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youngthespian42's review
3.0
I had a pretty mixed experience with this book. It was really hard for me to like the protagonist. His inner voice was really rough for me. The mystery around the story kept me engaged and I am curious to try one more but if I am still struggling I will DNF quick. I loved the writing and want to read more Dan.
earthier's review
1.0
If you've seen the movie, you basically read this book not much is different and the additional details or perspective provided from John's internal dialogue is minimal. For the first time, I think I'd prefer the movie to the book.
I think anyone who's taken an intro Psychology course could acknowledge this book really emphasizes John's disorder- sort of beats you over the head with it. But that's why I didn't like it especially paired with the supernatural demon comparison. It's offensive to mental illness and I feel it's too easy of a route from personal experience as a psychology student and just a general person who has consumed media about serial killers. It's dehumanizing and though I understand people like to distance themselves from what they perceive is the darker side of humanity, but I emphasize it's still humanity no matter how much you don't like it. It literally says that a demon can love and be more compassionate at times than a teenage boy with a mental disorder. I've never been one to be enthralled with serial killers but this book brought up the issue I have with the field of Abnormal psychology. People even those with disorders aren't just their disorder, everything they do can't or shouldn't go back to their disorder -like the Rosenhan study once you've been labeled the perception of all the actions that follow changes. Maybe it's meant to make the reader question this dynamic of mental illness and literal demon but it's fucked up. Even John reviews serial killer profiles and self-diagnosed himself. And the way his "friend" playfully gest that he'll be a surpass other serial killers. I don't know it was too much for me, the glamourizing, idolizing, and dehumanizing mixed with murder, self-loathing, and self-isolation. Then this idea that by killing this demon he's somehow redeemed himself as a human or more human. (Which doesn't really equate in my eyes since he is so intelligent/self-aware and in some ways self counseled himself up to this point. It seems like a major character shift. But then again there is a demon. And John completely seems to see this disorder as something brought on himself through his own actions, completely dismissing his environmental factors such as his upbringing and the genetics that could have lead to John having Anti-social personality disorder.)
I think anyone who's taken an intro Psychology course could acknowledge this book really emphasizes John's disorder- sort of beats you over the head with it. But that's why I didn't like it especially paired with the supernatural demon comparison. It's offensive to mental illness and I feel it's too easy of a route from personal experience as a psychology student and just a general person who has consumed media about serial killers. It's dehumanizing and though I understand people like to distance themselves from what they perceive is the darker side of humanity, but I emphasize it's still humanity no matter how much you don't like it. It literally says that a demon can love and be more compassionate at times than a teenage boy with a mental disorder. I've never been one to be enthralled with serial killers but this book brought up the issue I have with the field of Abnormal psychology. People even those with disorders aren't just their disorder, everything they do can't or shouldn't go back to their disorder -like the Rosenhan study once you've been labeled the perception of all the actions that follow changes. Maybe it's meant to make the reader question this dynamic of mental illness and literal demon but it's fucked up. Even John reviews serial killer profiles and self-diagnosed himself. And the way his "friend" playfully gest that he'll be a surpass other serial killers. I don't know it was too much for me, the glamourizing, idolizing, and dehumanizing mixed with murder, self-loathing, and self-isolation. Then this idea that by killing this demon he's somehow redeemed himself as a human or more human. (Which doesn't really equate in my eyes since he is so intelligent/self-aware and in some ways self counseled himself up to this point. It seems like a major character shift. But then again there is a demon. And John completely seems to see this disorder as something brought on himself through his own actions, completely dismissing his environmental factors such as his upbringing and the genetics that could have lead to John having Anti-social personality disorder.)
ingo_lembcke's review
3.0
Started January, 7th 2013 (Yesterday deep in the night, 00:15 am or so). Interesting idea and setting.
Now that the great reveal is done, I must say: arghhh!!! Bad, very bad surprise.
Before I buy a book, even from someone I have not read before, I make a point not to read about it (too much) as not to spoil it. Well, that did not work here, total backfire. Nothing against the genre, but when I want to buy a book about a serial killer, I do not expect a genre change as this one.
Fair warning to every would-be buyer: try to find out what this book is really about, so you know what you are getting into when reading it. As it is not very long, and I am now 65% finished, I will finish it, and I will make it soon, as I have hopefully better books to read soon.
Depending on the ending I might give more stars. So far for a good idea and a bad twist I would say 2.
And if it stays that way it will be the last book I buy from this writer for the foreseeable future.
Finished just now. WIthout spoiling it, it is not advisable to read this as a "Dexter"-like book about an adolescent Serial Killer in development.
That was a letdown.
The ending was ok, with a nice showdown, but after that it was too cuddly-mushy.
As stated before, I will not read another book by that writer anytime soon.
For the the thought-process growing up of John I give 4 stars, but for the reveal-twist and a predictable ending that is far too much, that part would warrant 2 stars - that would also mean no recommendation! So I settle for 3 stars, but before spending money on it or waste time, I suggest to find out, what this book really is about. Clearly it is not bad, but I wanted something different and based that only on the title, so I am partly to blame myself for this disappointment.
Now that the great reveal is done, I must say: arghhh!!! Bad, very bad surprise.
Before I buy a book, even from someone I have not read before, I make a point not to read about it (too much) as not to spoil it. Well, that did not work here, total backfire. Nothing against the genre, but when I want to buy a book about a serial killer, I do not expect a genre change as this one.
Fair warning to every would-be buyer: try to find out what this book is really about, so you know what you are getting into when reading it. As it is not very long, and I am now 65% finished, I will finish it, and I will make it soon, as I have hopefully better books to read soon.
Depending on the ending I might give more stars. So far for a good idea and a bad twist I would say 2.
And if it stays that way it will be the last book I buy from this writer for the foreseeable future.
Finished just now. WIthout spoiling it, it is not advisable to read this as a "Dexter"-like book about an adolescent Serial Killer in development.
That was a letdown.
The ending was ok, with a nice showdown, but after that it was too cuddly-mushy.
As stated before, I will not read another book by that writer anytime soon.
For the the thought-process growing up of John I give 4 stars, but for the reveal-twist and a predictable ending that is far too much, that part would warrant 2 stars - that would also mean no recommendation! So I settle for 3 stars, but before spending money on it or waste time, I suggest to find out, what this book really is about. Clearly it is not bad, but I wanted something different and based that only on the title, so I am partly to blame myself for this disappointment.
drphillgucci's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
crowsandprose's review
4.0
Fans of the Dexter TV show, look no further: Here is your serial killer. Here is your sociopath. Presented in a far better manner than Lindsay's schlocky, wish-fulfillment character Dexter Morgan (who in the books is a shallow mirror of his tv persona) John Wayne Cleaver is a young, dangerous man with tho emotional range of a teaspoon and all the problems that come with it.
I found the character engaging, the writing tight -- though it was short read, it remained an engaging book, which I cannot really say for either of Lindsay's. Yes, it's got an occult angle, but that doesn't attract from the sound character writing behind John. The character's foils and failings are just right, no one is so stupid that they never see the proto-killer in their midst.
My only problem is the relatively neat wrap up of the "Who Did It" and "What Happens To Them" come the end of the book. It's all a little too neat there, but it's a minor flub and I have every faith that Wells will get better in his next book.
So pick these up and put Dexter down. You'll be glad you did.
I found the character engaging, the writing tight -- though it was short read, it remained an engaging book, which I cannot really say for either of Lindsay's. Yes, it's got an occult angle, but that doesn't attract from the sound character writing behind John. The character's foils and failings are just right, no one is so stupid that they never see the proto-killer in their midst.
My only problem is the relatively neat wrap up of the "Who Did It" and "What Happens To Them" come the end of the book. It's all a little too neat there, but it's a minor flub and I have every faith that Wells will get better in his next book.
So pick these up and put Dexter down. You'll be glad you did.
tinybatwings's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is a good book, well written and the characters are written very well. However, horror is just not my cup of tea. Fans of horror will like this though.
atnea's review against another edition
3.0
I did it! I was so tired yesterday after finishing reading this that I just went straight to sleep. I didn't even mark it as finished or something. Just threw it and turned the lights off. But enough about me, let's go with the book.
At first, when I first started reading this book, I was really excited about what I had learnt so far. This 15 year old boy named John Wayne Cleaver, who lived in one of those towns lost by God, had all the characteristic of a serial killer, such as showing no empathy for animals, or peeing at night, with the small exception that he did not want to be a serial killer. He had though about, but knew it was wrong. He felt as if there was a monster inside of him, that he had to control.In order to accomplish this task he established a series of very strict rules to avoid having macabre and grim thoughts about what he could do if he let the monster free. He also read about other serial killers (all of them, most likely) to learn about them and their patterns and avoid becoming like them. His family was composed of his mother and his aunt and later on the story, his sister, Lauren (not a spoiler, I promise). His father had long been gone and only received a card and a gift from him on Christmas and occasionally on his birthday. And his family worked in the morgue. Meaning, him, his mother and his aunt received all the corpses of the small town and prepared them to the funeral. Stuff like that.
Up until this point, everything seemed great. The story was really intriguing and I was loving and couldn't stop reading.
Then one day, in the small little town that nothing ever happened in, there was a murder. And a grotesque one. John, finding about it, got really excited, of course, because this was the first time he was so close to murdering. As in, what the monster wanted to do.
