kandicez's review against another edition
3.0
This book read very much like an [a:R.L. Stine|13730|R.L. Stine|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1194380070p2/13730.jpg] book to me. If that's what I had been expecting, I would probably have loved this book. That's one of the very few drawbacks of Goodreads for me. I see what friends think of a book and then expect exactly that. Sometimes I forget that we all read differently and end up disappointed. It's almost unfair to authors because I am no longer judging their work, I am weighing it against expectation and opinion.
This was definitely a page-turner, and it was a very suspenseful story, but I rolled my eyes so many times as I read that they were tired each time I put it down. Again, if I was looking for this type of book, my reaction would have been different, but this was so unrealistic. I can suspend disbelief with the rest of them, I mean I'm [a:Stephen King|3389|Stephen King|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1362814142p2/3389.jpg]'s biggest fan (no, not THAT fan!), so obviously I love a good yarn, but I prefer that the events surrounding the unrealistic parts be almost hyper-realistic so that my suspension of disbelief is effortless.
Janz allows the authorities to act in such unrealistic ways that I just couldn't buy it. Local law is unabashedly biased and just plain wrong, not to mention stupid, and make no efforts to disguise this bias, and then we have the higher up authorities that are so much better at seeing the truth, but then share their observations with children. Will, our hero of the tale, is very responsible and capable, but is still a teenager. He simply wouldn't be taken into the confidence of authority that easily.
I will say that the relationships Janz created between Will and his little sister Peach and especially between Will and his friends, were terrific. Kids can love so much deeper and without question. Janz is very good at painting that particular picture. I just wish he had been a little more accurate with the landscape of this tale.
It's silly that once the final showdown of the story takes place, it's more than a year later and the existence of the "children" is still hidden from the majority of the population. There were so many deaths that were not explained away by natural disaster or some other lie, supposedly by the same idiot law officers who messed it all up to begin with. There should have been a heck of a lot more than whispered sightings. Maybe Janz was setting up a sequel.
This was definitely a page-turner, and it was a very suspenseful story, but I rolled my eyes so many times as I read that they were tired each time I put it down. Again, if I was looking for this type of book, my reaction would have been different, but this was so unrealistic. I can suspend disbelief with the rest of them, I mean I'm [a:Stephen King|3389|Stephen King|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1362814142p2/3389.jpg]'s biggest fan (no, not THAT fan!), so obviously I love a good yarn, but I prefer that the events surrounding the unrealistic parts be almost hyper-realistic so that my suspension of disbelief is effortless.
Janz allows the authorities to act in such unrealistic ways that I just couldn't buy it. Local law is unabashedly biased and just plain wrong, not to mention stupid, and make no efforts to disguise this bias, and then we have the higher up authorities that are so much better at seeing the truth, but then share their observations with children. Will, our hero of the tale, is very responsible and capable, but is still a teenager. He simply wouldn't be taken into the confidence of authority that easily.
I will say that the relationships Janz created between Will and his little sister Peach and especially between Will and his friends, were terrific. Kids can love so much deeper and without question. Janz is very good at painting that particular picture. I just wish he had been a little more accurate with the landscape of this tale.
Spoiler
I also find it very hard to believe that in a small town so obviously obsessed with each other's business, no one, I mean NO ONE, would know or suspect that Padgett is Will's father. That just doesn't make sense.It's silly that once the final showdown of the story takes place, it's more than a year later and the existence of the "children" is still hidden from the majority of the population. There were so many deaths that were not explained away by natural disaster or some other lie, supposedly by the same idiot law officers who messed it all up to begin with. There should have been a heck of a lot more than whispered sightings. Maybe Janz was setting up a sequel.
pagesofpins's review against another edition
2.0
The first half of the book could have led up to a four star reading experience: we have characters that are sympathetic and relatable, and a nostalgic small-town Stranger Things feel even though the book is set in present day. I'm all set to root for underdog characters fighting against a serial killer maniac and a wood full of monsters.
Then everything goes to pot: the writing gets so sloppy that the monsters are pounding at the door, but five feet away when the kids open it--and how many times can one guy use the word "sluicing"? Tons of grammar and spelling mistakes, sometimes even punctuation missing. Who edited this? Tons of plot holes and character actions that don't ring true. The end was unconvincing on many levels. Good storytelling is sacrificed for what will most appeal to a frustrated nerd who would rather be a badass bending everyone to his will (but remaining an impeachable hero).
It turns out to be the kind of book in which you can predict the deaths/survival of all the girls based on how much they do or don't stroke the egos of the main character and his buds. I tire of this.
This bloodbath with constant action will appeal to those who love B movie cheesy horror flicks, but I want a little more substance or inventiveness in my horror, and this isn't it.
Then everything goes to pot: the writing gets so sloppy that the monsters are pounding at the door, but five feet away when the kids open it--and how many times can one guy use the word "sluicing"? Tons of grammar and spelling mistakes, sometimes even punctuation missing. Who edited this? Tons of plot holes and character actions that don't ring true. The end was unconvincing on many levels. Good storytelling is sacrificed for what will most appeal to a frustrated nerd who would rather be a badass bending everyone to his will (but remaining an impeachable hero).
