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tyfighter's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
julia11's review against another edition
5.0
This book is chunky! It's a big book but it was really good. I will admit it took me forever to read, but it had nothing to do with the book and everything to do with me committing to buddy reads and book clubs and having to read multiple books at once because I have no self control. But even when I was reading one of my other reads, I was still wondering what was going on with Duane, Mike, Dale and the boys. This had major Stephen King's "IT" vibes- Just something about children fighting an unseen evil.
I almost stopped reading at the first chapter as it took 3 pages explaining a school and I thought it was going to be too descriptive for me.. but then within 30 pages I was afraid to read it alone at night. Dan Simmons did such an amazing job creating an ominous vibe throughout this book. The suspense that was built up, the way everything unfolds and comes together.. it was amazing. He was so consistent in his descriptions, I think I could draw a map of Elm Haven right now. It was funny in some spots, super scary in others. It really felt like the way these kids would talk, think, act. I really have nothing negative to say about this book. I will 100% be reading more by Dan Simmons very soon.
I almost stopped reading at the first chapter as it took 3 pages explaining a school and I thought it was going to be too descriptive for me.. but then within 30 pages I was afraid to read it alone at night. Dan Simmons did such an amazing job creating an ominous vibe throughout this book. The suspense that was built up, the way everything unfolds and comes together.. it was amazing. He was so consistent in his descriptions, I think I could draw a map of Elm Haven right now. It was funny in some spots, super scary in others. It really felt like the way these kids would talk, think, act. I really have nothing negative to say about this book. I will 100% be reading more by Dan Simmons very soon.
rosies_elfhame's review against another edition
5.0
I really, from the bottom of my heart, recommend this book to any fan of the horror genre! From the very beginning it just forces you into this world and the tension! Dan Simmons is amazing with words and all of the detailed descriptions! I really had a hard time putting this book down! It might have made me scared to leave my room in the dark!
annie_jay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
The first half of the book is very slow. The story basically doesn't start until you're halfway through, but after that the pace moves quicker. Overall enjoyed it but could've been a shorter read. Loved the atmosphere.
nighthawks13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.75
2ez4u2c's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
ruby_marguerite's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
rkking's review against another edition
4.0
If half stars were available, I'd give this a 4.5
Summer Of Night may never escape the comparisons it gets to a little book that Stephen King wrote called IT. Both books involve a group of friends in a small town who must confront an evil force. Both books have oblivious parents and authority figures who are too wrapped up in their own problems to notice. And both books have sequences where the friends fight against the evil using unorthodox and even 'home alone' style tactics and tools.
But this is definitely a book that stands on its own, and goes down as one of Dan Simmons' best, IMO. You care about these kids. You care about what's happening in the town. There is a mystery and history-defining conspiracy that you want solved just as much as the kids do.
On the horror side, the creature scenes are great. They are gross, they are unsettling, they make you want to watch where you step or check what might be squirming around in the basement while you're not looking. In other words; it's horror.
My only real criticism is with the human agents of the evil force. There are a number of townsfolk who are acting on the evil force's behalf, and yet they are almost non-characters. They are there, but you only know what they are like from the way the kids talk about them. I don't even recall reading a single line of dialogue coming from any of them, almost like they were props rather than characters. But their scenes were still great, where they were also antagonists the kids needed to deal with.
Overall one of the best horror books I've read this year.
Join the RK King readers' list for an exclusive FREE short story, plus inside info, musings, promos and more: RK King Writes
Summer Of Night may never escape the comparisons it gets to a little book that Stephen King wrote called IT. Both books involve a group of friends in a small town who must confront an evil force. Both books have oblivious parents and authority figures who are too wrapped up in their own problems to notice. And both books have sequences where the friends fight against the evil using unorthodox and even 'home alone' style tactics and tools.
But this is definitely a book that stands on its own, and goes down as one of Dan Simmons' best, IMO. You care about these kids. You care about what's happening in the town. There is a mystery and history-defining conspiracy that you want solved just as much as the kids do.
On the horror side, the creature scenes are great. They are gross, they are unsettling, they make you want to watch where you step or check what might be squirming around in the basement while you're not looking. In other words; it's horror.
My only real criticism is with the human agents of the evil force. There are a number of townsfolk who are acting on the evil force's behalf, and yet they are almost non-characters. They are there, but you only know what they are like from the way the kids talk about them. I don't even recall reading a single line of dialogue coming from any of them, almost like they were props rather than characters. But their scenes were still great, where they were also antagonists the kids needed to deal with.
Overall one of the best horror books I've read this year.
Join the RK King readers' list for an exclusive FREE short story, plus inside info, musings, promos and more: RK King Writes
painkiller's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
n0s4a2's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75