I was truly and deeply impressed with this book.

It tells the story of a group of grade-school friends who find themselves in a rather extraordinary situation. They have to come together and form a united front to face the menacing evil that has invaded their peaceful Illinois small town.

Of course, given the premise of the story, it is inevitable that there will be comparisons to Stephen King's renowned work, It. And indeed, this book is written with a certain level of skill and finesse that is comparable to It. However, upon closer examination, it becomes evident that it doesn't quite possess the same depth and scope as King's masterpiece.

Nevertheless, it still manages to hold the reader's attention and keep them engaged throughout the narrative, offering a thrilling and entertaining experience.

Un Verano Tenebroso by Dan Simmons is a captivating and spine-chilling work of horror.

The story begins with a profound and morbid terror that combines a fear of the dark with the alarming sound of someone breathing beneath the bed. It's the terror of embalming instruments and a knife in front of one's eyes, and the terror of a cold hand on the nape in a dark room.

The school bell rings, marking the end of the school day at Old Central School and the end of tranquility for the small town of Elm Heaven. In the summer of 1960, a child disappears. The last time he was seen was at school. Five boys search for answers and witness various terrors that begin to lurk in the corners of the town, in the dark corners of their houses, and beneath their beds. The transition from childhood to adulthood is never easy, but this is something else entirely, something demonic. And the bell keeps ringing, and ringing... and ringing.

Originally published in 1991, Un Verano Tenebroso has a sort of continuation published in 2002, A Winter Haunting. Some of the protagonists of the book also appear in other works by the author.

Although in the first few pages it seems that Simmons has donned the mantle of King, as the pages turn, that feeling fades. Yes, there's a group of friends on bicycles; yes, they come together to fight an evil; yes, a town similar to Derry is the protagonist; similar ingredients for a different recipe.

Un Verano Tenebroso is a long book, but it never bores. From the very first pages, we have scenes of terror that remain constant throughout the reading, but in the last 200 pages, they become increasingly bloody and gruesome. It's a classic horror book by an author as versatile as he is effective, and it's well worth delving into.

I had a desire for a bit more in-depth explanation regarding that particular ending.

It left me with a sense of curiosity and a longing to understand the reasoning and the thought process that went into crafting it in that specific way.

Perhaps there were hidden meanings or subtleties that I might have missed, and I felt that a more detailed exploration would have enhanced my overall understanding and appreciation of the work.

I was hoping for the author or someone with more insights to shed some light on the matter and provide the additional clarity that I craved.

4.75⭐️
Overall, while the ending had its own impact, I believe that a more comprehensive explanation would have made it even more satisfying and fulfilling.

This book was extremely slow to get to the action.

In fact, it was so slow that it's very possible for someone to give up on it.

However, if you're as determined as I was to finish it, you won't be disappointed.

The characters were a joy to get to know.

There were definitely some memorable creepy parts that sent shivers down my spine.

Along with that, the interesting research done by the boys added an extra layer of depth to the story.

The action towards the end was a little stretched out, but it was still pretty awesome and satisfying.

Dan Simmons is a bit too wordy for my taste at times, but the language he uses can be truly beautiful.

He has definitely risen to my favorite status!

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a slow-burning mystery with well-developed characters and a touch of the supernatural.

An Epic and Fantastic Read for the Summer!

I'm truly overjoyed that I finally delved into this remarkable book. Dan Simmons's Summer of Night is an enthralling coming-of-age tale. It revolves around a group of boys and one peculiar girl who find themselves engaged in a battle against the malevolence that has seized Elm Haven.

Elm Haven, a small community nestled within the farmlands of Illinois, is set in the 1960s. The story is filled with nostalgia, and the mischievous antics of the group of friends transport me right back to my own childhood.

Summer of Night is brimming with action, gore, and horror moments that vividly remind you of the reasons why you dreaded the closet, or the space under the bed, or descending into the dark, musty basement during your childhood.

The characters in this book are simply fantastic. Each one is well-developed and unique, adding depth and authenticity to the story. The writing is fabulous, with a perfect pacing that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The heartbreak within the book feels real, tugging at your emotions. And the evil that haunts Elm Haven is so terrifying that it can give you nightmares and make you reach for a night light for comfort.

Definitely get your hands on this one if you're in search of a great horror book to enjoy during the summer!

A small community of 11-year-old boys confronts horror in a small town. An old god wants to seize power in Illinois, and the children challenge him with all kinds of weaponry. That wasn't to my taste.

The children talk and act as if they were already older teenagers, which didn't suit me at all. Moreover, the horror was too vivid for me, leaving hardly any room for imagination. Simmons describes graphically how blood flows and corpses decay. This is not for the faint of heart, so that ultimately the often-used comparison with King's ES doesn't really impose itself.

Neither in the depth of the family stories of the boys nor in the creeping escalation of tension can Simmons' book keep up for me. Until the middle of the book, I still felt well entertained. The martial showdown with children armed was then really too American. In the end, I really looked forward to the end.

Nothing was as simple as stupid people assumed it to be. School is letting out, and for the kids of Old Central, it's not just the start of summer but also the end of their school. Things should be fun, and kids should be enjoying this time as kids. However, something isn't right within the halls of this hulking school. One child has already gone missing before school is even let out. Our main characters start noticing so many things that are just wrong and seem attached to Old Central. There are voices, gaping holes in the earth, and something following them. As the boys start digging deeper into their old school's history, they begin to uncover an ancient evil that will do everything in its power to be unleashed. Summer usually marks the beginning of wonderful memories to be cherished, but for these children, summer will mark the beginning of a nightmare.

