Several misfit preteens, consisting of several boys and a girl, join forces to halt an indescribable horror that is terrorizing their small town. Oh wait... sorry - was this meant to be a review of Stephen King's IT?

My first encounter with this author's work was also a horror piece. Little did I know that he had already made a name for himself long before penning that remarkable, award-winning sci-fi novel that he is now widely known for. I'm pleased to say that there's a very good reason for his prolificacy in the horror genre. Sadly, the genre itself has been somewhat neglected in recent times. However, it's Spooktober, and I have a passion for horror, so it was definitely the right time to pick up a creepy book. And boy, did this one deliver!

We find ourselves in an American small town in 1960. Where else could you experience such a creeptastic atmosphere? *chuckle* It's the end of the school year, and we're introduced to an old, run-down school that may or may not be closed for good soon. We also get to know the strange principals, teachers, their students, and the students' parents. To say that they all have their own burdens to bear would be an understatement. *sardonic chuckle* On the last day of school, a boy goes missing. Soon after, there's an attempt on the life of another boy. From then on, more and more weird and dangerous incidents occur, and the death toll continues to rise. A group of pre-teen friends - Mike, Duane, Dale, Harlan, Kevin (and Lawrence to some extent) - is determined to get to the bottom of it all, as the adults seem completely useless or perhaps even partially involved (whatever "it" may be). Does it have anything to do with the town's history? The school? A mysterious bell that was brought to town from Europe a long time ago and suddenly rang in the night? Is there just one threat or multiple?

Whatever the case may be, the stakes are high from the very beginning. As we try to figure out if there's an actual supernatural element at play, we also follow the lives of alcoholics, power-abusing officials, and helpless yet resourceful kids. I was actually quite surprised that the author chose to pit the kids against a dead WW1 soldier, giant worms with rows of sharply serrated teeth, a zombie teacher, and the driver of a rendering truck on the more supernatural side, as well as schoolyard bullies, the kids' (live) school teacher, and the principal of the school on the other side - okay, the latter two represented a centuries-old evil trying to be reborn in this time and place, but it still felt as if they were representing the "everyday".

The atmosphere in this book was truly creeptastic and had me shuddering on numerous occasions! I'm a huge fan of Stephen King's, and I can honestly say that this book is on the same level as my favorite books of his (and I don't say that lightly). Spending enough time with the characters to get a sense of them and care about them is crucial, and right from the start, the author combined that with action and mystery, constantly making us guess and (figuratively speaking) bite our nails or even shed a tear (the hardest part for me was when Duane was killed - he was a bright kid who had to learn to live with alcoholic parents, and the family had already been through so much, yet it was him of all the kids who was killed - that was a real gut punch).

So, yes, this is one of the longer books, but it's deliciously spooky while also addressing real-life issues like trauma. It features wonderful characters (like Mimo or certain dogs), and the writing style is excellent too!

There was a great tearing at his legs. An irresistible force lifted him and turned him, pulling him towards the vortex he could feel through every fiber of his body. But for that split second, that briefest of instants, he was free. He could see the stars, and he lifted his face towards them even as he was spun away into the darkness roaring below and around him.

Summer of Night by Dan Simmons was a thoroughly brilliant read. I wouldn't want to tell you too much about the plot as I wouldn't want to give much away. However, the story centres around a group of children as they investigate the mysterious events taking place in Oak Haven.

Once again, I found Dan Simmons' writing to be excellently done. He has a way of describing scenes and events so vividly that you can picture them with great clarity. His words paint a detailed picture in your mind, making you feel as if you are right there in the story.

I have to say though that I do find Simmons can tend to throw way too much information at the reader. This did annoy me a little. I understand that he wants you to have a full understanding of the background and history of a certain place or event because it becomes important later on in the book. But he really can drag this out and make me lose my interest somewhat. I think if certain parts at the beginning were more refined and to the point, I would have enjoyed the earlier chapters much more.

Having said that, I did love the nostalgic vibe that was created at the beginning. Through the characters, we get the sense of anticipation for the last day of school and the freedom of the summer that lies ahead. That moment when you're wishing the minutes away until you can get out of school, the joy of not getting up and rushing during the first days of the summer holiday, and the freedom to do what you want but not quite knowing what you want to do! I think this feeling was pretty universal in all our childhoods, so I really did enjoy that.

The characters were also fantastic. Duane, Dale, Lawrence, Mike, Harlen, and Kev were such a band of likeable and relatable kids that you couldn't help but love them all. This is where I got a Stranger Things, The Goonies, and Stand By Me vibe! The kids were all so different, with different backgrounds - some of them had pretty rough home lives - but they all fitted so well with each other that their friendship was endearing.

Did this book scare me in the way I wanted it to? No, not really, but that wasn't a bad thing. Because this book made me feel so much. I was attached to the characters, I feared for them, rooted for their success, and the suspense of the ending was definitely edge-of-your-seat stuff. Literally non-stop action, I loved all that. I think this would make a fantastic film.

I absolutely loved this book! It rightfully earns its place among the very best, sitting at the top with Boy's Life, Something Wicked This Way Comes, and The Body as one of my all-time favorite small town, coming of age books.

If you have a penchant for any of those remarkable works, I'm confident you'll thoroughly enjoy this captivating story. It follows a group of friends who courageously band together to combat a supernatural menace. In doing so, it effortlessly transports me back to the cherished days of my adolescence.

I'll admit that I've had my share of struggles with some of Simmons's previous work. However, even though this particular book clocks in at just over 600 pages, I never once felt that it became sluggish or bogged down. Of course, there were a couple of scenes that might seem a bit far-fetched, but that's precisely what makes these supernatural tales so enchanting – the idea of fighting back against seemingly insurmountable odds.

Overall, I would毫不犹豫地 give this book a 10/10 rating. It's a true gem that I highly recommend to all fans of the genre.

The prologue essay that Simmons marks at the beginning of the book about the restriction and loss of children's play spaces from the 1960s to the present (absence of contact with nature, inability to create their own worlds without the supervision and control of adults, the misinterpreted overprotection, being confined in specific urban spaces) is 10 pages long.

The novel has disappointed me a bit. It's like reading Simmons trying to be the Stephen King of "It". "It" was published in 1986 and Simmons published "Summer of Night" in 1991. The parallels are obvious. I'm a devoted follower of "The Song of Kali", "The Hollow Man", and "The Terror", but in "Summer of Night" I haven't found the strength and originality that caught me in the previous books I've mentioned. I'm sure that if the book had fallen into my hands in the nineties, I would have enjoyed it more.

"Summer of Night" is an ensemble novel in which I think there are too many filler characters. The parade of secondary characters and the number of children playing small roles made it difficult for me to get an idea of each one's personality (except for Duane, I think the most successful character and the one I liked the most, and perhaps also Mike). Simmons indulges in repetitive and tedious descriptions of the urban layout of the town of Elm Haven, and it takes quite a few pages for the story to really start to take off. What surprised me the most is that when the children of the "Bicycle Club" (after getting what's coming to them) position themselves to fight the evil that hides behind the walls of the Old Central School, they do it as if they were a bunch of seasoned mercenaries commanded by a crazy Chuck Norris. Guns in the hands of eleven-year-old children as the only solution to face the supernatural threat. A bit disappointing.

In any case, I appreciate the number of references to classics of literature, film, television, and genre comics that Simmons introduces, and the ruthless line of the Borgia campaign as the main thread of the plot (oh, spoiler, sorry).

I'm grateful for the opportunity that the reissue of "Summer of Night" has given me to be able to read this novel by Simmons. It's not a bad horror story, but in my opinion, it's below the level shown in the previous ones I've mentioned.

The cover illustration, by Alejandro Colucci, is a fucking marvel.

