, a really high body count and a savage level of gore for its 15+ teen audience. As an adult horror veteran I found this book to be fun, extremely bloody and perfect for a seasonal Halloween read.
With nothing to do, nowhere to go and little phone or WiFi signal the neighborhood teenagers are thrown together and forced to be creative. Friends and frenemies flirting, drinking, letting off fireworks, gossiping and figuring out the new girl from Philadelphia with the dead Mom. Nothing seriously criminal but enough to anger the old school seemingly conservative adults of the town.
Enter a serial killer Frendo with a crossbow and a flaming torch to teach those kids a lesson. Another killer clown appears with a circular saw, even more Frendo's are hunting down the party goers with axes and shotguns. All killing indiscriminately with an insatiable hunger for a revenge that the teenagers don't yet understand. What separates the teens is quickly forgotten as they realise that they can only survive by working together. Their differences are not important right now but they won't stay forgotten for long.
Adam Cesare has created a modern slasher love child of a Point Horror book and a Stephen King short story. Clown In A Cornfield has just the right amount of cliché, a really high body count and a savage level of gore for its 15+ teen audience. As an adult horror veteran I found this book to be fun, extremely bloody and perfect for a seasonal Halloween read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Suicide, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, and Grief
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