What do you think?
Rate this book
Downpour
A sudden storm appears above an isolated farmhouse in rural Illinois, bringing with it a relentless and unnatural rain. A rain that eats away at everything it touches. A rain that turns people into monsters.
Trapped inside his crumbling home, a father must do everything he can to keep his family from falling apart. But the rain calls to them, and not everyone wants to stay inside.
Haunted by memories of his tragic childhood, he must put aside his painful past and find a way to keep them all safe. But the rain shows no signs of stopping, and time is running out.
Trapped inside his crumbling home, a father must do everything he can to keep his family from falling apart. But the rain calls to them, and not everyone wants to stay inside.
Haunted by memories of his tragic childhood, he must put aside his painful past and find a way to keep them all safe. But the rain shows no signs of stopping, and time is running out.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2023
98 people are currently reading
953 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Hawkins
19 books176 followersBorn and raised near the shores of Lake Michigan, Christopher Hawkins has been writing and telling stories for as long as he can remember. A dyed-in-the-wool geek, he is an avid collector of books, roleplaying games and curiosities. When he's not writing, he spends his time exploring old cemeteries, lurking in museums, and searching for a decent cup of tea.
Christopher is an award-winning author and the former editor of the One Buck Horror anthology series. His works of short fiction have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Cosmic Horror Monthly, Fusion Fragment, Underland Arcana and The Big Book of New Short Horror. He is a member of the Chicago Writers Association and the Chicagoland chapter of the Horror Writers Association.
An expatriate Hoosier, Christopher currently lives in a suburb of Chicago with his wife and two sons.
Christopher is an award-winning author and the former editor of the One Buck Horror anthology series. His works of short fiction have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Cosmic Horror Monthly, Fusion Fragment, Underland Arcana and The Big Book of New Short Horror. He is a member of the Chicago Writers Association and the Chicagoland chapter of the Horror Writers Association.
An expatriate Hoosier, Christopher currently lives in a suburb of Chicago with his wife and two sons.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
September 22, 2024
My thanks to Christopher Hawkins and Netgalley.
This story was almost like a fading memory. Like a dream that you've awoken from, yet have a hazy, foggy memory of.
This was by no means a badly written story. Matter of fact, I was damned near glued to the pages.
Mr. Hawkins can freaking tell a story. That's what I think.
Thing is that almost from the beginning I got a feel for how this story would go. It was dark. With a capital D.
I knew how it would end because it was just one of those stories that impress upon you the inevitability of this world.
Depressing. Terrible. Nightmarish. Utterly fantastic!
Best depressing, may as well just get it over with now, story that I've read in awhile.
Honestly? I'd recommend it, but only if you can handle despair?
My first from this author, and while I'm not looking for anything this depressing again, I'd certainly read one or two more books from Mr. Hawkins.
This story was almost like a fading memory. Like a dream that you've awoken from, yet have a hazy, foggy memory of.
This was by no means a badly written story. Matter of fact, I was damned near glued to the pages.
Mr. Hawkins can freaking tell a story. That's what I think.
Thing is that almost from the beginning I got a feel for how this story would go. It was dark. With a capital D.
I knew how it would end because it was just one of those stories that impress upon you the inevitability of this world.
Depressing. Terrible. Nightmarish. Utterly fantastic!
Best depressing, may as well just get it over with now, story that I've read in awhile.
Honestly? I'd recommend it, but only if you can handle despair?
My first from this author, and while I'm not looking for anything this depressing again, I'd certainly read one or two more books from Mr. Hawkins.
September 26, 2023
A family of four become trapped in their home when a storm cloud appears over their farmhouse in rural Illinois pouring rain that is toxic to anything it falls upon. When watching the news they discover that these ominous storm clouds are appearing all around the world causing anyone that's caught in their path to become completely deranged.
The idea of this novel sounded so much better than the execution. For a short novel like this it suffered from a lot of repetition and I was bored to tears and couldn't wait to be finished. Yes, the rain was a threat but never once did I feel any tension or suspense. No thrills, no chills. It was just the dad bumbling around the house, yelling at his kids to stay in their room, all the while remembering how his drunk old man thought he was a loser. Page after page after page....🥱 2 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Coronis Publishing for my complimentary copy.
The idea of this novel sounded so much better than the execution. For a short novel like this it suffered from a lot of repetition and I was bored to tears and couldn't wait to be finished. Yes, the rain was a threat but never once did I feel any tension or suspense. No thrills, no chills. It was just the dad bumbling around the house, yelling at his kids to stay in their room, all the while remembering how his drunk old man thought he was a loser. Page after page after page....🥱 2 stars!
Thank you to Edelweiss and Coronis Publishing for my complimentary copy.
October 30, 2023
It's raining hard, coming down in buckets, you might say. But there's something unnatural about this rain. It has the power to change people into things you don't want to meet.
A family of four is trapped in their farmhouse while the rain pounds outside. The tension is nearly unbearable as the father struggles with the realization that he may not be able to save his family. This one is intense, claustrophobic, and well paced. You won't want to put it down.
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the read.
A family of four is trapped in their farmhouse while the rain pounds outside. The tension is nearly unbearable as the father struggles with the realization that he may not be able to save his family. This one is intense, claustrophobic, and well paced. You won't want to put it down.
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for the read.
July 2, 2023
Before writing my review, I want to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley and Christopher Hawkins for gifting me the ARC of this book! I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!! It was a privilege to be able to read DOWNPOUR before publication in October!
I was so incredibly excited when I learned I was gifted the ARC of DOWNPOUR!! The premise of the book was intriguing and grabbed me immediately — reminded me of a Stephen King novel! The book is wonderfully written, poetic at times, horrifying at other times. The inner dialogue of our protagonist, Scott, is heart-wrenching and heart breaking as he struggles against all odds to save his family from the unspeakable horrors being inflicted by the never-ending rain. I especially liked his son, Jacob— a teenager thrown into the role of adult without warning. He assumes that role beautifully, protecting his little sister, Tallie, with bravery and compassion well beyond his years.
The events of the novel transpire during the course of a day. But the anguish and fear emanating from our characters as they are trying to survive the storm makes the reader feel as if the minutes pass like hours, the hours like days. The book has incredibly terrifying moments, and the writing is so descriptive that it plays like a movie in your head. You can see the rain’s destruction and feel the family’s fear. The story elicits a visceral response from the first description of an ominous cloud to the final pages of the relentless downpour.
The ending was not what I expected, and I’m still trying to process it— I’m not yet sure how I feel about it. But I did love reading the novel and would recommend it without reservation to any and all horror fans! DOWNPOUR is a fantastic, poignant read, especially for fans of Stephen King or books like THE BIRD BOX. I could definitely see this made into a fabulously horror-filled movie! You’ll never look at rain the same way again!!
I was so incredibly excited when I learned I was gifted the ARC of DOWNPOUR!! The premise of the book was intriguing and grabbed me immediately — reminded me of a Stephen King novel! The book is wonderfully written, poetic at times, horrifying at other times. The inner dialogue of our protagonist, Scott, is heart-wrenching and heart breaking as he struggles against all odds to save his family from the unspeakable horrors being inflicted by the never-ending rain. I especially liked his son, Jacob— a teenager thrown into the role of adult without warning. He assumes that role beautifully, protecting his little sister, Tallie, with bravery and compassion well beyond his years.
