When Dale Stewart and his friends complete their school for the summer, they are filled with joy.

The reason is that Old Central is going to be demolished and a brand new school awaits them in the fall. However, Old Central has concealed the darkest of secrets for numerous years.

And the darkness lurking within its decaying walls is on the verge of being set free.

Can Dale, Mike, and their friends combat the evil that infiltrates the streets of Elm Haven, or are they all fated to meet a doomed end?

Summer of Night is an absolutely essential coming-of-age story that takes the reader to the depths of hell and back.

You don't merely follow the boys' adventures; you become an integral part of them.

With disturbing villains and vivid imagery throughout, it is a masterclass in timeless horror that truly delivers.

Dan Simmons is among a select few writers who can produce a large and captivating tome that engages the reader from beginning to end.

I simply can't wait to get my hands on the other three books in the series!

I absolutely adored this book!

I listened to it in audiobook format and found myself constantly inventing reasons to go on errands just so I could listen in the car.

It tells the story of a group of young kids and the nightmarish summer they endure while fighting against the forces of evil in the form of terrifying monsters.

It strongly reminded me of "It", yet at the same time, it is a completely distinct tale.

The chaos begins promptly as the story commences on the last day of school.

As the final bell rings and the students rush out to start their summer, there is one student who remains and will never leave.

From then on, the book alternates between spine-tingling horror scenes and descriptions of the children enjoying their summer break, constantly reminding you that they are, after all, just kids.

And there was one scene that had me crying out in agony and disbelief - NO!! NOT DUANE!!! I simply couldn't believe they actually got him. It truly broke my heart!

I find it fascinating that when you give me a book like this, about a motley crew of 10- and 11-year-olds fighting against unimaginable horrors with a fierce intensity, I am completely captivated.

Yet, when given a book about teenagers saving the world, my initial reaction is often one of skepticism.

Part of this is because I teach teenagers. I've witnessed their work; their inability to understand the simplest instructions no matter how many times you repeat them, to master something as complex as putting their full name at the top of their paper.

These things do not instill in me confidence in their ability to save all of humanity. ;)

I also think it's because the kids' fight against evil is infused with the magic of childhood.

As we read, we are transported back to that time when magic was possible and anything could happen, when monsters truly did lurk in dark closets and under the bed.

In these stories, the impossible becomes possible and things we never dreamed of become real.

In the teen years, that magic fades and the only impossible things that become real are hormone-driven.

In the world of children, the kids are battling these forces of evil without adult help.

The adults, having long since lost their magic, are completely oblivious to the forces of evil.

They are unaware that a battle is even taking place. These kids are on their own.

The teenagers, however, in many popular YA books, step in when the idiotic adults have proven themselves utterly incapable of handling the situation.

They then outwit the idiotic adults and save the day. This is less believable to me than the story based on the magic of childhood.

So if you're a fan of horror and childhood nostalgia, this book is definitely for you! I highly recommend it!!

I've read this book twice.

There's something truly captivating about young kids courageously battling great, dark, and unknown forces. It always manages to get my blood pumping with excitement.

The story delves into the secret world of youth and innocence within the context of supernatural, otherwise invisible dimensions.

It makes one wonder how adults lose their seeing eyes. Perhaps it's because they're afraid of that which they can't comprehend, or maybe it's because they choose to deny it.

There are a few chilling scenes in this book that still vividly return to me every now and then.

I probably love this book in the same way I love the movie "Lost Boys." Both seem to tap into that same sense of mystery, adventure, and the struggle between good and evil in a world that is often hidden from our adult eyes.

It's a reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary things can be found in the most unexpected places, and that the hearts and minds of children may hold the key to a world that we've long forgotten.

Stephen King blurbs on the cover that he is in awe of Dan Simmons. I concur.

Simmons has an extraordinary talent for resurrecting all those childhood fears that we thought we had long forgotten. He delves deep into the recesses of our minds and brings to life the terrors that lurked in the shadows of our bedrooms.

And not only does he resurrect these fears, but he also confirms their validity. There IS something under the bed, and it's pissed. It's not just a figment of our overactive imaginations. It's a real, tangible threat that we have every reason to be very afraid of.

Simmons' writing is so vivid and powerful that it makes you feel as if you are right there in the story, experiencing the horror firsthand. His ability to create a sense of atmosphere and dread is truly remarkable.

If you're looking for a book that will send shivers down your spine and make you question the safety of your own home, then look no further than Dan Simmons.

If I had actually read Summer of Night instead of listening to the Audible version, I doubt I would have been able to finish it. This is an extremely long novel. One could even say it's a beast of a book. However, this "beast" is a worthy investment.