4.5 stars

This is my second Dan Simmons novel, and I'm once again astounded by the sheer magnitude and meticulous detail of his writing, just as I was with Carrion Comfort. I have a passion for horror, yet I'm often let down when authors prioritize shock tactics and plot twists over quality writing. Thankfully, Simmons doesn't fall into this trap. His build-ups, portrayal of child characters, and descriptions of small-town life are almost on par with Stephen King's, and his writing is flawless. I definitely felt the vibes of IT from our young group of heroes!

And the scares? Oh my. If you're in search of an extremely terrifying book, look no further! There's an abundance of scares of every variety: jump scares (yes, I believe books can have them), creeping scares, and gross-out scares - you name it! It starts off a bit slowly, but it quickly gains momentum.

Now, for a few aspects that I didn't particularly like. I'll attempt to be concise and list them:

1. There's an uncomfortable amount of violence towards animals and animal deaths. No, thank you.

2. Simmons seemingly forgets that 11 is not an appropriate age to sexualize a girl (in fact, no age is appropriate if she's just going to be used as an object or plot device). I understand the intention was to depict a first crush/kiss, but in my opinion, it went way too far.

3. The absence of Cordie Cooke for approximately 200 - 300 pages in the middle? Where did she go?! I adored her! She was crazy and fearless, and while I was satisfied with her ending, did Simmons simply forget about her for a third of the book?

Okay, that wasn't as brief as I'd hoped, but those things only slightly diminished my enjoyment. It's still an outstanding horror story, with one of the most epic showdowns/finales ever. Highly recommended for horror enthusiasts!

The author showcases a remarkable and masterful control of language.

The story vividly brings to life a childhood summer, awakening the sense of nostalgia that most of us experience when looking back on those childhood events that hold great significance in our lives.

Tapping into this archetypal current of experience, Simmons meticulously develops the setting and characters before delving into the intricacies of the plot and action.

The early chapters, perhaps up to chapter 19, effectively establish the setting, atmosphere, and characters, with rare and subtle hints of horror interspersed.

When the action commences, it builds gradually, growing to a crescendo, much like a piece of music where the conductor gesticulates with wilder and wilder motions as it approaches the end.

The story is good, skillfully written, and a must-read for horror fans. However, in my opinion, what prevents it from being truly great is the somewhat indulgent build-up to the plot. At times, it feels as if Simmons was so engrossed in his vision of summer as a boy and its personal meaning to him that he delayed advancing the plot for a longer period than necessary.

This novel demands patience to be thoroughly enjoyed. Its reputation will encourage readers to persevere through chapters that they might otherwise give up on if written by a less知名 author. Are they worth the wait? Definitely. Nevertheless, the wait is the factor that distinguishes it as a four-star rather than a five-star for me.

3.5 stars

This was truly an enjoyable coming of age story that followed in the vein of IT by Stephen King. It was filled with nostalgic elements that really tugged at the heartstrings. The author did a great job of creating a sense of time and place, making the reader feel as if they were right there with the characters. However, for my personal tastes, I thought it was a little on the long side. I tend to prefer tighter narratives that get straight to the point and don't meander too much. That being said, the story was still engaging and well-written. The characters were well-developed and the plot had enough twists and turns to keep me interested. Overall, it was a pretty good read that I would recommend to fans of the coming of age genre.

First of 2016 - Buddy read with Edward Lorn - first one to enter my favorite shelf in quite some time!

In what should be a perfectly normal summer of 1960 in Elm Haven, a group of kids becomes aware that a great evil is awakening. On the last day of school, one boy vanishes, and other strange things begin to occur. All seems to be connected to their school, the Old Central. As the kids tentatively start to investigate the odd happenings, sightings, and strange-behaving townspeople, they are targeted and soon realize that they must come together and fight what is threatening not only them, but time is running out.

