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Summer Never Ends II: God's Mistake
In 2009, a small youth group is going on a summer float trip. They expect to spend the weekend on the river, having fun, visiting the cold spring, playing on a rope swing . . .
They have no idea they are being stalked by a madman. A masked killer, who is obsessed with the brutal events that took place at Creston Bible Camp in 1985. He believes he’s continuing the work started by those psychopaths, and that these young Christians all deserve to die!
By hatchet . . . by arrow . . . by blade . . . by any means necessary, he will kill and kill again . . . until the river runs RED.
From Splatterpunk Award nominated author Judith Sonnet (The Home, Every Night in the Bone Orchard, and City of the Killing Dead), SUMMER NEVER ENDS GOD’S MISTAKE is an old-school slasher filled with nasty kills and energetic mayhem!
Praise for Judith Sonnet
“There are writers, but even rarer, there are storytellers. Judith Sonnet is a storyteller and of the very best follow her down the path, unlatch the gate, and disappear inside the dark world she’s cultivated. Once she takes you by the hand, you’ll never look back.” Rebecca Rowland, author of White Trash and Recycled Nightmares.
“Judith Sonnet is so much more than an extreme horror writer. She knows how to write compelling, complex characters, and she knows what scares us.” Lucas Mangum, author of Saint Sadist.
“Trust me, Judith Sonnet's The Home might just be the best horror novel you read this year. Great characters, stellar concept, creative villains, perfect pacing and an ending I promise you won't see coming. A masterclass in horror.” Duncan Ralston, author of Woom.
“Welcome to my new favorite subgenre of Judith Sonnet.” Gage Greenwood, author of Bunker Dogs.
"In a flooded market where extreme is being done to death, it’s satisfying to be genuinely terrified again. Terror! Horror! Agony! does just that." Phrique, author of Gig of the Damned.
“The Clown Hunt was my introduction to Judith’s work and I was immediately hooked by her ability to write graphic visceral violence while telling a compelling story with diverse characters and sociopolitical depth.” Wrath James White, author of The Resurrectionist.
“You know that sick twisted mix of shock and excitement that broke out across your face when you watched your favorite 80's slasher for the first time? That's how you'll look the entire time while reading Summer Never Ends God’s Mistake.” Paul Avery Tindol, author of This House Will Never Be Warm
They have no idea they are being stalked by a madman. A masked killer, who is obsessed with the brutal events that took place at Creston Bible Camp in 1985. He believes he’s continuing the work started by those psychopaths, and that these young Christians all deserve to die!
By hatchet . . . by arrow . . . by blade . . . by any means necessary, he will kill and kill again . . . until the river runs RED.
From Splatterpunk Award nominated author Judith Sonnet (The Home, Every Night in the Bone Orchard, and City of the Killing Dead), SUMMER NEVER ENDS GOD’S MISTAKE is an old-school slasher filled with nasty kills and energetic mayhem!
Praise for Judith Sonnet
“There are writers, but even rarer, there are storytellers. Judith Sonnet is a storyteller and of the very best follow her down the path, unlatch the gate, and disappear inside the dark world she’s cultivated. Once she takes you by the hand, you’ll never look back.” Rebecca Rowland, author of White Trash and Recycled Nightmares.
“Judith Sonnet is so much more than an extreme horror writer. She knows how to write compelling, complex characters, and she knows what scares us.” Lucas Mangum, author of Saint Sadist.
“Trust me, Judith Sonnet's The Home might just be the best horror novel you read this year. Great characters, stellar concept, creative villains, perfect pacing and an ending I promise you won't see coming. A masterclass in horror.” Duncan Ralston, author of Woom.
“Welcome to my new favorite subgenre of Judith Sonnet.” Gage Greenwood, author of Bunker Dogs.
"In a flooded market where extreme is being done to death, it’s satisfying to be genuinely terrified again. Terror! Horror! Agony! does just that." Phrique, author of Gig of the Damned.
“The Clown Hunt was my introduction to Judith’s work and I was immediately hooked by her ability to write graphic visceral violence while telling a compelling story with diverse characters and sociopolitical depth.” Wrath James White, author of The Resurrectionist.
