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theliteraryapothecary's review
4.5
Bad Grains was the 3rd Semi-finalist I read for the SFINCs Championship Series. It is a spooky supernatural horror novella with an 11 year old MC who loves Halloween, even when the rest of her small German town doesn't celebrate the holiday much. When her slightly older brother and 2 of his best friends disappear on their walk home from school one day, it's up to Jo to get them back.
This novella had great characters, an engaging plot, and prose that kept me turning page after page.
CAWPILE Breakdown:
Characters: 8 - The characters were great, although some (like the rye mother) I wanted more from (maybe in book 2?)
Atmostphere/Setting: 7.5 - The atmosphere was spot on. As soon as the fog settled over the rye field, the atmosphere started to feel creepy. The setting could have been stronger at times, IMO, but wasn't bad either.
Writing Style: 9 - The writing kept me engaged the whole time. I appreciated how it kept the same tone of our MC the duration of the novella, even as she changed.
Plot: 8.5 - The plot was well written and engaging. I was always interested to keep reading.
Intrigue: 8.5 - Intrigue was a big part (though not all of it) of what kept me so interested in the plot. I had so many questions that needed answering.
Logic/Relationships: 8 - Things made sense, even when maybe they shouldn't have. Relationships were written well, though some felt stronger than others.
Enjoyment: 8 - I enjoyed Bad Grains and am interested in continuing this series to see where Jo's story goes with the Order of the Strawberry Circle.
CAWPILE Total: 57.5/7 = 8.2 = 4.5 stars
jugglingpup's review against another edition
5.0
To see a full review check it out here.
Wow. Just wow. This is one of the best middle grade and one of the best horror books I have ever read. The writing, the story, the pacing, the everything was just perfect. I was so invested in the story. I can't wait for the second one to come out.
Wow. Just wow. This is one of the best middle grade and one of the best horror books I have ever read. The writing, the story, the pacing, the everything was just perfect. I was so invested in the story. I can't wait for the second one to come out.
whatyoutolkienabout's review against another edition
5.0
From a young age I enjoyed horror, it started with goosebumps and being a 90s baby progressed to point horror, point horror unleashed and then into the big wide world of adult horror and all its subgenres. Despite being a lot older than middle grade I still enjoy rereading point horror or goosebumps books from time to time for some light-hearted nostalgia, even if some of the adults in those books leave a lot to be desired. Susanne Schmidt lets us know right away that Bad Grains the first in The Order of the Strawbery Circle is inspired by such tales but rather than being a pure homage to them I have to say Schmidt makes a series that is truly her own and rather unique. I got the feeling we are on the verge of a sort of Hellboy or B.P.R.D (Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense) vibes albeit aimed a younger audience and a little bit of goosebumps but presented in a way that makes it unique, fun, a little bit quirky and definitely spooky!
But before we take a deeper dive what is Bad Grains about? Well it’s about an eleven-year-old Jo who loves Halloween and all things horror, but she doesn’t think anything fun could ever happen in Fels, her small German hometown. But when her fourteen-year-old older brother Hektor disappears on his way home from school Jo begins to wonder, especially when her father and grandma forget his name and his very existence. What she originally thought was a prank by her brother and perhaps family soon turns into something more sinister when all of his things disappear and his room turns into a storage room. With the adults being no help, Jo beings an investigation of her own quickly uncovering an old legend that has haunted the children of Fels for centuries. A monster lives in the rye fields and draws children into its world under the roots. With time running out and only two days left until the gate between the worlds closes and only Daniel, Hektor’s obnoxious best friend to help her, Jo must figure out a way to rescue her brother or lose him forever.
It's safe to say that for a middle grade novel that Bad Grains packs a big punch in both storytelling and atmosphere as well as a cast of memorable if not likeable characters. I became rather hooked on the story from the start and finished it in one sitting. The pacing is perfect for the genre and Jo as a protagonist is relatable, funny and most of all very brave. For me I particularly enjoyed the combination of Germanic and European folklore to create a monster who is a little be terrifying and very awesome. I adored that Schmidt included the turnip ghost as well since this is often overlooked in Halloween traditions. These little bits of lore and legends are weaved together with skill to create a story that is both unique and refreshing while keeping a lot of the middle grade horror feel.