The events of the novel transpire during the course of a day. But the anguish and fear emanating from our characters as they are trying to survive the storm makes the reader feel as if the minutes pass like hours, the hours like days. The book has incredibly terrifying moments, and the writing is so descriptive that it plays like a movie in your head. You can see the rain’s destruction and feel the family’s fear. The story elicits a visceral response from the first description of an ominous cloud to the final pages of the relentless downpour.
The ending was not what I expected, and I’m still trying to process it— I’m not yet sure how I feel about it. But I did love reading the novel and would recommend it without reservation to any and all horror fans! DOWNPOUR is a fantastic, poignant read, especially for fans of Stephen King or books like THE BIRD BOX. I could definitely see this made into a fabulously horror-filled movie! You’ll never look at rain the same way again!!
June 29, 2023
I’ve always enjoyed Christopher Hawkins’ writing, and I was really excited to get this ARC! It definitely didn’t disappoint; this is classic psychological horror with no tricks or gimmicks.
On a clear day, suddenly a cloud appears. Just one, and it’s a perfect dark circle. They need the rain, but Scott has a bad feeling about this cloud. Soon, as weather reports and live feeds start coming in, he realizes that he was right to be concerned. This rain is…different.
People or animals who find themselves touched by this rain are changing, becoming violent as sores cover their bodies and their brains turn foggy. Scott sees the need to keep his wife, Dana, and his kids, Jacob and Tallie, safe. Unfortunately, he soon realizes that the rain is also changing non-living things as well. It’s eating through the house like acid - how will they stay dry?
The writing in this is great, and reminds me a bit of early Stephen King (a huge compliment in my mind!). Sometimes horror stories can get overcomplicated, but this was just the rain and a father’s desire to do right by his family. The ending was slightly ambiguous, but that’s my only complaint. 4.5 stars for this great read!
(Thank you to Christopher Hawkins and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on October 3, 2023.)
On a clear day, suddenly a cloud appears. Just one, and it’s a perfect dark circle. They need the rain, but Scott has a bad feeling about this cloud. Soon, as weather reports and live feeds start coming in, he realizes that he was right to be concerned. This rain is…different.
People or animals who find themselves touched by this rain are changing, becoming violent as sores cover their bodies and their brains turn foggy. Scott sees the need to keep his wife, Dana, and his kids, Jacob and Tallie, safe. Unfortunately, he soon realizes that the rain is also changing non-living things as well. It’s eating through the house like acid - how will they stay dry?
The writing in this is great, and reminds me a bit of early Stephen King (a huge compliment in my mind!). Sometimes horror stories can get overcomplicated, but this was just the rain and a father’s desire to do right by his family. The ending was slightly ambiguous, but that’s my only complaint. 4.5 stars for this great read!
(Thank you to Christopher Hawkins and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on October 3, 2023.)
July 2, 2023
2 stars for this one… I was sad and disappointed in this book. I wanted it to be unique and thrilling! I’m a pretty easy rater when it comes to my reviews. I honestly like most books and usually give between 3 and 5 stars, but I just really didn’t enjoy Downpour.
Scott, his wife Dana, and his two children Jacob and Tallie get stuck in a malignant rain storm and are thus trapped hidden away in their home. How do they get out? How do they protect themself from these beings transformed by the storm? Oh, and meanwhile, their house is crumbling down around them.
I found this novel pretty boring, very repetitive, and not really entertaining. I just sort of wanted it to end, but I made it all the way through. Thankfully, it’s a short read!
There is a good attempt at giving the characters depth, but for me it failed. They weren’t likable and I found myself not caring what happened to them.
Thank you to Christopher Hawkins and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Scott, his wife Dana, and his two children Jacob and Tallie get stuck in a malignant rain storm and are thus trapped hidden away in their home. How do they get out? How do they protect themself from these beings transformed by the storm? Oh, and meanwhile, their house is crumbling down around them.
I found this novel pretty boring, very repetitive, and not really entertaining. I just sort of wanted it to end, but I made it all the way through. Thankfully, it’s a short read!
There is a good attempt at giving the characters depth, but for me it failed. They weren’t likable and I found myself not caring what happened to them.
Thank you to Christopher Hawkins and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 31, 2023
3.5 rounded up to 4.
A sudden storm appears above an isolated farmhouse in rural Illinois, bringing with it a relentless and unnatural rain. A rain that eats away at everything it touches. A rain that turns people into monsters.
Trapped inside his crumbling home, a father must do everything he can to keep his family from falling apart. But the rain calls to them, and not everyone wants to stay inside.
Haunted by memories of loss, he must put aside his painful past and find a way to keep them all safe. But the rain shows no signs of stopping, and time is running out.
What a pleasant and enjoyable wee find. I was not expecting this book to be as good as it turned out to be and I really have to say that I loved it in general. Great characterisation with a fantastic protagonist and the perfect building of suspense and tension.
I guess my only issue was that I wanted more; I wanted to know what happened next and what the ‘downpour’ was!
A sudden storm appears above an isolated farmhouse in rural Illinois, bringing with it a relentless and unnatural rain. A rain that eats away at everything it touches. A rain that turns people into monsters.
Trapped inside his crumbling home, a father must do everything he can to keep his family from falling apart. But the rain calls to them, and not everyone wants to stay inside.
Haunted by memories of loss, he must put aside his painful past and find a way to keep them all safe. But the rain shows no signs of stopping, and time is running out.
What a pleasant and enjoyable wee find. I was not expecting this book to be as good as it turned out to be and I really have to say that I loved it in general. Great characterisation with a fantastic protagonist and the perfect building of suspense and tension.
I guess my only issue was that I wanted more; I wanted to know what happened next and what the ‘downpour’ was!
October 4, 2023
Some of my favorite horror movies and novels begin in a similar fashion to Downpour; the characters going about their daily routines and then something quite innocuous becomes horrific and ultimately threatening.
Scott, his wife Dana, their children Jacob and Tallie and their dog Wilbur live in a dilapidated farmhouse in Illinois. Inherited from Scott’s father-along with the incredible amount of personal trauma he inflicted upon his son-their home and a few small remaining acres of land are all that remain of a once larger property.
Scott and Dana are struggling both with themselves and with each other, as her recent marital infidelity has upturned their relationship and only added to Scott’s feelings of failure and anger.
But on a seemingly normal day, all their lives are changed with the appearance of an unusual cloud that makes Scott uneasy. Once the rain begins and things start to change, he realizes the precarious situation his family is in and does the best that he can to protect them. But with rain falling all around them, mutating animals and humans alike and swiftly destroying their home, is a safe location even a real possibility?
The unease and tension created by Downpour is gripping and uncomfortable. From details relating to the plot and the increasing danger that comes from the rain to the characters reacting to their situation and their personal fears and uncertainties, the feeling of dread throughout the novel is almost constant.
Scott tries to do what he can, but he is ill-equipped to deal with an already outlandish situation and his frustration and despair as things become more and more insurmountable are relatable. Once the book hit its conclusion, I felt as though I had been hit by a ton of bricks. The ending was not wholly unexpected, yet I still was-perhaps foolishly-hoping for a different resolution.
Thank you very much to Netgalley and Christopher Hawkins for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Scott, his wife Dana, their children Jacob and Tallie and their dog Wilbur live in a dilapidated farmhouse in Illinois. Inherited from Scott’s father-along with the incredible amount of personal trauma he inflicted upon his son-their home and a few small remaining acres of land are all that remain of a once larger property.
Scott and Dana are struggling both with themselves and with each other, as her recent marital infidelity has upturned their relationship and only added to Scott’s feelings of failure and anger.
