Reviews tagging 'Fire/Fire injury'

Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare

53 reviews

emzhay's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark sad tense fast-paced
  • 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

A fun and quick slasher read. The characters weren’t really developed enough for me to truly care about anyone. Most of them blended together. The adults were borderline cartoonish. The build up, tension and kills were all good though, very cinematic.  The killer reveal was a bit disappointing. 

Actually it wasn’t just disappointing it was absurd.
I mean, a group of adults choosing to slaughter a bunch of teenagers who “terrorize” the town? How could they think they would possibly get away with it? And then trying to frame two kids for it that’s didn’t even use guns? Completely ridiculous. After I read the second town meeting scene I was really hoping the adults weren’t the killer, but alas.


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. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

2busyreading's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark fast-paced

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

corporealmystic's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • 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

Listen, if you are afraid of clowns, this definitely isn't for you.

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!"

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kups's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny lighthearted tense fast-paced
  • 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

A cheesy slasher book.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

lizzyspooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark fast-paced
  • 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


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

telliot's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense medium-paced
  • 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


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

whatthegayle's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny fast-paced
  • 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!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

theveronicareview's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark medium-paced
  • 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

Not much to say on this one. 

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. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

itzbrianna's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • 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

Clown in a Cornfield is a must-read for anyone who enjoys graphic horror scenes, blood, and a good old-fashioned slasher. 

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. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

atiek's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • 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

The twist is that this book is gay! ;)

Expand filter menu Content Warnings