the_coycaterpillar_reads's review
4.0
Camp Death was my first story by Jim Ody but it certainly won’t be my last. I have really enjoyed checking out these point horror-type stories making a resurgence. From the prologue, I was intrigued and a little freaked out. A cracking storyline with a hard-hitting writing style. The story follows Richie, a boy still trying to find himself. Themes of unrequited teenage love, angst, and social awkwardness are relative to the problems of today’s teenagers. What I particularly enjoyed about this one was just how Jim Ody was able to transport me to the centre of the story, like in the middle of a perfect storm I anticipated the danger that would ensue.
Ritchie is forced to go on a summer trip with his parents and his sister. The back and forth between Richie and his sister was reminiscent of sibling interactions in every home. I think we can all relate to how older siblings made us feel but know that when push came to shove they’d be there for us. Immediately, you can tell that something isn’t right about Camp Deathe, the organisers, the kids, and the surroundings scream creepy. You know something dirty is going to hit the fan.
What happens when you visit an abandoned part of the camp? Well, as all horror movies can attest to – it’s not going to be good news and Richie finds out too late. Ody had many questions spinning in my mind and I had to keep reading to find out the answers. It only takes one decision for life to crumble all around us, one bad, awful decision. I found that the author had a way of making me care for a character that at times was pretty unlikeable. I guess really, what teenager is?
I really enjoyed this walk back in time to many evenings spent reading point horror with a torch under the duvet scared witless. It gave me vibes of the 80’s slasher horror. The pace is always trucking along and never felt bored, intact I felt like I was in a race to the finish.
Ritchie is forced to go on a summer trip with his parents and his sister. The back and forth between Richie and his sister was reminiscent of sibling interactions in every home. I think we can all relate to how older siblings made us feel but know that when push came to shove they’d be there for us. Immediately, you can tell that something isn’t right about Camp Deathe, the organisers, the kids, and the surroundings scream creepy. You know something dirty is going to hit the fan.
What happens when you visit an abandoned part of the camp? Well, as all horror movies can attest to – it’s not going to be good news and Richie finds out too late. Ody had many questions spinning in my mind and I had to keep reading to find out the answers. It only takes one decision for life to crumble all around us, one bad, awful decision. I found that the author had a way of making me care for a character that at times was pretty unlikeable. I guess really, what teenager is?
I really enjoyed this walk back in time to many evenings spent reading point horror with a torch under the duvet scared witless. It gave me vibes of the 80’s slasher horror. The pace is always trucking along and never felt bored, intact I felt like I was in a race to the finish.
ljwrites85's review
4.0
Rounded up from 3.5
I've read and enjoyed a couple of Jim Ody's books now, so I was definitely interested when I found out that he'd written a point horror type novel, I loved those when I was younger!
The story follows Ritchie, a troubled teen, who is forced to go on to a summer camp by his parents. From the off there's something not right about the place, rumours of deaths and disappearances are rife. Ritchie is talked into going to the old abandoned part of the camp, but he finds out too late what a mistake that was.
Camp Death really grabbed me from that first chapter, with a pulse pounding start along with a sprinkling of intrigue in there too.
Ritchie is a realistic and well-drawn character, full of teen angst and hormones. Not always likeable, but then again, what sixteen-year-old is? I say that as the mother of a sixteen-year-old myself.
Even though it was set in the present day, the book had a bit of an eighties/nineties vibe to it, which I really enjoyed.
As always with Jim's books, there's a bit of mystery wrapped up in the horror making sure you don't see the full picture until the very end.
I would say the pace wasn't quite as snappy as Jim's usual books, but that was just a minor issue.
Camp Death is a quick and creepy read that made me feel nostalgic while I was reading it.
I've read and enjoyed a couple of Jim Ody's books now, so I was definitely interested when I found out that he'd written a point horror type novel, I loved those when I was younger!
The story follows Ritchie, a troubled teen, who is forced to go on to a summer camp by his parents. From the off there's something not right about the place, rumours of deaths and disappearances are rife. Ritchie is talked into going to the old abandoned part of the camp, but he finds out too late what a mistake that was.
Camp Death really grabbed me from that first chapter, with a pulse pounding start along with a sprinkling of intrigue in there too.
Ritchie is a realistic and well-drawn character, full of teen angst and hormones. Not always likeable, but then again, what sixteen-year-old is? I say that as the mother of a sixteen-year-old myself.
Even though it was set in the present day, the book had a bit of an eighties/nineties vibe to it, which I really enjoyed.
As always with Jim's books, there's a bit of mystery wrapped up in the horror making sure you don't see the full picture until the very end.
I would say the pace wasn't quite as snappy as Jim's usual books, but that was just a minor issue.
Camp Death is a quick and creepy read that made me feel nostalgic while I was reading it.
splatterelli's review
5.0
This casual read quickly became one that I couldn't put down.
I got so involved with the characters, I didn't want it to end. In fact, after it was over, I found myself wanting to pick it up and read more then I was kind of bummed when I remembered it was over.
The way he described the dynamics between siblings and friends in their teenage years, just took me back. Such an interesting and engaging little story, I love how Jim Ody's books are such puzzles, he adds so many twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end! I did not see that ending coming and this story was way more than I expected.
I know this is directed for a YA audience, but I just loved it. It was nostalgic. Whether you are an oldie like me who grew up on Christopher Pike and R.L. Stein or an actual YA, give it a try!
I got so involved with the characters, I didn't want it to end. In fact, after it was over, I found myself wanting to pick it up and read more then I was kind of bummed when I remembered it was over.
The way he described the dynamics between siblings and friends in their teenage years, just took me back. Such an interesting and engaging little story, I love how Jim Ody's books are such puzzles, he adds so many twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end! I did not see that ending coming and this story was way more than I expected.
I know this is directed for a YA audience, but I just loved it. It was nostalgic. Whether you are an oldie like me who grew up on Christopher Pike and R.L. Stein or an actual YA, give it a try!
littlemissgemreads's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
More...