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emzhay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Actually it wasn’t just disappointing it was absurd.
I think the audiobook narration was l overacted and distracting. The accents and men’s voices also weren’t the best. I’ll be going with the print versions for the sequels.
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Body horror, Child abuse, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Racism
2busyreading's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Misogyny, Racism, and Death of parent
corporealmystic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Frendo is Kettle Springs mascot. His face is on the dilapidated factory outside Quinn's new bedroom. It's not creepy at all, right?
Quinn and her father moved to Kettle Springs for a new start after a very publicized death of her mother. Glenn believed that him and his daughter needed the change, but he didn't realize that the townspeople also wanted a change as well.
The characters are amazingly written and will keep you entertained throughout the book. There are a few twists and turns that you won't see coming in the dynamics of the group that we follow throughout the story.
The atmosphere is small town creepy, and it totally works. The writing style sucks you in and makes you think about being in these situations yourself and how you would react.
Overall, it is a great read! I suggest it for anyone who is a fan of horror and wants some entertainment. I will be picking up the second in the series as soon as possible.
"Make Kettle Springs Great Again!"
Moderate: Alcohol, Gore, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Blood, Bullying, Death, Medical content, Body horror, Child death, Medical trauma, and Violence
kups's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Death, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Misogyny and Suicidal thoughts
lizzyspooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Medical content, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
telliot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
whatthegayle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“Looking at these houses, Quinn was struck with the feeling that Kettle Springs had left its best days behind. The town had given up.”
This book was a fun and quick read! Loved how the adults were fighting against the kids, and was pleased with how the book never made me lose interest!
Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Child death, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Gore, Death, and Violence
theveronicareview's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Clown in a Cornfield was a decent read overall, but I was bored, it wasn't suspenseful, and the social media/vlogger aspect was too cringe for me to enjoy.
I like B-movie, campy horror flicks, and this book seems to WANT to mimic that, but it just didn't hit the mark.
Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, Blood, Death, Gore, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Cursing, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death of parent
itzbrianna's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Kettle Springs, Missouri, is your typical redneck town with little to do, but people live there anyway. The people of Kettle Spring are sick of the kids, and the kids are just being kids. They are teenagers who want to have fun and live life to the fullest before the inevitable transition into adulthood. That is, until Frendo, a once beloved figure, becomes the embodiment of terror as he goes on a gruesome killing spree, leaving the town in a state of shock and fear. As the body count rises, secrets start to unravel, revealing a dark underbelly of Kettle Springs that no one could have imagined. The residents must now confront their deepest fears and band together in a desperate fight for survival against this bloodthirsty mascot.
Cesare leads us through this fast-paced story of prose and mystery, but some descriptive horror moments may make you want to avoid reading it while eating lunch. Cesare's vivid descriptions of the brutal murders and chilling atmosphere leave you feeling uneasy long after you finish reading. Frendo's transformation from lovable mascot to bloodthirsty killer is both shocking and disturbing, thanks to the author's deft characterization. Cesare's ability to maintain a consistent pace throughout the story keeps you on the edge of your seats, eagerly turning pages to discover the truth behind this horrifying tale.
What could have made this story better? More people of color would have bolstered the plot and reasoning behind the murders. The overall goal of the town is to "make kettle springs great again." That philosophy is backed up by a lot of 21st-century racism and bigotry. Furthermore, some of the protagonists felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, so character development could have been more nuanced. Furthermore, delving into the slasher's motivations could have added an extra layer of intrigue and suspense to the story. By providing deeper insights into the lives and backgrounds of the supporting characters, I would have been able to form stronger connections with them and feel more invested in their fates. This would have enhanced the overall emotional impact of the story and made it easier for me to empathize with the town's struggles and its ultimate goal of revitalization.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The author's ability to capture the essence of both classic and contemporary horror genres is commendable. The combination of 80s slasher vibes with a modern twist creates a unique and engaging reading experience. With elements reminiscent of Scream and The Faculty, you are sure to be hooked from start to finish.
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Gore, Death, Police brutality, and Gun violence
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, and Fire/Fire injury
atiek's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Murder, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Gore, Medical content, Kidnapping, and Violence