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Video Night
Who better to repel a body-snatching alien invasion than a group of teenage horror nerds?
Billy and Tom are best friends, but each knows that at the end of the school year they'll be moving in different directions. But why not go out with a bang and throw one last video night? They can invite some girls over, order a pizza, then maybe try and fight the alien infection that's taken hold over their suburban town.
It's The Breakfast Club meets The Night of the Creeps in this slime-drenched '80s horror romp.
"Hit that first chapter. It’ll hook you, and the next time you look up, you’ll have swallowed the book. It’ll be nesting inside you like a seed, like an egg, like an invasion." -Stephen Graham Jones, author of Mongrels
"The momentum keeps building. The stakes keep escalating. The monsters just keep getting worse and worse, the catastrophic mayhem more juicy and hopeless. Best of all, the writing moves like a greased torpedo, compulsively readable as it rockets through your brain." -Fangoria
"If you put together the gore, action, monsters, and sense of excitement that made '80s horror movies so great, you'll only have about half of what makes Video Night a must-read tome for horror fans." -Horrortalk
Billy and Tom are best friends, but each knows that at the end of the school year they'll be moving in different directions. But why not go out with a bang and throw one last video night? They can invite some girls over, order a pizza, then maybe try and fight the alien infection that's taken hold over their suburban town.
It's The Breakfast Club meets The Night of the Creeps in this slime-drenched '80s horror romp.
"Hit that first chapter. It’ll hook you, and the next time you look up, you’ll have swallowed the book. It’ll be nesting inside you like a seed, like an egg, like an invasion." -Stephen Graham Jones, author of Mongrels
"The momentum keeps building. The stakes keep escalating. The monsters just keep getting worse and worse, the catastrophic mayhem more juicy and hopeless. Best of all, the writing moves like a greased torpedo, compulsively readable as it rockets through your brain." -Fangoria
"If you put together the gore, action, monsters, and sense of excitement that made '80s horror movies so great, you'll only have about half of what makes Video Night a must-read tome for horror fans." -Horrortalk
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
326 people are currently reading
4095 people want to read
About the author
Adam Cesare
34 books2,589 followersAdam Cesare is a New Yorker who lives in Philadelphia. His books include Clown in a Cornfield, Video Night, The Summer Job, and Zero Lives Remaining. He’s an avid fan of horror cinema and runs Project: Black T-Shirt, a YouTube review show where he takes horror films and pairs them with reading suggestions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 364 reviews
January 21, 2024
Unpredictable.
I’m pleased to see that this book does not read in a predictable way.
I generally don’t like to read books about teenagers getting what they deserve because nowadays it has become a cliche.
But although this book is about teen horror, it is definitely not a cliche. It is about a small group of teens who are fighting with monsters to take back their town. Will they be able to do it? Will everything depend on their success?
I don’t want to spoil the whole story for anyone so I’ll probably have to stop writing at this juncture.
Four fantastic stars. ✨✨✨✨
I’m pleased to see that this book does not read in a predictable way.
I generally don’t like to read books about teenagers getting what they deserve because nowadays it has become a cliche.
But although this book is about teen horror, it is definitely not a cliche. It is about a small group of teens who are fighting with monsters to take back their town. Will they be able to do it? Will everything depend on their success?
I don’t want to spoil the whole story for anyone so I’ll probably have to stop writing at this juncture.
Four fantastic stars. ✨✨✨✨
April 6, 2025
Adam Cesare captured the classic 80s horror feel so damn well here. Nothing was scary, but it wasn’t written to be that way. Everything was horror-oriented but had a very entertaining and silly undertone to it. The dialogue, the interactions of the characters, the way it was written, all commanded my attention and made me smile. But it also had some genuinely well done gore and alien creatures running wild. Hands down, I thought Darl was the best character. His unexpected arc was tremendous, and satisfied me immensely. Rhonda was a great lead villain and her having all those hysterical back and forths with Darl had me laughing quite a few times. Billy, Rachel, and Tom were so fun as the insecure, horny, fun loving teenagers that aim to save the day, too. I also really appreciated the depth that Cesare brought the reader into the friendship of Tom and Billy. Honestly, it was all just great. I highly recommend to fans of 80s horror films (Which means basically every true horror enthusiast) and traditional alien invasion types who want something a little different and more lighthearted.
March 30, 2019
Pleasantly surprised! Entertainment value 5+ stars!!
Well, a lot of people wrote reviews in which the mentioned the movie INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (understandably), but the vibe made me think more about the movie THE FACULTY starring Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood (pre-LOTR) and a few other faces you'll recognize in smaller roles - like Jon Stewart and Usher. Personally, I loved that movie.
I'm not a big fan of alien movies/books in general and I mostly avoid them. But this book, VIDEO NIGHT, works for me because of a few things:
The 80's nostalgia...
Yes, I grew up in the 80's and like most around my age, that decade brings a lot of fond memories. It was a more innocent time. You still had to enter all the digits of a phone number if you wanted to call somebody. Kids rode around on their bicycles from friend to friend without the fear of getting stabbed or worse. Car windows still needed a bit of manual labor to go down or up - their was no button. Information was not as freely available because personal computers were still exactly that, personal, with no link to any other computers...and this meant words like 'web' were still used for spiders, 'surfing' was only done at sea and 'mail' still needed a postage stamp. It also meant that kids actually had to visit the library from time to time to complete assignments - encyclopedias were expensive and very quickly outdated.
Well, those are just some of the more common things, but add to that that I grew up in a country that was very conservative and sheltered from the outside world, and you might be surprised by a few of the things I can tell you.
There were so many things that were banned outright that it was easy for the powers that be to keep the people ignorant, especially when it came to entertainment.
Porn magazines (I know I was to young, but I was also a boy) had black stars over the 'interesting' bits - which is probably why most dads only bought them for the articles...uhm...
Music was controlled to the point where bands like Black Sabbath, KISS, Led Zep and Ozzy Osborne were banned outright. I actually read about most of these bands in the late 80's when I was given a book about how Satan is trying to steal our souls through music - and it included Tears for Fears, Def Leppard, A-ha, Billy Idol, Depeche Mode and, not to forget, the very spawn of Satan, Cliff Richard! (I shit you not - do you remember his song DEVIL WOMAN?)
And movies...sigh...
I only saw TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE in the 90's. There were so many movies that were banned because they were either too violent, sexual, profane, cultist or sent the wrong message. this list is much too long to even begin, but every now and then something would slip past them (at least for a little while) like the name Pussy Galore...
I watched THE EVIL DEAD at a friend's house because his father snuck it into the country after going to America for something.
I heard Ozzy Osborne and Manowar for the first time at another friend's house because his brother knew a guy who had a friend who snuck it into the country after being overseas - in other words, it was a copy of a copy of a copy, which meant the sound quality was not great anymore.
Anyway, I'm going off subject here. This book and the references to the 80's brought all that nostalgia bubbling to the surface.
