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kelseywho 's review for:
Summer Sons
by Lee Mandelo
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lee Mandelo is an unfairly beautiful writer. This was so creepy and fucked up and gorgeous and heart-wrenching. I think that while we are dealing with spirits and haunts here, the physical effect that these remnants have on Andrew and Riley (and even Sam to an extent), is such a forceful representation of what grief feels like at times.
And god I have such a weakness for Mandelo's whole "you own the land and the land owns you" "you were born of this earth and it knows you now" shit at this point. I don't know if that is something that resonates with everyone, but as someone who grew up in the middle of the woods roaming around through the trees and creeks whenever she pleased, this is 100% something that resonates with me. And to see it in weird, Appalachian gothic horror is SUCH a delight.
I know Mandelo is only just getting started (in the wider publishing world, that is), but I am so impatient to see what he does next.
Finally, let me just add that if you have ever been a fan of Maggie Steifvater's Raven Cycle series, you are in for a real treat with this one.
And god I have such a weakness for Mandelo's whole "you own the land and the land owns you" "you were born of this earth and it knows you now" shit at this point. I don't know if that is something that resonates with everyone, but as someone who grew up in the middle of the woods roaming around through the trees and creeks whenever she pleased, this is 100% something that resonates with me. And to see it in weird, Appalachian gothic horror is SUCH a delight.
I know Mandelo is only just getting started (in the wider publishing world, that is), but I am so impatient to see what he does next.
Finally, let me just add that if you have ever been a fan of Maggie Steifvater's Raven Cycle series, you are in for a real treat with this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Blood, Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content