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silenttwg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
When a new kid moves into what is considered the haunted house of small town, Brixton, Ben and his friends adopt him into their folds. Unknown to them though is that by bringing him in, they're bringing in all of the trouble that dodges his family's footsteps.
Man, @ Tom Deady, I would like to get through your books without either crying or getting this close to tears falling. Quit causing emotional trauma.
And I say that because Tom has a knack for creating these loveable, familiar characters who we've all known in our lives, these situations we've felt and been witness to, and adding just enough of the supernatural to mess up those characters' lives and our hearts.
This tickles my nostalgic bones with a Stephen King coming-of-age feel and felt like it gave some nods to The Lost Boys, but it was close enough to remind me of it but not feel like a copy.
I recommend this and am unamused that the second is not out and about for adding to my library. Grumbles.
Man, @ Tom Deady, I would like to get through your books without either crying or getting this close to tears falling. Quit causing emotional trauma.
And I say that because Tom has a knack for creating these loveable, familiar characters who we've all known in our lives, these situations we've felt and been witness to, and adding just enough of the supernatural to mess up those characters' lives and our hearts.
This tickles my nostalgic bones with a Stephen King coming-of-age feel and felt like it gave some nods to The Lost Boys, but it was close enough to remind me of it but not feel like a copy.
I recommend this and am unamused that the second is not out and about for adding to my library. Grumbles.
shrikekali's review against another edition
3.0
I give this 3 3/4 stars. I enjoyed it more than his previous book, HAVEN. I will be looking for more of his work in the future that's for sure. Similar to many coming-of-age horror novels, but this one finds the kids able to get some help from the adults.
purplefezmonkey's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe I would have enjoyed this more if I hadn't read Stephen King - in particular Salem's Lot and IT. Also, the vampire trope is somewhat tired to me as well.
It was well-written, that was not my issue, and the characters were likeable too for the most part, although they felt a little 2 dimensional. The dialogue was pretty stilted in parts as well, and I couldn't help but feel an inevitability about the plot - no alarms and no surprises so to speak.
Having said that, if you haven't read your fill of vampire / teens on horror adventures, I'm sure you'll love this.
It was well-written, that was not my issue, and the characters were likeable too for the most part, although they felt a little 2 dimensional. The dialogue was pretty stilted in parts as well, and I couldn't help but feel an inevitability about the plot - no alarms and no surprises so to speak.
Having said that, if you haven't read your fill of vampire / teens on horror adventures, I'm sure you'll love this.
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