Another thing this book had going was that the author actually included a different perspective - it was not like the usual alien stuff where they launched an attack and seemed utterly invincible. They had their difficulties as well, not only with the taking over of the bodies but with the control and adjustment periods needed. I found this completely refreshing and (just trust me on this) more believable.
The characters, for the most part, were believable and, most importantly (perhaps), expendable - meaning that nobody was 'safe', anyone could actually die in this book. And, (Brownie points to the author), I was 15 pages from the end and still wasn't sure how he was going to end this one.
This horror novel comes highly recommended to all horror fans!
READ THIS NOW!
Well, a lot of people wrote reviews in which the mentioned the movie INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS (understandably), but the vibe made me think more about the movie THE FACULTY starring Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood (pre-LOTR) and a few other faces you'll recognize in smaller roles - like Jon Stewart and Usher. Personally, I loved that movie.
I'm not a big fan of alien movies/books in general and I mostly avoid them. But this book, VIDEO NIGHT, works for me because of a few things:
The 80's nostalgia...
Yes, I grew up in the 80's and like most around my age, that decade brings a lot of fond memories. It was a more innocent time. You still had to enter all the digits of a phone number if you wanted to call somebody. Kids rode around on their bicycles from friend to friend without the fear of getting stabbed or worse. Car windows still needed a bit of manual labor to go down or up - their was no button. Information was not as freely available because personal computers were still exactly that, personal, with no link to any other computers...and this meant words like 'web' were still used for spiders, 'surfing' was only done at sea and 'mail' still needed a postage stamp. It also meant that kids actually had to visit the library from time to time to complete assignments - encyclopedias were expensive and very quickly outdated.
Well, those are just some of the more common things, but add to that that I grew up in a country that was very conservative and sheltered from the outside world, and you might be surprised by a few of the things I can tell you.
There were so many things that were banned outright that it was easy for the powers that be to keep the people ignorant, especially when it came to entertainment.
Porn magazines (I know I was to young, but I was also a boy) had black stars over the 'interesting' bits - which is probably why most dads only bought them for the articles...uhm...
Music was controlled to the point where bands like Black Sabbath, KISS, Led Zep and Ozzy Osborne were banned outright. I actually read about most of these bands in the late 80's when I was given a book about how Satan is trying to steal our souls through music - and it included Tears for Fears, Def Leppard, A-ha, Billy Idol, Depeche Mode and, not to forget, the very spawn of Satan, Cliff Richard! (I shit you not - do you remember his song DEVIL WOMAN?)
And movies...sigh...
I only saw TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE in the 90's. There were so many movies that were banned because they were either too violent, sexual, profane, cultist or sent the wrong message. this list is much too long to even begin, but every now and then something would slip past them (at least for a little while) like the name Pussy Galore...
I watched THE EVIL DEAD at a friend's house because his father snuck it into the country after going to America for something.
I heard Ozzy Osborne and Manowar for the first time at another friend's house because his brother knew a guy who had a friend who snuck it into the country after being overseas - in other words, it was a copy of a copy of a copy, which meant the sound quality was not great anymore.
Anyway, I'm going off subject here. This book and the references to the 80's brought all that nostalgia bubbling to the surface.
Another thing this book had going was that the author actually included a different perspective - it was not like the usual alien stuff where they launched an attack and seemed utterly invincible. They had their difficulties as well, not only with the taking over of the bodies but with the control and adjustment periods needed. I found this completely refreshing and (just trust me on this) more believable.
The characters, for the most part, were believable and, most importantly (perhaps), expendable - meaning that nobody was 'safe', anyone could actually die in this book. And, (Brownie points to the author), I was 15 pages from the end and still wasn't sure how he was going to end this one.
This horror novel comes highly recommended to all horror fans!
READ THIS NOW!
March 29, 2018
VIDEO NIGHT is a perfect example of a creature feature combined with a small town and 80's nostalgia. For fans of this type of horror, it would be difficult for you to find a better book than this.
Billy and his best friend have a standing date once a week to watch a video, almost always a horror movie. Their video store is small and space is limited, so they've seen every horror movie available over and over again. But this week, VIDEO NIGHT is not going to go as planned. Both boys have dates and not all of them will survive. In fact, most of the town won't survive. Will Billy himself make it through? You'll have to read this to find out!
I love all kinds of horror, dark fiction and even some fantasy, but I have a special place in my heart for both the 80's and for creature features, so this book was perfect for me. (It only took me so long to read it because friends of mine, [I'm looking at you Kimberly and Andi], gifted me a gorgeous signed/limited edition and I didn't want to crack the spine!) I had some high expectations going in, and I'm happy to report that this book lived up to each and every one of them.
I listened to the audio and Matt Godfrey did a great job of narrating, as always. I admit that I wondered how his calm manner would work in a book that was so fast paced and gory, but I needn't have worried. He brought it all home with a certain style that I enjoyed.
If you like creature-features and 80's nostalgia, or if you grew up during that time, there is no book out there better suited to you than VIDEO NIGHT!
BONUS! If you're a member of the Horror Aficionados group at Goodreads, come join us during the month of April, when Adam Cesare himself is participating in a group read of this book. He'll be available for your questions and comments! It's free to join and all you need is a copy of the book, which you can get in all formats here:
https://www.amazon.com/Video-Night-No... )
*Thanks to Matt Godfrey, the narrator, for the free audio of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is it.*
Billy and his best friend have a standing date once a week to watch a video, almost always a horror movie. Their video store is small and space is limited, so they've seen every horror movie available over and over again. But this week, VIDEO NIGHT is not going to go as planned. Both boys have dates and not all of them will survive. In fact, most of the town won't survive. Will Billy himself make it through? You'll have to read this to find out!
I love all kinds of horror, dark fiction and even some fantasy, but I have a special place in my heart for both the 80's and for creature features, so this book was perfect for me. (It only took me so long to read it because friends of mine, [I'm looking at you Kimberly and Andi], gifted me a gorgeous signed/limited edition and I didn't want to crack the spine!) I had some high expectations going in, and I'm happy to report that this book lived up to each and every one of them.
I listened to the audio and Matt Godfrey did a great job of narrating, as always. I admit that I wondered how his calm manner would work in a book that was so fast paced and gory, but I needn't have worried. He brought it all home with a certain style that I enjoyed.
If you like creature-features and 80's nostalgia, or if you grew up during that time, there is no book out there better suited to you than VIDEO NIGHT!
BONUS! If you're a member of the Horror Aficionados group at Goodreads, come join us during the month of April, when Adam Cesare himself is participating in a group read of this book. He'll be available for your questions and comments! It's free to join and all you need is a copy of the book, which you can get in all formats here:
https://www.amazon.com/Video-Night-No... )
*Thanks to Matt Godfrey, the narrator, for the free audio of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is it.*
March 12, 2018
Every Friday night, high school seniors Billy and Tom watch a horror movie in Billy's basement. As this Friday draws near, a secret alien invasion threatens to take over the town. Can Billy and Tom save the world in time to watch The Re-Animator and keep the Video Night tradition alive?
