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craigmatthews87's review against another edition
4.0
I've always been a huge fan of shorter reads, whether that's a short story collection or a novella, and Tyler Jones is fast becoming one of my favourite authors operating in that area. Having enjoyed the tales in Burn The Plans, and loving Heavy Oceans, I couldn't wait to sink my teeth into Criterium.
'Addiction as metaphor' is a well-worn path in horror, with many different interpretations and representations over the years. It can take something quite unique to stand out in that area now, and the use of a bike ride to mirror the loss of control & feeling of acceleration that can come with the slippery slope into drug abuse manages to do so. The protagonist is relatable, flawed but not dislikeable, and the small cast of characters including his family and his dealer Hazard are all interesting and easy to spend time with.
Despite Criterium's short form, Jones has crafted an excellent narrative, and I found myself finishing the book within a morning. I listened to this as I have his new novella collection Turn Up The Sun ready to read, and I'd been told that the first story ties into this one, and I'm very glad I took the time to experience Criterium first.
I listened to the audiobook version, and thought the narrator did an excellent job.
'Addiction as metaphor' is a well-worn path in horror, with many different interpretations and representations over the years. It can take something quite unique to stand out in that area now, and the use of a bike ride to mirror the loss of control & feeling of acceleration that can come with the slippery slope into drug abuse manages to do so. The protagonist is relatable, flawed but not dislikeable, and the small cast of characters including his family and his dealer Hazard are all interesting and easy to spend time with.
Despite Criterium's short form, Jones has crafted an excellent narrative, and I found myself finishing the book within a morning. I listened to this as I have his new novella collection Turn Up The Sun ready to read, and I'd been told that the first story ties into this one, and I'm very glad I took the time to experience Criterium first.
I listened to the audiobook version, and thought the narrator did an excellent job.
candyapplereads's review against another edition
5.0
Criterium by Tyler Jones is an absolute must read. This book takes you on a terrifying ride into darkness as Zach, the protagonist, battles the same addiction that claimed his father's life. It explores grief, addiction, suffering and fighting. The story goes beyond the surface of a bike and dives deep into the depths of human suffering in a way that is raw, dark, and at the same time, absolutely beautiful. Highly recommend.
carlilong8's review
5.0
Criterium by Tyler Jones is an absolute must read. This book takes you on a terrifying ride into darkness as Zach, the protagonist, battles the same addiction that claimed his father's life. It explores grief, addiction, suffering and fighting. The story goes beyond the surface of a bike and dives deep into the depths of human suffering in a way that is raw, dark, and at the same time, absolutely beautiful. Highly recommend.
libraryofaj's review against another edition
4.0
i had the pleasure of listening to this audiobook!
i listened to it in about two sessions!
i think it was a great book, it definitely was a bit heavier in topic than i think you’d expect. however, it was beautifully written and really gets into detail on the aftermath of dealing with grief & addiction.
i really enjoyed the ending bc even though you are able to help yourself, you can’t always help other people. it was interesting because i didn’t expect the comparisons to be made in regards to the bike and addiction. it really helps you put yourself in those shoes to see how they feel & act and why.
i listened to it in about two sessions!
i think it was a great book, it definitely was a bit heavier in topic than i think you’d expect. however, it was beautifully written and really gets into detail on the aftermath of dealing with grief & addiction.
i really enjoyed the ending bc even though you are able to help yourself, you can’t always help other people. it was interesting because i didn’t expect the comparisons to be made in regards to the bike and addiction. it really helps you put yourself in those shoes to see how they feel & act and why.
reads_vicariously's review against another edition
5.0
Last year @tjoneswriter was kind enough to send a couple of his books, and I’m FINALLY getting to them!
First up is CRITERIUM, a novella about a teenage boy named Zach who is fighting the same addiction that killed his father when he stumbles across a strange bike that takes him on a terrifying ride into darkness.
I love the opening set up for this story because as soon as Zach gets on that bike and it won’t let him off, you know he’s in trouble. You know because the book starts with a screaming, burning, shocking death…involving the same bike. And so you read with a cold sinking feeling in your gut, hand gripping the pages and eyes unable to blink. I’ve never been so scared of a bike before.
This is absolutely one of those books you read in a single day or, time permitting, a single sitting. It hooks you immediately and doesn’t let up. The prose is quick and light, but full of deeper meaning. Lots of vivid imagery and details too. The tension ratchets up with every page, but there are also moments of raw emotion, grief, and honesty scattered throughout. It’s a coming of age book of sorts, and it touches on topics of addiction, abandonment, broken trust, and guilt (all done literally and through captivating metaphor).
This is not a happy book, but I had a blast reading it. It’s very earnest and I’m a big fan of our imperfect young protagonist. This is an excellent introduction to the author’s work, and I’m very excited to read more!!
First up is CRITERIUM, a novella about a teenage boy named Zach who is fighting the same addiction that killed his father when he stumbles across a strange bike that takes him on a terrifying ride into darkness.
I love the opening set up for this story because as soon as Zach gets on that bike and it won’t let him off, you know he’s in trouble. You know because the book starts with a screaming, burning, shocking death…involving the same bike. And so you read with a cold sinking feeling in your gut, hand gripping the pages and eyes unable to blink. I’ve never been so scared of a bike before.
This is absolutely one of those books you read in a single day or, time permitting, a single sitting. It hooks you immediately and doesn’t let up. The prose is quick and light, but full of deeper meaning. Lots of vivid imagery and details too. The tension ratchets up with every page, but there are also moments of raw emotion, grief, and honesty scattered throughout. It’s a coming of age book of sorts, and it touches on topics of addiction, abandonment, broken trust, and guilt (all done literally and through captivating metaphor).
This is not a happy book, but I had a blast reading it. It’s very earnest and I’m a big fan of our imperfect young protagonist. This is an excellent introduction to the author’s work, and I’m very excited to read more!!
masteryoda716's review against another edition
5.0
I heard Tyler Jones in an interview on This is Horror Podcast and really loved his perspective and humility. He also spoke about writing with rhythm. I very quickly saw everything he was talking about show up on the page with Criterium. This is not your average horror story, instead a much it's a story of personal tragedy and addiction along with elements of the horrific. Jones balanced this novella (and bonus short story) so well and it's very apparent he writes thoughtfully and with intention.
It may be premature for me to state based off just one book, but Tyler Jones may be the best author you're not reading right now. Polished style, lot of heart...I can't wait to read my next Jones book!
It may be premature for me to state based off just one book, but Tyler Jones may be the best author you're not reading right now. Polished style, lot of heart...I can't wait to read my next Jones book!
ewreck82's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
pbanditp's review against another edition
5.0
Zack. The demons have found you. The same demons that killed your father. The same demons that are squeezing the life out of your mother and sister.
You’ll be fine, you can quit if you want to. But first let’s go for a bike ride.
Tyler Jones has written a short masterpiece of what it is like to spiral out of control. Is what happens to Zack supernatural or symbolic? This is a ride that you won’t be able to let go. From your heart and from your mind, Criterium won’t let you put it down. And still, the cycle continues
You’ll be fine, you can quit if you want to. But first let’s go for a bike ride.
Tyler Jones has written a short masterpiece of what it is like to spiral out of control. Is what happens to Zack supernatural or symbolic? This is a ride that you won’t be able to let go. From your heart and from your mind, Criterium won’t let you put it down. And still, the cycle continues
readingvicariously's review against another edition
5.0
Last year @tjoneswriter was kind enough to send a couple of his books, and I’m FINALLY getting to them!
First up is CRITERIUM, a novella about a teenage boy named Zach who is fighting the same addiction that killed his father when he stumbles across a strange bike that takes him on a terrifying ride into darkness.
I love the opening set up for this story because as soon as Zach gets on that bike and it won’t let him off, you know he’s in trouble. You know because the book starts with a screaming, burning, shocking death…involving the same bike. And so you read with a cold sinking feeling in your gut, hand gripping the pages and eyes unable to blink. I’ve never been so scared of a bike before.
This is absolutely one of those books you read in a single day or, time permitting, a single sitting. It hooks you immediately and doesn’t let up. The prose is quick and light, but full of deeper meaning. Lots of vivid imagery and details too. The tension ratchets up with every page, but there are also moments of raw emotion, grief, and honesty scattered throughout. It’s a coming of age book of sorts, and it touches on topics of addiction, abandonment, broken trust, and guilt (all done literally and through captivating metaphor).
This is not a happy book, but I had a blast reading it. It’s very earnest and I’m a big fan of our imperfect young protagonist. This is an excellent introduction to the author’s work, and I’m very excited to read more!!
First up is CRITERIUM, a novella about a teenage boy named Zach who is fighting the same addiction that killed his father when he stumbles across a strange bike that takes him on a terrifying ride into darkness.
I love the opening set up for this story because as soon as Zach gets on that bike and it won’t let him off, you know he’s in trouble. You know because the book starts with a screaming, burning, shocking death…involving the same bike. And so you read with a cold sinking feeling in your gut, hand gripping the pages and eyes unable to blink. I’ve never been so scared of a bike before.
This is absolutely one of those books you read in a single day or, time permitting, a single sitting. It hooks you immediately and doesn’t let up. The prose is quick and light, but full of deeper meaning. Lots of vivid imagery and details too. The tension ratchets up with every page, but there are also moments of raw emotion, grief, and honesty scattered throughout. It’s a coming of age book of sorts, and it touches on topics of addiction, abandonment, broken trust, and guilt (all done literally and through captivating metaphor).
This is not a happy book, but I had a blast reading it. It’s very earnest and I’m a big fan of our imperfect young protagonist. This is an excellent introduction to the author’s work, and I’m very excited to read more!!
storyphoria's review
4.0
**EDITED 10/29/2021**
FULL REVIEW IS UP AND LIVE AT AICSTORIES.COM
Or via the direct link at:
https://aicpod.com/2021/10/29/book-review-criterium-extended-edition-by-tyler-jones/
*********
I really enjoyed this one.
The two stories(Criterium and Enter Softly) do such a nice job of exploring and expressing the struggle and pain of addiction. The book draws off of real world horrors of everything tied to a life of addiction, while adding a supernatural feel of the addiction being some sort of evil entity that hunts, stalks, and devours it's prey.
I'll have a full review and thoughts over on aicstories.com soon, but for now I'd have to say I very much recommend this book.
FULL REVIEW IS UP AND LIVE AT AICSTORIES.COM
Or via the direct link at:
https://aicpod.com/2021/10/29/book-review-criterium-extended-edition-by-tyler-jones/
*********
I really enjoyed this one.
The two stories(Criterium and Enter Softly) do such a nice job of exploring and expressing the struggle and pain of addiction. The book draws off of real world horrors of everything tied to a life of addiction, while adding a supernatural feel of the addiction being some sort of evil entity that hunts, stalks, and devours it's prey.
I'll have a full review and thoughts over on aicstories.com soon, but for now I'd have to say I very much recommend this book.