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richardleis's review against another edition
5.0
Jimmy the Freak is a fast-paced, intense, and heartwarming read with endearing characters. Jimmy himself is lovable, but except for a few key POV shifts, the third-person persona narrator generally sticks closest with Mike, Jimmy's bodyguard. Mike is a bad man trying to do the right thing, but his own flaws lead to mistakes and obstacles, and I kept turning the pages in hopes of relieving the escalating tension as Mike and Jimmy stumble forward barely one step ahead of their pursuers. I wasn't always sure where the story was heading, but it stayed true to the characters throughout, leading to an incredible and emotional ending and denouement.
aaronlindsey's review
4.0
This book reminds me of Danny DeVito. It's short and totally awesome.
It's not really a horror novel, but it is tense in areas. Jimmy the Freak was dropped on his head as a baby and it left him with a bit of brain damage. But it also left him with a gift. When the wrong person found out what Jimmy could do, he was willing to commit any act to have him.
It's not really a horror novel, but it is tense in areas. Jimmy the Freak was dropped on his head as a baby and it left him with a bit of brain damage. But it also left him with a gift. When the wrong person found out what Jimmy could do, he was willing to commit any act to have him.
casutton's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
the_coycaterpillar_reads's review
5.0
Jimmy the Freak is a story that makes you appreciate great characterisation. The relationship dynamics between Jimmy and Mike made my heart warm. Mike has essentially taken on the role of carer and isn’t too above himself to admit that it was more than he anticipated. The authors have created two of my favourite fictional characters of all time. An unlikely friendship. A freakish psychic ability. An obsession for pizza. A will to protect. I haven’t read another story like this in which disability is at the forefront and tackled with a sense of tact and love. I fell deeply for this raw storyline.
Jimmy was dropped on his head as a baby, in the bath. Incidentally, it is the only place he can sleep, irony is only a five-letter word. The accident left him with a mental disability, his chronological age doesn’t connect with his developmental age. He acts and behaves like a child, his obsession with pizza and making snowmen highlighted his single-mindedness. People in power can see how his abilities can further their own gain often at the expense of Jimmy’s health. Mike steals Jimmy away from the bishop who manipulates him to further his own career and church. Can Mike stay true to his initial motivations and protect Jimmy?
Mike needs to keep Jimmy away from the people that will exploit his specialness for financial gain. He has a bit of a tarnished background himself, but he’s determined to do right by someone. He makes it abundantly clear that Jimmy should not read his thoughts, and he agrees somewhat reluctantly. The realism that Mike feels about taking care of Jimmy affected me, as a mother of a child that is like Jimmy, I will admit it choked me up. Yes, you try and keep your cool at least 80% of the time but it’s inevitable that you will grow frustrated with the constant demands for the same foods or the obsessive behaviours. You are only human, and you slip up from time to time.
Jimmy the Freak has so many elements that makes it an impressive read. There are characters to root for, some to hate and ones you hope to attain their redemption. Colyott & Steensland are masters of their craft. It’s grim, it’s raw and it will leave you thinking about it for days and months afterward.
Buckle up, you need to prepare for the whiplash. A story that will leave you with physical wounds and mental torture.
Jimmy was dropped on his head as a baby, in the bath. Incidentally, it is the only place he can sleep, irony is only a five-letter word. The accident left him with a mental disability, his chronological age doesn’t connect with his developmental age. He acts and behaves like a child, his obsession with pizza and making snowmen highlighted his single-mindedness. People in power can see how his abilities can further their own gain often at the expense of Jimmy’s health. Mike steals Jimmy away from the bishop who manipulates him to further his own career and church. Can Mike stay true to his initial motivations and protect Jimmy?
Mike needs to keep Jimmy away from the people that will exploit his specialness for financial gain. He has a bit of a tarnished background himself, but he’s determined to do right by someone. He makes it abundantly clear that Jimmy should not read his thoughts, and he agrees somewhat reluctantly. The realism that Mike feels about taking care of Jimmy affected me, as a mother of a child that is like Jimmy, I will admit it choked me up. Yes, you try and keep your cool at least 80% of the time but it’s inevitable that you will grow frustrated with the constant demands for the same foods or the obsessive behaviours. You are only human, and you slip up from time to time.