Back when I was a horny teenage boy in that hazy time before the internet, I'd stay up all hours of the night watching movies on Showtime, trying to catch a glimpse of boob. In the process, I watched a lot of b-movies, mostly horror. Video Night brings back fond memories of that time.
In the vein of the 'teenagers against an other worldly menace' movies of the 1980s/early 1990s, Video Night is a fun, nostalgia-laden gorefest. What else can you expect when alien organisms are infecting people?
I was reminded of a whole slew of movies while reading this: Night of the Creeps, Night of the Comet, Monster Squad, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Return of the Living Dead, and a ton of others. It seems like the whole damn down was crawling with monsters by the end.
The ending did not disappoint and was true to the books origins. My hunger for more of Adam Cesare's work has grown significantly since I first opened the book.
It might be a case of the perfect book for the time I was reading but I can't think of a single bad thing to say about this book. I think Adam Cesare and I would have been pals had we met as teenagers. Five out of five stars.
Back when I was a horny teenage boy in that hazy time before the internet, I'd stay up all hours of the night watching movies on Showtime, trying to catch a glimpse of boob. In the process, I watched a lot of b-movies, mostly horror. Video Night brings back fond memories of that time.
In the vein of the 'teenagers against an other worldly menace' movies of the 1980s/early 1990s, Video Night is a fun, nostalgia-laden gorefest. What else can you expect when alien organisms are infecting people?
I was reminded of a whole slew of movies while reading this: Night of the Creeps, Night of the Comet, Monster Squad, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Return of the Living Dead, and a ton of others. It seems like the whole damn down was crawling with monsters by the end.
The ending did not disappoint and was true to the books origins. My hunger for more of Adam Cesare's work has grown significantly since I first opened the book.
It might be a case of the perfect book for the time I was reading but I can't think of a single bad thing to say about this book. I think Adam Cesare and I would have been pals had we met as teenagers. Five out of five stars.
March 30, 2018
VIDEO NIGHT, by Adam Cesare is a novel that those of us with fond memories of growing up in the 80's will be able to identify with. From the old VHS horror movies, to the "video night" between friends--now adding their girlfriends to the mix, which changes things on that "mental" level--this book was one that I couldn't help but love.
Add to this nostalgia an alien invasion--that, of course, those with an obsession for old horror movies will be the only ones even partially prepared for--and you have a fun-filled creature romp sure to evoke memories of childhood movie marathons.
As one of Cesare's earlier novels (his first written, I believe he mentioned), I was very impressed with how well this one worked. Of course, I've always had a soft spot for the "80's style" books and movies, so this was no real surprise to me. Adam Cesare is an author I've read quite a bit more from lately, and I highly encourage other horror lovers to check out his novels.
Highly recommended!
Add to this nostalgia an alien invasion--that, of course, those with an obsession for old horror movies will be the only ones even partially prepared for--and you have a fun-filled creature romp sure to evoke memories of childhood movie marathons.
As one of Cesare's earlier novels (his first written, I believe he mentioned), I was very impressed with how well this one worked. Of course, I've always had a soft spot for the "80's style" books and movies, so this was no real surprise to me. Adam Cesare is an author I've read quite a bit more from lately, and I highly encourage other horror lovers to check out his novels.
Highly recommended!
July 2, 2022
3.5 Stars
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
August 19, 2022
‘Infest to Possess - goddamn, them little black peas!’
Just a fun, light hearted reptilian alien adventure set back in the 80’s, when watching horror videos with friends rented from the local Blockbuster store was all the rage. Oh yeah, and throw in a group of US teenage youngsters who are only too eager to enjoy like to the full at the earliest opportunity.
A great story, believable characters and non-stop highly creative action all the way - so what could there possibly be not to like!
Only downside for me was that I was expecting a big twist or reveal of blood curdling originality at the end, but was left with a fitting, but rather predictable, end to the world as we would know it.
Would look forward to seeing it as a movie, but, despite the title, produced in ultra- modern dvd, big screen or online streamed versions only….provided this old rock still exists!
Highly enjoyable.
Rating: 4.1 alien loving, bright stars from galaxies unknown.
Just a fun, light hearted reptilian alien adventure set back in the 80’s, when watching horror videos with friends rented from the local Blockbuster store was all the rage. Oh yeah, and throw in a group of US teenage youngsters who are only too eager to enjoy like to the full at the earliest opportunity.
A great story, believable characters and non-stop highly creative action all the way - so what could there possibly be not to like!
Only downside for me was that I was expecting a big twist or reveal of blood curdling originality at the end, but was left with a fitting, but rather predictable, end to the world as we would know it.
Would look forward to seeing it as a movie, but, despite the title, produced in ultra- modern dvd, big screen or online streamed versions only….provided this old rock still exists!
Highly enjoyable.
Rating: 4.1 alien loving, bright stars from galaxies unknown.
August 19, 2022
Well I had written a review but it seems to have got lost! 🙄
This was such a lot of fun, and took me back to my teenage years, back in the 80’s to the best time of my life!! The music, movies, and most everything else was THE BEST!!
This is the first Adam Cesare book which I’ve read, but won’t be the last! Also I’m not usually into creature features, but this was completely different to what I imagined it to be. The storyline is great, the characters are likeable, and there was a lot of humour....what’s not to like?!!
This was read with friends in a Buddy Read, which made it even more enjoyable, so thanks guys 😘
I highly recommend this to everyone....you will not be disappointed!!
5 tentacular ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was such a lot of fun, and took me back to my teenage years, back in the 80’s to the best time of my life!! The music, movies, and most everything else was THE BEST!!
This is the first Adam Cesare book which I’ve read, but won’t be the last! Also I’m not usually into creature features, but this was completely different to what I imagined it to be. The storyline is great, the characters are likeable, and there was a lot of humour....what’s not to like?!!
This was read with friends in a Buddy Read, which made it even more enjoyable, so thanks guys 😘
I highly recommend this to everyone....you will not be disappointed!!
5 tentacular ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 13, 2019
I didn't realize I needed more alien horror fiction in my life until I read VIDEO NIGHT by Adam Cesare. I've said this before but I need to say it again now, horror cinema is not my thing. I don't really have a frame of reference when it comes to dialog about classic horror movie tropes. I'm aware of their existence, I know *about* them but when I'm reading a book like VIDEO NIGHT, the context is all new to me. So I can't say, confidently, that VIDEO NIGHT reminds me of *this* movie or *that* movie. What I can tell you is that because of Adam Cesare, I get to live vicariously through his profound knowledge and love for horror cinema when I read his books. It's the perfect reader/author relationship.
I feel like Adam is writing novelizations that capture the essence of what he loves so much about horror cinema. His stories read like movies for me and that's exactly what someone with my limited experience, wants & needs.
Other authors try to do this and it's my opinion that they often fail. Cinema-styled fiction tends to have weak characters, thin plots and lean too heavy on the gore and mayhem to satisfy readers.