“You know that sick twisted mix of shock and excitement that broke out across your face when you watched your favorite 80's slasher for the first time? That's how you'll look the entire time while reading Summer Never Ends God’s Mistake.” Paul Avery Tindol, author of This House Will Never Be Warm
- GenresHorror
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 8, 2025
23 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Judith Sonnet
89 books1,323 followersUsed to write extreme horror but now I write WEIRD horror and I'm having a blast with it! Check out OUR SARNATH on November 22nd!
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 23, 2025
My reviews of any Judith Sonnet books are going to be biased because I am absolutely obsessed with her writing in general, but when I say it was SO nice to go back to this summer camp and join the
SHITSHOW for a second time.. I fully mean it. This sequel is different enough from the first one so that it is not redundant in the slightest, the kills are executed wonderfully (pun intended), and the references to the first book are all woven into the story in a way that makes it feel fun, even if you’re reading about young people dying.
I will always recommend Judith because she’s that girl, but even if I wasn’t a fan of her’s, this is undeniably impressive and just a good time with horror.
SHITSHOW for a second time.. I fully mean it. This sequel is different enough from the first one so that it is not redundant in the slightest, the kills are executed wonderfully (pun intended), and the references to the first book are all woven into the story in a way that makes it feel fun, even if you’re reading about young people dying.
I will always recommend Judith because she’s that girl, but even if I wasn’t a fan of her’s, this is undeniably impressive and just a good time with horror.
August 10, 2025
Who doesn’t love a good double feature? Well, they don’t do that shit anymore b/c most have the attention spans of goldfish, so I had to create my own. “The Summer of What Took Me So Long” continues as I FINALLY get to Summer Never Ends just as part 2 dropped & it proved to be the 1-2-punch that I didn’t know I needed. You get a dead kid, you get a dead kid, look under your chairs; you all get dead kids!
Quick Synopsis:
Summer Camp seems like a nightmare. Throw in some bibles & you will be begging someone to bludgeon you to death or gouge your eyes out. Well speak of the devil, these campers are in luck! While the mystery of the how and why are solved; in part 2, the new question is How is it Happening Again?! Someone is picking up where the killings left off, determined to finish what they started.
First things first, the mood & the style of these were so perfectly 80’s slasher. It was actually difficult to tell that they were written so recently. So Sonnet’s attention to tone/detail maintain their elite status throughout. 2nd off, the “motive” for the killings was so original & jaw-dropping, I legit had a “Damn, that’s good” moment when we found out. What ensued was everything you could ever want in a fucked-up slasher that harpoons & lampoons the genre/the subject matter so dead on. Another winning combo from Sonnet that I highly recommend. Fun throughout, very much looking forward to part 3!
Quick Synopsis:
Summer Camp seems like a nightmare. Throw in some bibles & you will be begging someone to bludgeon you to death or gouge your eyes out. Well speak of the devil, these campers are in luck! While the mystery of the how and why are solved; in part 2, the new question is How is it Happening Again?! Someone is picking up where the killings left off, determined to finish what they started.
First things first, the mood & the style of these were so perfectly 80’s slasher. It was actually difficult to tell that they were written so recently. So Sonnet’s attention to tone/detail maintain their elite status throughout. 2nd off, the “motive” for the killings was so original & jaw-dropping, I legit had a “Damn, that’s good” moment when we found out. What ensued was everything you could ever want in a fucked-up slasher that harpoons & lampoons the genre/the subject matter so dead on. Another winning combo from Sonnet that I highly recommend. Fun throughout, very much looking forward to part 3!
July 25, 2025
A great Sequel~
May 7, 2025
𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟, 𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭, 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 "𝐬𝐢𝐧" 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫.
In my review of the first book, which was part coming-of-age story, I said that the reader can't appreciate the lighthearted moments of bonding because this is Judith Sonnet, and she's about to make us hurt. Guess what? I was ready to get hurt again, but in this continuation, that meant being completely battered, bruised, bleeding, and emotionally eviscerated.
It's 2009, and the setting remains a church camp. This time youth group leader Gerry Wattson is organizing the annual rafting trip, and he's excited to get the kids of Value Evangelical Free Church together to commune with nature and just have fun before another school year begins. Gerry had no idea he was leading the kids he had sworn to protect into a blood-soaked massacre done in the name of erasing "God's mistake."
Yes, the kills are brutal and plentiful, but once again, there is a broader message here than what a typical slasher may have. There are a lot of characters in this book, many created just to meet an unfortunate end, but the inner monologue the author gave several of them gave them so much depth. I have my own stories of religious traumas, but some people like Gerry are truly good people who do their best to lead by example. He's not a blind follower; he questions things and interprets Scriptures in a way that brings him closer to people instead of labeling and excluding them.
I was shocked and delighted by the direction this one took and am so excited to read the final installment coming in 2026! Many thanks to the author for my early copy. Look for this beauty on June 8, 2025.
In my review of the first book, which was part coming-of-age story, I said that the reader can't appreciate the lighthearted moments of bonding because this is Judith Sonnet, and she's about to make us hurt. Guess what? I was ready to get hurt again, but in this continuation, that meant being completely battered, bruised, bleeding, and emotionally eviscerated.
It's 2009, and the setting remains a church camp. This time youth group leader Gerry Wattson is organizing the annual rafting trip, and he's excited to get the kids of Value Evangelical Free Church together to commune with nature and just have fun before another school year begins. Gerry had no idea he was leading the kids he had sworn to protect into a blood-soaked massacre done in the name of erasing "God's mistake."
Yes, the kills are brutal and plentiful, but once again, there is a broader message here than what a typical slasher may have. There are a lot of characters in this book, many created just to meet an unfortunate end, but the inner monologue the author gave several of them gave them so much depth. I have my own stories of religious traumas, but some people like Gerry are truly good people who do their best to lead by example. He's not a blind follower; he questions things and interprets Scriptures in a way that brings him closer to people instead of labeling and excluding them.
I was shocked and delighted by the direction this one took and am so excited to read the final installment coming in 2026! Many thanks to the author for my early copy. Look for this beauty on June 8, 2025.
June 21, 2025
I've been vocal about my support for Judith Sonnet's career and I don't see that stopping anytime soon. She's an incredibly underrated horror author with an incredible imagination and a charisma that just sparkles. 'Summer Never Ends' is a brilliant novella, so when I found out she was writing two sequels to it, it's safe to say I was very excited.
It's 2009 and the murders that happened at The Honeymoon Lodge are a distant memory, but folks in these parts still remember the terrifying incident. Now a small flock is going to a nearby camp to stay over the weekend, but despite Gerry trying to make sure everyone's safe, a killer's on the loose. The past is coming back to haunt them and no one will make it out unscathed.
Judith Sonnet has written a brilliant novel that's a delightful and heart-wrenching sequel to 'Summer Never Ends.' This is a story with a lot of likable characters, terrifying villains, plenty of tension and moments of heartbreak. I appreciate Judith for diving into the harsh reality of the bigotry that surrounds religious culture, particularly Christianity. I'm tired of people using their religion as an excuse for hatred, especially since the bible literally tells people to be kind to others despite our differences.
TW: Death of children, homophobia, sexism, gore and religious extremism.
Overall: It's an outstanding continuation of the original novella. I can't wait to see how this trilogy concludes! 10/10
It's 2009 and the murders that happened at The Honeymoon Lodge are a distant memory, but folks in these parts still remember the terrifying incident. Now a small flock is going to a nearby camp to stay over the weekend, but despite Gerry trying to make sure everyone's safe, a killer's on the loose. The past is coming back to haunt them and no one will make it out unscathed.
Judith Sonnet has written a brilliant novel that's a delightful and heart-wrenching sequel to 'Summer Never Ends.' This is a story with a lot of likable characters, terrifying villains, plenty of tension and moments of heartbreak. I appreciate Judith for diving into the harsh reality of the bigotry that surrounds religious culture, particularly Christianity. I'm tired of people using their religion as an excuse for hatred, especially since the bible literally tells people to be kind to others despite our differences.
TW: Death of children, homophobia, sexism, gore and religious extremism.
Overall: It's an outstanding continuation of the original novella. I can't wait to see how this trilogy concludes! 10/10
November 15, 2025
this sequel was SO much better than the original. the introduction of so many characters with such limited pages had me nervous as first, considering i had just been disappointed with that happening in the original. (yes, i know it's a slasher... still!) but judith was really able to execute it well and pretty smoothly.
the characters had more depth and were fleshed out, and i was genuinely getting sadder and sadder as they were inevitably killed off. the plot twists had me GAGGED as well, i haven't had a good plot twist in a few reads!
i love the usage of a strong, captivating final girl (although we did have one other survivor) final girls have my whole heart. i'll never get tired of the trope. ever.
don's character had me slightly confused after the twists, but it eventually pieced together and made more sense as i kept reading. i knewwww don was the killer very early on, but it seems obviously thought out and done on purpose so the other reveals were even more shocking. ahhh!
i loved this book! it was campy and full of gore. not too long, but this book didn't feel too short either, unlike the original, which just felt like something was...missing.
eek! i'm stoked for the 3rd book, making this a trilogy!!
the characters had more depth and were fleshed out, and i was genuinely getting sadder and sadder as they were inevitably killed off. the plot twists had me GAGGED as well, i haven't had a good plot twist in a few reads!
i love the usage of a strong, captivating final girl (although we did have one other survivor) final girls have my whole heart. i'll never get tired of the trope. ever.
don's character had me slightly confused after the twists, but it eventually pieced together and made more sense as i kept reading. i knewwww don was the killer very early on, but it seems obviously thought out and done on purpose so the other reveals were even more shocking. ahhh!
i loved this book! it was campy and full of gore. not too long, but this book didn't feel too short either, unlike the original, which just felt like something was...missing.
eek! i'm stoked for the 3rd book, making this a trilogy!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 23, 2025
⭐️: 4.5
”From the woods, watchful eyes studied the children. Eyes that glowed red with titanic and unwavering rage. Sinners…God makes too many mistakes…it’s up to me to correct them.”
Though I did like the first book, I liked this one a lot more! Both are novellas, this one takes places 20 something years after the first story but I felt like this one gave more depth to the characters, we got to know some backstory to each character and we got to connect more to them, which is what I thought was missing from the first book but I just chalked it up to it being a novella but no, this one had that lol. This one reads more like a slasher/whodunnit and I really liked that aspect. It was gory, suspenseful, thrilling and the ending left on a cliffhanger so now I have to wait to read the 3rd part next year😫
”From the woods, watchful eyes studied the children. Eyes that glowed red with titanic and unwavering rage. Sinners…God makes too many mistakes…it’s up to me to correct them.”
Though I did like the first book, I liked this one a lot more! Both are novellas, this one takes places 20 something years after the first story but I felt like this one gave more depth to the characters, we got to know some backstory to each character and we got to connect more to them, which is what I thought was missing from the first book but I just chalked it up to it being a novella but no, this one had that lol. This one reads more like a slasher/whodunnit and I really liked that aspect. It was gory, suspenseful, thrilling and the ending left on a cliffhanger so now I have to wait to read the 3rd part next year😫
June 22, 2025
Sonnet really builds up every character, knowing them like they are her best friends, making you love (or hate!) them with excellent character building. And then she throws your emotions in a blender by killing off all your favourites by executing perfect kills that hit hard. To top it off, this book had not one, but TWO hella amazing twists that you do not see coming. She leads you on, thinking one thing, but really pulls the rug from under you with her twists. I swear Sonnet's books get better and better the more she writes. I couldn't put this down! If you loved the first book, the sequel is equally entertaining and twisted. My only problem is that I now have to wait until next year for the third instalment.
May 8, 2025
Summer Never Ends 2️⃣ God's Mistake
If you thought the summer of 1985 was rough, wait until you see what happens in 2009!
These stories definitely read like 80s slasher movies for me. It's great! The kills are killer 🔪 🏹 🐍
The storyline is my takeaway, though. How skewed religious nuts are more of a villain than any horror movie or book can project. She also portrays the side of how religion could or should be. I liked seeing both sides like this. The way the first book tied into the second was insane!
The ending came together amazingly, and a great setup for the final book that's coming in 2026.
Thanks, Judith Sonnet, for another banger! I am so grateful I got to read it early 🖤
If you thought the summer of 1985 was rough, wait until you see what happens in 2009!
These stories definitely read like 80s slasher movies for me. It's great! The kills are killer 🔪 🏹 🐍
The storyline is my takeaway, though. How skewed religious nuts are more of a villain than any horror movie or book can project. She also portrays the side of how religion could or should be. I liked seeing both sides like this. The way the first book tied into the second was insane!
The ending came together amazingly, and a great setup for the final book that's coming in 2026.
Thanks, Judith Sonnet, for another banger! I am so grateful I got to read it early 🖤
June 8, 2025
I enjoyed this campy slasher.but I think the take away was more than just your typical hack and slash book(even though there’s plenty of bloody scenes). For me, it had more of a “there’s two sides to religion” message. There are those who believe for the sake of themselves and those who turn it and make it a radical ideal. Twisting belief into something so extreme and pushing it on others. A testament to the heinous things done to people in the name of religion.
Am I digging too deep? Probably. It’s a very well thought out novel and a good sequel for the trilogy!
Am I digging too deep? Probably. It’s a very well thought out novel and a good sequel for the trilogy!
August 18, 2025
I had a lot of fun with this one, which is great! I've been wanting to get into Judith's stuff but have bounced off of some of the more extreme novels in the past... while I enjoy a lot of stuff that's advertised as "extreme" I'm pretty tame by genre standards.
This book is a mostly straight forward slasher, with enough character development to make a reader actually care once the blood gets flowing. The first Summer Never Ends was also a good read, but given the length and speed of the action it didn't feel complete to me... but this does the job nicely. Why yes, Book 1 DOES seem like the backstory to a modern slasher/monster.
It works, I look forward to book 3!
This book is a mostly straight forward slasher, with enough character development to make a reader actually care once the blood gets flowing. The first Summer Never Ends was also a good read, but given the length and speed of the action it didn't feel complete to me... but this does the job nicely. Why yes, Book 1 DOES seem like the backstory to a modern slasher/monster.
It works, I look forward to book 3!
May 23, 2025
This book! Its wild and fast paced, gory and detailed. it ran smooth and did not feel rushed at all and it captured my attention quickly. She makes the characters relatable and sweet, making it harder when they "go away". I liked the ending, it was perfect in my eyes. I also loved that there will be a third installment, I just want to cry thats its so far off!
June 10, 2025
Phenomenal follow up to one of my favorite Sonnet books and I would definitely say I enjoyed this one even more.
Loved how it tied into the first while also going its own route. Kept me interested all the way through and I can’t wait for the 3rd installment next year!
Loved how it tied into the first while also going its own route. Kept me interested all the way through and I can’t wait for the 3rd installment next year!
July 4, 2025
My God!
What a freakin roller coaster of emotions! I could not put this book down if I tried. Ms. Judith Sonnet. If you ever read this review, know you have now evolved as a writer tenfold. Wow! Just Holy wow!
What a freakin roller coaster of emotions! I could not put this book down if I tried. Ms. Judith Sonnet. If you ever read this review, know you have now evolved as a writer tenfold. Wow! Just Holy wow!
October 5, 2025
I was so invested in this book that I finished it during my lunch break and ate two string cheeses and a strawberry yogurt
this book was so cinematic and Sonnets writing has such beautiful prose I LOVE IT
this book was so cinematic and Sonnets writing has such beautiful prose I LOVE IT
July 22, 2025
A solid slasher.
A hell of a ride.
if you like 80's slashers and a fast pace with engaging characters this book is a must.
This is another brilliant book by Judith Sonnet.
A hell of a ride.
if you like 80's slashers and a fast pace with engaging characters this book is a must.
This is another brilliant book by Judith Sonnet.
September 13, 2025
Loved it
I really liked this one. Twist I didn't see coming at all. I'll be sure to mark my calendar for three third book in the trilogy.i going to read more Judith Sonnett.
I really liked this one. Twist I didn't see coming at all. I'll be sure to mark my calendar for three third book in the trilogy.i going to read more Judith Sonnett.
October 3, 2025
preferred over the first boom in the series, the ending filled me with joy rather than an urge to bang my head against a wall
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews