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A review by thehappylittleelf
Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is gripping and it made me feel lots of things.
One thing I’ll say first: the negative reviews aren’t wrong. Overall, I found it to be a little overwritten, which killed the pacing, especially in the middle parts. Some scenes also felt like repeating old information with only providing the barest sense of progress in plot and character.
However, the whole is better than the sum of its parts. The story pulls you through, despite the slowness, despite the absurd amount of descriptors, an despite a protagonist who barely moves through the second act. In fact, I’d say it’s pretty great. The characters were strong and vivid while the relationships “utterly crackled” to steal a phrase from every reviewers’ favorite adjective to described good books.
If you like a good character study with horror elements, this is a good book for you.
Final Rating; Two lit blunts up. Nine repressed-manly-feelings out of ten.
One thing I’ll say first: the negative reviews aren’t wrong. Overall, I found it to be a little overwritten, which killed the pacing, especially in the middle parts. Some scenes also felt like repeating old information with only providing the barest sense of progress in plot and character.
However, the whole is better than the sum of its parts. The story pulls you through, despite the slowness, despite the absurd amount of descriptors, an despite a protagonist who barely moves through the second act. In fact, I’d say it’s pretty great. The characters were strong and vivid while the relationships “utterly crackled” to steal a phrase from every reviewers’ favorite adjective to described good books.
If you like a good character study with horror elements, this is a good book for you.
Final Rating; Two lit blunts up. Nine repressed-manly-feelings out of ten.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Toxic friendship