Cesare champions this genre because his characters are fully-formed, 3-dimensional people I care about and I can invest in them. He has a knack for witty, authentic dialog serving the dual purpose of keeping up that fast pace (like a movie) and showing his character's personalities instead of just telling.
I recently read a book that was all telling:
This killer is obsessed with serial killers! This killer is dangerous! This killer is crazy! (I'd rather be shown the actions of the killer and deduce those attributes for myself.)
And this is what Adam does best. All the showing (in graphic, descriptive detail) and this is why VIDEO NIGHT has that awesome Cesare Cinema quality that I show up for time and time again.
I loved this creature-feature. The aliens are scary, threatening, scene-stealingly funny and disgusting.
The teenage protagonists, Billy and Tom, were exceptionally realistic and charming.
I buddy read this with Kallie of PageandParlor and we had fun popping up in each other's DMs to check in on progress and share experiences. I'm eager to read her review.
I'm recommending this book to fans of horror cinema, alien horror, creature-features, invasion of the body snatchers/Stranger Things 3, gory descriptive details, monster mayhem and a fast-paced, movie-like reading experience.
Grab your popcorn and a buddy--this one is fun!
I feel like Adam is writing novelizations that capture the essence of what he loves so much about horror cinema. His stories read like movies for me and that's exactly what someone with my limited experience, wants & needs.
Other authors try to do this and it's my opinion that they often fail. Cinema-styled fiction tends to have weak characters, thin plots and lean too heavy on the gore and mayhem to satisfy readers.
Cesare champions this genre because his characters are fully-formed, 3-dimensional people I care about and I can invest in them. He has a knack for witty, authentic dialog serving the dual purpose of keeping up that fast pace (like a movie) and showing his character's personalities instead of just telling.
I recently read a book that was all telling:
This killer is obsessed with serial killers! This killer is dangerous! This killer is crazy! (I'd rather be shown the actions of the killer and deduce those attributes for myself.)
And this is what Adam does best. All the showing (in graphic, descriptive detail) and this is why VIDEO NIGHT has that awesome Cesare Cinema quality that I show up for time and time again.
I loved this creature-feature. The aliens are scary, threatening, scene-stealingly funny and disgusting.
The teenage protagonists, Billy and Tom, were exceptionally realistic and charming.
I buddy read this with Kallie of PageandParlor and we had fun popping up in each other's DMs to check in on progress and share experiences. I'm eager to read her review.
I'm recommending this book to fans of horror cinema, alien horror, creature-features, invasion of the body snatchers/Stranger Things 3, gory descriptive details, monster mayhem and a fast-paced, movie-like reading experience.
Grab your popcorn and a buddy--this one is fun!
August 18, 2022
Nostalgia overload!
An 80s homage done right. A fun, Splatterpunk Comedy - Not for all the family.
Great fun, and highly entertaining! Especially If you grew up during those sacred times. If you were lucky enough to grow up without social media, the internet, mobile phones, etc. -and you enjoy horror- then you're more than likely going to enjoy the hell out of this story.
There were so many nods to different movies in this book that I lost track... The whole story felt very -body-snatcher-esque. A lot of comparisons can be made to the movie 'The Faculty' - An old favourite of mine from the late 90s. There's plenty of funny lines here too.
I read this with some awesome people from the horror aficionados group. Great company, and a lot of fun! A nice change for me, as non of my friends read. It's hard enough to get them to watch a movie with subtitles, let alone read an actual book.
4.5 Stars.
An 80s homage done right. A fun, Splatterpunk Comedy - Not for all the family.
Great fun, and highly entertaining! Especially If you grew up during those sacred times. If you were lucky enough to grow up without social media, the internet, mobile phones, etc. -and you enjoy horror- then you're more than likely going to enjoy the hell out of this story.
There were so many nods to different movies in this book that I lost track... The whole story felt very -body-snatcher-esque. A lot of comparisons can be made to the movie 'The Faculty' - An old favourite of mine from the late 90s. There's plenty of funny lines here too.
I read this with some awesome people from the horror aficionados group. Great company, and a lot of fun! A nice change for me, as non of my friends read. It's hard enough to get them to watch a movie with subtitles, let alone read an actual book.
4.5 Stars.
August 17, 2022
Story 5/5
Narration 5/5
I loved it!
Adam Cesare’s Video Night is a well written alien horror story. The writing is dynamic and full of humor. I was well entertained. The creatures were nightmarish and the killing scenes were gory. It reminded me of the movie The Faculty (you were right Stu), which I loved.
I highly recommend it!
Narration 5/5
I loved it!
Adam Cesare’s Video Night is a well written alien horror story. The writing is dynamic and full of humor. I was well entertained. The creatures were nightmarish and the killing scenes were gory. It reminded me of the movie The Faculty (you were right Stu), which I loved.
I highly recommend it!
May 9, 2025
This book brought back many memories from the 80s. Horror movies from the rental stories, sessions to watch them with friends, many things that caught my attention back then. The story was a bit thin, the author's style somehow not to my liking and it was extremely tough to see any process while reading. The story dragged more than a bit. I don't know why. Maybe too many cliches, a predictable tale told in too long a fashion, the fact that I was a youth in the 80s with no surprises after the first chapters... hard to say. But not my cup of tea. Recommended for bringing back the old days a bit. Cool cover too. But I'm glad I'm through here.... our video nights were better than this novel...
May 31, 2018
Bottom line up front…your enjoyment of Video Night is going to be at least partially predicated on how much you love the 80’s. If you are a child of the 80’s, or have just come to love it through other renditions in modern media, then you’ll find much to like here, especially in the first half of the book. Regardless of why you might appreciate it, it’s patently obvious that 80’s nostalgia is pretty high right now, with Ready Player One and Stranger Things effortlessly taking us back to a time when synthpop and butt-rock ruled the airwaves, the women were women (and so were the men!), and neon spandex was all the rage. As a child of the 80’s, I have a rather strong fondness for that time period, as I remember growing up with the wonder of the original Star Wars movies and toys, the portability of cassettes (Walkman style!), and the power of hairspray. So, Video Night seemed right up my alley.
And in the nostalgia sense it was. This book is basically an 80’s straight-to-video movie in novel form, and author Adam Cesare plumbs the big-hair decade for all its worth. The classic horror movies? Check! The fiddling with the tracking of the VCR? Check! The Trapper Keepers and the Jansports? Check! Virginia Slims? Check! There are numerous pop-culture references in this book that brought me back to my youth, while also bringing a smile on my face. I was decidedly lower middle-class growing up, but honestly had no issue with my childhood. I had a caring mom, good friends, and a decent school. So for me the 80’s represents a simple and fun time, which I have no problems revisiting in various forms of media nowadays.
