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rebelkiss's review against another edition
2.0
This book just wasn’t for me. Nothing against the author. It just didn’t mesh for me
michloue's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
ladypuercoloco's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Another win from Adam Cesarre and I definitely will be reading more by him. This one is more for an adult crowd, but the same levels, if not elevated, of over the top mayhem, gore and fun! 🤣 Any one who has ever been to any kind of con, but especially a horror con, will both appreciate and be a bit creeped out by this one. A new con is recruiting "C" list horror "stars", calling it Camp Blood Con. The most special of the special guests is an aging scream queen, Clarissa Lee, along with an alcoholic knockoff of her, an elderly maven of the genre, a black early icon (I was picturing the guy from The Night of the Living Dead but realized it would have to be someone a bit more modern, maybe more of a Toney Todd?) a guy who's career included some horror (but more porn) and a young girl vying to be the new and improved Clarissa Lee (but would never admit to being so.... she's much "cooler" and heading for a much bigger legacy. Oh, I suppose I forgot to mention the "director", who actually starts the book as he is kidnapped by the "promotors" in a very unforgettable way and forced into the role to the point of him wondering himself if he's developing Stockholm syndrome. One thing all the special guests have in common - they all pretty much represent themselves and have no really close ties. These days they survive on the con circuit. And none of them really do anything research, the $5,000 advance with a promise of at least that much more is all it takes to not ask too many questions. Like that tickets can only be purchased on the dark web. Without going any closer to spoiler territory, I have to mention that what really put this one over the top for my ratings is the ending - in that you're left absolutely not knowing how it ends in spectacular fashion. But I can't end this without mentioning the character created to be the villain of the camp/con - the description is fabulous and for him alone I would love to see this on screen (plus,you know, all the other merits of this twisted, fun romp into what would play out as meta....)
blueknight1's review against another edition
2.0
This book felt too short. Getting to the camp took up half of the book and then everything happened really quick, one after the other. I wish we could've gotten more on a character level, though maybe I'm looking in the wrong genre for that. I liked the writing style but wanted more.
kfar1881's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
lesebolla's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
rambam's review against another edition
3.0
Adam Cesare is so great at writing characters but I wish this book was at least 100 pages longer
daemonwrangler's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Confinement and Blood
jodiesbookishposts's review against another edition
3.0
Ive never read a book that felt like watching a cheesy slasher film. I had so much 'fun' with this (although fun sounds like the wrong word considering the content)
The premise of this was interesting - taking the notion of fandom and diving into the deep voyeristic darkness with it. I wish that this had been taken further.
My issue with this was that it felt like there were about 200 pages more in this story. There was more we could have explored, more we could have analysed and delved in to - but it felt trimmed down for the gore factor.
It's a shame this wasnt expanded on as it had the potential to be a five star.
The premise of this was interesting - taking the notion of fandom and diving into the deep voyeristic darkness with it. I wish that this had been taken further.
My issue with this was that it felt like there were about 200 pages more in this story. There was more we could have explored, more we could have analysed and delved in to - but it felt trimmed down for the gore factor.
It's a shame this wasnt expanded on as it had the potential to be a five star.
dantastic's review against another edition
3.0
When five horror actors in various states of their careers are recruited for an interactive horror convention, they get more than they bargained for...
I've read a few novels that take place at conventions in the last few years. [b:I Am Providence|25898713|I Am Providence|Nick Mamatas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445540293s/25898713.jpg|45781541], [b:Night of the Living Trekkies|7884969|Night of the Living Trekkies|Kevin David Anderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442858922s/7884969.jpg|11097770], and [b:Shatnerquake|6426609|Shatnerquake|Jeff Burk|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1349076114s/6426609.jpg|6615970] come to mind. I keep seeing Adam Cesare's name pop up so I decided to give Con Season a shot.
The title is a little misleading. While it takes place in a convention of sorts, Camping Season might have been more appropriate. Anyway, Con Season is some bloody good fun.
Much like the guests at conventions of this type, the main characters are a mix of washed up has-beens and a rising star. It's not readily apparent which of them will survive, though three of them were more detailed than the others. The setup is a twist on the old "man getting hunted for sport" trope, only in this case, they're being hunted for fun, and being filmed to boot.
The body count is pretty high, as is the gore factor. It was a quick, fun read but I almost wish it would have went longer. While I like my horror short, the ending felt a little rushed to me. Some people's deaths were a little too easy.
The concept was a little too plausible in the age of reality TV, making for an unsettling read. Con Season is a fun horror novel that can be devoured in an extended sitting. You could find a lot worse ways to spend a few hours reading. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
I've read a few novels that take place at conventions in the last few years. [b:I Am Providence|25898713|I Am Providence|Nick Mamatas|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1445540293s/25898713.jpg|45781541], [b:Night of the Living Trekkies|7884969|Night of the Living Trekkies|Kevin David Anderson|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1442858922s/7884969.jpg|11097770], and [b:Shatnerquake|6426609|Shatnerquake|Jeff Burk|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1349076114s/6426609.jpg|6615970] come to mind. I keep seeing Adam Cesare's name pop up so I decided to give Con Season a shot.
The title is a little misleading. While it takes place in a convention of sorts, Camping Season might have been more appropriate. Anyway, Con Season is some bloody good fun.
Much like the guests at conventions of this type, the main characters are a mix of washed up has-beens and a rising star. It's not readily apparent which of them will survive, though three of them were more detailed than the others. The setup is a twist on the old "man getting hunted for sport" trope, only in this case, they're being hunted for fun, and being filmed to boot.
The body count is pretty high, as is the gore factor. It was a quick, fun read but I almost wish it would have went longer. While I like my horror short, the ending felt a little rushed to me. Some people's deaths were a little too easy.
The concept was a little too plausible in the age of reality TV, making for an unsettling read. Con Season is a fun horror novel that can be devoured in an extended sitting. You could find a lot worse ways to spend a few hours reading. 3.5 out of 5 stars.