booksandbacon's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
"Wagon Buddy" is my second book by Steve and oh boy I really enjoyed it!!
Scott is 6 and bullied at school, fatherless and his mother is hitting the bottle, that's a great way to start life, but he's not alone he has an imaginary friend which offers to be his BFF and play with him, Scott is elated to finally have a friend even if it's a monster, horrible thing from the depth of hell.
The story is told from Scott's perspective, he's been interviewed by the police. He starts explaining his relationship with his 'friend', what follows is a trail of mutilated bodies, quite a few actually, blood and gore.
I love Steve's writing and am slowly but surely going through all his works.
Highly recommended.
Scott is 6 and bullied at school, fatherless and his mother is hitting the bottle, that's a great way to start life, but he's not alone he has an imaginary friend which offers to be his BFF and play with him, Scott is elated to finally have a friend even if it's a monster, horrible thing from the depth of hell.
The story is told from Scott's perspective, he's been interviewed by the police. He starts explaining his relationship with his 'friend', what follows is a trail of mutilated bodies, quite a few actually, blood and gore.
I love Steve's writing and am slowly but surely going through all his works.
Highly recommended.
karlakayjenniges's review against another edition
4.0
"Just two friends, passing time, waxing philosophically while shooting hoops."
Often when children are lonely, they invent imaginary friends. Someone to talk to, feel close to, feel protected and less alone. The main character called out for a friend.
This is no ordinary, imaginary friend. Although, he is a monster from another world, a creature, a beast, he is dedicated to the child who needs him the most. This is a protector that will stop at nothing to protect his friend throughout his whole life. His 'Wagon Buddy'.
There is a lot of sadness in this. An absent father, a mother with addictions, and unfathomable bullying that continues through his adulthood.
What a spin on an imaginary friend! He's creepy and nauseating , but truly devoted. I just couldn't help but actually like this otherworldly brute.
Great read!
Often when children are lonely, they invent imaginary friends. Someone to talk to, feel close to, feel protected and less alone. The main character called out for a friend.
This is no ordinary, imaginary friend. Although, he is a monster from another world, a creature, a beast, he is dedicated to the child who needs him the most. This is a protector that will stop at nothing to protect his friend throughout his whole life. His 'Wagon Buddy'.
There is a lot of sadness in this. An absent father, a mother with addictions, and unfathomable bullying that continues through his adulthood.
What a spin on an imaginary friend! He's creepy and nauseating , but truly devoted. I just couldn't help but actually like this otherworldly brute.
Great read!
tracyreads's review
4.0
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This was a quick, entertaining read. Stred begins this book in medias res, and we meet our protagonist in the interrogation room. From there, the story flashes back to the past to fill in the story, with forays to the present scattered throughout. Eventually, the past meets the present and it's times quite well. The "time switches" transition nicely and I was never left in a state of confusion regarding where I was in regards to the timeline.
There were a couple times that the present day narration "spoiled" what I considered major events; I would've liked to have more opportunity for discovery, to watch those events unfold. The dialogue here, for me, lacked something - this could probably just be me, though.
Overall, I truly enjoyed the story idea. Oh, the horror/gore? It's there and it's suitably shocking😳. I look forward to reading more from Stred in the future.
This was a quick, entertaining read. Stred begins this book in medias res, and we meet our protagonist in the interrogation room. From there, the story flashes back to the past to fill in the story, with forays to the present scattered throughout. Eventually, the past meets the present and it's times quite well. The "time switches" transition nicely and I was never left in a state of confusion regarding where I was in regards to the timeline.
There were a couple times that the present day narration "spoiled" what I considered major events; I would've liked to have more opportunity for discovery, to watch those events unfold. The dialogue here, for me, lacked something - this could probably just be me, though.
Overall, I truly enjoyed the story idea. Oh, the horror/gore? It's there and it's suitably shocking😳. I look forward to reading more from Stred in the future.
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