words_on_paper_official's review
4.0
A true coming of ages tale or tales. This short lil novella really took me back to some childhood memories. I could almost smell the warm orchards where I grew up.
Two lines that really struck a chord with me.
“Growing up was a shitty thing to do to someone”
“When one is young dreams are reality in the waiting”
Some good words right there.
Two lines that really struck a chord with me.
“Growing up was a shitty thing to do to someone”
“When one is young dreams are reality in the waiting”
Some good words right there.
verkisto's review
3.0
There's a lot of good in this book. Boden's a good writer, with a knack for atmosphere and setting, and describing the things that are important. It's the kind of writing that makes me pay attention, and see what else he has available to read.
The thing is, I can't do much more than say "I liked it", because there's enough there to make me quibble. It feels disjointed, since there's no real plot to speak of, and the chapters feel more like vignettes tied together with a common theme instead of a real book. I get the feeling that's what Boden's going for -- childhood summers certainly feel that way -- but I went into this looking for a novel, and that's not really what I got.
In some ways, too, the writing still feels amateurish. I don't know enough about Boden to know where this falls in his bibliography, but if this is a first novel, it certainly shows. That's not a bad thing, necessarily -- S.A. Cosby's first book felt very much like a first book, but it certainly had heart, and led to Razorblade Tears -- but if it's not a first novel, then it seems like it should be a little tighter.
This particular edition didn't help, because it includes a few short stories after the novella that include Johnny and Roscoe, but each one takes a different approach to that relationship, even going so far as to give them different families and circumstances. It wasn't clear that I was leaving the novella and going into short stories, and I was completely thrown by how much things changed from one chapter to the next. It wasn't until one of the stories included a sister not mentioned in the novella that I realized what happened and figured out where the novella actually ended.
I do think fans of horror -- especially coming-of-age readers who liked Boy's Life -- will dig this the most. There are some supernatural elements that weave through the novella, but it's not the primary focus. It's so small that I hesitate to even call it horror, though those moments are effectively disquieting. Quibbles aside, I like Boden's writing enough to give him another try.
The thing is, I can't do much more than say "I liked it", because there's enough there to make me quibble. It feels disjointed, since there's no real plot to speak of, and the chapters feel more like vignettes tied together with a common theme instead of a real book. I get the feeling that's what Boden's going for -- childhood summers certainly feel that way -- but I went into this looking for a novel, and that's not really what I got.
In some ways, too, the writing still feels amateurish. I don't know enough about Boden to know where this falls in his bibliography, but if this is a first novel, it certainly shows. That's not a bad thing, necessarily -- S.A. Cosby's first book felt very much like a first book, but it certainly had heart, and led to Razorblade Tears -- but if it's not a first novel, then it seems like it should be a little tighter.
This particular edition didn't help, because it includes a few short stories after the novella that include Johnny and Roscoe, but each one takes a different approach to that relationship, even going so far as to give them different families and circumstances. It wasn't clear that I was leaving the novella and going into short stories, and I was completely thrown by how much things changed from one chapter to the next. It wasn't until one of the stories included a sister not mentioned in the novella that I realized what happened and figured out where the novella actually ended.
I do think fans of horror -- especially coming-of-age readers who liked Boy's Life -- will dig this the most. There are some supernatural elements that weave through the novella, but it's not the primary focus. It's so small that I hesitate to even call it horror, though those moments are effectively disquieting. Quibbles aside, I like Boden's writing enough to give him another try.
a_chickletz's review
4.0
This was one of my Night Worms books from 2020. I enjoy the subscription box for horror books and if you haven't joined them yet, you should give them a view!
The reviews for this book were interesting. That the author was telling a semi-autobiographic story about his life the summer that Return of the Jedi dropped into theaters. Semi-autobiographical because while the people in the story may be real, some of the stories of that summer may be fiction.
I enjoyed John Boden's writing. It's very Stephen King mixed with that of a good friend telling you an interesting story. Ghosts, creepy finds, strange circumstances. It's all here in that book.
I felt like there should have been a bit more creepiness or spooky, which is why I mark it down a star. Then again, maybe all the weird stuff that happened in his life all was in that summer.
The writer has a good voice and I'll be watching out for anything else that may come across my way.
The reviews for this book were interesting. That the author was telling a semi-autobiographic story about his life the summer that Return of the Jedi dropped into theaters. Semi-autobiographical because while the people in the story may be real, some of the stories of that summer may be fiction.
I enjoyed John Boden's writing. It's very Stephen King mixed with that of a good friend telling you an interesting story. Ghosts, creepy finds, strange circumstances. It's all here in that book.
I felt like there should have been a bit more creepiness or spooky, which is why I mark it down a star. Then again, maybe all the weird stuff that happened in his life all was in that summer.
The writer has a good voice and I'll be watching out for anything else that may come across my way.
enchantressreads's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Animal death
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Domestic abuse, Death, and Cancer
book_bound_weirdo's review
3.0
"Growing up was a shitty thing to do to someone." This wins an award for most relatable quote.
melowdee's review
4.0
Really enjoyed this short story. It's more of a coming of age story. Not really horror in my opinion. Highly recommend.
biancarosesmith's review
5.0
These are the sorts of stories I live for as a reader. I just finished and feel like my heart has been wrenched out of my chest. Full review to come.
wellwortharead's review
5.0
This book has been kicking around for a while, in one incarnation or another, and I've glanced at it here and there from more than one publisher. It never seemed to be the right time to read it but it has been on my radar. To be honest the first time I glanced at it the title put me off. What is this? I thought, something about boys and their Star Wars obsession? (Fear not, it isn't!)
Sometimes I take a break from reading horror. Sometimes I end up disappointed and other times, I come away from my break remarkably satisfied. This is one of the latter.
Jedi Summer is a coming of age tale set in a small town in 1983. It is part fiction, part recollection of the author's childhood and entirely spellbinding. It is a memorable summer in the lives of Johnny and Roscoe, two brothers growing up in a poor town, where their mom works 3 jobs just to keep them fed. It's a summer of good times, growing up, and the bittersweet knowledge that nothing can last forever, whether it is the good or the bad times they all must eventually end. This book spoke to me on so many levels. Much like childhood, it passed by quickly and now I don't want it to be over.
5 out of 5 stars
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher with no obligation to write a review.
The rest of my reviews available at https://wellwortharead.blogspot.com/
The rest of my reviews available at https://wellwortharead.blogspot.com/
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