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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
I love Southard's writing and this is another fabulous tale by Wesley. He keeps coming up with brilliant takes on things we struggle with in this life. In this case, domestic abuse and the "monster" it truly is.
I look forward to anything he writes. From the first time I read a story by him, I knew he would go far. Horror is a hard genre to write. Especially if you want to write something with meaning and not just a gore fest. Wesley actually grasps that and exceeds expectations.
I look forward to anything he writes. From the first time I read a story by him, I knew he would go far. Horror is a hard genre to write. Especially if you want to write something with meaning and not just a gore fest. Wesley actually grasps that and exceeds expectations.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
I beta-read this book in March of 2020 and will refresh my thoughts after reading over the final copy from Death's Head Press.
5 Stars because I couldn't put it down.
Cruel Summer is a horror novel with some classical themes intertwined. With characters from ancient Greek history and myths.
I would highly recommend this novel.
Easy to read, and even easier to get lost in.
There was some solid character building throughout, and it was clear that Wesley knew what he was doing. The plot is great. it's not something i have seen a lot of.
This novel will give you thrills and chills.
Cruel Summer is a horror novel with some classical themes intertwined. With characters from ancient Greek history and myths.
I would highly recommend this novel.
Easy to read, and even easier to get lost in.
There was some solid character building throughout, and it was clear that Wesley knew what he was doing. The plot is great. it's not something i have seen a lot of.
This novel will give you thrills and chills.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Finished it out of stubbornness but this was not for me. The opening was promising but I didn't find it scary, thrilling, or at all interesting after the abusive boyfriend died. The mythology depiction was not well researched, they're shallow and stereotypical. The events felt forced, I don't experience any connection to the characters because their behaviors are just too inexplicable and unrealistic that it's hard to be affected by what happened to them. They don't feel real. The events are indeed strange but neither does it feel like a nightmare or weird enough to be interesting. I was thoroughly, frustratingly bored. It was my own fault I didn't dnf. . By far what I enjoyed most was the book cover. Excellent choice of artwork, very gorgeous.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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
2022 Horror Reading Challenge: Underwater
Cruel Summer was a fascinating read, brutal in ways that sometimes got uncomfortable, especially when it dove into domestic abuse, then flipped into fantastical Greek Mythology seamlessly.To say this book was all over the place would be the understatement of the year. Even with all these drastic differing tones I had a blast with this book. Super creepy in some parts, and I am always excited to learn about a new monster from mythology and that’s what I got here with Cetus. I almost forgot to mention the manatee attack scene which had me rolling. Worth a read especially during the summer months on the beach.
Cruel Summer was a fascinating read, brutal in ways that sometimes got uncomfortable, especially when it dove into domestic abuse, then flipped into fantastical Greek Mythology seamlessly.To say this book was all over the place would be the understatement of the year. Even with all these drastic differing tones I had a blast with this book. Super creepy in some parts, and I am always excited to learn about a new monster from mythology and that’s what I got here with Cetus. I almost forgot to mention the manatee attack scene which had me rolling. Worth a read especially during the summer months on the beach.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes