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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
lenna4's review against another edition
5.0
"Wasps in the Ice Cream" is a captivating coming-of-age story that offers a unique blend of heart, heartache, and horror.
Mark, the main character, is a relatable teenager who is struggling to find his place in the world. He takes a summer job at an ice cream parlor to escape his mundane life, but things quickly turn sour when he and his friends start bullying the reclusive Farrow sisters. As he tries to make amends, he finds himself drawn into their world and inevitably falling for one of the sisters, which quickly turns the things around.
What I loved about this book is how well the characters are written. McGregor has a great talent for capturing the messy and complicated feelings of teenagers and making them feel real. I found myself rooting for Mark even when he made bad decisions, and I was invested in the outcome of his story. I didn't want it to end, as i absolutely enjoyed being emersed into their conversations.
Overall, i consider this a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good, heartfelt coming-of-age story with a touch of horror.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an audiobook version.
Mark, the main character, is a relatable teenager who is struggling to find his place in the world. He takes a summer job at an ice cream parlor to escape his mundane life, but things quickly turn sour when he and his friends start bullying the reclusive Farrow sisters. As he tries to make amends, he finds himself drawn into their world and inevitably falling for one of the sisters, which quickly turns the things around.
What I loved about this book is how well the characters are written. McGregor has a great talent for capturing the messy and complicated feelings of teenagers and making them feel real. I found myself rooting for Mark even when he made bad decisions, and I was invested in the outcome of his story. I didn't want it to end, as i absolutely enjoyed being emersed into their conversations.
Overall, i consider this a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good, heartfelt coming-of-age story with a touch of horror.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an audiobook version.
paulataua's review against another edition
2.0
It's the late 1980s and Mark, avoiding his stepmother and wasting time with his friends is drawn into the strange world of the Farrow sisters, especially the intriguing middle sister, George. Top ratings for this run of the mill paranormal horror coming of age story? It isn’t that the story is bad or the writing atrocious, it’s just another book that gives you the feeling that you have read it several times before. I had read it and all but forgotten it all in one day. I’m beginning to think it’s me and not the book.
borderlinebookwhore's review against another edition
4.0
Teenager Mark and his group of rebellious friends enjoy playing pranks and causing havoc in their small town. When a prank gone wrong brings Mark closer to the town outcast, Georgia (George,) he's forced to choose between the friends he's always known, and the one person he can be himself with. A classic coming-of-age tale with a heartbreaking and supernatural twist.
I listened to the audiobook of this and really enjoyed it, more than I thought I would! I was expecting more of a dark story considering the genre (occult/supernatural/light horror) but there is very little of that aspect in this. It's slow-paced and centers primarily around the friendship that develops between Mark and George, while everyone around them wants to keep them apart. I listened to this in one sitting and was engrossed even though it isn't particularly action-packed or "exciting."
The detail and description of every character's personality, background, and attitude was exceptional. This was sort of out of my normal realm of genre, but it was wonderfully written and kept my attention, regardless! Definitely recommend!
I listened to the audiobook of this and really enjoyed it, more than I thought I would! I was expecting more of a dark story considering the genre (occult/supernatural/light horror) but there is very little of that aspect in this. It's slow-paced and centers primarily around the friendship that develops between Mark and George, while everyone around them wants to keep them apart. I listened to this in one sitting and was engrossed even though it isn't particularly action-packed or "exciting."
The detail and description of every character's personality, background, and attitude was exceptional. This was sort of out of my normal realm of genre, but it was wonderfully written and kept my attention, regardless! Definitely recommend!
catarina_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
Disclamer: copy provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a coming of age story which focuses on the life of Mark Prewitt during the summer of 1987, when Mark becomes acquainted with George Farrow, one the sisters of a pariah and shunned family in a small town. While Mark gets to know George he's also navigating relationships with childhood friends, and adjusting to life with a new stepmom, and in this setup we are guided through the life and secrets of a small town.
Coming of age stories don't always work for me because I don't tend to enjoy following the point of view of teenagers or younger people. However, this is a novel with young characters but written with an adult audience in mind and I really enjoyed this book and was fully engaged from the very beginning.
As an reader in my late 30s I could easily relate to some of the dilemmas that Mark was facing at this stage of his life and the setting in the 80s felt very nostalgic.
