Clown in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare is a YA horror novel set in the town of Kettle Springs, where teenager Quinn Maybrook moves with her father for a fresh start after a tragedy. The story revolves around the town's creepy mascot, Frendo the clown, who goes on a homicidal rampage during a high school party in a cornfield. The book balances a slow build-up with intense action in the second half, delivering a gory and bloodthirsty tale reminiscent of 80s slasher movies. The characters, especially Quinn, are well-developed and the small-town setting adds depth to the plot, making the fear palpable and keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

Characters:

The characters are a blend of relatable and archetypal figures, with well-developed main and supporting roles that explore diversity subtly.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is suspenseful and engaging, blending horror with humor reminiscent of classic slasher films.

Plot/Storyline:

The story revolves around a killer clown terrorizing a small town, emphasizing the generational divide while addressing contemporary societal issues.

Setting:

Set in the small town of Kettle Springs, Missouri, the eerie atmosphere is defined by locations like abandoned factories and cornfields.

Pacing:

The pacing begins slowly for character setup but accelerates heavily in the second half, balancing development with action.

Quinn Maybrook watched, helpless, as her dad flung himself against the side of the truck. He steadied himself on the running board. His stringy forearms tensed, gripping the side mirror, climbing up t...

Notes:

The book 'Clown in a Cornfield' by Adam Cesare is a young adult horror novel.

It incorporates slasher themes, which Cesare has explored in previous works but more overtly here.

The story is set in a small town called Kettle Springs, where a girl named Quinn moves with her father after her mother's death.

Clowns are used as symbols in the book, representing adults who do not understand the younger generation.

The book reflects current societal issues like gun control and generational conflict.

It features a killer clown named Frendo who wreaks havoc during a teenage party in a cornfield.

Readers noted that although it's classified as a YA novel, it contains graphic violence and gore typical of slasher films.

The book discusses the divide between boomers and millennials, exploring how both generations misunderstand each other.

Its narrative includes elements of dark humor amidst the horror and violence.

Many readers praised the writing style, noting that it's as entertaining as a horror movie, with its pacing and action.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains graphic violence and themes surrounding trauma and grief.

From The Publisher:

Bram Stoker Award Winner for Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel

In Adam Cesare's terrifying young adult debut, Quinn Maybrook finds herself caught in a battle between old and new, tradition and progress-that just may cost her life.

Quinn Maybrook and her father have moved to tiny, boring Kettle Springs, to find a fresh start. But what they don't know is that ever since the Baypen Corn Syrup Factory shut down, Kettle Springs has cracked in half.

On one side are the adults, who are desperate to make Kettle Springs great again, and on the other are the kids, who want to have fun, make prank videos, and get out of Kettle Springs as quick as they can.

Kettle Springs is caught in a battle between old and new, tradition and progress. It's a fight that looks like it will destroy the town. Until Frendo, the Baypen mascot, a creepy clown in a pork-pie hat, goes homicidal and decides that the only way for Kettle Springs to grow back is to cull the rotten crop of kids who live there now.

YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults Nominee

Ratings (22)

Incredible (6)
Loved It (9)
Liked It (3)
It Was OK (3)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (58):

Read It (22)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (27)
Not Interested (8)

1 comment(s)

cmoluv806

Loved It

4 months

Love this classic horror concept lol, can't wait until the movie's out

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Clown in a Cornfield

Adam Cesare

Book 1 in the series:Clown in a Cornfield