But on a seemingly normal day, all their lives are changed with the appearance of an unusual cloud that makes Scott uneasy. Once the rain begins and things start to change, he realizes the precarious situation his family is in and does the best that he can to protect them. But with rain falling all around them, mutating animals and humans alike and swiftly destroying their home, is a safe location even a real possibility?
The unease and tension created by Downpour is gripping and uncomfortable. From details relating to the plot and the increasing danger that comes from the rain to the characters reacting to their situation and their personal fears and uncertainties, the feeling of dread throughout the novel is almost constant.
Scott tries to do what he can, but he is ill-equipped to deal with an already outlandish situation and his frustration and despair as things become more and more insurmountable are relatable. Once the book hit its conclusion, I felt as though I had been hit by a ton of bricks. The ending was not wholly unexpected, yet I still was-perhaps foolishly-hoping for a different resolution.
Thank you very much to Netgalley and Christopher Hawkins for allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 1, 2025
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
Downpour is a classic style horror that leaves the ending for you to decipher what you will from it.
Scott lives in Texas with his wife Dana, teenage son Jacob, and young daughter Tally. They live on a crumbling old farm that has been passed down from his grandfather to his father and now belongs to Scott. We revisit flashbacks of his childhood after his mother walked out and left him and his father and things his father did that have stayed with him throughout his life. There's tension between the couple and there's cracks forming within their marriage. When a strange cloud forms in the sky getting progressively bigger and releasing rain that begins to affect anyone caught in it, Scott finds himself having to try to protect his family and home. Scott finds himself reflecting on things and realising what truly matters to him and how much he actually cares for his family.
I felt this book would have been more impactful as a novella as I felt it was drawn out more than necessary. I did guess two parts of the ending of the book, too, from quite early into the story.
Downpour is a classic style horror that leaves the ending for you to decipher what you will from it.
Scott lives in Texas with his wife Dana, teenage son Jacob, and young daughter Tally. They live on a crumbling old farm that has been passed down from his grandfather to his father and now belongs to Scott. We revisit flashbacks of his childhood after his mother walked out and left him and his father and things his father did that have stayed with him throughout his life. There's tension between the couple and there's cracks forming within their marriage. When a strange cloud forms in the sky getting progressively bigger and releasing rain that begins to affect anyone caught in it, Scott finds himself having to try to protect his family and home. Scott finds himself reflecting on things and realising what truly matters to him and how much he actually cares for his family.
I felt this book would have been more impactful as a novella as I felt it was drawn out more than necessary. I did guess two parts of the ending of the book, too, from quite early into the story.
June 12, 2023
Thank you, NetGalley, for the digital ARC!
Downpour is one of those books you just cannot put down once you start reading them. It matches an acute sense of pacing with stunning character development and a plot that is truly terrifying.
Reading this novel, I could tell Christopher Hawkins has done his homework. The pairing of American gothic tradition and contemporary psychological horror (think Bird Box or Stephen King with an actual good ending) kept me chained to my Kobo.
It's rare to see a horror story that actually makes sense, and Downpour delivers.
Downpour is one of those books you just cannot put down once you start reading them. It matches an acute sense of pacing with stunning character development and a plot that is truly terrifying.
Reading this novel, I could tell Christopher Hawkins has done his homework. The pairing of American gothic tradition and contemporary psychological horror (think Bird Box or Stephen King with an actual good ending) kept me chained to my Kobo.
It's rare to see a horror story that actually makes sense, and Downpour delivers.
June 8, 2023
TW’s; Emotional abuse, infidelity, depression, violence and murder, minor sexual themes and situations, hinted domestic violence.
While I can say honestly, I have never read any of the authors previous work - I can wholeheartedly promise that he’s earned a fan for life based on the brilliance that is Downpour.
The story is focused on Scott, a father struggling to keep his family together. When an apocalypse begins to take form in shape of a rainstorm, Scott still struggles to keep his family together - only in a different, more deadly, type of way. The storm and the obstacles Scott faces, at times, hint at allegory. The losing of the familiar is a press theme. His wife he recognizes for a woman as the woman he fell inlove with, before she slips away again into the woman who cheated. His dog a monster trying to attack the family, before becoming Wilbur - clumsy and loving. Scott, as a narrator is incredibly relatable and multifaceted, a man struggling with himself. It is in this way that he is also an unreliable narrator, as he is so deep in his own head that at times you see everything in the story in this sort of claustrophobic Scott-tinted lense that is reminiscent of the the pressure Scott himself faces. Is there actually a rainstorm? Is he actually protecting his children as he tells himself so much in his own head that he is, or has he just learned to relate pain and fear to love due to his own struggles with his father? As time goes on, the relatability of the main character sharpens to pinpoint bleakness. Scott is depressive yet thoughtful, who struggles to express himself in a way I deeply understood. The epitome of when you want to reach our but just can’t make yourself to, or even know how. Isolation in a crowd, or in this case, his family.
This is why, I was surprised I saw someone mention this story was plot driven - but I inherently disagree though it has aspects of plot drive as well. This story was full of characters so incredibly fleshed out, with their own wants, needs, desires, fears, who at times desperately misunderstood one another in ways real families do - with much dire consequences. In such a rampant plot driven story, this level of internal thought by the main character and reliability of the others - would’ve been gutted. But it was the exact opposite.
In terms of writing, the novel is so well described that it played out like a movie in my head the whole time - which made it 1000 times easier to immerse myself and finish it rather fast. The author’s prose is well practiced, defined but not too wordy - and it helps propel the story onwards in what would have otherwise been a bland one-setting area without the authors mastery of patience and horror. A lot of readers might underestimate the incredibly use of the same settings throughout the entire book, and although the novel is quite short, it takes its time to unveil the house room by room.
The story really plays with the idea of if it really is Scott’s delusion. The continuous battle of time and monotony. The ending, no spoilers of course, is unexpected in its own way - but I will warn by the end of this book you become so tremendously attached to these characters that it hurts to see them go - no matter their fates. It might’ve even been considered a happy ending to me. In its own, twisted way. All trauma long left behind
This book is perfect for those who are fans of psychological horror, body horror, and nature horror. It’s possibly the best book I’ve read this entire year. And I had no idea I could relate to a 30-40 year old man as a main character, with a family to take care of. But I did. I highly recommend this one.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author - for the honor of a free copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair review. Soon a copy of this review extended will be on my blog.
While I can say honestly, I have never read any of the authors previous work - I can wholeheartedly promise that he’s earned a fan for life based on the brilliance that is Downpour.
The story is focused on Scott, a father struggling to keep his family together. When an apocalypse begins to take form in shape of a rainstorm, Scott still struggles to keep his family together - only in a different, more deadly, type of way. The storm and the obstacles Scott faces, at times, hint at allegory. The losing of the familiar is a press theme. His wife he recognizes for a woman as the woman he fell inlove with, before she slips away again into the woman who cheated. His dog a monster trying to attack the family, before becoming Wilbur - clumsy and loving. Scott, as a narrator is incredibly relatable and multifaceted, a man struggling with himself. It is in this way that he is also an unreliable narrator, as he is so deep in his own head that at times you see everything in the story in this sort of claustrophobic Scott-tinted lense that is reminiscent of the the pressure Scott himself faces. Is there actually a rainstorm? Is he actually protecting his children as he tells himself so much in his own head that he is, or has he just learned to relate pain and fear to love due to his own struggles with his father? As time goes on, the relatability of the main character sharpens to pinpoint bleakness. Scott is depressive yet thoughtful, who struggles to express himself in a way I deeply understood. The epitome of when you want to reach our but just can’t make yourself to, or even know how. Isolation in a crowd, or in this case, his family.
