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wganas4's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Body horror, Murder, and Police brutality
Moderate: Grief, Kidnapping, Cursing, Medical trauma, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Addiction, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Cancer, Suicide, Bullying, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, and Car accident
kikis_a_book_wh0r3's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
This was a really good story. Adam Cesar definitely keeps you on your toes and gives an amazing anxiety ridden tale of small town folks going crazy. Ultimately I feel like this would be a plan that MAGA would try to pull. Scary to think about. Its genocide but kept local? Lol I love that the ending sets it up for a sequel in true movie ending form!! A perfect nod to the classic slasher films. The audio performance was great as well! Definitely going to be checking out 2 & 3!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Gore, Mass/school shootings, Genocide, Body horror, Confinement, Gun violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Violence, Grief, Police brutality, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, and Bullying
kromez7's review
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Mass/school shootings, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, and Fire/Fire injury
nerdsbianhokie's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Child death, and Gun violence
twistykris's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
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
2.75
This book was a major disappointment for me. I was really hoping for a great, suspenseful read just in time for Halloween and while it was sort of a fun and quick slasher, that was about it. The characters were so underdeveloped that they blended together and I honestly didn't care for anyone, even the "good" guys. Another review said the adults were "borderline cartoonish" and I completely agree. Most of the kids were insufferable. The killer reveal was predictable and reasoning behind the major plot was... absurd.
1. The adults in the town hated a certain group of kids SO much that they decided to go on a killing spree (of which innocent kids were victims to) to "save" the town??? And then they tried to pin it on a kid whose sister died in a tragic accident a year ago (and whose dad hates him for it) and the girl who moved to this town 4 DAYS AGO? Make it make sense.
2. The adults calling new-girl Quinn a "whore" and a "slut" when she's literally done nothing was maddening.
3. I also feel like the timeline is so off. The Founder's Day incident happens and the adults who were in this "Make Kettle Springs Great Again" group now decide "let's go slaughter a bunch of kids." It just feels like everything happens SO fast that it doesn't make sense.
4. Ronnie and Matt are just... in on murdering their friends? Because they want to be on the "right side of history"?? Makes 0 sense to me.
5. Cole and Rust's relationship felt oddly thrown in. Sure, they were childhood friends, but they don't get that much interaction with each other in the book. Quinn's POV suggested maybe everyone had a crush on Cole (as in Janet, Ronnie, and Matt), but even from Cole's POV there didn't seem to be any sort of romantic feelings towards Rust. A desire to reconnect, sure, but they were literally hanging out for the first time in years at the party. This doesn't feel like queer rep.
6. And the ending with Cole's dad going to Cuba to "do the job right" was so confusing? How is him going to Cuba relate to killing his son? I think this was supposed to be a cliffhanger to lead into the sequel, but I was just left dumbfounded and confused.
2. The adults calling new-girl Quinn a "whore" and a "slut" when she's literally done nothing was maddening.
3. I also feel like the timeline is so off. The Founder's Day incident happens and the adults who were in this "Make Kettle Springs Great Again" group now decide "let's go slaughter a bunch of kids." It just feels like everything happens SO fast that it doesn't make sense.
4. Ronnie and Matt are just... in on murdering their friends? Because they want to be on the "right side of history"?? Makes 0 sense to me.
5. Cole and Rust's relationship felt oddly thrown in. Sure, they were childhood friends, but they don't get that much interaction with each other in the book. Quinn's POV suggested maybe everyone had a crush on Cole (as in Janet, Ronnie, and Matt), but even from Cole's POV there didn't seem to be any sort of romantic feelings towards Rust. A desire to reconnect, sure, but they were literally hanging out for the first time in years at the party. This doesn't feel like queer rep.
6. And the ending with Cole's dad going to Cuba to "do the job right" was so confusing? How is him going to Cuba relate to killing his son? I think this was supposed to be a cliffhanger to lead into the sequel, but I was just left dumbfounded and confused.
And one of my biggest issues was the audiobook. I liked Jesse Vilinsky's narration in Seanan McGuire's Lost in the Moment and Found. But in this, the accents and the voice she gave for men and teenage boys was just distracting and at times the narration was so overly dramatic to the point it was hard to understand what she was saying.
I will not be reading the sequel, even after that (bizarre) cliffhanger epilogue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Blood, Gore, Murder, Child death, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Police brutality, and Medical content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
loosejelly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
It was a slasher movie put to page! I felt like I was watching a movie in the best way. It was campy and tense and I loved the surprise queer rep!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Murder, Mass/school shootings, and Gore
Moderate: Death of parent, Cursing, and Police brutality
corporealmystic's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Listen, if you are afraid of clowns, this definitely isn't for you.
Frendo is Kettle Springs mascot. His face is on the dilapidated factory outside Quinn's new bedroom. It's not creepy at all, right?
Quinn and her father moved to Kettle Springs for a new start after a very publicized death of her mother. Glenn believed that him and his daughter needed the change, but he didn't realize that the townspeople also wanted a change as well.
The characters are amazingly written and will keep you entertained throughout the book. There are a few twists and turns that you won't see coming in the dynamics of the group that we follow throughout the story.
The atmosphere is small town creepy, and it totally works. The writing style sucks you in and makes you think about being in these situations yourself and how you would react.
Overall, it is a great read! I suggest it for anyone who is a fan of horror and wants some entertainment. I will be picking up the second in the series as soon as possible.
"Make Kettle Springs Great Again!"