But…nostalgia can only carry you so far, and while this book has much to offer with 80’s references, it can’t quite reach those heights with the narrative. Like I said, it feels like a B-movie in book format. And you know what? Maybe that’s the vibe Adam Cesare was going for. If so, he succeeded admirably. But the problem with that approach, if that is the approach that was used, is that it somewhat lessens the impact of the book. No, this isn’t Jane Austen, but it still could have had a bit more narrative heft. But, do we want a book to be good…or do we want a book to be fun? Ideally, I’d like both, but if I had to settle for one…I guess I’d choose fun? Maybe?
Like all my reviews, I will try to keep this one devoid of spoilers. If it’s not mentioned in the official book synopsis then I’ll do my level best to avoid mentioning it here.
Don’t think I’m only bashing here. One of the places that the book stands tall is with the main characters. No, they are not the most detailed protagonists to ever grace a novel’s pages, but Mr. Cesare successfully pulls his characters from all walks of life, throwing them together in a way that’s believable and entertaining. It’s basically like a slight riff on The Breakfast Club, with the nerd, the troublemaker, and the pretty girl next door (readhead naturally!). Each character gets a little backstory that fits perfectly within the target decade. Billy, the earnest and awkward nerd, is arguably the “main” character of Video Night, and he reminds me a lot of me back in those days. Skittish around girls, slightly OCD, and perpetually trying to play the peacekeeper, Billy would hardly be anyone’s choice for a hero. Thankfully, he’s got his buddy Tom to look out for him. Tom is the traditional 80’s bad boy, leather jacket and a “don’t give a shit” veneer coupled with an unhappy home life and a major chip on his shoulder. But there may be a deeper side to him that even he isn’t aware of. Then we have Rachel, Billy’s neighbor/crush, who has the brains AND the beauty, but who really just wants to fit in and be a little less “perfect”. And when the chips are down during the alien shenanigans, she may just be the one to carry the day, instead of being the traditional “damsel in distress”. Keep in mind that, yes, these are young protagonists, and they tend to act as such. And while I generally have a problem with “teenagers save the day!” storylines, in the context of Video Night it totally works.
There are plenty more supporting characters who share the pages with our heroes, including Officer Darl, who becomes trapped in his own mind as the alien invasion goes into full swing. Ironically, he’s one of the most engaging characters, as he is basically a hero and a villain rolled into one character, and his observations of the crazy crap doing down around him are generally amusing. But the rest of the characters are hit or miss, sometimes getting a bit of backstory and defined motivations, sometimes not so much. Most other characters are, like in those classic horror movies, just fodder for the creatures, which is totally ok.
As for the creatures, they are effective enough. There’s a bit of an Alien/Aliens vibe about when they emerge from their hosts, which is suitably gruesome and fun. In fact, the plot of Video Night is a bit of Invasion of the Body Snatchers mixed with Aliens, with John Hughes overtones and a dash of late night Cinemax naughtiness thrown in for good measure. The aliens are led by a queen, and we do get some time in her headspace, but while she is vicious and dangerous, we never get much insight into her motivations or how the invasion started in the first place.
Much like the 80’s elements it so freely resurrects, Video Night is very much a character driven affair, with the plot coming in second. It is outrageous style over measured substance. Most of the time is spent with the characters interacting with each other, so the narrative doesn’t spend as much time with the details as I would have liked. And this is where I struggle, since I know it’s channeling the cheap vibe, but I still wanted a little more definition and impact with my story. The body horror elements are there, but the sense of dread and confusion regarding an alien invasion is significantly lacking. This isn’t a scary tale so much as a gruesome one, and I think the book would have been better served with a healthy serving of dread. However, if blood and gore is your thing, Video Night more than has you covered. You can practically feel the viscera under your fingers as you turn the pages.
If you were expecting a lot of raunchiness, you may come away unsatisfied (pun intended). There’s quite a bit of softcore sexiness going on, but nothing truly audacious or sleazy.
Sadly, like the sleaze, the humor is all over the place. There are times when the funnies hit...and times when they miss by a mile. Some people might say that the 80's are funny enough by themselves, and maybe in a sitcom that would be true. But in written word, we need more than just casual references and old slang sayings, and Video Night didn't always hit the mark.
Look, if you are reading this book for a slice of 80’s cheese, then you won’t come away disappointed. It has that in spades. It’s got the body horror, the casual sexuality, and the petty domestic problems that practically define 80’s horror tales. Reading this book makes me want to watch some of the old classics (or less than classics); They Live, The Thing, Critters, and Return of the Living Dead. I’m sure they don’t hold up over time, but I have such fond memories of those movies (and many others), that I don’t really care if they’ve aged poorly. And this book does recapture some of that 80’s nostalgia for sure, so I have to give it kudos for that. But the writing just wasn’t as on point as I would have liked, and while I was entertained, I didn’t LOVE the book.
But, that said, if you have a hankering for a fun 80’s tale with a straight-to-video feel, you could certainly do worse than Video Night.
3 out of 5 teased and neon colored stars!
And in the nostalgia sense it was. This book is basically an 80’s straight-to-video movie in novel form, and author Adam Cesare plumbs the big-hair decade for all its worth. The classic horror movies? Check! The fiddling with the tracking of the VCR? Check! The Trapper Keepers and the Jansports? Check! Virginia Slims? Check! There are numerous pop-culture references in this book that brought me back to my youth, while also bringing a smile on my face. I was decidedly lower middle-class growing up, but honestly had no issue with my childhood. I had a caring mom, good friends, and a decent school. So for me the 80’s represents a simple and fun time, which I have no problems revisiting in various forms of media nowadays.
But…nostalgia can only carry you so far, and while this book has much to offer with 80’s references, it can’t quite reach those heights with the narrative. Like I said, it feels like a B-movie in book format. And you know what? Maybe that’s the vibe Adam Cesare was going for. If so, he succeeded admirably. But the problem with that approach, if that is the approach that was used, is that it somewhat lessens the impact of the book. No, this isn’t Jane Austen, but it still could have had a bit more narrative heft. But, do we want a book to be good…or do we want a book to be fun? Ideally, I’d like both, but if I had to settle for one…I guess I’d choose fun? Maybe?
Like all my reviews, I will try to keep this one devoid of spoilers. If it’s not mentioned in the official book synopsis then I’ll do my level best to avoid mentioning it here.
Don’t think I’m only bashing here. One of the places that the book stands tall is with the main characters. No, they are not the most detailed protagonists to ever grace a novel’s pages, but Mr. Cesare successfully pulls his characters from all walks of life, throwing them together in a way that’s believable and entertaining. It’s basically like a slight riff on The Breakfast Club, with the nerd, the troublemaker, and the pretty girl next door (readhead naturally!). Each character gets a little backstory that fits perfectly within the target decade. Billy, the earnest and awkward nerd, is arguably the “main” character of Video Night, and he reminds me a lot of me back in those days. Skittish around girls, slightly OCD, and perpetually trying to play the peacekeeper, Billy would hardly be anyone’s choice for a hero. Thankfully, he’s got his buddy Tom to look out for him. Tom is the traditional 80’s bad boy, leather jacket and a “don’t give a shit” veneer coupled with an unhappy home life and a major chip on his shoulder. But there may be a deeper side to him that even he isn’t aware of. Then we have Rachel, Billy’s neighbor/crush, who has the brains AND the beauty, but who really just wants to fit in and be a little less “perfect”. And when the chips are down during the alien shenanigans, she may just be the one to carry the day, instead of being the traditional “damsel in distress”. Keep in mind that, yes, these are young protagonists, and they tend to act as such. And while I generally have a problem with “teenagers save the day!” storylines, in the context of Video Night it totally works.
