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amanda_serenity's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
precioussantiago's review against another edition
5.0
5 Stars for this heartfelt coming-of-age story.
Schools out for Summer, Mark and his buddies spend their days trying to find something to do in their small sleepy town. What is the saying, "boys will be boys", the heat induced boredom pushed the boys to play a cruel prank on the town outcasts.
The Farrow sisters don't go to school with the other kids, they spend their days locked in a creepy house with their weird parents crafting spells. George, one of the Farrow sisters, eventually forms an unlikely friendship with Mark and they find themselves completely absorbed into each others orbits. But the Farrows have a weird history in this town, Mark's friends and family don't support this friendship and slowly things start to take a turn for the worse leading to a catastrophic end.
I enjoyed this coming of age story so much, it really captured the essence of the 80's with pop culture references. This was not a horror story which was a bit surprising to me I was under the impression that this was a horror story. The are some dark twists at the end which was shocking. The character development was very well done; I found Mark to be a charming endearing kid that was written very realistically. I also enjoyed his character arc by the end of the story.
I got serious "We Have Always Lived in the House" vibes and would highly recommend this as a Summer read. I would highly recommend this book for fans of coming of age stories with well fleshed out characters. Thanks to #netgalley and the publisher for an ALC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Schools out for Summer, Mark and his buddies spend their days trying to find something to do in their small sleepy town. What is the saying, "boys will be boys", the heat induced boredom pushed the boys to play a cruel prank on the town outcasts.
The Farrow sisters don't go to school with the other kids, they spend their days locked in a creepy house with their weird parents crafting spells. George, one of the Farrow sisters, eventually forms an unlikely friendship with Mark and they find themselves completely absorbed into each others orbits. But the Farrows have a weird history in this town, Mark's friends and family don't support this friendship and slowly things start to take a turn for the worse leading to a catastrophic end.
I enjoyed this coming of age story so much, it really captured the essence of the 80's with pop culture references. This was not a horror story which was a bit surprising to me I was under the impression that this was a horror story. The are some dark twists at the end which was shocking. The character development was very well done; I found Mark to be a charming endearing kid that was written very realistically. I also enjoyed his character arc by the end of the story.
I got serious "We Have Always Lived in the House" vibes and would highly recommend this as a Summer read. I would highly recommend this book for fans of coming of age stories with well fleshed out characters. Thanks to #netgalley and the publisher for an ALC in exchange for my honest feedback.
alicia_toothman's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good coming-of- age book, as a whole. I don’t feel as though it should have been classified as horror though. That was honestly a let down because a horror book is what I was anticipating.
This book just wasn’t for me but everyone is different and that’s okay.
I do appreciate the chance to read and review this book. More importantly for the author’s hard work and dedication their book.
This book just wasn’t for me but everyone is different and that’s okay.
I do appreciate the chance to read and review this book. More importantly for the author’s hard work and dedication their book.
alicia_toothman's review
3.0
This was a good coming-of- age book, as a whole. I don’t feel as though it should have been classified as horror though. That was honestly a let down because a horror book is what I was anticipating.
This book just wasn’t for me but everyone is different and that’s okay.
I do appreciate the chance to read and review this book. More importantly for the author’s hard work and dedication their book.
This book just wasn’t for me but everyone is different and that’s okay.
I do appreciate the chance to read and review this book. More importantly for the author’s hard work and dedication their book.
ravyncrow's review
dark
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chellecmorgan's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Dang, I was so sad when I finished this book. I want more! Another 5 stars for Tim McGregor.
jobis89's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
A coming-of-age story that is light on the horror - mostly supernatural occurrences. It’s the summer of 1987 and Mark is looking forward to hanging out with his friends, until he becomes involved with one of the reclusive and strange Farrow sisters, who likes to dabble in folk magic ✨ The characterisation in this novel was BRILLIANT, I felt so immersed in the lives of these fictional people. Highly recommend if you like coming-of-age and just really well-drawn and believable characters. Surprised at how much I really enjoyed this!
bemandy's review against another edition
5.0
Boy meets girl, coming of age story is an easy five stars for me!