It turns out to be the kind of book in which you can predict the deaths/survival of all the girls based on how much they do or don't stroke the egos of the main character and his buds. I tire of this.
This bloodbath with constant action will appeal to those who love B movie cheesy horror flicks, but I want a little more substance or inventiveness in my horror, and this isn't it.
tomesoftrouble's review against another edition
4.0
Another winner from Jonathan Janz! A very gripping read.
jenniferlwatson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bookkat's review against another edition
3.0
I am not sure how I ended up with this title in my Audible account, and I am trying to go back and read those I have not. So I am not fan of the horror genre, although I do like a coming of age story. The story was a bit over the top, but the narrator pulled me in and thru. The main character is Will Burgess, a poor small-town high school kid who is providing much of the care for his little sister, as his mom is largely out of commission due to drug abuse. Add in bullies, irresponsible local police, a serial killer on the loose and 'the children' - super strong, hungry monsters, and it is a lot for one boy to handle. The book starts off strong and engaging, but then when it begins to focus more on the serial killer and the monsters, it loses steam. I did enjoy the ending, although it could easily have been the set-up for a subsequent novel.
shrikekali's review
4.0
This was my first time reading anything by Jonathan Janz and I was impressed with his ability to create very relatable characters and have them react reasonably in the situations they were put in in this violent supernatural novel. Will, the narrator of the story was also it's emotional core and man was he put through the ringer!
I will be looking for more from him now.
I will be looking for more from him now.
cyanide_latte's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
2.25
Hmm. Not really sure how I feel about this one. The only characters I really liked got out of things okay but something about this book felt forced to me, like it was lacking a lot of the heart it tried to have, and that's genuinely sad. I went into this hoping to enjoy it and I've come out unsure. Maybe this just wasn't for me.
bookwyrm55's review
4.0
Will's life is not easy. It begins when they win a baseball game, and then everything starts sliding downhill. Will's father is gone. His mother likes pills a little too much... the girl he likes and who likes him is dating an old, bigger bully...his little sister needs him to basically raise her... and that's just life on a normal day.
When ancient legends start slipping into his reality, the every bully in town targets him, and a serial killer who eats children is suddenly loose, Will and his friends run straight ahead into a line of horrors, bad luck and more, each new challenge slapping them harder.
Children of the Dark is part coming of age, part monster movie tribute, with a hint of Lovecraft and a heavy dash of Stephen King. It builds from a tense beginning to a lightning-round finish that reminds me of the hero from Sharknado looking to the future, and the last words of David Boreanaz at the end of ANGEL.
I listened to the audiobook, and Matt Godfrey does a masterful job of voicing a wide variety of charcters, slipping from one to another with ease and creating real characters you come to care about, even if Will is the luckiest and least attentive action hero in history.
Children of the Dark is Highly recommended and a ton of fun.
When ancient legends start slipping into his reality, the every bully in town targets him, and a serial killer who eats children is suddenly loose, Will and his friends run straight ahead into a line of horrors, bad luck and more, each new challenge slapping them harder.
Children of the Dark is part coming of age, part monster movie tribute, with a hint of Lovecraft and a heavy dash of Stephen King. It builds from a tense beginning to a lightning-round finish that reminds me of the hero from Sharknado looking to the future, and the last words of David Boreanaz at the end of ANGEL.
I listened to the audiobook, and Matt Godfrey does a masterful job of voicing a wide variety of charcters, slipping from one to another with ease and creating real characters you come to care about, even if Will is the luckiest and least attentive action hero in history.
Children of the Dark is Highly recommended and a ton of fun.
raforall's review against another edition
4.0
I read a ARC of this novel (due March 15) and was blown away. Full review will be in an upcoming issue of Booklist and more in the April 15th issue of Library Journal. This space will be updated with those links when they are available.
If you like old school Stephen King, or Bradbury's classic SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES, pre-order CHILDREN OF THE DARK. While it honors the classics, the story is definitely of today.
I read a lot of horror, I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
If you like old school Stephen King, or Bradbury's classic SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES, pre-order CHILDREN OF THE DARK. While it honors the classics, the story is definitely of today.
I read a lot of horror, I promise you, you will not be disappointed.
pbanditp's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely wonderful book with great characters and friendship. Dark and horrific monsters.
The relationship between Will and his younger sister Peach was priceless. It really drove the story and kept you on edge. You had better be coming out with a sequel soon Mr. Janz!!! I couldn’t stop listening to this one. I ignored everyone at work for two days.
I am sick of vampires and put off reading this because that is what I thought it was about.
The relationship between Will and his younger sister Peach was priceless. It really drove the story and kept you on edge. You had better be coming out with a sequel soon Mr. Janz!!! I couldn’t stop listening to this one. I ignored everyone at work for two days.
I am sick of vampires and put off reading this because that is what I thought it was about.