This is a superbly told and absolutely riveting coming-of-age-cum-horror story. It quite certainly owes a lot to King's IT, but it is a great book in its own right. The characterization is wonderful. I have trouble remembering another book where 12-year-old protagonists worked so well (and the little brother, who is only 8, also works!). But it doesn't end there. The bullies, the girls, the scary adults, the parents, and uncles (and not least grandmother Memo!) are all vividly drawn, which really enhances the experience. And last, but not least, the Old Central itself. (Here I have an advantage, since I spent my first school years in a building that could easily have been a physical manifestation of this one - another experience enhancer, I can tell you!) My favorite character, however, is the sister of the first boy taken, Cordie Cooke. She is a poor, gun-toting, and strangely resourceful outsider girl whom the boys have labeled as more or less certifiable. But, after a few close calls that come to nothing thanks to her uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right (or perhaps that should be wrong) time, they come to depend on her quite a bit. She is definitely no Beverly of IT, but she is certainly someone you want on your team!

There is a great build-up with top-notch narrative and storytelling. Then, around the middle mark, the whole thing takes a tough and unexpected turn for the darker. Lastly, there is a model ending - suspenseful, but not unnecessarily drawn out. Basically, I thought everything in this book worked. I'm amazed that I haven't read it before and very happy that Edward wanted to read it with me. I will surely search out more by Simmons.

Considering the fact that it was such a long time ago when I read this for the very first time, I had unfortunately forgotten the majority of the "little details" that pertained to this book. However, despite this, it still remains one of my absolute favorites. :) It's truly remarkable how certain books can have such a lasting impact on us, even when the finer points may fade from our memory over time. This particular book holds a special place in my heart, and I'm sure that if I were to read it again, those forgotten details would resurface and add even more depth to my appreciation of it.

This review is being written several years after I read the book.

Every now and then, this book pops into my head as being one of the best horror novels to keep me up all night since my early experiences with the writing of Stephen King.

I read the sequel to this book a couple of years before I read this book. I didn't know there was an earlier book until I was halfway through the second.

I give the book 4.5 stars because the last 100 or so pages were just too fantastical, too detailed, and too implausible to fit into the otherwise masterful development of both characters and plot.

Simmons can create atmosphere and convey setting in such an eloquent way that the reader is transported in time and place into the realm of this deepening nightmare.

RE-READ 2016: This time, I listened to the audio version. The experience was quite different. The narrator's voice added an extra layer of authenticity to the story. It was as if I was hearing the characters speak in real life. The audio version also allowed me to enjoy the book while doing other things, like driving or exercising. However, I did find that I missed some of the details that I might have picked up on if I had been reading the book myself. Overall, it was still a great experience and I would highly recommend both the book and the audio version to anyone who loves horror novels.

Summer of Night was my very first encounter with the works of Dan Simmons, and it served as an outstanding introduction.

I have a penchant for slow-burning horror, and this book excelled in that regard. It meticulously set the time and place, creating a vivid backdrop. The introduction of a diverse cast of characters, each with their own rich backstories and intricate relationships, was masterfully done. Then, around the halfway mark, it unleashed the horror - raw, unyielding horror.

There were several aspects that I truly adored. The character development was top-notch. As a reader, I was seamlessly immersed in the group of kids, never once feeling lost or confused about who was who. Each character was given ample time to evolve, ensuring that the frequent switching between them didn't disrupt my suspension of disbelief. Additionally, Simmons' ability to play with classic primal fears was remarkable. He had me completely under his spell with the fears of the gap under the bed and other age-old terrors like graveyards at night.

However, there were a couple of elements that slightly detracted from the overall experience. Firstly, I couldn't help but draw comparisons to a couple of Stephen King novels, most notably It and, to a lesser extent, Christine. Although Simmons has clearly crafted something unique here, the similarities did cross my mind. More significantly, the ending left something to be desired. I felt it was a bit of a letdown after such a brilliant build-up. Why did a fire suddenly resolve the issue when the bell had previously been melted down only to resurface as a problem again? If the answer is that it could potentially return as it has before, then Simmons missed an opportunity to leave me with that lingering sense of dread that a great horror story should evoke. These are minor criticisms, and I'm sure I'm being a bit unfair, but it speaks volumes about the excellent first impression Simmons made on me. I'm already eager to see more from this highly accomplished author and have several of his other works, such as The Terror, Drood, and Carrion Comfort, waiting on my shelf to be devoured.