Frendo is Kettle Springs mascot. His face is on the dilapidated factory outside Quinn's new bedroom. It's not creepy at all, right?
Quinn and her father moved to Kettle Springs for a new start after a very publicized death of her mother. Glenn believed that him and his daughter needed the change, but he didn't realize that the townspeople also wanted a change as well.
The characters are amazingly written and will keep you entertained throughout the book. There are a few twists and turns that you won't see coming in the dynamics of the group that we follow throughout the story.
The atmosphere is small town creepy, and it totally works. The writing style sucks you in and makes you think about being in these situations yourself and how you would react.
Overall, it is a great read! I suggest it for anyone who is a fan of horror and wants some entertainment. I will be picking up the second in the series as soon as possible.
"Make Kettle Springs Great Again!"
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Gore, Alcoholism, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Blood, Bullying, Death, Medical content, Body horror, Child death, Medical trauma, and Violence
kups's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A cheesy slasher book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Misogyny and Suicidal thoughts
whatthegayle's review
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“Looking at these houses, Quinn was struck with the feeling that Kettle Springs had left its best days behind. The town had given up.”
This book was a fun and quick read! Loved how the adults were fighting against the kids, and was pleased with how the book never made me lose interest!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Child death, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Gore, Death, and Violence
itzbrianna's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Clown in a Cornfield is a must-read for anyone who enjoys graphic horror scenes, blood, and a good old-fashioned slasher.
Kettle Springs, Missouri, is your typical redneck town with little to do, but people live there anyway. The people of Kettle Spring are sick of the kids, and the kids are just being kids. They are teenagers who want to have fun and live life to the fullest before the inevitable transition into adulthood. That is, until Frendo, a once beloved figure, becomes the embodiment of terror as he goes on a gruesome killing spree, leaving the town in a state of shock and fear. As the body count rises, secrets start to unravel, revealing a dark underbelly of Kettle Springs that no one could have imagined. The residents must now confront their deepest fears and band together in a desperate fight for survival against this bloodthirsty mascot.
Cesare leads us through this fast-paced story of prose and mystery, but some descriptive horror moments may make you want to avoid reading it while eating lunch. Cesare's vivid descriptions of the brutal murders and chilling atmosphere leave you feeling uneasy long after you finish reading. Frendo's transformation from lovable mascot to bloodthirsty killer is both shocking and disturbing, thanks to the author's deft characterization. Cesare's ability to maintain a consistent pace throughout the story keeps you on the edge of your seats, eagerly turning pages to discover the truth behind this horrifying tale.
What could have made this story better? More people of color would have bolstered the plot and reasoning behind the murders. The overall goal of the town is to "make kettle springs great again." That philosophy is backed up by a lot of 21st-century racism and bigotry. Furthermore, some of the protagonists felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, so character development could have been more nuanced. Furthermore, delving into the slasher's motivations could have added an extra layer of intrigue and suspense to the story. By providing deeper insights into the lives and backgrounds of the supporting characters, I would have been able to form stronger connections with them and feel more invested in their fates. This would have enhanced the overall emotional impact of the story and made it easier for me to empathize with the town's struggles and its ultimate goal of revitalization.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The author's ability to capture the essence of both classic and contemporary horror genres is commendable. The combination of 80s slasher vibes with a modern twist creates a unique and engaging reading experience. With elements reminiscent of Scream and The Faculty, you are sure to be hooked from start to finish.
Kettle Springs, Missouri, is your typical redneck town with little to do, but people live there anyway. The people of Kettle Spring are sick of the kids, and the kids are just being kids. They are teenagers who want to have fun and live life to the fullest before the inevitable transition into adulthood. That is, until Frendo, a once beloved figure, becomes the embodiment of terror as he goes on a gruesome killing spree, leaving the town in a state of shock and fear. As the body count rises, secrets start to unravel, revealing a dark underbelly of Kettle Springs that no one could have imagined. The residents must now confront their deepest fears and band together in a desperate fight for survival against this bloodthirsty mascot.
Cesare leads us through this fast-paced story of prose and mystery, but some descriptive horror moments may make you want to avoid reading it while eating lunch. Cesare's vivid descriptions of the brutal murders and chilling atmosphere leave you feeling uneasy long after you finish reading. Frendo's transformation from lovable mascot to bloodthirsty killer is both shocking and disturbing, thanks to the author's deft characterization. Cesare's ability to maintain a consistent pace throughout the story keeps you on the edge of your seats, eagerly turning pages to discover the truth behind this horrifying tale.
What could have made this story better? More people of color would have bolstered the plot and reasoning behind the murders. The overall goal of the town is to "make kettle springs great again." That philosophy is backed up by a lot of 21st-century racism and bigotry. Furthermore, some of the protagonists felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, so character development could have been more nuanced. Furthermore, delving into the slasher's motivations could have added an extra layer of intrigue and suspense to the story. By providing deeper insights into the lives and backgrounds of the supporting characters, I would have been able to form stronger connections with them and feel more invested in their fates. This would have enhanced the overall emotional impact of the story and made it easier for me to empathize with the town's struggles and its ultimate goal of revitalization.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The author's ability to capture the essence of both classic and contemporary horror genres is commendable. The combination of 80s slasher vibes with a modern twist creates a unique and engaging reading experience. With elements reminiscent of Scream and The Faculty, you are sure to be hooked from start to finish.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Violence, Gore, Death, Police brutality, and Gun violence
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, and Fire/Fire injury