There's a sense of unease throughout the book and of dark secrets. The plot kept me intrigued and I was looking forward to picking the book up whenever I had a chance.
A lot of themes are covered in this short novel: discrimination, bullying, abuse, loss, and others, and at the core the book focus on the impact of ones choices.
I really enjoyed the writing and the strong focus on character development.
In short, I definitely enjoyed my time with this book, and unless for those that require constant action scenes and stories that moves at a very fast pace, this is novel that I think will work for wide audience.
This is a coming of age story which focuses on the life of Mark Prewitt during the summer of 1987, when Mark becomes acquainted with George Farrow, one the sisters of a pariah and shunned family in a small town. While Mark gets to know George he's also navigating relationships with childhood friends, and adjusting to life with a new stepmom, and in this setup we are guided through the life and secrets of a small town.
Coming of age stories don't always work for me because I don't tend to enjoy following the point of view of teenagers or younger people. However, this is a novel with young characters but written with an adult audience in mind and I really enjoyed this book and was fully engaged from the very beginning.
As an reader in my late 30s I could easily relate to some of the dilemmas that Mark was facing at this stage of his life and the setting in the 80s felt very nostalgic.
There's a sense of unease throughout the book and of dark secrets. The plot kept me intrigued and I was looking forward to picking the book up whenever I had a chance.
A lot of themes are covered in this short novel: discrimination, bullying, abuse, loss, and others, and at the core the book focus on the impact of ones choices.
I really enjoyed the writing and the strong focus on character development.
In short, I definitely enjoyed my time with this book, and unless for those that require constant action scenes and stories that moves at a very fast pace, this is novel that I think will work for wide audience.
gracingyouwithbooks's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
tk95's review
slow-paced
3.0
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was an okay book, it was just mismarketed in my opinion. It reads more like a contemporary rather than a horror, there was nothing scary or horror-ish about it.
Something i didn't enjoy was that there is a big thing that happens in the book that is spoiled in the book's description, but said thing doesn't happen until the 80% mark. How am i supposed to be on the edge of my seat thinking "are his friends gonna find out? and what will happen if they do?" when the summary says "When the secret is exposed, and his friends plot to punish the witch sisters for stealing one of their own, Mark is forced to choose between these two worlds." like c'mon now.
Overall it's a 3-star book for me, kinda forgettable and majorly mismarketed and the description should be fixed to not spoil the book.
This was an okay book, it was just mismarketed in my opinion. It reads more like a contemporary rather than a horror, there was nothing scary or horror-ish about it.
Something i didn't enjoy was that there is a big thing that happens in the book that is spoiled in the book's description, but said thing doesn't happen until the 80% mark. How am i supposed to be on the edge of my seat thinking "are his friends gonna find out? and what will happen if they do?" when the summary says "When the secret is exposed, and his friends plot to punish the witch sisters for stealing one of their own, Mark is forced to choose between these two worlds." like c'mon now.
Overall it's a 3-star book for me, kinda forgettable and majorly mismarketed and the description should be fixed to not spoil the book.
nannyofoz's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bobbiejowoo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I feel a little misled by the synopsis and categorization of this one. I would definitely not consider this one horror- at all. However, it was a gloomy, gothic feeling coming of age story. It packs a big punch covering themes including grief, loss, bullying, seclusion, isolation.
I found this story to be a little too slow for my personal preference, and most of the characters to be extremely unlikable. However, Wasps in the Ice cream was heartbreaking and haunting and mostly well written. I had issues with unnecessary and recurring “gay jokes”- While I understand this book was written in a particular time period, but I feel like the setting and nostalgia were built wonderfully without the need to include those.
All in all I feel like this was a good coming of age story with little hints of the supernatural. While it is not the type of book I usually read, I was surprised by the twist revelation near the end and I’m not disappointed I read it.
** Thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. **
** Thank you to Raw Dog Screaming Press and NetGalley for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. **
karmellah's review against another edition
3.0
i mean, the writing was good, but i was slightly disappointed. I asked for this book because it was listed as horror. there was maybe 1% paranormal horror. It was more a coming of age story, which was fine. I gave it three stars because i feel like it was miscatagorized. Nothing really happened in this book other than the MC coming of age....