Reviews

Clown in a Cornfield 2: Frendo Lives by Adam Cesare

justinbaumann71's review against another edition

challenging dark fast-paced

3.5

This sequel, while decent, falls short of the brilliance of its predecessor. The first book's twist, intertwined with poignant political commentary, captured a moment in American history with finesse. In contrast, the follow-up treads familiar ground without adding significant depth. While revisiting established themes and characters' trauma can be engaging, the relentless targeting of teenagers feels excessive and lacks clear justification. Moreover, some scenes are uncomfortably graphic, leaving a lingering unease. Overall, while the sequel has its moments, it struggles to recapture the magic of the original.

Expanding upon the thematic elements of the novels, "The Kettle Springs Massacre" serves as a chilling backdrop, haunting Quinn even as she endeavors to move beyond its horrors. Adam Cesare's narrative prowess shines as he delves into the psychological ramifications of trauma, painting a vivid portrait of Quinn's struggle for normalcy in the aftermath of unimaginable terror.

Quinn's journey to debunk online conspiracy theories adds a layer of contemporary relevance, highlighting the insidious spread of misinformation in the digital age. As she grapples with the relentless onslaught of falsehoods, Cesare masterfully navigates themes of truth, perception, and the blurring lines between reality and fantasy.

The introduction of murderous clowns injects a palpable sense of dread, heightening the stakes and propelling Quinn back into the heart of darkness she once escaped. With each chilling encounter, Cesare ratchets up the tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they witness Quinn's desperate quest for redemption.

Against the backdrop of a town haunted by its past, Quinn's journey becomes a harrowing battle for survival, where the lines between ally and adversary blur and trust becomes a scarce commodity. Cesare deftly explores the corrosive effects of fear and paranoia, crafting a narrative that resonates long after the final page is turned.

While the sequel may not surpass its predecessor, it remains a compelling exploration of the human psyche in the face of unspeakable horror. With its visceral imagery and thought-provoking themes, "The Kettle Springs Massacre: Unmasked" stands as a testament to Cesare's mastery of the genre and his ability to deliver spine-tingling thrills with a thought-provoking twist.

killing_u95's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A great sequel to a great slasher type book. Very cult-like. Felt like a prequel that was really needed in order to have a third, if that makes sense. Already pre-ordered the third. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Police brutality, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Bullying, Deadnaming, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Torture, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence

niknewx's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-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? No

4.5

heidi__e__'s review against another edition

4.0

slayed

kaseyvickers's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.25

emconley's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

3.0

njdarkish's review against another edition

3.0

The good: this book delivers on having a solid premise (particularly for a slasher sequel) that feels very prescient for the time, as well as some well-written scares and violence.
The bad: I just didn't engage with the characters as well as I did in the original.
Overall, a fun read for fans of the first book.

finalgirl01's review against another edition

challenging tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.75

The first book was perfect, my favourite slasher book to date. This…was definitely written by someone else. Or the author was possessed by an illiterate demon. 
This was slow, painstakingly slow. There was WAY too many POVS. Three would suffice and anything else would be pushing it, this had at least eight! 
I didn’t care for anything that happened in this book and not even to the characters I loved in the first book, wnat happened?
Fortunately it seems i’m not alone in my disappointment with this book, my friend who loves everything HATED this book and he loves EVERYTHING! 
I was warned about this book being bad but of course, I needed to see for myself and I can attest that they didn’t lie. 
I’ll stay tuned for the third book in hopes it hones in on the same themes as the first book but I’m gravely disappointed with this.

aiden_e_messer's review against another edition

4.5

This was really good! More anxiety provoking than the first one (at least in my opinion), and very well written. The internet truly is a terrifying antagonist. And this time, we did get some funny scary clowns. Not that many, but still!

nostalgic_reader2000's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0