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shiggythefiggy's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
sandygx260's review against another edition
4.0
If you loved "We Are All Completely Fine", this book is for you.
Unfortunately, too much Lovecraft-inspired history weighs down the story. That and repetition from Gregory's previous books compels me to kick off a star. Wait, yet another large female villain wears pink eye shadow? Readers remember those details.
This almost reads like a YA novel, which seems odd from Gregory.
Still, not a bad read for a gloomy September Sunday.
Unfortunately, too much Lovecraft-inspired history weighs down the story. That and repetition from Gregory's previous books compels me to kick off a star. Wait, yet another large female villain wears pink eye shadow? Readers remember those details.
This almost reads like a YA novel, which seems odd from Gregory.
Still, not a bad read for a gloomy September Sunday.
defaultnamespace's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
angelslayer's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Enjoyable read. Excellent banter dialogue, especially in the second half of the book. Cool world, lovely setting, great work incorporating mythos.
The Scrimshander is an incredibly cool villain. Great concept.
The Scrimshander is an incredibly cool villain. Great concept.
kyledhebert's review against another edition
4.0
A very satisfying adventure tale with a good mix of comedy, mystery and eldritch horror.
dantastic's review against another edition
3.0
When he was three, Harrison Harrison lost his father and his leg in a boating accident. Or was it? Now, at age sixteen, he moves to the Massachusetts town of Dunnsmouth for his mother's latest research project. When she goes missing, Harrison quickly finds Dunnsmouth has more than its share of secrets...
Harrison Squared was a tough nut to crack for me. Aside from the missing leg, Harrison Harrison was kind of a Gary Stu. Also, I hated his implausible name. Who the hell would do that to their kid? Anyway, despite being a curmudgeon, I wound up being entertained by it.
Taking place in a safe, Pat Boone version of HP Lovecraft's world, is a fish out of water, coming of age tale that happens to include a nerfed version of the Cthulhu mythos. Harrison struggles to fit into a school of fish worshipers only to have his mother disappear. The rest is a Hard Boys mystery featuring fish people and their townie cohorts trying to open a portal and summon Urgaleth.
The writing was standard YA fare. The kids are smarter than the adults, everyone has overly clever dialogue, etc. While I knew Harrison would live, there was a sense of jeopardy at times. The ending was a little too easy but the book had series written all over it so I wasn't all that surprised. There were some Lovecraft references that I thought were hilarious. "My people do weird things with geometry," or something to that effect.
I thought the supporting cast were more interesting than Harrison. Aunt Sel, Lydia, Lub, and some of the others really livened things up. I wouldn't have minded learning more of The Scrimshander's past, however.
Although it wears its influences on its sleeve most of the time, if there had to be a young adult Cthulhu mythos tale, I'm glad it was this one. Annoyances aside, I wound up liking it. I could see it being a gateway book into deeper and darker things. Three out of five stars.
Harrison Squared was a tough nut to crack for me. Aside from the missing leg, Harrison Harrison was kind of a Gary Stu. Also, I hated his implausible name. Who the hell would do that to their kid? Anyway, despite being a curmudgeon, I wound up being entertained by it.
Taking place in a safe, Pat Boone version of HP Lovecraft's world, is a fish out of water, coming of age tale that happens to include a nerfed version of the Cthulhu mythos. Harrison struggles to fit into a school of fish worshipers only to have his mother disappear. The rest is a Hard Boys mystery featuring fish people and their townie cohorts trying to open a portal and summon Urgaleth.
The writing was standard YA fare. The kids are smarter than the adults, everyone has overly clever dialogue, etc. While I knew Harrison would live, there was a sense of jeopardy at times. The ending was a little too easy but the book had series written all over it so I wasn't all that surprised. There were some Lovecraft references that I thought were hilarious. "My people do weird things with geometry," or something to that effect.
I thought the supporting cast were more interesting than Harrison. Aunt Sel, Lydia, Lub, and some of the others really livened things up. I wouldn't have minded learning more of The Scrimshander's past, however.
Although it wears its influences on its sleeve most of the time, if there had to be a young adult Cthulhu mythos tale, I'm glad it was this one. Annoyances aside, I wound up liking it. I could see it being a gateway book into deeper and darker things. Three out of five stars.
blodeuedd's review against another edition
4.0
I read this one in a night. I was all put it down and do something else, but no I could not put it down and do something else. I HAD to finish it. The perfect read it in a night book.
Harrison comes with his mum to this strange town. The kids are kind of Stepford-esque. The school is weird. There is a church in town and something strange about that too. Everyone is just...strange. Very nice and spooky premise.
Harrison's mum disappears and he wants to find her. He refuses to believe she is dead, and more strange thing will now happen as he goes on a hunt for answers.
What on earth is going on in this town? Something that is not normal that is for sure. And what about those dreams of his, about something gigantic hiding in the sea? There is where the whole Lovecraftian thing comes in, and yes I love that.
I wanted to know what would happen, what actually was going on, and if we would see one of the Old ones. The ending was, an ending. But there were still loose ends so pleeease write more, I need more. It still works like this too, but hey if a book is good, then of course I want more. What happens after this book you know.
I think it was called YA and not YA. But either way, I do recommend it. Great book, great story. A book you can't put down.
Harrison comes with his mum to this strange town. The kids are kind of Stepford-esque. The school is weird. There is a church in town and something strange about that too. Everyone is just...strange. Very nice and spooky premise.
Harrison's mum disappears and he wants to find her. He refuses to believe she is dead, and more strange thing will now happen as he goes on a hunt for answers.
What on earth is going on in this town? Something that is not normal that is for sure. And what about those dreams of his, about something gigantic hiding in the sea? There is where the whole Lovecraftian thing comes in, and yes I love that.
I wanted to know what would happen, what actually was going on, and if we would see one of the Old ones. The ending was, an ending. But there were still loose ends so pleeease write more, I need more. It still works like this too, but hey if a book is good, then of course I want more. What happens after this book you know.
I think it was called YA and not YA. But either way, I do recommend it. Great book, great story. A book you can't put down.
branch_c's review against another edition
4.0
I should know by now that I always enjoy books by Gregory, even though his subjects so far have been rather dark for my taste. This one is a bit less so, having a somewhat YA feel, with a teenaged protagonist as its serious yet cleverly humorous narrator. The setting and supporting cast of eccentrics make for an original take on the prototypical Lovecraftian town where horror lurks. And when things get darker toward the end, the sharply written bantering dialogue keeps things light and enjoyable. All in all a fun story, the best new fiction I've read so far this year. I have to say that the ending is a bit unsatisfying, and apparently this book is a sort of prequel to We Are All Completely Fine, so even though that one promises to be darker than this one, I'll probably be on the lookout for it.
100pagesaday's review against another edition
5.0
Harrison Harrison, or Harrison Squared is on his way to the small town of Dunnsmouth, Massachusetts to accompany his marine biologist mother on a research trip. She is searching for a large squid who shouldn't be this far North. Soon after Harrison's arrival and a very strange first day of school in a cathedral like building with unwelcoming teachers and a student body that all seems to look the same, Harrison's mother disappears at sea. Harrison lost his father and a leg in what seems like an awfully similar accident when he was a toddler. Since then, he has had a healthy fear of the water. Now, Harrison is determined to find his mother, no matter what. As he digs around Dunnsmouth, Harrison begins to discover a strange history of the town: a series of disappearances and people left in comas for no reason, a worship of an unknown set of gods and beings that aren't entirely human. With his new friends, Harrison is determined to find his mother and battle the monsters of Dunnsmouth.
I have always loved Daryl Gregory's writing and how it completely envelops me into the setting. Harrison Squared is no exception; I could easily imagine the dreary, sparsely populated coastal town and the people there. Another brilliant aspect are the characters. Not everyone that you would expect to be a monster is, and some of the things that should be easily identifiable as monsters aren't. Harrison is far from perfect, he is fearful and has a short temper; yet, his determination, curiosity, and open-mindedness are perfect for the strange tasks he must complete. Some of the side characters were amazing as well, Lydia, Lub and Aunt Sel were all great to get to know. I liked that the horror and monsters were teased out slowly, they were so ingrained into Dunnsmouth that it wasn't obvious what to be afraid of all the time. An intense an exciting ending only left me wanting more from Harrison and the crew.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
I have always loved Daryl Gregory's writing and how it completely envelops me into the setting. Harrison Squared is no exception; I could easily imagine the dreary, sparsely populated coastal town and the people there. Another brilliant aspect are the characters. Not everyone that you would expect to be a monster is, and some of the things that should be easily identifiable as monsters aren't. Harrison is far from perfect, he is fearful and has a short temper; yet, his determination, curiosity, and open-mindedness are perfect for the strange tasks he must complete. Some of the side characters were amazing as well, Lydia, Lub and Aunt Sel were all great to get to know. I liked that the horror and monsters were teased out slowly, they were so ingrained into Dunnsmouth that it wasn't obvious what to be afraid of all the time. An intense an exciting ending only left me wanting more from Harrison and the crew.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.