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helpfulsnowman's review against another edition
4.0
I'm going to use this review to defend Return of the Jedi, my favorite Star Wars when I was a kid:
1. The Opening
The entire first half hour or so is great. The Jabba shit, Luke showing up as a grown-ass man, Han Solo shooting a laser while pretty much blind. It's all great.
2. The Rancor
The Rancor training being all upset when Luke kills the Rancor is a feeling familiar to anyone who has a dog that's...really loving to them, but a fucking hellbeast to everyone else.
3. Gold Bikini
Hey, I was (and to an extent, am) a 10 year old boy. I'm not going to pretend like I had no thoughts on Princess Leia's getup.
4. Empire
It's a little slow. Hoth is cool, but then we're just like floating in space. The Yoda stuff doesn't have a lot of urgency. I don't know, I got bored when I was a kid.
5. Star Wars
It's the most incest-y of all the Star Wars movies. Defend it if you like.
6. The Button
The end is satisfying. Bad guys get punished, good guys are happy, Vader is redeemed. It ended the series until it didn't, but that's not Jedi's fault.
7. Speederbikes
I don't care if it looks like shit today, in the 80's, watching movies was half about what was on screen, half about you imagining shit. Because the visuals weren't perfect, you had to meet in the middle and think it'd be fun to take a speederbike to school. Although then you'd get to school way too fast. I'm gonna have to rethink that one.
1. The Opening
The entire first half hour or so is great. The Jabba shit, Luke showing up as a grown-ass man, Han Solo shooting a laser while pretty much blind. It's all great.
2. The Rancor
The Rancor training being all upset when Luke kills the Rancor is a feeling familiar to anyone who has a dog that's...really loving to them, but a fucking hellbeast to everyone else.
3. Gold Bikini
Hey, I was (and to an extent, am) a 10 year old boy. I'm not going to pretend like I had no thoughts on Princess Leia's getup.
4. Empire
It's a little slow. Hoth is cool, but then we're just like floating in space. The Yoda stuff doesn't have a lot of urgency. I don't know, I got bored when I was a kid.
5. Star Wars
It's the most incest-y of all the Star Wars movies. Defend it if you like.
6. The Button
The end is satisfying. Bad guys get punished, good guys are happy, Vader is redeemed. It ended the series until it didn't, but that's not Jedi's fault.
7. Speederbikes
I don't care if it looks like shit today, in the 80's, watching movies was half about what was on screen, half about you imagining shit. Because the visuals weren't perfect, you had to meet in the middle and think it'd be fun to take a speederbike to school. Although then you'd get to school way too fast. I'm gonna have to rethink that one.
library_jones's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sammaywin's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
2.0
montemaq's review
2.0
This was a lightning quick read. Which I actually think was to it’s detriment. It has a lot of good things going for it, but ultimately it felt unfinished. There were some really scary moments that I feel could have been expanded upon. I almost never complain that something is too short but it just came off a little half-baked. The relationship between the brothers was very relatable. The story appeared to be heavily influenced by Stephen King. Appreciated the nostalgic tone.
rock_n_reads's review
5.0
John Boden became a fast favorite from the moment I first read his words. I’d been saving JEDI SUMMER for some time, because I hate to run out of work from my favorite authors. When I saw that there will be an upcoming new edition of this novella, I decided not to wait any longer. I wanted to take my time and savor these words, but instead I blasted through the book in a short time, because it’s THAT good.
There’s no shortage of coming-of-age stories, especially in the horror genre, but not all stories have those special qualities that lead to a fast favorite. The truly special stories in this niche transport the reader to a magical place. You know the one I’m talking about—it’s that safe space filled with warmth and nostalgia, and the longing for the happy parts of childhood that flew by in a blur. The right story can wrap you in a warm embrace and also slap you with a bit of heartbreak just as you let your guard down. My favorite coming-of-age stories take me to that place, and I can say with certainty that this story is one of them.