There are plenty more supporting characters who share the pages with our heroes, including Officer Darl, who becomes trapped in his own mind as the alien invasion goes into full swing. Ironically, he’s one of the most engaging characters, as he is basically a hero and a villain rolled into one character, and his observations of the crazy crap doing down around him are generally amusing. But the rest of the characters are hit or miss, sometimes getting a bit of backstory and defined motivations, sometimes not so much. Most other characters are, like in those classic horror movies, just fodder for the creatures, which is totally ok.
As for the creatures, they are effective enough. There’s a bit of an Alien/Aliens vibe about when they emerge from their hosts, which is suitably gruesome and fun. In fact, the plot of Video Night is a bit of Invasion of the Body Snatchers mixed with Aliens, with John Hughes overtones and a dash of late night Cinemax naughtiness thrown in for good measure. The aliens are led by a queen, and we do get some time in her headspace, but while she is vicious and dangerous, we never get much insight into her motivations or how the invasion started in the first place.
Much like the 80’s elements it so freely resurrects, Video Night is very much a character driven affair, with the plot coming in second. It is outrageous style over measured substance. Most of the time is spent with the characters interacting with each other, so the narrative doesn’t spend as much time with the details as I would have liked. And this is where I struggle, since I know it’s channeling the cheap vibe, but I still wanted a little more definition and impact with my story. The body horror elements are there, but the sense of dread and confusion regarding an alien invasion is significantly lacking. This isn’t a scary tale so much as a gruesome one, and I think the book would have been better served with a healthy serving of dread. However, if blood and gore is your thing, Video Night more than has you covered. You can practically feel the viscera under your fingers as you turn the pages.
If you were expecting a lot of raunchiness, you may come away unsatisfied (pun intended). There’s quite a bit of softcore sexiness going on, but nothing truly audacious or sleazy.
Sadly, like the sleaze, the humor is all over the place. There are times when the funnies hit...and times when they miss by a mile. Some people might say that the 80's are funny enough by themselves, and maybe in a sitcom that would be true. But in written word, we need more than just casual references and old slang sayings, and Video Night didn't always hit the mark.
Look, if you are reading this book for a slice of 80’s cheese, then you won’t come away disappointed. It has that in spades. It’s got the body horror, the casual sexuality, and the petty domestic problems that practically define 80’s horror tales. Reading this book makes me want to watch some of the old classics (or less than classics); They Live, The Thing, Critters, and Return of the Living Dead. I’m sure they don’t hold up over time, but I have such fond memories of those movies (and many others), that I don’t really care if they’ve aged poorly. And this book does recapture some of that 80’s nostalgia for sure, so I have to give it kudos for that. But the writing just wasn’t as on point as I would have liked, and while I was entertained, I didn’t LOVE the book.
But, that said, if you have a hankering for a fun 80’s tale with a straight-to-video feel, you could certainly do worse than Video Night.
3 out of 5 teased and neon colored stars!
August 18, 2022
I'm not too proud to admit that I'm a product of the 80s. I had the big hair, jelly shoes, acid wash jeans with the cuffs pegged. The thought of dialing a rotary phone hanging on the wall makes me nostalgic. I had too many cassette tapes to count. And one of my favorite things to do on the weekends was going to the video store to pick out some movies for a Video Night!
Enter Billy and Tom, two teens in the late 1980s. They have plans to watch a video with a couple of girls and have some pizza, hang out, and you know - all the things kids did back in the 80s! But something strange is going on in the neighborhood. The neighbors are acting weird and actually quite violent. The streets are looking a little empty. It's up to the Billy and Tom to figure out what's going on and put a stop to it. Big hint on the cover - it has something to do with aliens!
I actually enjoyed the book more than I expected. I had some favorite characters that I was rooting for throughout. There's some great action-packed scenes that keeps you turning the pages. And just enough gore to remind you that this is a horror book, after all.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun throwback to the 80s and a fun alien adventure.
Enter Billy and Tom, two teens in the late 1980s. They have plans to watch a video with a couple of girls and have some pizza, hang out, and you know - all the things kids did back in the 80s! But something strange is going on in the neighborhood. The neighbors are acting weird and actually quite violent. The streets are looking a little empty. It's up to the Billy and Tom to figure out what's going on and put a stop to it. Big hint on the cover - it has something to do with aliens!
I actually enjoyed the book more than I expected. I had some favorite characters that I was rooting for throughout. There's some great action-packed scenes that keeps you turning the pages. And just enough gore to remind you that this is a horror book, after all.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun throwback to the 80s and a fun alien adventure.
January 30, 2023
I love everything this author writes, but this one was definitely my favorite. It's an old-school style, aliens take over the town horror.
June 11, 2017
In his afterward, author Adam Cesare notes that although Video Night was his third published novel, it was actually the first book he had written. During my reading of this story, I had suspected it was his first novel, which is not to say it's bad (ratings-wise, I'm leaning toward 3.5 stars, but have rounded up), just that there are some rough patches here and there.
Video Night is a solid bit of fun, but it lacks some of the surety and depth of a latter book like Con Season, Cesare's most recent. This is a pulpy, straight-forward, 1980s-infused horror story about an alien invasion in Long Island. Cesare is a well-studied student, and clearly a loving fan, of the horror genre (check out his YouTube for his thoughts on recent films, and a book pairing to go along with the movie), and it shows in each of the few stories of his I've read. The dude knows the ins and outs of horror and its genre conventions, and lovingly crafts odes to the gorefests of yesteryear. Video Night is an earnest, and oftentimes nostalgic, exploration of 80s horror, putting at its center two teenage boys who indulge in VHS horror rentals for their weekly video night. The appearance of a new drug on the scene and some odd behavior by the locals builds towards a video night well beyond anything they had imagined, but their habitual consumption of horror flicks may have left Billy and Tom the most prepared for an alien attack.
As a child of the 80s, I found a lot to enjoy here. While it's impossible for me to watch a VHS tape in these days of high-definition, I couldn't help but recall a certain fondness for the technology of old and the almost ritualistic preparation of popping in a movie cassette and adjusting the VCR's tracking on a worn out tape to try and salvage some degree of picture quality. Video Night is a different type of alien invasion story -- there are no UFOs or laser guns -- and it's neat to compare mankind's then-cutting edge technology against an almost mundane, lo-fi, subversive alien threat. The finale is wonky fun and full of silly conceits (never before have frozen TV dinners been used to such great success, I'd wager!), and Chekhov's Gun gets a workout here in the form a samurai sword.
