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alisonb's review against another edition
4.0
This was an enjoyable coming-of-age tale about a boy named, Mark Prewitt. Mark and his friends don't always make the best decisions, but that's what youth is all about-making one learning mistake after another as we climb the ladder towards adulthood.
We also get to see Mark fall in love for the first time. The only problem is that he falls in love with one of the Farrow sisters-a family touted across town to have dealings with the occult in a time when suspicions were rampant, and used as a tool in which to justify bigotry and cruelty towards people who didn't fit the mold.
As McGregor weaves this nuanced tale-which reminded me of being in a town created by King-there are threads that represent various facets of humanity woven throughout the tale. I found these aspects to be the scariest theme of this story; after all, humanity is the conduit through which
darker actions and mindsets thrive.
If there was one thing that could have tipped this book into the five-star range, it would have been the inclusion of higher stakes and/or more of a horror element.
I highly recommend this book to readers looking for an interesting and new take on the coming-of-age story. And if you are interested in the audiobook, Dan Lawson is the narrator and he did a really great job on top of having a really interesting reading voice that fits the uniqueness of this tale.
I read and reviewed an advanced audiobook copy of this book thanks to RDS Audio via NetGalley. All honest opinions are my own.
We also get to see Mark fall in love for the first time. The only problem is that he falls in love with one of the Farrow sisters-a family touted across town to have dealings with the occult in a time when suspicions were rampant, and used as a tool in which to justify bigotry and cruelty towards people who didn't fit the mold.
As McGregor weaves this nuanced tale-which reminded me of being in a town created by King-there are threads that represent various facets of humanity woven throughout the tale. I found these aspects to be the scariest theme of this story; after all, humanity is the conduit through which
darker actions and mindsets thrive.
If there was one thing that could have tipped this book into the five-star range, it would have been the inclusion of higher stakes and/or more of a horror element.
I highly recommend this book to readers looking for an interesting and new take on the coming-of-age story. And if you are interested in the audiobook, Dan Lawson is the narrator and he did a really great job on top of having a really interesting reading voice that fits the uniqueness of this tale.
I read and reviewed an advanced audiobook copy of this book thanks to RDS Audio via NetGalley. All honest opinions are my own.
nukebeach's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
erafact's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
A great story about a teenage boy who falls in love. The twists and turns along the way suprised me, so definitely worth a re-read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Hate crime, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence, Bullying, Death, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Emotional abuse, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Someonerachxedge's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
smorrison4's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
This was an interesting story, I loved the reveal at the end of the book, was not expecting that to come out. I like all of the stuff that Lisl is doing to try and steer Mark and George's story. Dan Lawson did a great job narrating the story.
grimdreadful's review
medium-paced
4.5
4.5 stars loved it
This was such a great read, light on the horror, but had some really great spooky elements. I loved it.
Tim's writing flowed and was so easy to read, I didn't want to put the book down. (Im currently adding Tims other books to my cart).
Set during summer break in the 80s. A coming of age story mixed in with hints of supernatural, first loves, friendships, longing to fit in, growing up, loneliness, and dealing with loss.
Equal parts eerie, funny, heartbreaking, and tragic. The Stand meets The Virgin Suicides.
I just wish it had a few more pages, it ended on something I would have loved to know.
Many thanks to Tim for sending me a copy to read and review. As always, opinions are my own 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻
This was such a great read, light on the horror, but had some really great spooky elements. I loved it.
Tim's writing flowed and was so easy to read, I didn't want to put the book down. (Im currently adding Tims other books to my cart).
Set during summer break in the 80s. A coming of age story mixed in with hints of supernatural, first loves, friendships, longing to fit in, growing up, loneliness, and dealing with loss.
Equal parts eerie, funny, heartbreaking, and tragic. The Stand meets The Virgin Suicides.
I just wish it had a few more pages, it ended on something I would have loved to know.
Many thanks to Tim for sending me a copy to read and review. As always, opinions are my own 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻
nagginboutbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bunnyonthemoon's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
emperorcupcake's review against another edition
4.0
This is more of a coming of age book than horror, but I've never met an 80s summer coming of age story I didn't like. You notice how nobody ever comes of age in the winter? That's because there's nothing to do. It's hard to find yourself buried under layers of scarves and mittens. But summer, summer is freedom... for better or worse. There are some great lines in here, like how falling in love feels like holding a live grenade all day, and some very poignant stuff about how pointless the high school hierarchy is, and the relief of being able to be yourself with someone and not have to act cool. (This doesn't end in high school, it just goes from having to act cool to having to act normal, like an "adult," whatever either of those things means. I'm not sure which is worse.)
This does have spooky elements - a creepy old house, witchy stuff, and a righteously pissed hippie ghost - but it's more about the human horrors. Grief, bullying, the stifling horror of small towns where you see the same people every day and probably grow to hate most of them. Anyone with a brain would be drawn to the outsider in the weird house! At least it's not the same ol' "Hello, Mr. Johnson" day after day, y' know? I found this very poignant and well-written and would definitely read from Tim McGregor again.
This does have spooky elements - a creepy old house, witchy stuff, and a righteously pissed hippie ghost - but it's more about the human horrors. Grief, bullying, the stifling horror of small towns where you see the same people every day and probably grow to hate most of them. Anyone with a brain would be drawn to the outsider in the weird house! At least it's not the same ol' "Hello, Mr. Johnson" day after day, y' know? I found this very poignant and well-written and would definitely read from Tim McGregor again.
thathorrorbish's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0