I particularly enjoyed the idea of the Strawberry circle and I am excited to learn more about them as the stories progress. While the main focus of course is horror there are a lot of other elements there as well, friendships, relationships both with family and friends, school and figuring out where you belong in the world. I think this is what makes it work so well because Jo becomes relatable to the reader, even if you aren’t battling an ancient monster, you still may have some of the other issues and troubles she deals with. In short if you enjoyed or know someone who enjoys goosebumps and point horror this is the perfect new series to get hooked on.
Hashtags
#BadGrains #TheOrderofTheStrawberryCircle #LoveBookTours #LBTCrew #BookTour #SusanneSchmidt #AD #BookReview #BookReviewer #BookBlogger #BookHoader #FantasticRead #BookDragon #BookShark #BookReader #Bookstagram #BookNerd #BookReader #BookLover #BooksBooksBooks #BookAddict #Book
But before we take a deeper dive what is Bad Grains about? Well it’s about an eleven-year-old Jo who loves Halloween and all things horror, but she doesn’t think anything fun could ever happen in Fels, her small German hometown. But when her fourteen-year-old older brother Hektor disappears on his way home from school Jo begins to wonder, especially when her father and grandma forget his name and his very existence. What she originally thought was a prank by her brother and perhaps family soon turns into something more sinister when all of his things disappear and his room turns into a storage room. With the adults being no help, Jo beings an investigation of her own quickly uncovering an old legend that has haunted the children of Fels for centuries. A monster lives in the rye fields and draws children into its world under the roots. With time running out and only two days left until the gate between the worlds closes and only Daniel, Hektor’s obnoxious best friend to help her, Jo must figure out a way to rescue her brother or lose him forever.
It's safe to say that for a middle grade novel that Bad Grains packs a big punch in both storytelling and atmosphere as well as a cast of memorable if not likeable characters. I became rather hooked on the story from the start and finished it in one sitting. The pacing is perfect for the genre and Jo as a protagonist is relatable, funny and most of all very brave. For me I particularly enjoyed the combination of Germanic and European folklore to create a monster who is a little be terrifying and very awesome. I adored that Schmidt included the turnip ghost as well since this is often overlooked in Halloween traditions. These little bits of lore and legends are weaved together with skill to create a story that is both unique and refreshing while keeping a lot of the middle grade horror feel.
I particularly enjoyed the idea of the Strawberry circle and I am excited to learn more about them as the stories progress. While the main focus of course is horror there are a lot of other elements there as well, friendships, relationships both with family and friends, school and figuring out where you belong in the world. I think this is what makes it work so well because Jo becomes relatable to the reader, even if you aren’t battling an ancient monster, you still may have some of the other issues and troubles she deals with. In short if you enjoyed or know someone who enjoys goosebumps and point horror this is the perfect new series to get hooked on.
Hashtags
#BadGrains #TheOrderofTheStrawberryCircle #LoveBookTours #LBTCrew #BookTour #SusanneSchmidt #AD #BookReview #BookReviewer #BookBlogger #BookHoader #FantasticRead #BookDragon #BookShark #BookReader #Bookstagram #BookNerd #BookReader #BookLover #BooksBooksBooks #BookAddict #Book
kirstycarson1's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
connorjdaley's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received this novella to judge for SFINCS. Opinion is my own, and does not represent that made by the team. I did also happen to purchase this in paperback, as I prefer to read physical, and I liked the cover.
This is a middle grade horror that is a homage to the author’s favorites like Goosebumps. While it doesn’t quite hit that level of suspense, I do see how the author took them and made something of their own. Also like GB this novella does push the limits of ‘children’s’ and ‘horror’, With some dark imagery and description.
The 1st person POV of Jo is very authentic, reading as real in both age and personality. I loved the issues with making friends, having a mean brother, and reading as an escape. All things that we’ve dealt with on some level.
I love the German setting as well as the German folklore. I love that the author kept certain German words/phrases, as although they may have been self explanatory, they added depth. The Rye fields monster, as well as the world under the roots was super unique and I loved the idea of such a small, quaint town. Sadly the idea of walking around alone as a kid is kind of ruined by the nature of the story, but I liked it at the start!
Personally a 4/5* for me. Well written, enjoyable throughout.
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