This is why, I was surprised I saw someone mention this story was plot driven - but I inherently disagree though it has aspects of plot drive as well. This story was full of characters so incredibly fleshed out, with their own wants, needs, desires, fears, who at times desperately misunderstood one another in ways real families do - with much dire consequences. In such a rampant plot driven story, this level of internal thought by the main character and reliability of the others - would’ve been gutted. But it was the exact opposite.
In terms of writing, the novel is so well described that it played out like a movie in my head the whole time - which made it 1000 times easier to immerse myself and finish it rather fast. The author’s prose is well practiced, defined but not too wordy - and it helps propel the story onwards in what would have otherwise been a bland one-setting area without the authors mastery of patience and horror. A lot of readers might underestimate the incredibly use of the same settings throughout the entire book, and although the novel is quite short, it takes its time to unveil the house room by room.
The story really plays with the idea of if it really is Scott’s delusion. The continuous battle of time and monotony. The ending, no spoilers of course, is unexpected in its own way - but I will warn by the end of this book you become so tremendously attached to these characters that it hurts to see them go - no matter their fates. It might’ve even been considered a happy ending to me. In its own, twisted way. All trauma long left behind
This book is perfect for those who are fans of psychological horror, body horror, and nature horror. It’s possibly the best book I’ve read this entire year. And I had no idea I could relate to a 30-40 year old man as a main character, with a family to take care of. But I did. I highly recommend this one.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author - for the honor of a free copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair review. Soon a copy of this review extended will be on my blog.
September 10, 2023
Scott is man who has been existing...not really living, though he never realized that fact. He has had to sell off most of his father's farmland and all he has left for his family is slightly more than 12, unproductive, acres of land and a severely run down old farmhouse. He is still processing finding out that his wife cheated on him. She has been the strongest force holding their household together. All of that becomes secondary when a strange small dark cloud appears. Scott is immediately filled with a feeling of dread as he watches the unmoving cloud expand across the sky. Then the rain begins. Everything the rain touches is corrupted and Scott is left to try and protect his kids from the storm....if they can hold out everything will be okay. After all....a storm can't last forever...can it?
From the beginning of this story I was reminded of The Birds. Not the Alfred Hitchcock version, but the original Daphne Du Maurier story. A simple hard working man trying to protect his family during an unexplainable force of unnatural nature. Very suspenseful build up throughout the entire tale. It was also quite a read to be in the middle of during a three day rain pattern where I am at.
Thank you to Netgalley and Coronis Publishing for the opportunity to enjoy this Suspence/Horror e-ARC
From the beginning of this story I was reminded of The Birds. Not the Alfred Hitchcock version, but the original Daphne Du Maurier story. A simple hard working man trying to protect his family during an unexplainable force of unnatural nature. Very suspenseful build up throughout the entire tale. It was also quite a read to be in the middle of during a three day rain pattern where I am at.
Thank you to Netgalley and Coronis Publishing for the opportunity to enjoy this Suspence/Horror e-ARC
August 29, 2023
Thank you to the author for gifting me an ebook!
———
If you’re looking for a horror book that gives you constant dread and foreboding at the turn of every page, then let me introduce you to Downpour. Although the book is only 246 pages, the feeling of impending doom as a father tries to save his family from rain that turns people into something evil, will have you forgetting time altogether.
The book explores a lot of things amidst the threatening weather, including a dividing spousal relationship, family dynamics, past trauma and an overall sense of hopelessness over life choices, and I’m sure there are parts that every one of us can resonate with. However as a reader, I felt there was a lot to unpack while the main characters are also navigating through an unprecedented, monstrous rain situation during one evening. Also, some parts felt repetitive though it did not deter my interest from reading.
I definitely did not see that ending coming which makes for a very interesting discussion as readers are sure to experience different feelings about it.
———
If you’re looking for a horror book that gives you constant dread and foreboding at the turn of every page, then let me introduce you to Downpour. Although the book is only 246 pages, the feeling of impending doom as a father tries to save his family from rain that turns people into something evil, will have you forgetting time altogether.
The book explores a lot of things amidst the threatening weather, including a dividing spousal relationship, family dynamics, past trauma and an overall sense of hopelessness over life choices, and I’m sure there are parts that every one of us can resonate with. However as a reader, I felt there was a lot to unpack while the main characters are also navigating through an unprecedented, monstrous rain situation during one evening. Also, some parts felt repetitive though it did not deter my interest from reading.
I definitely did not see that ending coming which makes for a very interesting discussion as readers are sure to experience different feelings about it.
November 13, 2023
There is a dark & ominous cloud over Scott & Dana and their two children. In Illinois farmland, a cloud form appears as the threat of rain escalates in intensity to bring a rain that is unnatural and deadly.
This was a quick read. I only wish it was raining on the day I read it!
This was a quick read. I only wish it was raining on the day I read it!
January 21, 2025
This book really pulled me in. It’s intense.
Scott and his wife Dana are struggling: their marriage is on the rocks, money is tight, and they have the added stress of raising two kids. One ordinary day, a strange cloud shows up overhead. Soon it’s raining. And the nightmare begins.
I thought the pacing was really good in this story. I did figure out one big twist early on, but a few other things took me by surprise. There’s a little bit of gore, but it’s not too bad.
Scott and his wife Dana are struggling: their marriage is on the rocks, money is tight, and they have the added stress of raising two kids. One ordinary day, a strange cloud shows up overhead. Soon it’s raining. And the nightmare begins.
I thought the pacing was really good in this story. I did figure out one big twist early on, but a few other things took me by surprise. There’s a little bit of gore, but it’s not too bad.
May 22, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Christopher Hawkins for this ARC!
4 out of 5 Stars.
I'm only taking a star off because for about 30 minutes I was just as confused as everyone else in the book.
This was a proper slow burn horror, though it did start off with some coy horror moments there at the beginning, it still was pretty slow to get into things. I found myself too focused on why the main couple were fighting and what she'd done to deserve to be treated like he was treating her.
I almost forgot what I was reading. Almost.
Downpour kept me so rivetted that I forgot I was supposed to cook dinner.
I read this from cover to end in a single sitting, yes, dinner waited.
I've always loved a good biological horror, chemicals and toxic substances the rain always makes for a good realistic horror story, especially with Global Warming and Earth's ecology in a constant statis of change. How can we not be afraid for possible polutants to change our once habitable planet into something inhabitable for us.
This came off as those clouds being some sort for extra terrestrial planet maker, aka a machine to change our planet into something better for alien life. We talk about Terraforming as if it's something that won;t happen. Maybe we won't create it, but there's someone out there that will.
I highly recommend this, it was thoroughly enjoyable.
The book itself is easy to read and I didn't find any noticable plotholes which is lovely.
Worth the read.
4 out of 5 Stars.
I'm only taking a star off because for about 30 minutes I was just as confused as everyone else in the book.
This was a proper slow burn horror, though it did start off with some coy horror moments there at the beginning, it still was pretty slow to get into things. I found myself too focused on why the main couple were fighting and what she'd done to deserve to be treated like he was treating her.
I almost forgot what I was reading. Almost.
Downpour kept me so rivetted that I forgot I was supposed to cook dinner.
I read this from cover to end in a single sitting, yes, dinner waited.
