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overhillunderhill's review against another edition
3.0
This book was better than I expected but generally, only okay. It was a little juvenile. All of the characters were two-dimensional. I was surprised by the ending but mostly just because I didn't realize this was the first in a series. If it's not a series yet, it clearly has an I'll-see-you-in-the-sequel ending. I think this felt a little more middle grade than YA. I think if it was provided to a younger me, especially one who hadn't read actual Lovecraft yet, it may have been a little more exciting.
rubenstein's review against another edition
3.0
A creepy religion, a wicked fun plot, and sea monsters all made Harrison Squared a pretty great read. Bravo to Mr. Gregory for not turning this one into a romance (not so much as a hint of it here, guys), though the ending was severely disappointing. I certainly hope this is going to be a series, because the way it ended was more than a cliffhanger - it felt like it ended halfway through a chapter and that's just not fair! That said, I think Daryl Gregory is a fantastic writer and his books are a ton of fun. Harrison Squared is actually a prequel to We Are All Completely Fine, which features an adult Harrison as a Monster Hunter - um why isn't this one in my hands already??
For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!
For the full review and more, head over to The Pretty Good Gatsby!
colossal's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant, funny and disturbing YA lovecraftian fantasy.
The blurb pretty much says it all and I can't really add to it without spoilers in terms of plot description.
The characters in this one are brilliant, with the general feeling of people just getting on with their lives, albeit as denizens of place with more in common with Innsmouth or Dunwich from Lovecrafts stuff. And there's so many characters that just make the story like Lub or Rachel and Isabelle.
The only problem I have is one I see often when I dip into the YA field: there is absolutely no indication on this book that it is the first book of a series or at least that there's a second volume to complete the story. The book is still a whole novel with a satisfying conclusion, but there's an epilogue that shows that the real action is just getting started.
The blurb pretty much says it all and I can't really add to it without spoilers in terms of plot description.
The characters in this one are brilliant, with the general feeling of people just getting on with their lives, albeit as denizens of place with more in common with Innsmouth or Dunwich from Lovecrafts stuff. And there's so many characters that just make the story like Lub or Rachel and Isabelle.
The only problem I have is one I see often when I dip into the YA field: there is absolutely no indication on this book that it is the first book of a series or at least that there's a second volume to complete the story. The book is still a whole novel with a satisfying conclusion, but there's an epilogue that shows that the real action is just getting started.
kgm's review against another edition
4.0
Quick read, YA with lots of fun one liners.
Lovecraftian setting in New England with new friends of all kinds.
Lovecraftian setting in New England with new friends of all kinds.
badmc's review against another edition
5.0
A new town, new school, cult-like new acquaintances, authoritarian adults, and new friend with gills. When his mother disappears, Harrison decides to stay and look for her, with some local help.
This was loads of fun. It reminded me of Coraline, Ghibli animation, and Wes Anderson flicks. Weirdness all around, a witty protagonist, colorful characters, and plot that moves forward quite fast. I especially liked the easy camaraderie of the characters, and that the family actually settled. I would've liked to have the group of high-schoolers Harrison conspires with more developed, though.
The ending was open which somehow makes me sad we won't get another book in this fishy town.
This was loads of fun. It reminded me of Coraline, Ghibli animation, and Wes Anderson flicks. Weirdness all around, a witty protagonist, colorful characters, and plot that moves forward quite fast. I especially liked the easy camaraderie of the characters, and that the family actually settled. I would've liked to have the group of high-schoolers Harrison conspires with more developed, though.
The ending was open which somehow makes me sad we won't get another book in this fishy town.
drtlovesbooks's review against another edition
I SHOULD love this book - it sits squarely within the realm of several genres I like. And it's gotten good reviews from other folks. But I just couldn't get into it.
I think part of it may be that it references Lovecraft both explicitly and implicitly, and I've just never been a big Lovecraft fan. There's also something about the first person narration that turned me off almost immediately. I don't mind first person, but this particular character had a "tone" in my head that felt like nails on a chalkboard. I got about 10 pages in and couldn't go on.
I think part of it may be that it references Lovecraft both explicitly and implicitly, and I've just never been a big Lovecraft fan. There's also something about the first person narration that turned me off almost immediately. I don't mind first person, but this particular character had a "tone" in my head that felt like nails on a chalkboard. I got about 10 pages in and couldn't go on.
nyarlathotep's review against another edition
4.0
This was a quick and easy read, not very scary, but lots of fun.
Recommended for anyone that likes a little cosmic horror with their teenage angst!
Recommended for anyone that likes a little cosmic horror with their teenage angst!
elisquared's review against another edition
5.0
This book was unlike anything I have ever read. I am not a Lovecraft lover; I find his books to be just on the side of too weird for me. That being said, the summary of Harrison Squared pulled me in and I signed up for the blog tour. I am so glad I did, because I really loved this book. Daryl Gregory managed to imbue both humor and terror in equal doses within the pages, creating a town which I never want to visit, but that I didn't want to leave.
Harrison Harrison (or H2 as his Mom calls him), is just your average 17 year old with a prosethtic leg that was a result of a tragic boating accident. Now the real question is, was this boating accident from a storm or a monstrous creature? Either way, H2 lost his father to the accident, and it's just been him and his absentminded marine biologist mother ever since. Now, in the middle of his Junior year, his mother moves across the country in search of giant squids, and H2 must deal with the very strange town of Dunnsmouth in the deal.
H2 is a good, solid protagonist. I immediately like him for his snark and his heart. He loves his mother dearly, and works to help her keep their little family together. But at the same time, he gets angry when her "science-brain" takes over and she forgets things. Their relationship is a very normal one, and that helps off-set the very weird events that take place in the dismal fishing town of Dunnsmouth, Massachusetts. From the very beginning the reader is given little clues as to the true nature of the town, with it's high school at the epicenter of the weird.
The type of monster in the story is definitely a homage to Lovecraft, as it has a marine-dwelling kraken/squid type beasty, a cult, and some very shady characters. But while there is obvious horror in the book, I feel that the story overall was still much more hopeful than anything Lovecraft wrote.
Without the setting, the book would have such a different feel. It had to be in a fishing village, and it had to be in some whole in the wall town. The reader saw everything through a screen of ageing, making you feel as if there characters were straddling both the present day and the 1800s. But my favorite part of the whole book had to be the characters. H2, Lydia, Lub, and Aunt Sel are all great, and bring another aspect to the story that was really necessary. H2 is the "hero" and demonstrates this well. He stands up to people, he fights for what needs to be done, and he really cares about what happens to everyone else (well at least the good guys). Lydia is like the commander of the operation, showing wisdom way beyond her years and a knack for getting the job done. Lub is the comic relief, but is integral to solving the mystery; without him the whole thing would have never come together. Finally, Aunt Sel is by no means a parent, but she is exactly the type of "authority figure" H2 needs when his mother goes missing; loving without being motherly, she allows him to do what he needs to do.
When I started Harrison Squared, I had no idea that it was a kind of prequel to one of Daryl's previous books We Are All Completely Fine, but I will be sure to read that book and all of Daryl's other books; maybe I will see Lovecraft in a new light after delving deeper into them! Harrison Squared is fun, frightening, and delivers a punch at the end. I suggest, even if you're not a "fan" of the horror/supernatural genre, you give this book a chance; it is well worth it!
Harrison Harrison (or H2 as his Mom calls him), is just your average 17 year old with a prosethtic leg that was a result of a tragic boating accident. Now the real question is, was this boating accident from a storm or a monstrous creature? Either way, H2 lost his father to the accident, and it's just been him and his absentminded marine biologist mother ever since. Now, in the middle of his Junior year, his mother moves across the country in search of giant squids, and H2 must deal with the very strange town of Dunnsmouth in the deal.
H2 is a good, solid protagonist. I immediately like him for his snark and his heart. He loves his mother dearly, and works to help her keep their little family together. But at the same time, he gets angry when her "science-brain" takes over and she forgets things. Their relationship is a very normal one, and that helps off-set the very weird events that take place in the dismal fishing town of Dunnsmouth, Massachusetts. From the very beginning the reader is given little clues as to the true nature of the town, with it's high school at the epicenter of the weird.
The type of monster in the story is definitely a homage to Lovecraft, as it has a marine-dwelling kraken/squid type beasty, a cult, and some very shady characters. But while there is obvious horror in the book, I feel that the story overall was still much more hopeful than anything Lovecraft wrote.
Without the setting, the book would have such a different feel. It had to be in a fishing village, and it had to be in some whole in the wall town. The reader saw everything through a screen of ageing, making you feel as if there characters were straddling both the present day and the 1800s. But my favorite part of the whole book had to be the characters. H2, Lydia, Lub, and Aunt Sel are all great, and bring another aspect to the story that was really necessary. H2 is the "hero" and demonstrates this well. He stands up to people, he fights for what needs to be done, and he really cares about what happens to everyone else (well at least the good guys). Lydia is like the commander of the operation, showing wisdom way beyond her years and a knack for getting the job done. Lub is the comic relief, but is integral to solving the mystery; without him the whole thing would have never come together. Finally, Aunt Sel is by no means a parent, but she is exactly the type of "authority figure" H2 needs when his mother goes missing; loving without being motherly, she allows him to do what he needs to do.
When I started Harrison Squared, I had no idea that it was a kind of prequel to one of Daryl's previous books We Are All Completely Fine, but I will be sure to read that book and all of Daryl's other books; maybe I will see Lovecraft in a new light after delving deeper into them! Harrison Squared is fun, frightening, and delivers a punch at the end. I suggest, even if you're not a "fan" of the horror/supernatural genre, you give this book a chance; it is well worth it!
dozens's review against another edition
2.0
It was fine. A little formulaic, predictable. Appropriately so for young YA readers, I'd say. I'd recommend it to my little nephew in a heartbeat.
But enjoyable characters, and enjoyable writing. Enough so that I put one of Gregory's adult books on hold. I'd like to see what he does for a more mature audience.
But enjoyable characters, and enjoyable writing. Enough so that I put one of Gregory's adult books on hold. I'd like to see what he does for a more mature audience.
xdroot's review against another edition
4.0
I hate that Gregory's books end. This one felt too short. A fun read with smooth prose, horror & literary allusions, and trademark DG humor.
I have to count the days till the next book comes out. Sigh...
I have to count the days till the next book comes out. Sigh...