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A review by reaperreads
Stargazers by L.P. Hernandez
5.0
Five totally biased stars. I'm not ashamed.
Even though I'm left with questions about the Stargazer phenomena, I still feel satisfied after reading this novella. First off, the pacing of the plot was just friggin spot on. Interspersing the narrative chapters with Reddit-like posts of other people witnessing and seeking to understand Stargazers in their neighborhoods and families was such a great idea. It adds to the suspense in a meaningful way, giving us fun-sized theories about what could be causing people to leave their homes and stand stock-still, staring at the sky, unwavering and unmoved by loved ones' attempts to snap them out of it.
Hernandez also does a fantastic job developing characters in such a short span of time. I couldn't help but feel worried for the main characters, and I could even easily imagine side characters as complete people. I believe this comes both from Hernandez's original creativity as well as his subtle nods to zombie thriller tropes. These things combined made for a well-rounded story that both people familiar and unfamiliar with the subgenre can appreciate. While this isn't about zombies, it had a similar apocalyptic feel, and the evil of humanity was more so evident in those unaffected by the Stargazer phenomena than in the Stargazers themselves. (Speaking of which, content warning for brief instance of attempted sexual assault and for threats of pedophilia.) Everything Hernandez built into the story felt like it had purpose, and it all strengthened my investment in Henry and Penny's father-daughter relationship in particular. Which, I think, really was the point.
I'm sad that Wake County Public Libraries decided against purchasing this novella because I really want more people to read it than just this lonely lil horror nerd. If anyone wants to borrow my copy, feel free to give me a shout.
Also, pay attention to the Acknowledgements. Can confirm that the metal bands Hernandez mentions are awesome.
For fans of: 28 Days Later (2002), "The Buchanan Boys Ride Again" by Gordon B. White, The Babysitter Lives by Stephen Graham Jones, The Changeling by Victor LaValle, Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay, and The Walking Dead (specifically season 3, I'd say...).
Even though I'm left with questions about the Stargazer phenomena, I still feel satisfied after reading this novella. First off, the pacing of the plot was just friggin spot on. Interspersing the narrative chapters with Reddit-like posts of other people witnessing and seeking to understand Stargazers in their neighborhoods and families was such a great idea. It adds to the suspense in a meaningful way, giving us fun-sized theories about what could be causing people to leave their homes and stand stock-still, staring at the sky, unwavering and unmoved by loved ones' attempts to snap them out of it.
Hernandez also does a fantastic job developing characters in such a short span of time. I couldn't help but feel worried for the main characters, and I could even easily imagine side characters as complete people. I believe this comes both from Hernandez's original creativity as well as his subtle nods to zombie thriller tropes. These things combined made for a well-rounded story that both people familiar and unfamiliar with the subgenre can appreciate. While this isn't about zombies, it had a similar apocalyptic feel, and the evil of humanity was more so evident in those unaffected by the Stargazer phenomena than in the Stargazers themselves. (Speaking of which, content warning for brief instance of attempted sexual assault and for threats of pedophilia.) Everything Hernandez built into the story felt like it had purpose, and it all strengthened my investment in Henry and Penny's father-daughter relationship in particular. Which, I think, really was the point.
I'm sad that Wake County Public Libraries decided against purchasing this novella because I really want more people to read it than just this lonely lil horror nerd. If anyone wants to borrow my copy, feel free to give me a shout.
Also, pay attention to the Acknowledgements. Can confirm that the metal bands Hernandez mentions are awesome.
For fans of: 28 Days Later (2002), "The Buchanan Boys Ride Again" by Gordon B. White, The Babysitter Lives by Stephen Graham Jones, The Changeling by Victor LaValle, Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay, and The Walking Dead (specifically season 3, I'd say...).