I've always loved a good biological horror, chemicals and toxic substances the rain always makes for a good realistic horror story, especially with Global Warming and Earth's ecology in a constant statis of change. How can we not be afraid for possible polutants to change our once habitable planet into something inhabitable for us.
This came off as those clouds being some sort for extra terrestrial planet maker, aka a machine to change our planet into something better for alien life. We talk about Terraforming as if it's something that won;t happen. Maybe we won't create it, but there's someone out there that will.
I highly recommend this, it was thoroughly enjoyable.
The book itself is easy to read and I didn't find any noticable plotholes which is lovely.
Worth the read.
January 4, 2024
Downpour by Christopher Hawkins hooked me from the first page and wouldn't let go. The relentless rain isn't just a storm; it's a character in itself, trapping a family in their crumbling farmhouse and tearing at their already strained relationships. Hawkins doesn't hold back on the horrors that emerge from the downpour, leaving you on the edge of your seat wondering what's lurking next. The writing is clear and gripping, painting a stark picture of rural isolation and desperation. I tore through this book in one sitting, desperate to know how things would end. If you want a creepy, atmospheric read that will stay with you long after the credits roll, Downpour delivers.
August 14, 2023
There are some good, scary ideas in this book. Rain that’s actually dangerous is an unsettling concept, and simply staying inside to wait it out sounds like a solid plan but the author thought of ways around that. I live in an area that’s been relentlessly hounded with storms this Summer and I’m so sick of it. While reading this, I didn’t have any trouble at all picturing the endless torrents of water threatening the family. I think this story had strong Stephen King influences and a cool premise, but could benefit from editing.
I noticed a few different reviewers said that the novel is repetitive and I have to agree. There are a lot of sentences in the narration that essentially say the same thing that was just stated a second before, only slightly reworded. Sometimes full paragraphs could be tightened up because the point was already made. The protagonist Scott also tends to go back and worry about the same things over and over. This is a realistic and human thing to do, but it becomes tiresome to read about and breaks the tension. A lot of the story’s action in general is repetitive as well.
I think this narrative had the same problem that a lot of these family-centric horror stories do: if the characters would just communicate with each other then things would go a bit more smoothly. It’s frustrating having the teenage son repeatedly ask the dad “What’s happening?” just for him to respond with “I don’t know.” You could at least tell him what your theories are so that you’re on the same page with each other, and maybe that would make him more cooperative.
Some of the young daughter’s behavior later on didn’t make sense to me, given what had happened. I know she was only Four, but I felt like she should’ve been more frightened by certain things. The wife Dana was very irritating, but that might have been done on purpose. At one point in the story Scott’s inner voice is struggling with negative and angry thoughts about his own family and we as the reader are supposed to feel his turmoil as he hears his abusive father’s voice in his own head. But the problem was, Scott’s family’s actions were pissing ME off, too. So was I also being a jerk, or were his kids being incredibly difficult and frustrating? I still don’t know.
What I think the author did do effectively here were creepy things happening via technology, like news footage or the part where Scott reviews a vlogger’s footage of the storm, then revisits the live feed later. There are some good, frightening moments during these scenes. I also liked the use of green lightning to mix things up with a cool, eerie visual, and the little insights into what Scott and Dana’s relationship USED to be like. Small, vivid moments like that were really nice and well done. There was a super gross scare towards the end of the story that I wasn’t expecting, also.
Another thing I was a fan of: the unconventional ending. I’m not going to spoil anything, but it sounds like some reviewers are divided when it comes to this. Personally, it worked for me.
Trigger Warnings: Animal harm/death
The author actually reached out to me directly to thank me for choosing to read his ARC and to offer his assistance if I had any questions and I thought that was nice. Thank you to Netgalley and to Christopher Hawkins for allowing me to read this ARC!
I noticed a few different reviewers said that the novel is repetitive and I have to agree. There are a lot of sentences in the narration that essentially say the same thing that was just stated a second before, only slightly reworded. Sometimes full paragraphs could be tightened up because the point was already made. The protagonist Scott also tends to go back and worry about the same things over and over. This is a realistic and human thing to do, but it becomes tiresome to read about and breaks the tension. A lot of the story’s action in general is repetitive as well.
I think this narrative had the same problem that a lot of these family-centric horror stories do: if the characters would just communicate with each other then things would go a bit more smoothly. It’s frustrating having the teenage son repeatedly ask the dad “What’s happening?” just for him to respond with “I don’t know.” You could at least tell him what your theories are so that you’re on the same page with each other, and maybe that would make him more cooperative.
Some of the young daughter’s behavior later on didn’t make sense to me, given what had happened. I know she was only Four, but I felt like she should’ve been more frightened by certain things. The wife Dana was very irritating, but that might have been done on purpose. At one point in the story Scott’s inner voice is struggling with negative and angry thoughts about his own family and we as the reader are supposed to feel his turmoil as he hears his abusive father’s voice in his own head. But the problem was, Scott’s family’s actions were pissing ME off, too. So was I also being a jerk, or were his kids being incredibly difficult and frustrating? I still don’t know.
What I think the author did do effectively here were creepy things happening via technology, like news footage or the part where Scott reviews a vlogger’s footage of the storm, then revisits the live feed later. There are some good, frightening moments during these scenes. I also liked the use of green lightning to mix things up with a cool, eerie visual, and the little insights into what Scott and Dana’s relationship USED to be like. Small, vivid moments like that were really nice and well done. There was a super gross scare towards the end of the story that I wasn’t expecting, also.
Another thing I was a fan of: the unconventional ending. I’m not going to spoil anything, but it sounds like some reviewers are divided when it comes to this. Personally, it worked for me.
Trigger Warnings: Animal harm/death
The author actually reached out to me directly to thank me for choosing to read his ARC and to offer his assistance if I had any questions and I thought that was nice. Thank you to Netgalley and to Christopher Hawkins for allowing me to read this ARC!
October 3, 2023
Three Words That Describe This Book: intense dread, compressed time frame, trapped
I read this mostly on summit days and I was checking the sky for rain clouds multiple times, with like actual fear of what I might see.
Learn more about the author on my blog with his guest post: " Why I Love Horror." https://raforallhorror.blogspot.com/2... (link live on 10/12/23 at 7 am eastern)
Daniel Kraus likened it to King's classic, THE MIST. I agree. But I also felt Bird Box vibes-- the parts that were in "the past" of the story. And Cabin a the end of the World as well.
This book was both a quick read and had a smoldering pace. I am not sure how to explain that contradiction but it is true.
The POV is all Scott, the father and all of his life, his choices, his past, his family, all of it comes into play.
The rain is the supernatural evil force and it does get the dog. Fair warning.
Also you will be afraid of the next rainstorm; maybe the next dozen.
I read this mostly on summit days and I was checking the sky for rain clouds multiple times, with like actual fear of what I might see.
Learn more about the author on my blog with his guest post: " Why I Love Horror." https://raforallhorror.blogspot.com/2... (link live on 10/12/23 at 7 am eastern)
Daniel Kraus likened it to King's classic, THE MIST. I agree. But I also felt Bird Box vibes-- the parts that were in "the past" of the story. And Cabin a the end of the World as well.
This book was both a quick read and had a smoldering pace. I am not sure how to explain that contradiction but it is true.
The POV is all Scott, the father and all of his life, his choices, his past, his family, all of it comes into play.
The rain is the supernatural evil force and it does get the dog. Fair warning.
Also you will be afraid of the next rainstorm; maybe the next dozen.
