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Summer of Night

Book 1 in the series:Seasons of Horror

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'Summer of Night' by Dan Simmons is a horror story set in the fictional town of Elm Haven, IL in 1960. It follows a group of young boys as they embark on summer adventures, unaware of an ancient force trying to resurrect itself in their town. As mysterious deaths occur, the boys must band together to fight off this malevolent entity and prevent it from wreaking havoc on their community. intricately weaves elements of horror, coming of age, and supernatural genres, providing a nostalgic yet chilling tale of friendship, courage, and the battle against evil.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed pre-teens with relatable backgrounds, making their experiences and struggles resonate strongly with the readers.

Writing/Prose:

The writing features vivid and atmospheric language, immersing readers in the setting while maintaining a natural storytelling flow.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot follows a group of boys in a small town who confront an ancient evil as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and friendship.

Setting:

The setting in Elm Haven, a fictional small town, is richly described, with 1960s nostalgia enhancing the eerie atmosphere.

Pacing:

The pacing features a slow build that allows for deep character development before escalating to intense and suspenseful moments.
Girls played with dolls in the shadows of her classrooms and corridors and later died in childbirth. Boys ran shouting through her hallways, sat in punishment through the growing darkness of winter af...

Notes:

Summer of Night is set in the fictional town of Elm Haven, Illinois, during the summer of 1960.
The story revolves around a group of boys who confront an ancient evil linked to their school.
Dan Simmons is praised for his mastery of character development, setting, and mood.
The novel evokes nostalgia for a simpler childhood before modern distractions.
The boys embark on a mystery after one of their classmates goes missing on the last day of school.
Simmons explores childhood fears, using elements like an ominous rendering truck and lurking shadows.
The book is often compared to Stephen King's IT, with a similar theme of childhood confronting evil.
Readers mention feeling emotionally connected to the characters and their struggles.
The writing is characterized by detailed descriptions of midwestern rural life and small-town dynamics.
Notably, the book reflects on the changes in societal norms from the 1960s to modern times, emphasizing the lost freedom of childhood.
A shocking plot twist halfway through the book significantly impacts readers' emotional responses.
The narrative blends horror with coming-of-age themes, capturing the innocence of youth against dark forces.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains themes of violence, death, and childhood trauma, including disturbing supernatural occurrences.

From The Publisher:

This masterfully crafted horror classic, featuring a brand-new introduction by Dan Simmons, will bring you to the edge of your seat, hair standing on end and blood freezing in your veins

It's the summer of 1960 and in the small town of Elm Haven, Illinois, five twelve-year-old boys are forging the powerful bonds that a lifetime of change will not break. From sunset bike rides to shaded hiding places in the woods, the boys' days are marked by all of the secrets and silences of an idyllic middle-childhood. But amid the sundrenched cornfields their loyalty will be pitilessly tested. When a long-silent bell peals in the middle of the night, the townsfolk know it marks the end of their carefree days. From the depths of the Old Central School, a hulking fortress tinged with the mahogany scent of coffins, an invisible evil is rising. Strange and horrifying events begin to overtake everyday life, spreading terror through the once idyllic town. Determined to exorcize this ancient plague, Mike, Duane, Dale, Harlen, and Kevin must wage a war of blood-against an arcane abomination who owns the night...

Ratings (29)

Incredible (9)
Loved It (13)
Liked It (5)
Did Not Like (1)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (114):

Read It (30)
Want To Read (65)
Did Not Finish (2)
Not Interested (17)

3 comment(s)

Loved It
2 weeks

“Few events in a human being's lifeat least a male human being's life-are as free, as exuberant, as infinitely expansive and filled with potential as the first day of summer when one is an eleven-year-old boy. The summer lies ahead like a great banquet and the days are filled with rich, slow time in which to enjoy each course.”

(Wish I could give it a 3.7) This is probably one of the scariest books I’ve ever read! Very reminiscent of Stranger Things in a way, with the setting and the young kids trying to fight some monster, but overall a pretty fun book where I wanted to keep reading to get to the meat of the story instead of the overly flowery descriptive language trying to sound pretty while explaining the town/area.

 
Loved It
6 months

Dan Simmons can ramble in a way that makes you regret starting the book. He needs an editor with moxie that can tell him to cut it (so does Stephen King). If you feel the same, then welcome to this book because it's a treat that's super scary, well written, and just the right length.

 
Did Not Like
10 months

long long , figure it out at the end but then your like ugh whatever .

 

About the Author:

DAN SIMMONS is a recipient of numerous major international awards, including the Hugo Award, World Fantasy Awards, Bram Stoker Awards, and the Shirley Jackson Award. He is widely considered to be one of the premier multiple-genre fiction writers in the world. His most recent novels include the New York Times bestseller The Terror, Drood, and Black Hills. He lives along the Front Range in Colorado and has never grown tired of the views.

 
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