Reviews

Children of the Dark by Matthew Revert, Jonathan Janz

lolamuy's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.75

This novel reads like a TV show, which I really enjoyed. The writing was fun and there was a good amount of gore and deaths for YA.
The first 200 pages were awesome, I couldn't put it down. The last 200 pages were a bit less exciting. Slightly repetitive and predictable. 
You get attached to some characters and you hate some others. 
The
creatures
were my favourite part. The parts about them were the best in the book. The parts about the Moonlight killer, I liked a bit less.
Overall I recommend this read, it was fun and exciting. 

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larry_yonce's review against another edition

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3.0

Will Burgess...takes a licking and keeps on ticking

Slightly disappointing horror novel which stretches itself a bit too thin. The first half of the novel developed as a very good, scary, coming-of-age story. But the second half mostly dropped that thread and focused on what lurks in Savage Hollow, and I started to lose interest at that point. For this reader, the scariest and best written scenes were those involving Carl Padgett...The Moonlight Killer.
Some plot holes exist. Witness testimony should have led to a different ending for one character in particular. And the final paragraph or two could lead right into a sequel.
Overall I liked it and would read more from Jonathan Janz.

deannafemchonk's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0


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queenie_literary2022's review

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dark tense fast-paced

5.0

ventellina's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

2.5


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vinomanscott930's review against another edition

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5.0

I can't wait for sequels. One of the best horror novels I've ever read. From beginning to end it was a non-stop scarefest. Jonathan Janz knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat!

michelleyak's review against another edition

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tense medium-paced

3.5

jjkook13's review against another edition

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3.0

6 out of 10.

Solid.

sharron_joy_reads's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

Opening line: “The week I saw seventeen people die didn’t begin with carnage, monsters, or a sadistic serial killer. It all began with a baseball game.”

Will, Chris and Barley have been friends forever, growing up in their small town with the usual crushes, bullies and the local legend of creatures in the woods. A notorious cannibal killer has escaped and is thought to be heading to their town and a terrible storm is on the way. Can Will, his friends, his family and the people of Shadeland. 

My first book by this author and wow! This was relentless action, grotesque mutant monsters with a lust for human flesh, an escaped serial killer, family secrets long buried, small town prejudice and paranoia. Published before Stranger Things this has that feel, it is a twisted torturous story, the revelations as the story unfolds are shocking. It is also nostalgic reminding us of those halcyon days of youth running free with our friends. 

This is an incredibly layered read that is not only a creature feature but a ripped open window into the evil of humanity. This reminds me of the stories of Richard Laymon, just as you think the adrenaline punch is over, bam another hit. This is incredible and I have now purchased every book he has, that’s how good this is, auto buy from now on. 

astoldbybex's review

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

5.0