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ccapps's review against another edition
2.0
Two disconnected stories mashed together. One a melodrama about teenage life, and the other about swamp zombies. I wanted a big twist that made this book finish strong but it never came. I'm only giving this two stars because the horror/fantasy part of the story was interesting but also anti-climatic with the villain dispatched in about a half page of text. Do not waste your time on this one.
joyfulme's review against another edition
3.0
Fantastic samples of literary devices such as metaphors. Beautifully written. Features a strong homeschooled character which is always fun. Parental concerns would be darkness and violence, almost fantasy horror of a kind (such as Sanderson’s Rithmetist) but redemptive in the way that good wins in the end. Unfortunate side note, the author has it out for 19th century British lit... ;)
s_hay's review against another edition
4.0
Football, family drama, sugarcane, swamp muck, Zombies, and Beowulf? I think that about covers it.
sarahrusty's review against another edition
2.0
A bit confusing with all the different names of Gren and Stanks and muck monsters. I enjoyed the plot line of Charlie and his adventures with cotton, but the book was heavy on descriptive words that got lost in the syntax of the reading. A fun read for boys who are looking for a football adventure story tied together with magical elements. Definitely a different story than I have read before.
couillac's review against another edition
4.0
What an extraordinary novel. I don't know Beowulf well enough to speak to the parallels, but it really doesn't matter. Even without a familiarity with that classic tome, there's much to like here. Wilson's setting is rich, muddy, humid, and incredibly well-imagined. The football-crazy small town South comes to life with all its petty rivalries and entrenched loyalties. In such an efficient volume, Wilson manages to portray complex characters, child and adult, and he is a deft hand with horror. The supernatural element is entirely organic, rising naturally from this land of swamps and burning sugar fields, and the human relationships manage to stand out above the zombies and witches and old magic. I also love that this is a "boy" book, as much as I hate that term. I love that it's about proving yourself to other guys through football and running the rabbits in the sugar cane, but it's also about respect and caring for those around you and what it means to be truly courageous and risk everything for those you love. Nuanced, exhilarating, and entirely memorable.
jillcd's review against another edition
4.0
Similar to Brushac's books involving legendary creatures, this is a fast-paced chapter book. I loved the descriptive word choice and the scary theme. This is a great quick read for those that enjoy adventure and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
silver_valkyrie_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
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
4.5
Glad I was finally able to get back to this one and finish it! I wouldn't call it a retelling of Beowulf exactly, but as someone who loves Beowulf I did enjoy seeing where he drew inspiration from it.
I read a lot of fantasy stories so I'm used to instinctively understanding the 'rules' of how various worlds work, but this one hurt my brain a bit at first. This book is not just set in swamp country but steeped in it. I don't know swamps at all, so this world and it's rules were totally foreign to me, and a bit hard to grasp, but it also made the book very atmospheric without spending an undue amount of time on descriptions.
In terms of content I'd say it's appropriate for the intended age group, and might even work well for younger readers (for instance as a family read aloud) as long as they can handle some really tense action adventure parts and animal death. There are also references to domestic abuse and blended family structure (though to be clear I actually loved how these parts were handled in the story).
Original DNF review:
I was enjoying this one, and will definitely be coming back to it. It was just in a batch of books that had to be suddenly returned to the library for an emergency trip.
I read a lot of fantasy stories so I'm used to instinctively understanding the 'rules' of how various worlds work, but this one hurt my brain a bit at first. This book is not just set in swamp country but steeped in it. I don't know swamps at all, so this world and it's rules were totally foreign to me, and a bit hard to grasp, but it also made the book very atmospheric without spending an undue amount of time on descriptions.
In terms of content I'd say it's appropriate for the intended age group, and might even work well for younger readers (for instance as a family read aloud) as long as they can handle some really tense action adventure parts and animal death. There are also references to domestic abuse and blended family structure (though to be clear I actually loved how these parts were handled in the story).
Original DNF review:
I was enjoying this one, and will definitely be coming back to it. It was just in a batch of books that had to be suddenly returned to the library for an emergency trip.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse
bookworm_baggins's review against another edition
4.0
This was a super quick read (a blur!....) and action packed throughout the whole book. It wasn't what I was expecting at all, and I felt a little taken aback once I realized how different it was. But I liked it and I'd read it again, especially to my kids once they get a little older. And now I think I need to read some Beowulf, which will probably makes me enjoy this book even more on subsequent reads.