Jimmy the Freak has so many elements that makes it an impressive read. There are characters to root for, some to hate and ones you hope to attain their redemption. Colyott & Steensland are masters of their craft. It’s grim, it’s raw and it will leave you thinking about it for days and months afterward.
Buckle up, you need to prepare for the whiplash. A story that will leave you with physical wounds and mental torture.
lanternsjourney's review
5.0
I want more of Jimmy the Freak! Maybe the many adventures of Jimmy and Mike. I enjoyed the ride these two flawed characters took me on and I could feel the love that connected them.
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I'm not sure if anyone here has read Huck by Mark Millar (the graphic novel) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29584612-huck-book-1?from_search=true&qid=laoYuSO7Zs&rank=1 but Jimmy reminded me so much of a darker grittier Huck. I loved it!
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I'm not sure if anyone here has read Huck by Mark Millar (the graphic novel) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29584612-huck-book-1?from_search=true&qid=laoYuSO7Zs&rank=1 but Jimmy reminded me so much of a darker grittier Huck. I loved it!
spookyoctopusreads's review
4.0
I went into this expecting a truly dark wintery tale. I was wrong...delightfully wrong.
While on the run from people who want nothing more than to exploit Jimmy’s innocent nature and special gift, Mike fights to protect Jimmy while also concealing his own struggles. Neither Mike nor Jimmy are perfect, and that’s part of the beauty of the story.
This book was full of friendship, a brotherly like bond, and plenty of heart warming moments. Now, don’t think it played out like a Lifetime movie or anything, but the connection between Mike
and Jimmy was so well written and developed. Don’t worry though, the story still had some darkness and a little supernatural element thrown in. I guess the only complaint I had was that I hateeeee the word “retard,” and it was used a few times throughout the book to describe Jimmy. Jimmy has more heart than any other character in the book, and the ending was truly perfect. I flew through this book and dreaded the ending, as I was imagining all the terrible ways that it would have gone, but I was surprisingly satisfied by the last few pages.
3.5/5 (Rounded up to 4) If you’re looking for a heartwarming quick read that’s a little on the dark side, give this one a try. The characters really drive this book, so this is for those of you who have an appreciation for character development. There are parts of the book that I thought could have used a bit more “oomph” or action, but overall it was a great story.
While on the run from people who want nothing more than to exploit Jimmy’s innocent nature and special gift, Mike fights to protect Jimmy while also concealing his own struggles. Neither Mike nor Jimmy are perfect, and that’s part of the beauty of the story.
This book was full of friendship, a brotherly like bond, and plenty of heart warming moments. Now, don’t think it played out like a Lifetime movie or anything, but the connection between Mike
and Jimmy was so well written and developed. Don’t worry though, the story still had some darkness and a little supernatural element thrown in. I guess the only complaint I had was that I hateeeee the word “retard,” and it was used a few times throughout the book to describe Jimmy. Jimmy has more heart than any other character in the book, and the ending was truly perfect. I flew through this book and dreaded the ending, as I was imagining all the terrible ways that it would have gone, but I was surprisingly satisfied by the last few pages.
3.5/5 (Rounded up to 4) If you’re looking for a heartwarming quick read that’s a little on the dark side, give this one a try. The characters really drive this book, so this is for those of you who have an appreciation for character development. There are parts of the book that I thought could have used a bit more “oomph” or action, but overall it was a great story.
jeanne25's review
4.0
It's hard to review this one without giving anything away. This was a quick read so I appreciated all the character the author gave Mike and Jimmy without having to built up a background. I love when characters have multiple dimensions and aren't written as strictly heroic or villainous. I felt for Mike and the struggles he carried with him. I loved Jimmy and his innocence. I was getting near the end of the book and slightly worried about the ending (no spoilers) but I cannot imagine a better conclusion to this story. I am really glad this book was recommended to me and it will stick with me.
aghoststory's review
4.0
To be honest, I was hesitant about this one after reading the blurb. But I decided to trust in the Night Worms and gave it shot. I am happy that I did.
It’s a nice, quick read and full of heart.
It’s a nice, quick read and full of heart.
theboldbookworm's review
4.0
Mike and Jimmy are on the run from Ash who wants to bring Jimmy back to the place where he was treated badly and forced to read minds. I don't want to say too much about this because it's a short book. It is horror, but it will give you the feels. Mike is a criminal with a heart and Jimmy is a mentally handicapped psychic guy who loves pizza. This is a quick little read that's perfect for a snowy afternoon!