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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was under the impression this was horror but it felt like a weird Halloween spin off of the lottery by Shirley Jackson. While the ending was different the general theme of the book being the town chooses a sacrifice to die each year just didn't feel that spooky or horroresk? Fairly disappointed, I expected something more freaky.
This book was better than I thought it would be. I found the premise interesting and though the book is short, I felt like the pacing was good. The author does a great job of immediately inserting us into Strang and explaining what we need to know. I wish the climax of the story was more drawn out but I also admit that hearing a strange demonic entity was killed by a Christmas tree decoration was a bit of a head-scratcher for me. Overall it’s a quick read and will be great if you’re looking for something to get you into the Halloween spirit
Halloween Fiend is a seriously creepy tale. The residents of Strang (yup, Strange without the E) know not to go out after sundown. The streets are eerie and quiet, but that’s not the only thing that is wrong with this town. They are haunted by an entity that prowls the streets. The only thing that stops them being killed is the sacrifice of small animals being left on their doorsteps. Apparently, guinea pigs and the likes are a tasty snack for the creature that is called Halloween. Once a year however, someone gets the dot – a term for a randomly selected resident to satiate the monster for another year.
The protagonist, Barry Johnson, a middle-aged guy who’s had his fair share of trauma. His mother came foul to the evil creature that haunts this ghost town. He’s has never quite got over the events surrounding it. He’s now essentially been handed the reluctant role of being his elderly fathers’ carer. His antagonistic behaviour has spiraled Barry into a life of misery and despair, he quite fancies the waitress at the diner but melts into a puddle of embarrassment at the prospect of asking her out. Barry is in a rut, that he can’t see any way out of.
Now, although this is a story that is entertaining and fun there was a few problems I had with it while reading. The narration is clunky and disjoined. It didn’t flow with the ease I have come to expect with horror novellas. Barry’s inner monologue was boring and came across as just whiney. Yes, he’s had a difficult life and things are hard, what with the nightly curfews, but he isn’t exactly taking everything in his stride…and boy does he let everyone know it.
The plot had more holes in it than a string vest! This monster known as Halloween, is creating mayhem in Strang, no-one tries to find some way to fight it or discover what its weakness is…why? Why are they letting this thing run amok through their lives and town? Why are they oferring up their residents as a yearly sacrifice? The descriptions of the creature seem a little vague and seems to morph but again, we don’t find out why. The ending was also a bit meh and left me with more questions than I really have ought to have. Halloween Fiend has masses of potential but for me it fell a little flat.
The protagonist, Barry Johnson, a middle-aged guy who’s had his fair share of trauma. His mother came foul to the evil creature that haunts this ghost town. He’s has never quite got over the events surrounding it. He’s now essentially been handed the reluctant role of being his elderly fathers’ carer. His antagonistic behaviour has spiraled Barry into a life of misery and despair, he quite fancies the waitress at the diner but melts into a puddle of embarrassment at the prospect of asking her out. Barry is in a rut, that he can’t see any way out of.
Now, although this is a story that is entertaining and fun there was a few problems I had with it while reading. The narration is clunky and disjoined. It didn’t flow with the ease I have come to expect with horror novellas. Barry’s inner monologue was boring and came across as just whiney. Yes, he’s had a difficult life and things are hard, what with the nightly curfews, but he isn’t exactly taking everything in his stride…and boy does he let everyone know it.
The plot had more holes in it than a string vest! This monster known as Halloween, is creating mayhem in Strang, no-one tries to find some way to fight it or discover what its weakness is…why? Why are they letting this thing run amok through their lives and town? Why are they oferring up their residents as a yearly sacrifice? The descriptions of the creature seem a little vague and seems to morph but again, we don’t find out why. The ending was also a bit meh and left me with more questions than I really have ought to have. Halloween Fiend has masses of potential but for me it fell a little flat.
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Police brutality, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
The idea was cool, but the execution was meh. The last paragraph had me rolling my eyes at the predictable, and frankly, lazy attempt at wrapping the story up.
DNF.
couldn't stand any of the characters and the slow build was too slow. not for me.
couldn't stand any of the characters and the slow build was too slow. not for me.
I'll give Halloween Fiend a solid 3.5. It's a fun, quick novella that will surely put you in the Halloween and fall spirit.
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Genuinely great cast of wacky characters, however the book quickly comes to a less than satisfying conclusion without really addressing character issues or growth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Vomit
CV hunt delivers again! She is so good at creating characters that really stand out on the page.