September 11, 2023
Downpour by Christopher Hawkins. Thanks to @coronispublishing and @netgalley for the gifted Arc ⭐️⭐️⭐️
In rural Illinois, a strange rain cloud appears. It seems to eat away at everything it touched. A father tried to keep his family safe.
A very fast paced and short story, it will have you hooked and finished in one sitting. This story really just flew by. It’s action packed and hard to put down. There is some moments with animals that I know many won’t enjoy, so if you like stories where the family pet is okay, you may want to skip this one. It didn’t end as I expected but I will definitely be thinking of this one for a while.
“But this was no regular rainstorm. He was more sure of that with every passing moment”.
Downpour comes out 10/3.
In rural Illinois, a strange rain cloud appears. It seems to eat away at everything it touched. A father tried to keep his family safe.
A very fast paced and short story, it will have you hooked and finished in one sitting. This story really just flew by. It’s action packed and hard to put down. There is some moments with animals that I know many won’t enjoy, so if you like stories where the family pet is okay, you may want to skip this one. It didn’t end as I expected but I will definitely be thinking of this one for a while.
“But this was no regular rainstorm. He was more sure of that with every passing moment”.
Downpour comes out 10/3.
June 5, 2023
Downpour is an unputdownable man vs. nature horror story that perfects the creepy undertone “that something isn’t quite right here.” Writer Christopher Hawkins gets us straight into the action. Our protagonist, Scott, is an Average Joe, a middle-aged father to two kids and a dog, who is still living on his late father’s farm with his wife. He seems to have marital issues at the forefront of his mind—that is until he sees the cloud.
Scott knows immediately that this isn’t just any cloud, and the reader is able to feel his tension build through Hawkins' writing. Hawkins is always one step ahead, using his prose to let the reader know something spooky is coming without overtly saying it.
Even before any news or information hits, Scott knows in his gut that this is no normal cloud, and that whatever it is, it poses a threat to himself and his family. We get to watch the battle of Scott’s family against this natural phenomenon while also seeing flashbacks into Scott’s childhood and the ever-present marital issues popping up.
The pacing in this book is very quick—I read it in several hours and simply could NOT stop reading. It is action-packed from the first page to the last. Time is not explicitly stated, but we are led to believe the events unfold over the course of a day or two—a timeline that is hard to execute, but Hawkins nails it.
This book is perfect for anyone looking for a very suspenseful horror novel that involves a natural phenomenon as a character in itself. Fans of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening will likely enjoy this book even more!
Overall, I very much enjoyed it and finished it very quickly. While a few flashbacks or minor plot points don’t seem to play a big role at the end, it didn't take away from the story. This novel is definitely more plot-driven than character-driven, but we are given just enough details on the characters and their backstories to be invested in them. 5 stars from this reviewer! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for this ARC!
Merged review:
Downpour is an unputdownable man vs. nature horror story that perfects the creepy undertone “that something isn’t quite right here.” Writer Richard Hawkins gets us straight into the action. Our protagonist, Scott, is an Average Joe, a middle-aged father to two kids and a dog, who is still living on his late father’s farm with his wife. He seems to have marital issues at the forefront of his mind—that is until he sees the cloud.
Scott knows immediately that this isn’t just any cloud, and the reader is able to feel his tension build through Hawkins' writing. Hawkins is always one step ahead, using his prose to let the reader know something spooky is coming without overtly saying it.
Even before any news or information hits, Scott knows in his gut that this is no normal cloud, and that whatever it is, it poses a threat to himself and his family. We get to watch the battle of Scott’s family against this natural phenomenon while also seeing flashbacks into Scott’s childhood and the ever-present marital issues popping up.
The pacing in this book is very quick—I read it in several hours and simply could NOT stop reading. It is action-packed from the first page to the last. Time is not explicitly stated, but we are led to believe the events unfold over the course of a day or two—a timeline that is hard to execute, but Hawkins nails it.
This book is perfect for anyone looking for a very suspenseful horror novel that involves a natural phenomenon as a character in itself. Fans of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening will likely enjoy this book even more!
Overall, I very much enjoyed it and finished it very quickly. While a few flashbacks or minor plot points don’t seem to play a big role at the end, it didn't take away from the story. This novel is definitely more plot-driven than character-driven, but we are given just enough details on the characters and their backstories to be invested in them. 5 stars from this reviewer! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for this ARC!
Scott knows immediately that this isn’t just any cloud, and the reader is able to feel his tension build through Hawkins' writing. Hawkins is always one step ahead, using his prose to let the reader know something spooky is coming without overtly saying it.
Even before any news or information hits, Scott knows in his gut that this is no normal cloud, and that whatever it is, it poses a threat to himself and his family. We get to watch the battle of Scott’s family against this natural phenomenon while also seeing flashbacks into Scott’s childhood and the ever-present marital issues popping up.
The pacing in this book is very quick—I read it in several hours and simply could NOT stop reading. It is action-packed from the first page to the last. Time is not explicitly stated, but we are led to believe the events unfold over the course of a day or two—a timeline that is hard to execute, but Hawkins nails it.
This book is perfect for anyone looking for a very suspenseful horror novel that involves a natural phenomenon as a character in itself. Fans of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening will likely enjoy this book even more!
Overall, I very much enjoyed it and finished it very quickly. While a few flashbacks or minor plot points don’t seem to play a big role at the end, it didn't take away from the story. This novel is definitely more plot-driven than character-driven, but we are given just enough details on the characters and their backstories to be invested in them. 5 stars from this reviewer! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for this ARC!
Merged review:
Downpour is an unputdownable man vs. nature horror story that perfects the creepy undertone “that something isn’t quite right here.” Writer Richard Hawkins gets us straight into the action. Our protagonist, Scott, is an Average Joe, a middle-aged father to two kids and a dog, who is still living on his late father’s farm with his wife. He seems to have marital issues at the forefront of his mind—that is until he sees the cloud.
Scott knows immediately that this isn’t just any cloud, and the reader is able to feel his tension build through Hawkins' writing. Hawkins is always one step ahead, using his prose to let the reader know something spooky is coming without overtly saying it.
Even before any news or information hits, Scott knows in his gut that this is no normal cloud, and that whatever it is, it poses a threat to himself and his family. We get to watch the battle of Scott’s family against this natural phenomenon while also seeing flashbacks into Scott’s childhood and the ever-present marital issues popping up.
The pacing in this book is very quick—I read it in several hours and simply could NOT stop reading. It is action-packed from the first page to the last. Time is not explicitly stated, but we are led to believe the events unfold over the course of a day or two—a timeline that is hard to execute, but Hawkins nails it.
This book is perfect for anyone looking for a very suspenseful horror novel that involves a natural phenomenon as a character in itself. Fans of M. Night Shyamalan’s The Happening will likely enjoy this book even more!
Overall, I very much enjoyed it and finished it very quickly. While a few flashbacks or minor plot points don’t seem to play a big role at the end, it didn't take away from the story. This novel is definitely more plot-driven than character-driven, but we are given just enough details on the characters and their backstories to be invested in them. 5 stars from this reviewer! Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for this ARC!
September 25, 2024
Title: Downpour
Author: Christopher Hawkins
Genre: Horror
"𝔹𝕦𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕟, 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕢𝕦𝕚𝕖𝕥, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕜𝕪 𝕙𝕒𝕕 𝕞𝕒𝕕𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕖 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕜 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕪."
A single dark cloud appears over a remote farmhouse in rural Illinois, like an entity with a mind of its own, roiling and swirling and bringing in a fierce and implacable rain.
Everything it touches starts to change. Metal turns to rust, people become violent. As the rain seeps into the cracks of his childhood home and leaks begin to form, a father must race against time to protect his family.
'Downpour' is a horror that takes its time, building a sense of unease and dread slowly and deliberately, like steady drops of rain. As the threat of danger moves closer and the family home begins to crumble, the already isolated setting grows smaller and smaller.
One thing I consistently love about Christopher Hawkins' writing is that it feels like CLASSIC horror. Foreboding, dismal, tragic... but real. Much like the short stories featured in his anthology 'Suburban Monsters' (which I absolutely loved), 'Downpour' is set in a rural town and sheds light on the horrors lurking within suburbia. The last half had me in so much suspense and I was STRESSED! The ending... just wow. My heart. If 'suburban horror' is a sub-genre, Hawkins is the king.
I'm so thankful to Coronis Publishing and Netgalley for the e-ARC and to Christopher Hawkins for sending me a physical copy. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this debut novel and absolutely loved it! I definitely recommend reading this on a rainy night or with some rain sound effects going.
Author: Christopher Hawkins
Genre: Horror
"𝔹𝕦𝕥 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕣𝕒𝕚𝕟, 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕨𝕒𝕤 𝕢𝕦𝕚𝕖𝕥, 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕜𝕪 𝕙𝕒𝕕 𝕞𝕒𝕕𝕖 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕖 𝕨𝕠𝕣𝕝𝕕 𝕓𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕜 𝕒𝕟𝕕 𝕘𝕣𝕒𝕪."
A single dark cloud appears over a remote farmhouse in rural Illinois, like an entity with a mind of its own, roiling and swirling and bringing in a fierce and implacable rain.
Everything it touches starts to change. Metal turns to rust, people become violent. As the rain seeps into the cracks of his childhood home and leaks begin to form, a father must race against time to protect his family.
'Downpour' is a horror that takes its time, building a sense of unease and dread slowly and deliberately, like steady drops of rain. As the threat of danger moves closer and the family home begins to crumble, the already isolated setting grows smaller and smaller.
One thing I consistently love about Christopher Hawkins' writing is that it feels like CLASSIC horror. Foreboding, dismal, tragic... but real. Much like the short stories featured in his anthology 'Suburban Monsters' (which I absolutely loved), 'Downpour' is set in a rural town and sheds light on the horrors lurking within suburbia. The last half had me in so much suspense and I was STRESSED! The ending... just wow. My heart. If 'suburban horror' is a sub-genre, Hawkins is the king.
I'm so thankful to Coronis Publishing and Netgalley for the e-ARC and to Christopher Hawkins for sending me a physical copy. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this debut novel and absolutely loved it! I definitely recommend reading this on a rainy night or with some rain sound effects going.
October 4, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Christopher Hawkins for my arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
Christopher Hawkins' "Downpour" follows a family in Illinois that becomes trapped in their ramshackle family home while a toxic rain falls just outside. They soon discover that this is happening all over the world and that anyone caught in the toxic downpour (see what I did there) becomes deranged.
I uh. I do not know how I felt about this one. It's short but the way it was written made it seem much longer. I thought it was just a slow-burn but it wasn't even that. It was incredibly slow. Like watching paint dry slow. I didn't find this particularly interesting, scary, or thrilling. I was just bored by it. And then the damn family drama. My god. The main character was so hard for me to buy into; he complained and just whined about his failing marriage like every other paragraph and it was just so boring. I usually find that stuff compelling and emotional but in this book, it just came across as childish and pointless. It doesn't help that the author seemed stuck on particular phrases that he reused MULTIPLE times throughout the book, sometimes on the same page in the same paragraph! I mean, I am genuinely baffled by all of the 4/5 star reviews. Did we even read the same book? It's pretty suspect if I'm being honest...I might also just have standards for what I'm spending my time reading.
Overall, this was a massively disappointing and severely underwhelming read. I'm upset that I spent my limited free time reading this.
Christopher Hawkins' "Downpour" follows a family in Illinois that becomes trapped in their ramshackle family home while a toxic rain falls just outside. They soon discover that this is happening all over the world and that anyone caught in the toxic downpour (see what I did there) becomes deranged.
I uh. I do not know how I felt about this one. It's short but the way it was written made it seem much longer. I thought it was just a slow-burn but it wasn't even that. It was incredibly slow. Like watching paint dry slow. I didn't find this particularly interesting, scary, or thrilling. I was just bored by it. And then the damn family drama. My god. The main character was so hard for me to buy into; he complained and just whined about his failing marriage like every other paragraph and it was just so boring. I usually find that stuff compelling and emotional but in this book, it just came across as childish and pointless. It doesn't help that the author seemed stuck on particular phrases that he reused MULTIPLE times throughout the book, sometimes on the same page in the same paragraph! I mean, I am genuinely baffled by all of the 4/5 star reviews. Did we even read the same book? It's pretty suspect if I'm being honest...I might also just have standards for what I'm spending my time reading.
Overall, this was a massively disappointing and severely underwhelming read. I'm upset that I spent my limited free time reading this.
September 14, 2023
“All across what was left of the ceiling, dark tendrils spread through the cracking plaster like lightning strikes, glistening with strange energy.”
Reading this book gave me a serious case of melancholy. It was a great read, but just depressing overall.
This story is centred on a family- one that’s on the brink of imploding- and add an apocalyptic rain storm to the mix.
You have a character driven plot, narrated by a husband with historical trauma who feels he needs to protect his children and his ancestral land from threats human and cosmic alike.
As things worsen, we are caught within Scott’s turbulent mind as he makes tough decisions, personal sacrifices, and sees his home and relationships start to crumble around him.
The ending for me, wasn’t what I was hoping for. Some of the shocking twists I kind of guessed ahead of time. I guess I was wanting more positive outcomes for the characters.
This certainly isn’t your typical end of the world story, especially as the focus sticks to one location and a small number of characters we learn about pre-storm. You really become invested in their plight and get to know each person.
Thank you to NetGalley, & the author for a copy to review.
Reading this book gave me a serious case of melancholy. It was a great read, but just depressing overall.
This story is centred on a family- one that’s on the brink of imploding- and add an apocalyptic rain storm to the mix.
You have a character driven plot, narrated by a husband with historical trauma who feels he needs to protect his children and his ancestral land from threats human and cosmic alike.
As things worsen, we are caught within Scott’s turbulent mind as he makes tough decisions, personal sacrifices, and sees his home and relationships start to crumble around him.
The ending for me, wasn’t what I was hoping for. Some of the shocking twists I kind of guessed ahead of time. I guess I was wanting more positive outcomes for the characters.
This certainly isn’t your typical end of the world story, especially as the focus sticks to one location and a small number of characters we learn about pre-storm. You really become invested in their plight and get to know each person.
Thank you to NetGalley, & the author for a copy to review.
May 26, 2023
Downpour is a devastating book. It starts fast, with a storm that seems off as it rolls in. Eventually, a nightmare unfolds, and the reader is left to watch a family in despair, trying to survive an otherworldly rainstorm.
I read this book in one sitting. The story is incredibly fast-paced and I really found myself flying through the pages. The story is so heartbreakingly written that I just needed to cling onto every bit of hope, which kept me reading. I felt a lot of the fear and unease that the characters felt, which was honestly kind of draining.
I’ll never look at heavy rain the same way again!
Thank you to NetGalley and Christopher Hawkins for providing me with a review copy of Downpour!
