Review by thecriticalreader - Dead Eleven

A review by thecriticalreader
Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano

dark mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Review:

I picked up Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano because the premise of a mysterious island whose inhabitants are weirdly obsessed with the year 1994 intrigued me. I love books about people who travel to or recreate the past, time loops, etc. It is also set on a fictional Wisconsin island, which, as a Wisconsinite, I appreciate!

Dead Eleven opens strong with a unique and intriguing first chapter. The rest of the book is fairly entertaining as well, as we explore Clifford Island, its inhabitants, and the reasons for its cult-like culture. I rarely felt bored or annoyed despite the book’s numerous flaws. My favorite part about the reading experience was thinking about the questions and themes the book raises about the grieving process, memory, religion, and the formation of cults.

Unfortunately, the book ultimately has nothing to say about these themes, as the necessity of the plot overshadows the potential for meaningful commentary. The plot is ridiculous and full of plot holes, bordering on the nonsensical. If you read it for enjoyment and don’t think about it too hard, it can be fun, but it doesn’t hold up under the least bit of scrutiny or critical thought. As far as the horror elements go, Dead Eleven is not particularly original or spooky. The characters are serviceable vehicles through which to serve the plot, but they are pretty much blank slates with generic motivations and backstories.

Dead Eleven was a diverting, but imperfect, read. I think as a debut it shows Juliano’s promise as a writer while leaving significant room for growth.

The Run-Down:

A review by thecriticalreader Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano

A review by thecriticalreader
Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano