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ghostthereader's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
verkisto's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not wild about werewolf stories, because they're usually all the same -- figure out who it is, and then figure out how to kill them. Dog Days o' Summer is no different in that respect, but it makes things laughably obvious when the narrator, who has a dog allergy, keeps sneezing whenever he's around his favorite teacher, who just returned from Romania. Had there been some sense of self-awareness to this setup, I might have been able to look at the story with a wry eye, but it comes across as totally serious, as if the authors are trying to be clever. It's just painful.
The novella is also a coming-of-age story, which might have been able to elevate the book beyond the usual werewolf tropes, but the authors are about as deft with the characters as they are with their werewolf hints. The characters aren't vivid, and while the story is compelling enough, there's not a whole lot to care about. My benchmarks for coming-of-age horror stories are Simmons' Summer of Night and King's It (and, of course, The Body, also by King (which reminds me, I should re-read McCammon's Boy's Life)), and Dog Days o' Summer simply doesn't compare. Maybe that's not fair to the authors here, but when you're wading into the waters that were borne from those books, you have to bring the big boats, not the arm floaties.
Musical Connection: "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence + the Machine
The novella is also a coming-of-age story, which might have been able to elevate the book beyond the usual werewolf tropes, but the authors are about as deft with the characters as they are with their werewolf hints. The characters aren't vivid, and while the story is compelling enough, there's not a whole lot to care about. My benchmarks for coming-of-age horror stories are Simmons' Summer of Night and King's It (and, of course, The Body, also by King (which reminds me, I should re-read McCammon's Boy's Life)), and Dog Days o' Summer simply doesn't compare. Maybe that's not fair to the authors here, but when you're wading into the waters that were borne from those books, you have to bring the big boats, not the arm floaties.
Musical Connection: "Dog Days Are Over" by Florence + the Machine
woffordleejones's review against another edition
3.0
A fun little summer read. I got a Stranger Things vibe (more ’90’s than ’80’s) mixed with a feel of an R.L.Stein’s Goosebumps story. The Cemetery Dance publication version that I was gifted was nicely packaged, but it had a drawn graphic in the front of the book that gave away the story. Also, in the dedication page, James Newton further mentioned the key element in this story…so going in there were no surprises (except one…I talk about that later on). I knew before reading why the teens wanted to to kill their teacher, Mr. Martinsen, (as hinted at in the synopsis page). There were clues as you went along to help you figure it out and I would’ve loved to have been able to figured this story out for myself, even if I happened to figure out the story early on. It would’ve been a much more enjoyable read. Also, my biggest complain in Dog Days ‘O Summer is that many times throughout the book there were small vignette chapters (a half a page at most) that explained exactly what was going to happen in the very next main chapter. To me this took the last of the enjoyment out of the read because the surprises were revealed before you actually were able to read and enjoy those reveals. I read a book to be surprised…to be awed…to solve the mystery of the story, etc. It would’ve been nice to be able to do so, rather than be spoon feed everything that happens before it happens. That being said, there was one huge twist during the Epilogue that did surprise me and I thank the authors for not giving away that huge bit of awesomeness I didn't see coming. That was pretty cool. All in all, it was a simplistic and fun read. Good for all ages but seemed geared for a younger audience.
spookishmommy's review against another edition
5.0
Whoa! New favorite. This book sunk its claws in and held on until the very last page. There's something terrorizing the small town of Banesville and a group of teenage boys find themselves in the midst of it. There's no better time to read Dog Days O' Summer. It's the perfect chilling story for a warm summer night.
motherhorror's review against another edition
5.0
This is a quick read you can enjoy anytime and anywhere but my recommendation is that you read it on a lazy, summer Saturday afternoon.
I’m utter trash for a coming-of-age horror story. I enjoy all the nostalgia that comes with reading about kids on the cusp of adulthood--especially if the story involves some kind of unspeakable evil the kids must battle.
Think, IT by Stephen King, Children of the Dark by Jonathan Janz, December Park by Ronald Malfi and Summer of Night by Dan Simmons.
In Dog Days of Summer, we get to know our gang of misfits through authentic dialog and realistic childhood drama. There’s a big reveal in the very first line and the back of the book,
So the reader has a pretty good idea of what’s going on and what’s going to happen. The story starts with the spoiler but then goes back in time to unravel the events that led up to such a heinous statement.
Our story is set in the 90s, an era I am totally at home with as I was an incoming high school freshman in 1990. The main character/protagonist is a level headed boy with a stable home life. He has a mentor/teacher named Mr. Martinsen who also lives just up the street from him. The 14 year old boys are rattled when a child their age is brutally murdered in the woods nearby. The tragedy is still the main topic of conversation in their small town when yet another murder of a child rocks the community. The boys gather in their hangout to discuss what they’ve heard and develop some working theories based on town gossip.
The direction this story goes in will surprise and entertain you!
I’m always curious how a collaborative effort on a story works out, which author was responsible for certain aspects of the story--especially when the narrative is particularly engaging in a seemingly singular voice. James Newman and Mark Allan Gunnells have harmonized their author voices so well, it was impossible to recognize any isolated fingerprints. A truly remarkable achievement.