Video Night wears its horror influences on its sleeve, and with proud, horror-geek fondness. It's not a book of insider's baseball like Con Season was, and it's main aim is simply to have fun. On that level, Cesare succeeds. It's not particularly deep or thematically rich, but it is entertaining enough for me to overlook some of the rougher edges. It's not quite enough to get me to swear off Blu-ray discs and streaming HD movies, but I doubt that was the point, anyway...
Video Night is a solid bit of fun, but it lacks some of the surety and depth of a latter book like Con Season, Cesare's most recent. This is a pulpy, straight-forward, 1980s-infused horror story about an alien invasion in Long Island. Cesare is a well-studied student, and clearly a loving fan, of the horror genre (check out his YouTube for his thoughts on recent films, and a book pairing to go along with the movie), and it shows in each of the few stories of his I've read. The dude knows the ins and outs of horror and its genre conventions, and lovingly crafts odes to the gorefests of yesteryear. Video Night is an earnest, and oftentimes nostalgic, exploration of 80s horror, putting at its center two teenage boys who indulge in VHS horror rentals for their weekly video night. The appearance of a new drug on the scene and some odd behavior by the locals builds towards a video night well beyond anything they had imagined, but their habitual consumption of horror flicks may have left Billy and Tom the most prepared for an alien attack.
As a child of the 80s, I found a lot to enjoy here. While it's impossible for me to watch a VHS tape in these days of high-definition, I couldn't help but recall a certain fondness for the technology of old and the almost ritualistic preparation of popping in a movie cassette and adjusting the VCR's tracking on a worn out tape to try and salvage some degree of picture quality. Video Night is a different type of alien invasion story -- there are no UFOs or laser guns -- and it's neat to compare mankind's then-cutting edge technology against an almost mundane, lo-fi, subversive alien threat. The finale is wonky fun and full of silly conceits (never before have frozen TV dinners been used to such great success, I'd wager!), and Chekhov's Gun gets a workout here in the form a samurai sword.
Video Night wears its horror influences on its sleeve, and with proud, horror-geek fondness. It's not a book of insider's baseball like Con Season was, and it's main aim is simply to have fun. On that level, Cesare succeeds. It's not particularly deep or thematically rich, but it is entertaining enough for me to overlook some of the rougher edges. It's not quite enough to get me to swear off Blu-ray discs and streaming HD movies, but I doubt that was the point, anyway...
February 17, 2018
4.0 Stars
This was such an entertaining horror story! Set in the 1980s, this book is filled with nostalgia for the age of VCRs and movie rental stores. I read this book in a few sittings, because I simply did not want to stop. The narrative was compulsive, reading like the book version of a classic alien invasion movie.
Told from multiple perspective, the plot moved along quickly. The characters were vulgar and immature, which made them feel like realistic teenagers. The tone of the story was more entertaining, than straight up terrifying. Yet, there were certainly a few gruesome scenes in this novel.
I would highly recommend this novel to any readers looking to dive into a super fun horror story filled with alien goodness.
This was such an entertaining horror story! Set in the 1980s, this book is filled with nostalgia for the age of VCRs and movie rental stores. I read this book in a few sittings, because I simply did not want to stop. The narrative was compulsive, reading like the book version of a classic alien invasion movie.
Told from multiple perspective, the plot moved along quickly. The characters were vulgar and immature, which made them feel like realistic teenagers. The tone of the story was more entertaining, than straight up terrifying. Yet, there were certainly a few gruesome scenes in this novel.
I would highly recommend this novel to any readers looking to dive into a super fun horror story filled with alien goodness.
September 30, 2015
I did not want this to end. Growing up in the 80s, I've had a love affair with what people call 'icky bug' stories, and this was one of the best I've read in a long time. A great creature feature that made me nostalgic. Cesare hits all the right notes, amping up the scares and mixing in doses of humor at just the right moments. This is an alien invasion you'll never forget.
October 4, 2022
“Today we officially enter a brave new era in our history,” the monster says. “An era that not only continues the age of unchecked prosperity we have been enjoying for my time in office, but also one that ushers in what I hope you have already recognized as one of new community-building and togetherness. The next few months and years will be glorious, but make no mistake: they will not be easy. I want you to focus on the future and to rest assured that we have a plan. We have always had a plan.”
March 16, 2021
Wow, what a fun book! This brings to mind my teenage years- going to the movie store and browsing the horror section, dragging my little sister along. Thankfully, we didn't have aliens taking over our bodies... or did we?! I liked all the characters. They were real and easy to connect to and care about. I liked the story, it was lots of fun. I really liked the ending. I wasn't expecting that but Bravo!
I received this audio book in exchange for a honest review.
I received this audio book in exchange for a honest review.
April 13, 2020
I was attracted to this book because it’s premise reminded of those used to sell Goosebump’s books and also having a Video Night in with my friends is something I love to do. The first half of this book passes in build up to that premise, which would be fantastic if the relationship between the two main characters felt like a friendship.
Billy and Tom have been friends all their lives. Their a regular odd couple. Billy is the quiet, nerdy boy from a middle class family who has worked hard in high school and looking to go to college. Tom is the cool, underachiever from a lower class family. My one grievance with this book is that you don’t get an sense that these characters actually like each other. Instead their friendship feels more like the character Tom using Billy for his companionship and money.
Other than that Video Night boasts some pretty great body horror, though it never chills or invokes terror, it does well at grossing out the reader.
Billy and Tom have been friends all their lives. Their a regular odd couple. Billy is the quiet, nerdy boy from a middle class family who has worked hard in high school and looking to go to college. Tom is the cool, underachiever from a lower class family. My one grievance with this book is that you don’t get an sense that these characters actually like each other. Instead their friendship feels more like the character Tom using Billy for his companionship and money.
Other than that Video Night boasts some pretty great body horror, though it never chills or invokes terror, it does well at grossing out the reader.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2013
It's like Stuart Gordon and John Carpenter had sex and their undead mutant baby was this book. Video Night is a wonderfully fun thrill ride that echoes almost perfectly the tone of 80s B-monster flicks like Night of the Creeps, Nightmares (the movie anthology starring Moon Unit Zappa), and They Live. The last act ran through a little quickly for me, but it worked well without going so far into camp that the spell was ever broken. If you grew up in the 80s or grew up on 80s horror, this book will take you back. Great stuff.
March 29, 2018
Please see the audiobook version for my review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 2, 2022
kind of a random choice read for me, but I really enjoyed it. Will talk more about this in a video coming soon
May 22, 2020
When I read that this book was about a body-snatching alien invasion I thought what could be better!? Not a lot is the answer. My god this is fun, it's like reading an old cheesy horror movie, and I think that is on purpose but even if it’s not I like it. Do not take this book seriously fellow readers, it is a light hearted and very enjoyable read but it will not be winning any awards for literature.
The story started with a bang which I like. Straight into the action, and it was suitably gross and horror infused. As a read it’s nice and easy going, amusing and good fun, very entertaining and well worth a read.
The central characters are teenagers and so I feel that although I could relate to them (I remember being a teenager!) it would resonate with younger horror fans even more.
There is gore here, it is quite gross (fabulous) at times but I often read while I eat my lunch and this was sometimes unwise. I liked that there was some pretty decent descriptions here, often this is swept over but we got to really see what gross stuff was happening.
I’m going to stop here, there is no long review needed. If you want a fun book about body snatching aliens which is well written, look no further. This is the equivalent of a cheesy bad horror film that is still good to watch and to top it all it had a good ending.
I’m giving this a very decent 4.5*/5 but rounding up to 5 because 4 would not do it justice. I’m still smiling now.
The story started with a bang which I like. Straight into the action, and it was suitably gross and horror infused. As a read it’s nice and easy going, amusing and good fun, very entertaining and well worth a read.
The central characters are teenagers and so I feel that although I could relate to them (I remember being a teenager!) it would resonate with younger horror fans even more.
There is gore here, it is quite gross (fabulous) at times but I often read while I eat my lunch and this was sometimes unwise. I liked that there was some pretty decent descriptions here, often this is swept over but we got to really see what gross stuff was happening.
I’m going to stop here, there is no long review needed. If you want a fun book about body snatching aliens which is well written, look no further. This is the equivalent of a cheesy bad horror film that is still good to watch and to top it all it had a good ending.
I’m giving this a very decent 4.5*/5 but rounding up to 5 because 4 would not do it justice. I’m still smiling now.
May 20, 2014
Extremely well done homage to 80’s horror and 80’s horror films. Seriously, if I didn’t look at the publication date, I would have thought this was a battered old paperback from someone’s attic. Yes, I know it was a kindle book but go with me on this, please? Sheesh.
Alien town take-over by particularly nasty parasitic aliens who seed and utilize the local inhabitants as hosts done in 80’s style. Extra points given for the fact that while this was a homage, complete with humor elements, Cesare kept the story line quite scary.
Cesare keeps it seemless, too. I couldn’t spot a single anachronism or anything out of place for the time. Even the story was classic deadpan humor coupled with scares in the spirit of Re-animator or Return of the Living Dead. If you are a fan of the horror of this period you will really enjoy this book.
Alien town take-over by particularly nasty parasitic aliens who seed and utilize the local inhabitants as hosts done in 80’s style. Extra points given for the fact that while this was a homage, complete with humor elements, Cesare kept the story line quite scary.
Cesare keeps it seemless, too. I couldn’t spot a single anachronism or anything out of place for the time. Even the story was classic deadpan humor coupled with scares in the spirit of Re-animator or Return of the Living Dead. If you are a fan of the horror of this period you will really enjoy this book.
October 28, 2014
My first Cesare! Finally! Why, oh why, have I waited so long to give him a go. Video Night is a very good 80's monster romp thru a little town in Long Island.
Something has arrived to crash Billy’s get together and Billy and his friends are the only ones that can save the day - if they can take a break from Video Night and pizza long enough to do it.
Fire up the vcr, order some pizza, grab a couple of beers and get ready for Video Night. It’s going to be killer…literally. Fast, fun and just the right amount of gore dripping off the pages. 4+ Stars! Highly Recommended.
Something has arrived to crash Billy’s get together and Billy and his friends are the only ones that can save the day - if they can take a break from Video Night and pizza long enough to do it.
Fire up the vcr, order some pizza, grab a couple of beers and get ready for Video Night. It’s going to be killer…literally. Fast, fun and just the right amount of gore dripping off the pages. 4+ Stars! Highly Recommended.
February 8, 2023
Added to TBR 09/2021
Interesting, well developed characters. I wouldn't mind reading a second book with these characters.
Interesting, well developed characters. I wouldn't mind reading a second book with these characters.
December 17, 2019
That title got me from the start. Video Night!!! No way! I loved video nights in the 80’s. Mine just did not have aliens trying to kill me. They were still exciting though.
1988, when this book is set, was also a great year for me watching horror movies on video night. I remember watching A Nightmare On Elm Street 4 : The Dream Master round my friend’s house as we all sat there in the dark. We were totally engrossed and silent when my friend’s dad got home from work (he was a taxi driver) and barged in making us all jump out of our skins.
I miss Video Rental Shops. The walk round, arguing about what to watch only to discover it was rented out so move to another movie and rush back to watch it. I also loved those covers! (See VHS Video Cover Art: 1980s to Early 1990s).
The 80’s also saw the birth of the Video Nasties era which banned lots of horror movies and even those that were not horror movies but had dodgy titles like The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas (See The Video Nasties: Freedom And Censorship In The Media).
My 80’s nostalgia shelf contains books that can take you back to the 80's.
This story is set in 1988 as Billy and Tom are best friends who have regular video nights. Billy is your typical nerd or geek while Tom is a cool bad boy who gets all the girls. Billy has a crush on his neighbour Rachel who he gets to attend video night along with Darcy, Tom’s girlfriend.
They soon find out that there is something strange happening in their small town. An Alien invasion who will infect and take control of the human body in order to destroy those humans remaining. It comes down to the Video Night crew. They must fight the aliens to save their town.
There are plenty of gruesome scenes and gore runs throughout the book as the vicious aliens try to take over. The two warring factions inflict pain and agony on each other. The aliens are not the typical invincible force of thousands but monsters with their own personalities, difficulties in controlling the human body and arguing amongst themselves.
A great 80’s nostalgia creature feature horror tale.
1988, when this book is set, was also a great year for me watching horror movies on video night. I remember watching A Nightmare On Elm Street 4 : The Dream Master round my friend’s house as we all sat there in the dark. We were totally engrossed and silent when my friend’s dad got home from work (he was a taxi driver) and barged in making us all jump out of our skins.
I miss Video Rental Shops. The walk round, arguing about what to watch only to discover it was rented out so move to another movie and rush back to watch it. I also loved those covers! (See VHS Video Cover Art: 1980s to Early 1990s).
The 80’s also saw the birth of the Video Nasties era which banned lots of horror movies and even those that were not horror movies but had dodgy titles like The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas (See The Video Nasties: Freedom And Censorship In The Media).
My 80’s nostalgia shelf contains books that can take you back to the 80's.
This story is set in 1988 as Billy and Tom are best friends who have regular video nights. Billy is your typical nerd or geek while Tom is a cool bad boy who gets all the girls. Billy has a crush on his neighbour Rachel who he gets to attend video night along with Darcy, Tom’s girlfriend.
They soon find out that there is something strange happening in their small town. An Alien invasion who will infect and take control of the human body in order to destroy those humans remaining. It comes down to the Video Night crew. They must fight the aliens to save their town.
There are plenty of gruesome scenes and gore runs throughout the book as the vicious aliens try to take over. The two warring factions inflict pain and agony on each other. The aliens are not the typical invincible force of thousands but monsters with their own personalities, difficulties in controlling the human body and arguing amongst themselves.
A great 80’s nostalgia creature feature horror tale.
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