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A review by smalltowncreepy
Melon Head Mayhem by Alex Ebenstein
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Deep dive into a old horror b-movie in book form with Melon Head Mayhem by Alex Ebenstein!
Disclaimer: I was able to read Melon Head Mayhem thanks to getting an eARC from Book Sirens. The following is my honest review.
CWs: gore, discussion of children/mental health patients/prisoners used in medical experiments, death of a family member.
I love a good B-horror movie. Creature features full of horrible decisions, buckets of red corn syrup, and an ending that leaves things open for more movies that are even worse - Gimme!
Melon Head Mayhem is all that but in book form. We get the tropes - small town cryptids, dead loved one bringing people together, analog horror tape with found footage vibes, video store stoners and creepy old men laying out the lore, and more. I eat it up!
Like popcorn and cotton candy, this book is not exactly a good meal. I would not recommend it as "literature" for those looking for the next Great American Novel. It is exactly what it claims to be with the cover - a bad movie in a book form. Its FUN.
What I loved (besides the tropes and nods to fellow horror fans) was that the characters, Carson and Sophia, were self-aware of how nonsensical it all is. They point out that the situation is crazy over and over but even more that the "lore" is as flimsy as tissue paper. That fact seems to evade the Melon Heads of course as they keep attacking. But what is better than a monster that doesn't need a reason for being a monster? Its why the original Halloween works so well - no one knew why Michael attacked, they just know he does and there's very little anyone can do about it. Good stuff.
I know I said I loved the tropes but I also love how Ebenstein avoids other tropes while still giving a nod to them. In the Revenge of the Melon Heads he does point out the perfect Gary-Sue and Mary-Sue characters, the gratuitous sex, and the hero sacrificing himself for the girl (no, I didn't list this as spoilers because you see all this in the first 2 chapters of the book, you'll be fine). Carson and Sophie acknowledge all this then go forth as much more well-rounded characters with flaws, no sex (they're cousins!), and there is a discussion about sacrifice and survival in horror movies that is worth a read (and yes, I'm leaving it there, you'll have to get the book to find out if they survive).
I give Melon Head Mayhem 4 stars. Its such a fun book that I read in one sitting. Exactly what I was looking for.
Recommendations
I don't have a reading list this go around but I do have a movie marathon list based on the movies mentioned in or inspired by mentions in the book!
Critters - this is the video Carson and Sophia thought they were going to watch when they discovered Revenge of the Melon Heads.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Evil Dead 2
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood & Honey (yes this is a modern movie but there is a Pooh reference in the book so I couldn't pass it up).
Disclaimer: I was able to read Melon Head Mayhem thanks to getting an eARC from Book Sirens. The following is my honest review.
CWs: gore, discussion of children/mental health patients/prisoners used in medical experiments, death of a family member.
I love a good B-horror movie. Creature features full of horrible decisions, buckets of red corn syrup, and an ending that leaves things open for more movies that are even worse - Gimme!
Melon Head Mayhem is all that but in book form. We get the tropes - small town cryptids, dead loved one bringing people together, analog horror tape with found footage vibes, video store stoners and creepy old men laying out the lore, and more. I eat it up!
Like popcorn and cotton candy, this book is not exactly a good meal. I would not recommend it as "literature" for those looking for the next Great American Novel. It is exactly what it claims to be with the cover - a bad movie in a book form. Its FUN.
What I loved (besides the tropes and nods to fellow horror fans) was that the characters, Carson and Sophia, were self-aware of how nonsensical it all is. They point out that the situation is crazy over and over but even more that the "lore" is as flimsy as tissue paper. That fact seems to evade the Melon Heads of course as they keep attacking. But what is better than a monster that doesn't need a reason for being a monster? Its why the original Halloween works so well - no one knew why Michael attacked, they just know he does and there's very little anyone can do about it. Good stuff.
I know I said I loved the tropes but I also love how Ebenstein avoids other tropes while still giving a nod to them. In the Revenge of the Melon Heads he does point out the perfect Gary-Sue and Mary-Sue characters, the gratuitous sex, and the hero sacrificing himself for the girl (no, I didn't list this as spoilers because you see all this in the first 2 chapters of the book, you'll be fine). Carson and Sophie acknowledge all this then go forth as much more well-rounded characters with flaws, no sex (they're cousins!), and there is a discussion about sacrifice and survival in horror movies that is worth a read (and yes, I'm leaving it there, you'll have to get the book to find out if they survive).
I give Melon Head Mayhem 4 stars. Its such a fun book that I read in one sitting. Exactly what I was looking for.
Recommendations
I don't have a reading list this go around but I do have a movie marathon list based on the movies mentioned in or inspired by mentions in the book!
Critters - this is the video Carson and Sophia thought they were going to watch when they discovered Revenge of the Melon Heads.
Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Evil Dead 2
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood & Honey (yes this is a modern movie but there is a Pooh reference in the book so I couldn't pass it up).