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A review by rbdeschamp
Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
PHEW. <i>Summer Sons</i> was such a beautiful, haunting tale. The story focuses on Andrew and his loss of his best friend, and often assumed partner, Eddie. The two were connected beyond friendship by something otherworldly that neither man has been able to clearly understand. Until Eddie suddenly dies, ruled suicide. And that's where the story opens up. Andrew processing his grief, not able to accept or understand the loss of his other half. Entwined in the world of academia, fast cars, and a cast of men and women oozing charm and ulterior motives, this Southern Gothic will take you on a chilling journey.
The characters connected to Andrew via Eddie made for great discoveries and revelations along the way. Riley, Andrew's inherited roommate is also attuned to the supernatural. He shared Eddie's interest in folklore and ghost tales and has good intentions on helping Andrew work through his issues. West is a fellow graduate student with shared interests in southern gothic folklore and was Eddie's academic mentor. And then there's Sam Halse. The king of the castle. And damn, Sam Halse has a grip on everyone and everything. This man is cocky, confident, charming, caring, combative, and confrontational all at once. He takes care of his people and he will fight to the death defending them. He, along with everyone else have their own secrets and surprises.
Mandelo's writing transported me to a sticky, sweltering southern summer languished with pain and secrets and loathing. It was atmospheric and spinechilling. Themes are explored on pain and grief, toxic masculinity, and traditional values as the are related to queerness, as well as touching on the cutthroat world of academia and just the general undertow of racism that remains ever-present, especially in the South. Additionally, Will Damron as narrator was phenomenal. His voice was absolutely perfect for immersing the reader into the story!
Overall, I was very satisfied with this story. This was exactly what I wanted to read during Spooky Season. Haunting, soul-searching, tugging at your heart for everything to work out, somehow, someway.
The characters connected to Andrew via Eddie made for great discoveries and revelations along the way. Riley, Andrew's inherited roommate is also attuned to the supernatural. He shared Eddie's interest in folklore and ghost tales and has good intentions on helping Andrew work through his issues. West is a fellow graduate student with shared interests in southern gothic folklore and was Eddie's academic mentor. And then there's Sam Halse. The king of the castle. And damn, Sam Halse has a grip on everyone and everything. This man is cocky, confident, charming, caring, combative, and confrontational all at once. He takes care of his people and he will fight to the death defending them. He, along with everyone else have their own secrets and surprises.
Mandelo's writing transported me to a sticky, sweltering southern summer languished with pain and secrets and loathing. It was atmospheric and spinechilling. Themes are explored on pain and grief, toxic masculinity, and traditional values as the are related to queerness, as well as touching on the cutthroat world of academia and just the general undertow of racism that remains ever-present, especially in the South. Additionally, Will Damron as narrator was phenomenal. His voice was absolutely perfect for immersing the reader into the story!
Overall, I was very satisfied with this story. This was exactly what I wanted to read during Spooky Season. Haunting, soul-searching, tugging at your heart for everything to work out, somehow, someway.