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redplanetreads 's review for:
Summer Sons
by Lee Mandelo
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*Note: I listened to the audiobook, so it is entirely possible that I could have missed things. Please read with a grain of salt.*
The queer southern gothic horror novel I didn't know that I needed. I would highly recommend this one if you liked Andrew Joseph White's Compound Fracture.
Summer Sons, in a word, is atmospheric. The reader can easily visualize the events of the book, from the cars racing down the streets to the hallowed halls of Vanderbilt University. The main characters - Andrew, Riley, Sam, and even Eddie - felt like real 3D people. This book holds a beautiful expression of love and loss (and love lost) against a haunting southern folklore backdrop. The queer representation was done quite well, in my opinion, including the poly and trans characters.
However, I would have liked to see more done with the racial element that gets brought up, especially in relation to West. These issues are often mentioned, but they are quickly brushed aside in favor of the (white, mostly cis) protagonists' goals and desires. Additionally, there are a total of four named women in the story, and we really only get backstory and details about one of them.It also doesn't help that she turns out to be the main antagonist. I understand that the environment of the story was supposed to relay and handle toxic masculinity, but this can be done not at the expense of any non-male characters.
This book was hot, electric, and kept my head turning, like an accident I couldn't look away from (in the best way possible). I most likely will reread and analyze it.
The queer southern gothic horror novel I didn't know that I needed. I would highly recommend this one if you liked Andrew Joseph White's Compound Fracture.
Summer Sons, in a word, is atmospheric. The reader can easily visualize the events of the book, from the cars racing down the streets to the hallowed halls of Vanderbilt University. The main characters - Andrew, Riley, Sam, and even Eddie - felt like real 3D people. This book holds a beautiful expression of love and loss (and love lost) against a haunting southern folklore backdrop. The queer representation was done quite well, in my opinion, including the poly and trans characters.
However, I would have liked to see more done with the racial element that gets brought up, especially in relation to West. These issues are often mentioned, but they are quickly brushed aside in favor of the (white, mostly cis) protagonists' goals and desires. Additionally, there are a total of four named women in the story, and we really only get backstory and details about one of them.
This book was hot, electric, and kept my head turning, like an accident I couldn't look away from (in the best way possible). I most likely will reread and analyze it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Medical content