You’ve heard me talk about books I want to hug, and this is one of them. My favorite authors write with unmatched authenticity. You can tell when a lot of heart has seeped into the story, and this rings true for everything I’ve read from John Boden, especially JEDI SUMMER. John is a true master with words, and in this story, takes the reader through a range of emotions. I laughed, smiled, and teared up while reading this one. Boden’s prose contains some of the most memorable and magical words I’ve ever read, and I always feel that his books are begging to be read aloud for full effect. For me, some of the best moments in this book are when he’s describing relationships and the many little moments that we take for granted or wish to speed up when we’re young.
I’m not sure I can say anything more than what’s already been said about this book. It’s a gem and ranks high on my coming-of-age favorites list. I’m sure I’m not the first to tell you that John Boden’s talent is a treasure, and I won’t be the last. Do yourselves a favor and fill your shelves with everything he’s written, and then leave a little extra space for what’s to come.
There’s no shortage of coming-of-age stories, especially in the horror genre, but not all stories have those special qualities that lead to a fast favorite. The truly special stories in this niche transport the reader to a magical place. You know the one I’m talking about—it’s that safe space filled with warmth and nostalgia, and the longing for the happy parts of childhood that flew by in a blur. The right story can wrap you in a warm embrace and also slap you with a bit of heartbreak just as you let your guard down. My favorite coming-of-age stories take me to that place, and I can say with certainty that this story is one of them.
You’ve heard me talk about books I want to hug, and this is one of them. My favorite authors write with unmatched authenticity. You can tell when a lot of heart has seeped into the story, and this rings true for everything I’ve read from John Boden, especially JEDI SUMMER. John is a true master with words, and in this story, takes the reader through a range of emotions. I laughed, smiled, and teared up while reading this one. Boden’s prose contains some of the most memorable and magical words I’ve ever read, and I always feel that his books are begging to be read aloud for full effect. For me, some of the best moments in this book are when he’s describing relationships and the many little moments that we take for granted or wish to speed up when we’re young.
I’m not sure I can say anything more than what’s already been said about this book. It’s a gem and ranks high on my coming-of-age favorites list. I’m sure I’m not the first to tell you that John Boden’s talent is a treasure, and I won’t be the last. Do yourselves a favor and fill your shelves with everything he’s written, and then leave a little extra space for what’s to come.
spestock's review
4.0
A story about two boys in the 80s, growing up poor and depending on each other. Occasionally, there's a ghost or two, and a truly bizarre discovery in the woods. The latter is never really resolved, which makes it even creepier - and realistic. I was struck by the weird thing I remember from childhood, which I just accepted as a matter of course. The author did a great job capturing that feeling.
sukidev's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ghostthereader's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
villyidol's review against another edition
4.0
Jedi Summer: With the Magnetic Kid
What a catchy title!
Jedi Summer means it’s 1983 and the main character, a 12 or 13 year old boy (the book is inconclusive as to how old he exactly is), spends the summer waiting for Return of the Jedi to come to the cinema near the place he‘s living. Apparently back in 1983 movies took a little longer to come to a small town nestled in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Or the author took some liberties with the dates.
The Magnetic Kid is the first person narrator’s younger brother. Not because he walks around with soda cans and bolts sticking to his skin, no, because some dead dogs and cats are trailing him a lot of the time. The story of the death of one of those poor creatures was heartbreaking. So you’ve been warned.
The kids encounter some supposed to be dead people as well, and they also find an actual corpse at one point. But this is not like Stephen King’s [b: The Body|11574|The Body|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328182521l/11574._SY75_.jpg|2334601], even though it sounds somewhat similar, and possibly took some inspiration from that story.
The horror is very toned down in this novella. So much so that I’ve not even shelved it as such. It is more a collection of loosely connected vignettes that tell the story of one peculiar summer in the childhood of young Johnny, who aspires to become a writer and even sends one of his stories to SK, who ends up liking it (or who is just very polite, or maybe drunk).
Because Johnny’s single mother has to work three jobs to keep the family afloat, Johnny and his little brother spend a lot of time on their own and experience some small and also some big adventures.
I like coming-of-age stories, and I liked this one as well. Although I feel like this should have been a lot longer in order to have more of an impact on me. Still, some observations, like for example how our childhood shapes us and the people around us, were interesting to read.