I’m recommending this one to horror fiction fans who enjoy Lycanthropy Folklore and coming of age stories they can devour in one sitting!
I’m utter trash for a coming-of-age horror story. I enjoy all the nostalgia that comes with reading about kids on the cusp of adulthood--especially if the story involves some kind of unspeakable evil the kids must battle.
Think, IT by Stephen King, Children of the Dark by Jonathan Janz, December Park by Ronald Malfi and Summer of Night by Dan Simmons.
In Dog Days of Summer, we get to know our gang of misfits through authentic dialog and realistic childhood drama. There’s a big reveal in the very first line and the back of the book,
So the reader has a pretty good idea of what’s going on and what’s going to happen. The story starts with the spoiler but then goes back in time to unravel the events that led up to such a heinous statement.
Our story is set in the 90s, an era I am totally at home with as I was an incoming high school freshman in 1990. The main character/protagonist is a level headed boy with a stable home life. He has a mentor/teacher named Mr. Martinsen who also lives just up the street from him. The 14 year old boys are rattled when a child their age is brutally murdered in the woods nearby. The tragedy is still the main topic of conversation in their small town when yet another murder of a child rocks the community. The boys gather in their hangout to discuss what they’ve heard and develop some working theories based on town gossip.
The direction this story goes in will surprise and entertain you!
I’m always curious how a collaborative effort on a story works out, which author was responsible for certain aspects of the story--especially when the narrative is particularly engaging in a seemingly singular voice. James Newman and Mark Allan Gunnells have harmonized their author voices so well, it was impossible to recognize any isolated fingerprints. A truly remarkable achievement.
I’m recommending this one to horror fiction fans who enjoy Lycanthropy Folklore and coming of age stories they can devour in one sitting!
findingmontauk1's review
4.0
I have said it many times before and I am sure I will continue saying it: I LOVE a coming-of-age story! I love when kids or teens band together and go out to solve a mystery or defeat a big bad beasty. Something about stories like this one just take me back to my own youth where I was invincible as long as I was part of my group of friends. We could do anything. We were the Goonies. We were the Monster Squad. We were walking down railroad tracks without a care in the world.
Nothing else mattered.
Dog Days O'Summer provides everything you need or want in a coming-of-age story. And this tale is centered around some bad happenings in a small town in the 90s. And it just so happens that the big bad has something to do with werewolves!
The way this story was written, I was easily transported back to my headspace when I was that age. The dialogue, the fears, and all the relationships the boys had with each other, parents, and teachers all made sense to me.
Newman and Gunnells crafted a great story in a quick 200 page read. You will definitely be able to shut the world out and finish this in one sitting if you wanted to. But you can also make it last a few days if that's your style, too. I never got lost or confused with the story or where it was going. So if coming-of-age, nostalgia, and werewolves get you going, then I highly recommend this one! And if they don't, I still recommend it because this one will change your mind! 4 stars!
Nothing else mattered.
Dog Days O'Summer provides everything you need or want in a coming-of-age story. And this tale is centered around some bad happenings in a small town in the 90s. And it just so happens that the big bad has something to do with werewolves!
The way this story was written, I was easily transported back to my headspace when I was that age. The dialogue, the fears, and all the relationships the boys had with each other, parents, and teachers all made sense to me.
Newman and Gunnells crafted a great story in a quick 200 page read. You will definitely be able to shut the world out and finish this in one sitting if you wanted to. But you can also make it last a few days if that's your style, too. I never got lost or confused with the story or where it was going. So if coming-of-age, nostalgia, and werewolves get you going, then I highly recommend this one! And if they don't, I still recommend it because this one will change your mind! 4 stars!
exorcismofemilyreed's review against another edition
4.0
"Some wrongs couldn't be made right. Some things couldn't be fixed."
I read Dog Days O'Summer with the Nightworms review group, and I really enjoyed it! This is both a coming of age novel and a creature feature, and these subgenres can be hit or miss with me. However, James Newman & Mark Allan Gunnells do a great job, and they captured my attention with this story.
I enjoyed reading about this particular creature from the viewpoint of the potential victims instead of the creature itself. I have been exhausted with this subgenre for a bit, but I liked this format. It wasn't anything wildly different, but it was entertaining overall. Thank you to Unnerving for sending the Nightworms copies to review.
I read Dog Days O'Summer with the Nightworms review group, and I really enjoyed it! This is both a coming of age novel and a creature feature, and these subgenres can be hit or miss with me. However, James Newman & Mark Allan Gunnells do a great job, and they captured my attention with this story.
I enjoyed reading about this particular creature from the viewpoint of the potential victims instead of the creature itself. I have been exhausted with this subgenre for a bit, but I liked this format. It wasn't anything wildly different, but it was entertaining overall. Thank you to Unnerving for sending the Nightworms copies to review.
spookishmommy's review
5.0
Whoa! New favorite. This book sunk its claws in and held on until the very last page. There's something terrorizing the small town of Banesville and a group of teenage boys find themselves in the midst of it. There's no better time to read Dog Days O' Summer. It's the perfect chilling story for a warm summer night.
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