I already loved the book by this far. It was amazing. More murders kept happening and they were all so intriguing and strange and there was the small taint of mysterious in it. Until in a small little page, BAAM! The story took a turn I was completely unprepared for and definitely ruined the impression I had about it. It was all so good and perfect and then that small little fact changed everything.
What was my reaction? I stopped reading. Yep. Stopped.
I had already read there was this point where it could define whether you love it or hate it. But I was EXCITED about it, was looking forward to it. Once I read the small thing, my interest for this book dropped and I just couldn't go on.
Days passed and I just left it there, until (yesterday) I made myself finish it. I tried to concentrate on the excitement I had before the small thing, and it kind of worked. I did finish it.
It is actually a really good book. I contains some phrases and metaphors that I just couldn't help but love. I felt like my emotions where described by what he was saying. He nailed it (not that I have murderous thoughts, but if you look at it in another way, it's amazing).
At the end, the book was really good, but the disappointment I felt once I read the small thing was so big that I can't help but give this book a 3.25 rating. But I think once you get over the initial shock, the book is ok.
The character development was incredible, couldn´t have asked for more. The setting was ok, and the sub plot was really deep and amazing. The main plot is the thing that didn't do it for me.
I'm not sure if I can recommend it to somebody, but if you're the type of people who can get over small facts like that one, then...go ahead, read it!
At first, when I first started reading this book, I was really excited about what I had learnt so far. This 15 year old boy named John Wayne Cleaver, who lived in one of those towns lost by God, had all the characteristic of a serial killer, such as showing no empathy for animals, or peeing at night, with the small exception that he did not want to be a serial killer. He had though about, but knew it was wrong. He felt as if there was a monster inside of him, that he had to control.In order to accomplish this task he established a series of very strict rules to avoid having macabre and grim thoughts about what he could do if he let the monster free. He also read about other serial killers (all of them, most likely) to learn about them and their patterns and avoid becoming like them. His family was composed of his mother and his aunt and later on the story, his sister, Lauren (not a spoiler, I promise). His father had long been gone and only received a card and a gift from him on Christmas and occasionally on his birthday. And his family worked in the morgue. Meaning, him, his mother and his aunt received all the corpses of the small town and prepared them to the funeral. Stuff like that.
Up until this point, everything seemed great. The story was really intriguing and I was loving and couldn't stop reading.
Then one day, in the small little town that nothing ever happened in, there was a murder. And a grotesque one. John, finding about it, got really excited, of course, because this was the first time he was so close to murdering. As in, what the monster wanted to do.
I already loved the book by this far. It was amazing. More murders kept happening and they were all so intriguing and strange and there was the small taint of mysterious in it. Until in a small little page, BAAM! The story took a turn I was completely unprepared for and definitely ruined the impression I had about it. It was all so good and perfect and then that small little fact changed everything.
Spoiler
What happened was that the killer is a demon. As in a supernatural, clawed and evil demon. I was expecting a real serial killer, not a supernatural one. I had a whole theory about it, and finding out that it was a demon and not real, REAL thing just really overthrew me.What was my reaction? I stopped reading. Yep. Stopped.
I had already read there was this point where it could define whether you love it or hate it. But I was EXCITED about it, was looking forward to it. Once I read the small thing, my interest for this book dropped and I just couldn't go on.
Days passed and I just left it there, until (yesterday) I made myself finish it. I tried to concentrate on the excitement I had before the small thing, and it kind of worked. I did finish it.
It is actually a really good book. I contains some phrases and metaphors that I just couldn't help but love. I felt like my emotions where described by what he was saying. He nailed it (not that I have murderous thoughts, but if you look at it in another way, it's amazing).
At the end, the book was really good, but the disappointment I felt once I read the small thing was so big that I can't help but give this book a 3.25 rating. But I think once you get over the initial shock, the book is ok.
The character development was incredible, couldn´t have asked for more. The setting was ok, and the sub plot was really deep and amazing. The main plot is the thing that didn't do it for me.
I'm not sure if I can recommend it to somebody, but if you're the type of people who can get over small facts like that one, then...go ahead, read it!
capercaillie's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
An interesting twist, but I became increasingly bored as it neared the climax, and I don't have any desire to read the rest of the series. I didn't realise it was a young adult series so my expectations were a bit out of sync with the genre.
brittthebull93's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
sandiet's review against another edition
2.0
an ok read...I doubt I will read the others (this being the first of a trilogy). I found parts drew me in and others I found myself saying "OK THAT is a bit far fetched" At one point I was considering putting it down but considered as it was only 279 pages I should just finish it. Depends on what you like to read maybe this would intrigue you but for me it was just ok.