These kind of stories always make me think back to my own childhood, and usually I enjoy this a lot. This book as well brought a lot of things to my mind that I had long forgotten. Or at least I had thought so. Always a nice experience when that happens.
I also enjoyed the many 80’s references. Well, up to a certain point, as I felt the author was sometimes overdoing it a little. In general this book could have used better editing, as some passages where a little bumpy, due to some strange punctuation or syntax. But I don’t want to be too nitpicky. Even though I did notice it a couple of times, overall the writing is fine.
The several loose ends were done on purpose. The author does not aim to resolve much. It’s just about the experience of being a kid. It’s a bit like a childhood mosaic. And of course it’s about the long wait for Return of the Jedi. Isn’t it amazing how time sometimes seemed to almost stand still when we were kids?!
3.5 nostalgic stars
What a catchy title!
Jedi Summer means it’s 1983 and the main character, a 12 or 13 year old boy (the book is inconclusive as to how old he exactly is), spends the summer waiting for Return of the Jedi to come to the cinema near the place he‘s living. Apparently back in 1983 movies took a little longer to come to a small town nestled in the mountains of Pennsylvania. Or the author took some liberties with the dates.
The Magnetic Kid is the first person narrator’s younger brother. Not because he walks around with soda cans and bolts sticking to his skin, no, because some dead dogs and cats are trailing him a lot of the time. The story of the death of one of those poor creatures was heartbreaking. So you’ve been warned.
The kids encounter some supposed to be dead people as well, and they also find an actual corpse at one point. But this is not like Stephen King’s [b: The Body|11574|The Body|Stephen King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328182521l/11574._SY75_.jpg|2334601], even though it sounds somewhat similar, and possibly took some inspiration from that story.
The horror is very toned down in this novella. So much so that I’ve not even shelved it as such. It is more a collection of loosely connected vignettes that tell the story of one peculiar summer in the childhood of young Johnny, who aspires to become a writer and even sends one of his stories to SK, who ends up liking it (or who is just very polite, or maybe drunk).
Because Johnny’s single mother has to work three jobs to keep the family afloat, Johnny and his little brother spend a lot of time on their own and experience some small and also some big adventures.
I like coming-of-age stories, and I liked this one as well. Although I feel like this should have been a lot longer in order to have more of an impact on me. Still, some observations, like for example how our childhood shapes us and the people around us, were interesting to read.
I may have called him slow an stupid and a million other names. But I didn’t really mean it. Not in any long term hate kind of way. Kids are kids and by that I say kids are stupid. Kids are assholes. We don’t get that those things have an echo. It would be almost thirty years before my brother would let me know that those things caused wounds and that revelation would make me feel horrible. I still do.
These kind of stories always make me think back to my own childhood, and usually I enjoy this a lot. This book as well brought a lot of things to my mind that I had long forgotten. Or at least I had thought so. Always a nice experience when that happens.
I also enjoyed the many 80’s references. Well, up to a certain point, as I felt the author was sometimes overdoing it a little. In general this book could have used better editing, as some passages where a little bumpy, due to some strange punctuation or syntax. But I don’t want to be too nitpicky. Even though I did notice it a couple of times, overall the writing is fine.
The several loose ends were done on purpose. The author does not aim to resolve much. It’s just about the experience of being a kid. It’s a bit like a childhood mosaic. And of course it’s about the long wait for Return of the Jedi. Isn’t it amazing how time sometimes seemed to almost stand still when we were kids?!
3.5 nostalgic stars
meatwad112's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, this book, my gosh. I couldn't put this down. I love a book set in my home state of PA. The 80s nostalgia I felt was like a cozy sweater, even though I was born almost a decade later (1990). I was angry at the reckless neighbor, my heart broke for the deaths, and I felt chilled by the ghost encounters. Like Roscoe I also am a younger sibling. I felt his pain and it took me back to all the unpleasant encounters with my sister. Although it was mild compared to how Johnny treated Roscoe. Overall, this is a fast read that made me feel so much. Highly recommend.