This book! Oh my gosh, this book! It's so much more than just another coming-of-age story with horror elements. It was pure terror with some of the best characters I've read. Duane!! Ah, this little boy was so reflective of my heart and soul, and I grew very much attached to his character. You know what I like in books? When the characters are so well described that you picture exactly what type of person they are. Every single character, especially the main ones of course, was made so clear to me, making reading so much more enjoyable. And the scary parts?? F that! I read most of this book during daytime hours and was left jumping every time I heard a noise, especially when the garbage disposal trucks drove by! This book starts off slowly, but each turn taken adds another layer of horror. A slow burn beginning that ends in flames and had me wanting to race ahead and find out what would happen.

2017 Review: This work is unashamedly horror, with clear reverberations of Stephen King's "It". In this story, horror and terror descend upon a small town, and only a small group of children are aware of the impending danger. Does this sound familiar? Well, it should, as it follows a somewhat similar premise to King's famous novel. However, this is Dan Simmons' take on the genre, and it makes for a pretty good epic. It's a must-read for his fans, who will no doubt appreciate his unique style and ability to create a sense of dread. While it may not be a perfect 12 out of 12, it still earns a solid 7 out of 12. Notably, Simmons is an author and a genre favorite among horror readers, and this work further cements his reputation in the field.

Finally, a horror book that scares!!

This statement immediately grabs the reader's attention. It implies that there are many horror books out there, but this particular one stands out for its ability to truly frighten.

The use of the word "finally" suggests that the author has been waiting for a long time to find such a book.

A good horror book should have several elements that contribute to its scariness. It might have a creepy setting, such as an old, abandoned house or a dark forest.

The characters in the book could also be well-developed, with their own fears and insecurities that make them more relatable to the reader.

Additionally, the plot should be full of twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat and constantly guessing what will happen next.

Overall, this horror book seems to have all the ingredients necessary to give readers a good scare. It's definitely one that horror fans should check out.

Check out my full, spoiler free, video review HERE.

This is a coming of age horror novel that incorporates supernatural elements. While there may not be anything truly original in this book, the way everything is executed is truly remarkable. Simmons, the author, is an incredibly versatile writer.

The novel is very solid, with a well-crafted plot and engaging characters. It manages to draw the reader in and keep them on the edge of their seat throughout. The supernatural elements add an extra layer of mystery and excitement, making it a truly enjoyable read.

Overall, I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys horror or coming of age stories. It's a great example of a well-written and entertaining book that is sure to please.

Dory doesn't know why she has postponed reading this book for so long, not because she doesn't like Dan Simmons and stories of this type...

And it seems to her (unlike some other Simmons books, hmm) and is a worthy member of the collection of children's and horror books, such as King's "It", McCammon's "Boy's Life", Koontz's "Watchers" and others.

I think it's unnecessary to elaborate on its standard pluses - how well it's written, how developed and "alive" its characters are, how well the plot is developed. What distinguishes the book for me is its... let's call it authenticity.

Most books that deal with children (and also a large part of horror books with adult heroes) have a glossy film-like unreality that convinces the reader that nothing bad can happen, even if it does. Yes, it's scary and yes, the clash between good and evil is invariably titanic, but this is something from which the reader remains at a safe distance.

In this regard, Simmons doesn't shy away because life doesn't work that way - bad things happen to you and they affect you... and how! His heroes - and the reader - don't remain unharmed and, more importantly, they don't expect to. Whether they enter the battle with bloody knees or with cold-blooded determination, they know that fate doesn't guarantee their survival. They are real and close, and at arm's length... and the horror from the pages of the book has already reached them, dear reader. Think well if you don't have someone like the Warrior in your city and neighborhood... and beware that there are suspicious holes in your backyard...

Success in the battle!

Dan Simmons is one of my favorite writers, and every time I start one of his books, I know it will be a delight. And this one was no exception. It has been a reading that I have thoroughly enjoyed and that kept me constantly trapped in the story and its characters.

The author's style is unbeatable when it comes to evoking emotions in the reader, and in this novel, things happen that really tremble and take you out of your comfort zone, not only terrifying but also some with a great dramatic load. However, the plot left me a bit in debt. It is clear to me that Simmons uses the terror that childhood is capable of seeing and perceiving, while adults evade or deny it looking for logical and rational explanations, but still, I had trouble imagining eleven-year-old children making certain decisions and actions, although in the 1960s maturity certainly came earlier.

The ending didn't completely convince me, and I think it is influenced by the fact that there are many explanations missing regarding the origins of everything that happens; the author leaves a lot to the interpretation that the readers themselves can give.

But all of the above is forgivable, since Dan Simmons is an exceptional and skillful narrator in many genres. The way he brings to life the small town of Elm Harver, its streets, its buildings, its history, transforms it into one more character, although this can become overwhelming for those most interested in seeing how the plot progresses.

As a bonus, I tell you that I read somewhere that, taking advantage of the momentum of It by Stephen King, the project to bring this novel to the cinema was set in motion.

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