As the reader, you are invited into Elm Haven in the 1960s, a small and far from middle-class town in rural Illinois. You become a nostalgic resident as a tragic story gradually unfolds. Something is amiss because something was very wrong before. Only the kids, who should be enjoying a healthy summer of pickup baseball and camping under the stars, seem to understand what is happening. You get to know each of the boys and their truly flawed families. You learn everyone's habits and look forward to town events. You anticipate who will figure out what and when. You immerse yourself in this one dusty summer, where reality begins to tear apart.

I won't reveal anything, except to say that if truly brutal deaths don't appeal to you, this probably isn't the book for you. Summer of Night may center on elementary school-aged boys attempting to solve a 60-year-old town mystery, but it is by no means a young YA book. It gets gruesome and bloody, and those terrifying noises in the night are often fatal.

It's the end of 6th grade, and summer has just begun. You're only 11 years old, and life seems carefree. All you can think about are those hot summer nights and the adventures you'll have with your buddies.

However, if you happen to live in Elm Haven, things are far from ordinary. In this small town, a group of friends find themselves facing evil and having to fight it throughout the entire summer.

Death and destruction seem to lurk around every corner. These friends have made some very serious enemies, and now they must band together to protect themselves and their town.

If you're a fan of Stephen King's IT, then you're sure to love Summer of Night. It's a thrilling and terrifying adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

So, get ready to enter the world of Elm Haven and join these brave friends as they battle evil and try to survive the summer of their lives.

After a few months of absence from the site, it's time to get a little active. A good horror, there's nothing (the ending of the novel is atypical for Simmons). A lot of ink has been spent on descriptions of the demonic hordes that inhabit the small, and until then peaceful Elm Haven. A group of friends is in the spotlight, they have stood on the heels of the slaves of darkness, and they will be the only hope for their fellow citizens. The action takes place quickly, somewhat thrillingly, and the finale as well, and that's why I didn't really like the novel. Nevertheless, the horror and fantasy elements of the novel are at a high level, as is Dan Simmons' storytelling gift.

Despite my slight dissatisfaction with the overall pacing and conclusion, Simmons' ability to create a vivid and terrifying world is truly remarkable. The detailed descriptions of the demonic hordes and the menacing atmosphere of Elm Haven add to the overall sense of dread. The group of friends, with their unique personalities and strengths, make for an engaging and relatable focal point. While the novel may not have been a perfect fit for my personal tastes, it is still a worthy addition to the horror and fantasy genres.

Overall, I would recommend this novel to fans of the genre who are looking for a well-written and atmospheric read. Simmons' writing style is engaging and his imagination knows no bounds. Although the ending may leave some readers wanting more, the journey through the pages of this novel is one that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

(This was a goodreads give-away.)

I was extremely excited when I received this book. I had never delved into any of Simmons' work before, but upon glancing at the back cover, I was truly impressed. Hugo Award. World Fantasy Award. Bram Stoker Award. Shirley Jackson Award. NYT bestsellers. It seemed like a literary powerhouse.

And since this is a reprinting, I naively thought there wouldn't be any of those bothersome little issues that stem from sloppy editing.

Oh Wow!

I cracked it open, eagerly anticipating being Scared with a capital S.

However, to my great disappointment, I ended up being Bored with a capital B.

Not only that, but I was also Irritated with a capital I.

And the list goes on...

Here are some of the so-called "highlights" (or perhaps I should say lowlights).

There are far too many characters introduced simultaneously, with little or nothing to set them apart until much later in the story. Simmons further confounds the reader by referring to them sometimes by their first names and at other times by their last names.

At nearly 500 pages, the book is a good 300 pages too long. (In fact, it feels like it's 500 pages too long.)

There's very little of a coherent story happening - mainly just one gross-out scene after another. (Not that there's anything inherently wrong with gross-out scenes, but it would be nice to have at least a modicum of plot to hold them together.)

One character, Cordie, only seems to make an appearance when Simmons has painted himself into a corner. She has about as much depth as a puddle on a rainy day. Oh yeah, and a 10-year-old girl walking around a small town carrying a loaded shotgun and leading two vicious dogs would surely raise more than a few eyebrows.

Not one of the boys, except the leader, seems to possess a functioning brain. They simply do as they are told. They never question. They never come up with any original ideas of their own. I have no idea what alternate reality this is supposed to take place in, but in my experience, 10-year-old boys are anything but the most cooperative of beings!

