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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
librarianryan's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was exactly what I wanted it to be. Admittedly by page 80 I was wondering where the murdering clowns were, but by page 114 the gore started and barely stopped until the end and I LOVED every minute of it. It was the perfect book for the October dark and creepy atmosphere. I wanted a fun horror novel that didn’t take itself too seriously. So many horror for YA books try to pack substance in instead of just a rollicking good time. I don’t need substance in my horror, I need chainsaws, guns, explosions, blood, gore and a bit of a mystery. It was pretty easy to figure out who/what the clowns were, but I didn't care. The ride was awesome, and it left itself open to a sequel, that I really wish I had about now. I do however have one question. Matt and Ronnie? That’s all I’m saying. Read the book and you’ll have the same question. Great read for October or any time. More please.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Mass/school shootings, and Violence
coffeebreath27's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Police brutality, and Violence
caidyn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an ARC through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review!
CW: violence, some gore, deception, and death/murder
This is basically like a slasher film in book form. I think that this would do really good as an audiobook for that reason, but I also really enjoyed reading the e-copy I was provided! It was a slow start, like 50% of the book was setting the stage for what was coming. Then, it all started happening in the latter half of the book. I thought it was a tense read that was a lot of fun. I devoured the last 40% of the book in a day. I will say, I never got too attached to the characters, but I have a feeling I'd enjoy them more on a reread. I also wasn't a huge fan of the ending. I wouldn't be surprised if there were more books branching off of this one!
CW: violence, some gore, deception, and death/murder
This is basically like a slasher film in book form. I think that this would do really good as an audiobook for that reason, but I also really enjoyed reading the e-copy I was provided! It was a slow start, like 50% of the book was setting the stage for what was coming. Then, it all started happening in the latter half of the book. I thought it was a tense read that was a lot of fun. I devoured the last 40% of the book in a day. I will say, I never got too attached to the characters, but I have a feeling I'd enjoy them more on a reread. I also wasn't a huge fan of the ending. I wouldn't be surprised if there were more books branching off of this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Death, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Addiction
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