I found the beginning a little slow. McGregor really drove home the fact that the main character and his friends were bored. I liked feeling of the 80's nostalgia. I thought it would be a ghost story, but it was more a tale of loneliness, friendship, secrets, and bullying. The characters were developed interesting, The story is a coming or age but with a few twist that make it unique and different.
Very enjoyable and highly recommend!
Thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for and honest review.
I found the beginning a little slow. McGregor really drove home the fact that the main character and his friends were bored. I liked feeling of the 80's nostalgia. I thought it would be a ghost story, but it was more a tale of loneliness, friendship, secrets, and bullying. The characters were developed interesting, The story is a coming or age but with a few twist that make it unique and different.
Very enjoyable and highly recommend!
Thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for and honest review.
bookedwithcourtney's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Net Galley, Raw Dog Screaming Press, and Tim McGregor for an ARC of Wasps In The Ice Cream !
"The water light from the window turns her silver. It's too dark to see if there are tears, but something changes in the air, like the barometer dropping real fast. Can grief do that -- change the air pressure in a room?" -- Mark Prewitt
It's been a while since I've met a character like Mark Prewitt. At first, I tried to find a word to describe him. Empathetic? Yes, but doesn't fit right. Kind? Also yes, but that also doesn't do him justice>. Mark is one of those rare human beings who protects everyone, always, even at the expense of himself. He feels it, and he feels it all.
It's true with his friends. It's true with his family. And most importantly, it's true with the girl he loves: Georgia (George).
The themes and symbolism in this novel are what kept me compulsively turning pages. Wasps In The Ice Cream is an abstract, beautiful reminder that the truest form of love grows from our choices to commit, each day, to patience and perseverance when it comes to the person we love. Mark and Georgia's relationship is a testament of this and of the fact that everything -- the good and the bad -- shall pass.
I'm not ashamed to say that this coming-of-age novel made me cry four times. Four! I did not expect that. I close the book with a refreshed realization that young love is real love, and that it can transcend everything -- forbiddance, the afterlife, and even paranormal forces.
My official rating for this novel is 4.5. This has nothing to do with the story or the writing; I adored and absorbed all of it. It's a book I would read again (and I never read books again). However, I would not classify this as "horror" which is the genre noted on NetGalley. I'm not sure that a few vague appearances by ghosts, a few tarot cards, and a drape that seems to sway on its own is enough to classify a novel as "horror." Regardless, this book was relatable and heartwarming. I highly recommend it, but not if you're looking for classic and gory horror elements.
"The water light from the window turns her silver. It's too dark to see if there are tears, but something changes in the air, like the barometer dropping real fast. Can grief do that -- change the air pressure in a room?" -- Mark Prewitt
It's been a while since I've met a character like Mark Prewitt. At first, I tried to find a word to describe him. Empathetic? Yes, but doesn't fit right. Kind? Also yes, but that also doesn't do him justice>. Mark is one of those rare human beings who protects everyone, always, even at the expense of himself. He feels it, and he feels it all.
It's true with his friends. It's true with his family. And most importantly, it's true with the girl he loves: Georgia (George).
The themes and symbolism in this novel are what kept me compulsively turning pages. Wasps In The Ice Cream is an abstract, beautiful reminder that the truest form of love grows from our choices to commit, each day, to patience and perseverance when it comes to the person we love. Mark and Georgia's relationship is a testament of this and of the fact that everything -- the good and the bad -- shall pass.
I'm not ashamed to say that this coming-of-age novel made me cry four times. Four! I did not expect that. I close the book with a refreshed realization that young love is real love, and that it can transcend everything -- forbiddance, the afterlife, and even paranormal forces.
My official rating for this novel is 4.5. This has nothing to do with the story or the writing; I adored and absorbed all of it. It's a book I would read again (and I never read books again). However, I would not classify this as "horror" which is the genre noted on NetGalley. I'm not sure that a few vague appearances by ghosts, a few tarot cards, and a drape that seems to sway on its own is enough to classify a novel as "horror." Regardless, this book was relatable and heartwarming. I highly recommend it, but not if you're looking for classic and gory horror elements.
thebookishaustin's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
This is NOT a horror novel. If it's horror, it gets 1 star. If it's general fiction, it gets 3 stars.