Apparently, the editor couldn't be bothered to slog through the text either. At one point, there's the sentence "An ax lay blackened and half-buried in the ashes of the fire." A mere 21 lines later, there's "A single ax lay charred and blackened in the campfire ashes."

There's more. More shoddy writing. More editing mistakes. More lack of character development. More flimsy plotting. More, more, more. But unlike Simmons, I'm not going to bore you with all the tiresome details.

Dan Simmons' Summer of Night is an incredibly engaging and downright creepy page-turner.

The novel centers around a small group of friends who find themselves pitted against a malevolent entity. I was truly captivated by the characters and the way they banded together to take on evil and, ultimately, save their town.

Summer of Night is a highly satisfying coming of age horror tale. However, my biggest regret has less to do with the actual book itself and more to do with the unfortunate timing of my reading. I happened to read this almost immediately after devouring Stephen King's It, which shares a very similar story line and structure.

As I delved into Summer of Night, it was nearly impossible not to draw comparisons to It. Despite this, I must admit that the writing in Summer of Night was very good. The author's prose was vivid and descriptive, painting a chilling picture of the events unfolding.

Moreover, the conclusion was satisfying, tying up loose ends and leaving me with a sense of closure. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Summer of Night, and I would highly recommend it to fans of the horror genre.

Dan Simmons truly outdid himself with this remarkable work.

He further cements his status as a master storyteller. It's true that at certain times, his writing may draw criticism for various reasons. However, "Summer of Nights" is undeniably one of those truly special books.

The writing in this book is absolutely brilliant. Very rarely does a story manage to capture the essence of summer so perfectly. Simmons writes about an era that has long since passed, yet it has you reminiscing about your own childhood summertime.

The story is set in 1960's Illinois, around a school called Old Central. The interesting characters are young kids: Dale, Lawrence, Mike, Duane, and Kevin. All of them are experiencing summer before they head off to a new school. As the tale unfolds, unbelievably dark things begin to haunt the little town of Elm Haven. Ultimately, and to put it simply, the story turns into a battle of Innocence vs Evil.

Simmons deserves endless praise for creating such a special story. "Summer of Nights" is the perfect coming-of-age horror story that will never lose its charm.

Well, what were my thoughts on Summer of Night, the very first book by Dan Simmons that I delved into? I utterly adored it!

It had this peculiar charm, as if I was engrossed in an 80s novel penned by Stephen King, perhaps something like It. However, Simmons still managed to maintain his own unique voice.

The monsters in this tale didn't make an immediate appearance. Instead, the suspense and the creeping sense of unease were based on the play of shadows. I absolutely loved that aspect. I relish being kept in the dark about what to anticipate. It leaves ample room for numerous surprises (thankfully, there were no letdowns in this case).

Now, I'm eager to immerse myself in more of Simmons' books. I have two titles waiting for me in the mail (The Terror and Carrion Comfort), and I've just embarked on reading Hyperion.

This book transported me back to my own childhood. No, I wasn't a child during the sixties. But at the time this book was written, I was the same age as young Lawrence. I had my own group of friends, and we spent countless carefree summers riding bikes and spending nights at each other's houses. I was the big kid, much like Duane. I had a friend named Steve who was similar to Jim Harlan, and my friend Brian was like Dale.

My only gripe, albeit a minor one, is that it took a rather long time to get the story going. There was an abundance of character development and setting description, which allowed me to vividly visualize the entire town and the people and places within it. But by the three-hundredth page, I was longing for a bit more action. (Nevertheless, this complaint wasn't significant enough to cause me to deduct stars from my rating, as I thoroughly enjoyed this story and these characters.)

Excellent story!


Backstory:


The setting is Elm Haven, Illinois in 1960. The school Old Central is filled with mystery and is now in its final days as it is closing its doors. The kids will be going to a new school. Once school lets out for the summer, six friends are excitedly looking forward to having a carefree and fun time. However, something evil makes an appearance and their summer takes an unexpected turn. They will have to learn to face this together. That's all I can say without giving away spoilers. You'll just have to read the book to find out what happens!


Thoughts:


I adored the detailed information in the story. The author skillfully weaves the narrative around you, making it feel as if you are experiencing what the boys and the town are going through. This book strongly reminded me of Stephen King's "IT" due to the way the friends stick together and the coming-of-age feel as you gradually read about what happens to each individual friend and how they cope with the evil that invades the town. The book has a slow build-up, but there is an abundance of suspense and mystery surrounding the school and the town. It is definitely a masterpiece and a horror book that horror fans should read and add to their collection of summer-time coming-of-age stories. I'm giving this book five "Supernatural Summer" stars!



Highly Recommend!