I read this book in one sitting. The story is incredibly fast-paced and I really found myself flying through the pages. The story is so heartbreakingly written that I just needed to cling onto every bit of hope, which kept me reading. I felt a lot of the fear and unease that the characters felt, which was honestly kind of draining.
I’ll never look at heavy rain the same way again!
Thank you to NetGalley and Christopher Hawkins for providing me with a review copy of Downpour!
June 16, 2023
I was first introduced to this author via his collection of short stories, Suburban Monsters. When I saw this book pop up on NetGalley, I immediately requested it without reading the description, genre, or even paying much attention to the title.
The story starts with a family living in a rundown house in the middle of nowhere. Scott, our narrator, grew up in the farmhouse and has had to sell off the land to make ends meet - all he has left is the farmhouse and he's struggling with taking care of the old house. He lives with his wife, Dana, but they're having problems because she cheated on him and he's trying to decide if he can forgive her. Dana also hates the farmhouse, hates being in the middle of nowhere, and hates that it's still decorated exactly how it was when Scott was young. They have 2 children - one teenage boy and one four year old girl.
I assumed the book was horror (which it was) based on the author's short story collection. About 10% into the story, nothing horror-y had happened yet and I started to wonder if maybe I should have, you know, read anything about this book before requesting it. However, it's so well written and interesting that even if the book was just general fiction about Scott and his family's struggles that I was okay with it. It also made the remaining 90% of the book more engaging because the author threw me into this world and made the family feel real.
But then - a strange looking cloud appears in the sky! And I knew it was horror and here it comes!!
This cloud appears; it's the only one in the sky and is a less common type (a mammatus - I learned a new cloud type). Scott doesn't trust the cloud or the rain that it brings but everyone tells him he's being ridiculous. Dana is frustrated because she wants to repair their marriage but all he can talk about is a stupid cloud. She puts her hand into the rain to demonstrate that it's perfectly harmless (shocking spoiler - it's not). Scott humors her and lets a couple of drops get on him but doesn't like the feel of the rain so refuses to do more and insists the family stays inside.
From here, the story ramps up quickly. Scott watches a YouTube live streamer who's videoing the cloud. And then what happens next isn't all that supernatural but was really creepy and probably the part of the book that stuck with me the most.
I'm trying not to give too much away. This was an intense story, very engaging, believable, and terrifying. I stayed up way too late reading this which was a horrible choice because then it was the middle of the night and I was freaked out from the book.
The author does an amazing job with Scott's character development and narration. Scott had gotten that little rain on him in the beginning and it's causing him to change. It's done very well in the writing where the language changes ever so slightly as Scott changes. At first, I was wondering if the language change was a mistake but then realized what the author was doing and loved it.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advance review copy.
The story starts with a family living in a rundown house in the middle of nowhere. Scott, our narrator, grew up in the farmhouse and has had to sell off the land to make ends meet - all he has left is the farmhouse and he's struggling with taking care of the old house. He lives with his wife, Dana, but they're having problems because she cheated on him and he's trying to decide if he can forgive her. Dana also hates the farmhouse, hates being in the middle of nowhere, and hates that it's still decorated exactly how it was when Scott was young. They have 2 children - one teenage boy and one four year old girl.
I assumed the book was horror (which it was) based on the author's short story collection. About 10% into the story, nothing horror-y had happened yet and I started to wonder if maybe I should have, you know, read anything about this book before requesting it. However, it's so well written and interesting that even if the book was just general fiction about Scott and his family's struggles that I was okay with it. It also made the remaining 90% of the book more engaging because the author threw me into this world and made the family feel real.
But then - a strange looking cloud appears in the sky! And I knew it was horror and here it comes!!
This cloud appears; it's the only one in the sky and is a less common type (a mammatus - I learned a new cloud type). Scott doesn't trust the cloud or the rain that it brings but everyone tells him he's being ridiculous. Dana is frustrated because she wants to repair their marriage but all he can talk about is a stupid cloud. She puts her hand into the rain to demonstrate that it's perfectly harmless (shocking spoiler - it's not). Scott humors her and lets a couple of drops get on him but doesn't like the feel of the rain so refuses to do more and insists the family stays inside.
From here, the story ramps up quickly. Scott watches a YouTube live streamer who's videoing the cloud. And then what happens next isn't all that supernatural but was really creepy and probably the part of the book that stuck with me the most.
I'm trying not to give too much away. This was an intense story, very engaging, believable, and terrifying. I stayed up way too late reading this which was a horrible choice because then it was the middle of the night and I was freaked out from the book.
The author does an amazing job with Scott's character development and narration. Scott had gotten that little rain on him in the beginning and it's causing him to change. It's done very well in the writing where the language changes ever so slightly as Scott changes. At first, I was wondering if the language change was a mistake but then realized what the author was doing and loved it.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this advance review copy.
November 14, 2023
This book is one of the most heartbreaking stories I have read in my life, it is up there with early Stephen King books such as A Long Walk, and Cujo, and The Last Man by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley.
It is outstanding, and it is going to stay with me for a while, It is also one of the very few books that I need to take time afterword’s to process it.
The writing is exceptional, with complex and relatable characters that you really feel for, it was tense and emotional and very hard to put down.
If you like to feel like a book has punched you in the gut, then I highly recommend this book.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.*
It is outstanding, and it is going to stay with me for a while, It is also one of the very few books that I need to take time afterword’s to process it.
The writing is exceptional, with complex and relatable characters that you really feel for, it was tense and emotional and very hard to put down.
If you like to feel like a book has punched you in the gut, then I highly recommend this book.
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.*
September 22, 2023
Remember in The Mist when....everything just started to fall apart and you just didn't know how things would end?
Yeah, it's kind of like that.
Scott lives in his childhood home, with his wife and two children. The home is falling apart, he's sold all of the land surrounding it to a neighbor, and he's struggling to make a living. His wife has recently betrayed him and he's stuck. Stuck by the memories of his life in that house, stuck by the pressure of having a family.
One day, the gray cloud appears and starts to spread. With it comes a strange rain, one that eats away at surfaces and turns animals and people into monsters. Scott must save his family from this rain and from the outside before it's too late.
MY GOD. The end. THE END. I don't think I blinked for the last two chapters. Christopher Hawkins knows how to pull at the heartstrings and bring a sense of dread and horror all at the same time.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Yeah, it's kind of like that.
Scott lives in his childhood home, with his wife and two children. The home is falling apart, he's sold all of the land surrounding it to a neighbor, and he's struggling to make a living. His wife has recently betrayed him and he's stuck. Stuck by the memories of his life in that house, stuck by the pressure of having a family.
One day, the gray cloud appears and starts to spread. With it comes a strange rain, one that eats away at surfaces and turns animals and people into monsters. Scott must save his family from this rain and from the outside before it's too late.
MY GOD. The end. THE END. I don't think I blinked for the last two chapters. Christopher Hawkins knows how to pull at the heartstrings and bring a sense of dread and horror all at the same time.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Read
June 13, 2023Very repetitive
September 30, 2025
A lean, mean debut horror novel from Hawkins (who wrote the fantastic short story collection Suburban Monsters) about a family struggling financially that, out of the blue, encounters an odd rain cloud one day that is more menacing than anyone could have imagined. As it grows, and as more pop up over the country, the rain pouring down from it begins to have a strange, terrible effect on those that come into contact with it. Won't say any more so as to leave the developments to be experienced by you, the reader. Suffice it to say, things begin to unravel, and the rain becomes a character all in itself. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Hawkins can write for sure. Short but effective. 4.5 stars. Highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews