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Pandora Reborn
Ron Olson is a reluctant newcomer to Deer Falls. Adjusting to this small Colorado town is tough for Ron, who has been torn away from his father, his friends, and his soccer team.
His situation takes a frightening turn when a mysterious woman in black is released from a chest that imprisoned her. This ancient and powerful evil descends upon Deer Falls and a series of unexplained deaths follow. No one is safe. Anyone in the town could be next.
Ron is soon targeted by the centuries-old malevolent witch as she reigns terror and death upon the town. Can Ron and his new friends find out the truth about the deaths that have plagued the town and stop the witch before more people die?
His situation takes a frightening turn when a mysterious woman in black is released from a chest that imprisoned her. This ancient and powerful evil descends upon Deer Falls and a series of unexplained deaths follow. No one is safe. Anyone in the town could be next.
Ron is soon targeted by the centuries-old malevolent witch as she reigns terror and death upon the town. Can Ron and his new friends find out the truth about the deaths that have plagued the town and stop the witch before more people die?
309 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2018
12 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 24, 2020
I was taken by surprise as I started reading this book as it just grabbed me and threw me into the story quick. I read this book in a little over two days and stayed up to the wee hours of this morning finishing it.
Ron Olson along with his mother and brother move to the small town of Deer Falls to start a new life. Ron tries to adjust to the new school as he makes friends and ends up making some enemies in the short time since he arrived. Ron and his new friends come up against something that turns their world upside down as an evil witch is let loose from a chest that was buried in the ground.
When the town residents start dying and disappearing, Ron and his friends decide to investigate the circumstances of what is causing the deaths of the town and what they find is far more than they ever expected.
This was a fast paced book and I was hooked from the first chapter. I loved all the characters and I loved how the story just wrapped itself around me.
This was a debut book by author, John Coon, and I will be adding him to my list of horror authors. Five stars for this one.
Ron Olson along with his mother and brother move to the small town of Deer Falls to start a new life. Ron tries to adjust to the new school as he makes friends and ends up making some enemies in the short time since he arrived. Ron and his new friends come up against something that turns their world upside down as an evil witch is let loose from a chest that was buried in the ground.
When the town residents start dying and disappearing, Ron and his friends decide to investigate the circumstances of what is causing the deaths of the town and what they find is far more than they ever expected.
This was a fast paced book and I was hooked from the first chapter. I loved all the characters and I loved how the story just wrapped itself around me.
This was a debut book by author, John Coon, and I will be adding him to my list of horror authors. Five stars for this one.
May 16, 2020
John Coon gives us a great tale of terror and suspense in Pandora Reborn! After moving to the small town of Deer Falls, Ron Olson discovers that evil stalks its streets, an evil that will soon be coming for him if he can’t find a way to stop it. I really liked Ron and his friends, and especially the way the story reminds me of classics like It! Coon delivers a slowly building sense of dread that will be right at home in the hearts of any Stephen King fans out there!
September 22, 2018
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
This was a good read. I wasn’t sure if I would like this book. In the first couple of chapters the pacing seemed a little off but once the plot was established it took off very nicely. There was one character that seemed a little too convenient to have in the roster but I understand why they were needed. It just makes me think how different the story would be if they weren’t there. I’m reluctant to give away much more in case something is spoiler-y. One word of caution is this book is a horror so there are some graphic violent scenes.
This was a good read. I wasn’t sure if I would like this book. In the first couple of chapters the pacing seemed a little off but once the plot was established it took off very nicely. There was one character that seemed a little too convenient to have in the roster but I understand why they were needed. It just makes me think how different the story would be if they weren’t there. I’m reluctant to give away much more in case something is spoiler-y. One word of caution is this book is a horror so there are some graphic violent scenes.
July 29, 2018
As if moving to a new town isn’t difficult enough, the star football player has it in for Ron Olson. It seems like he has a beef against soccer players and the principal is on his side. All of which makes for a difficult first day of high school for Ron.
Trying to stay out of trouble, keep his soccer skills honed and make new friends isn’t easy. Unfortunately things are gonna go from bad to worse.
Kids are getting killed in the town of Deer Falls. And soon it will be up to Ron and his new classmates to find out why. If they can’t stop an ancient evil from descending upon the town, they might join the growing list of casualties.
Told through multiple POV’s, the author builds a rich landscape for his characters to populate. The worries and concerns that Ron faces are the same kind of anxieties that many teens will relate to.
Coon’s characters are well developed and personable. The dialogue is realistic and flows easily from one speaker to the next. The plot is well thought out with several twists to keep things exciting.
The novel held my interest throughout and is one that I can recommend to others. Frankly, I liked Ron and his friends so much I’d like to see them return in a new adventure.
Trying to stay out of trouble, keep his soccer skills honed and make new friends isn’t easy. Unfortunately things are gonna go from bad to worse.
Kids are getting killed in the town of Deer Falls. And soon it will be up to Ron and his new classmates to find out why. If they can’t stop an ancient evil from descending upon the town, they might join the growing list of casualties.
Told through multiple POV’s, the author builds a rich landscape for his characters to populate. The worries and concerns that Ron faces are the same kind of anxieties that many teens will relate to.
Coon’s characters are well developed and personable. The dialogue is realistic and flows easily from one speaker to the next. The plot is well thought out with several twists to keep things exciting.
The novel held my interest throughout and is one that I can recommend to others. Frankly, I liked Ron and his friends so much I’d like to see them return in a new adventure.
August 6, 2018
Pandora Reborn is an excellent first novel from US author John Coon.
Teenager Ron moves to the rural Colorado town of Deer Falls with his mother and younger brother following his parent’s divorce. Ron is in many ways a typical teenager, he is resentful of the move which has taken him away from his friends and most importantly his beloved football (soccer) team. He soon gets into trouble and ends up in detention on more than one occasion where he discovers that Deer Falls is no ordinary small town. He quickly forms firm friendships as they battle to save the town from destruction.
Overall, this is a very well written book.
- The characters are easy to relate to and personable
- Emotions and relationships are very realistic
- The author provides enough context of historical events in the town to make the current situation plausible
- The descriptive language is excellent, particularly surrounding the deaths and use of magic
- Great suspense
The only two minor negatives were that, on occasion, I didn’t understand some of the sporting jargon, and sometimes, in my opinion, there is overuse of similes. But these points did not impact on my enjoyment of this novel.
Teenager Ron moves to the rural Colorado town of Deer Falls with his mother and younger brother following his parent’s divorce. Ron is in many ways a typical teenager, he is resentful of the move which has taken him away from his friends and most importantly his beloved football (soccer) team. He soon gets into trouble and ends up in detention on more than one occasion where he discovers that Deer Falls is no ordinary small town. He quickly forms firm friendships as they battle to save the town from destruction.
Overall, this is a very well written book.
- The characters are easy to relate to and personable
- Emotions and relationships are very realistic
- The author provides enough context of historical events in the town to make the current situation plausible
- The descriptive language is excellent, particularly surrounding the deaths and use of magic
- Great suspense
The only two minor negatives were that, on occasion, I didn’t understand some of the sporting jargon, and sometimes, in my opinion, there is overuse of similes. But these points did not impact on my enjoyment of this novel.
October 3, 2024
Pandora Reborn is a perfect Halloween read. There's nothing more frightening than a teenage boy unearthing the spirit of a witch who wants vengeance. I liked the setting of the American small town combined with teenage angst and more stories than the police would care to reveal. It had that spooky, teen horror sense to it. I particularly enjoyed the war against the malevolent entity and the fear of it ever resurfacing. It gave me Jumanji vibes with the burial and the ceremony of its banishment. If you're looking for a small town, supernatural horror, go to Deer Falls! This would be perfect for anyone who enjoys It, Hocus Pocus, Jumanji and The Conjuring.
September 4, 2018
A book I would have liked gifting to my son when he was fourteen…
… but, unfortunately, by that age and by my mistake, my son was already head down into an iPhone that I had gifted him.
He never acquired the habit to read books.
So, parents of actual teens you're warned! If your teen children are not yet reading books, you're late already!
Better you put their head down to this or similar books as soon!
Because a book like this will hopefully engage them, will make them taste the pleasure of reading, and then they will go ahead, with years, and will discover the boundless universe of books.
Now, what about the other qualities of this book?
It is clear already from the title that the author knows how to go straight to the point. Pandora is the perfect name for evoking a bundle of evils that get unchained to plague the world. A frightening threat.
The book is well written, engaging and fast-paced from the first page, with the right dose of passions, mystery, horror, and suspense.
In my opinion, it is an excellent YA read, and I felt it so from the first chapter when Ron is struggling in a new city and a new school, where they seem not like him at all.
But be careful here!
Even at my far from green age, I was gripped, and I followed the story with growing interest, my heart thumping for Ron as it happens with someone starting as a perfect underdog.
I confirm, anyway, my overall opinion that this brilliant first novel written by a sports journalist is the perfect choice for a boy in secondary school age, a time when there is still the opportunity to avoid an addiction to social networks or chat rooms or worse.
Just make the right gift for your children!
… but, unfortunately, by that age and by my mistake, my son was already head down into an iPhone that I had gifted him.
He never acquired the habit to read books.
So, parents of actual teens you're warned! If your teen children are not yet reading books, you're late already!
Better you put their head down to this or similar books as soon!
Because a book like this will hopefully engage them, will make them taste the pleasure of reading, and then they will go ahead, with years, and will discover the boundless universe of books.
Now, what about the other qualities of this book?
It is clear already from the title that the author knows how to go straight to the point. Pandora is the perfect name for evoking a bundle of evils that get unchained to plague the world. A frightening threat.
The book is well written, engaging and fast-paced from the first page, with the right dose of passions, mystery, horror, and suspense.
In my opinion, it is an excellent YA read, and I felt it so from the first chapter when Ron is struggling in a new city and a new school, where they seem not like him at all.
But be careful here!
Even at my far from green age, I was gripped, and I followed the story with growing interest, my heart thumping for Ron as it happens with someone starting as a perfect underdog.
I confirm, anyway, my overall opinion that this brilliant first novel written by a sports journalist is the perfect choice for a boy in secondary school age, a time when there is still the opportunity to avoid an addiction to social networks or chat rooms or worse.
Just make the right gift for your children!
August 25, 2018
Pandora Reborn was an enjoyable read for me. The story follows a group of young teens in the small town of Deer Falls, Colorado. The main character, Ron, a high school soccer player, has just recently moved there with his mother. He has a hard time adjusting to his new surroundings, but a newfound friend, Christina, form a bond that deepens throughout the novel. They are confronted by a malevolent witch that has been foolishly loosed from the wooden chest that has held her captive for the last fifty-five years. She has returned to play havoc on the townspeople with Ron and Christina squarely in her cross hairs.
This is a well-written, fast-paced novel that will have you flipping pages to its conclusion. The author has an uncanny ability to get into the character's heads and draw you into the story. I look forward to reading the next installment in John Coon's works.
This is a well-written, fast-paced novel that will have you flipping pages to its conclusion. The author has an uncanny ability to get into the character's heads and draw you into the story. I look forward to reading the next installment in John Coon's works.
August 22, 2018
This is a classic tale of small-town supernatural shenanigans. John Coon writes very well - the story glides along smoothly. I enjoyed it a great deal although I did feel it was aimed at a younger reader than myself - I'm a bit further along the richter scale of horror in my tastes. However, as a YA book it was pretty much perfect - I'd be delighted for my son to read this when he's 12 or 13 (he loves horror but is too young for most of it!). Great characters. I will be keeping tabs on this author for the future.
May 14, 2019
Pandora Reborn by John Coon is a supernatural thriller. As the title suggests, it is about a Pandora’s box opening (re-opening rather) that is the source of all troubles in the story.
I don’t usually read horror books but thought it would be a good change and hence decided to try this out. I must say, I was not disappointed.
Summary
In the small town of Deer Falls, supernatural stuff keep happening. Or so was told to Ron Olson who is a new student here and who rubbishes the idea. A Pandora’s box is re opened and when, one by one, his school mates meet fatal ends, Ron and his friends get suspicious and he is convinced there is something to this super natural vibe after all. What he witnesses is horrific and unbelievable and that’s when he realises what mortal danger his family and friends are in.
What I Liked
I liked the book. The narrative was smooth, crisp and fast paced – apt for this genre. It never got boring. The plot was well set and descriptions were perfect for the setting.
Although this is a horror story, the author didn’t go overboard with the gross detailing. It was a relief for me as I simply cannot handle squeamish details. All in all, it was a serious horror story focusing on creating fear rather than disgust. Thumbs up from me!
What I Did Not Like
Now, this isn’t a negative. The book is interesting but more suited for young adults, in my opinion.
Other Details
This is a standalone and would be best enjoyed alone at bedtime.
Would I Recommend It?
Of course, especially if you enjoy the YA genre.
I don’t usually read horror books but thought it would be a good change and hence decided to try this out. I must say, I was not disappointed.
Summary
In the small town of Deer Falls, supernatural stuff keep happening. Or so was told to Ron Olson who is a new student here and who rubbishes the idea. A Pandora’s box is re opened and when, one by one, his school mates meet fatal ends, Ron and his friends get suspicious and he is convinced there is something to this super natural vibe after all. What he witnesses is horrific and unbelievable and that’s when he realises what mortal danger his family and friends are in.
What I Liked
I liked the book. The narrative was smooth, crisp and fast paced – apt for this genre. It never got boring. The plot was well set and descriptions were perfect for the setting.
Although this is a horror story, the author didn’t go overboard with the gross detailing. It was a relief for me as I simply cannot handle squeamish details. All in all, it was a serious horror story focusing on creating fear rather than disgust. Thumbs up from me!
What I Did Not Like
Now, this isn’t a negative. The book is interesting but more suited for young adults, in my opinion.
Other Details
This is a standalone and would be best enjoyed alone at bedtime.
Would I Recommend It?
Of course, especially if you enjoy the YA genre.
October 25, 2021
I enjoyed reading this spooky story about a chest better left buried, the vengeful witch who is released, and a the group of teenagers forced to lock her away once more... if they survive. It made a great October read, just in time for Halloween.
Ron and his family are new to Deer Falls. All he cares about is getting through the day, and soccer. Unfortunately, he finds himself being pulled into a world where magic is real and a ghost can destroy the living. When a foolish teen releases a witch from the chest she had been locked inside, the town becomes faced with increasing dangers ending in the deaths of its inhabitants. The only one who knows what's truly happening is the town is Dean, a vagrant no one believes... until it's too late.
Ron bands together with two others, Casey and Christina, to do the impossible. Put the witch back in her chest, but can they before it's too late? It might take a witch, to cage a witch. Lucky for them, it looks like they have on on their side.
I had a great time learning about all the characters in this story, getting to see Ron finding a place in his new home, and see Christina battle her fears as well as protect those she cares about. The only thing that had me stumbling was how similar sounding three of the characters were: Cassandra, Casey, and Christina. A few times I had to go back and read a section over because I got the names mixed up (which might have just been a me thing).
'Pandora Reborn' was a spooky read I believe many would enjoy!
Ron and his family are new to Deer Falls. All he cares about is getting through the day, and soccer. Unfortunately, he finds himself being pulled into a world where magic is real and a ghost can destroy the living. When a foolish teen releases a witch from the chest she had been locked inside, the town becomes faced with increasing dangers ending in the deaths of its inhabitants. The only one who knows what's truly happening is the town is Dean, a vagrant no one believes... until it's too late.
Ron bands together with two others, Casey and Christina, to do the impossible. Put the witch back in her chest, but can they before it's too late? It might take a witch, to cage a witch. Lucky for them, it looks like they have on on their side.
I had a great time learning about all the characters in this story, getting to see Ron finding a place in his new home, and see Christina battle her fears as well as protect those she cares about. The only thing that had me stumbling was how similar sounding three of the characters were: Cassandra, Casey, and Christina. A few times I had to go back and read a section over because I got the names mixed up (which might have just been a me thing).
'Pandora Reborn' was a spooky read I believe many would enjoy!
November 21, 2018
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really easy read and didn’t drag like some other young adult books do. There isn’t much mystery with who the villain is and how to defeat her, but I was engaged and wanted to find out how it ended nonetheless.
Ron is slightly annoying, but like you’d expect a teenage boy who isn’t thrilled about the huge changes in his life to be. He’s realistic, and his slightly jerk-ish qualities didn’t make it hard to follow him as the main protagonist. At his core, he’s a sweet boy that’s been screwed over by circumstances outside his control.
The relationship between Ron and Christina is adorable. They actually have things in common and talk about more than how incredible they think the other person is. I don’t like how soon they proclaim their love for each other, but otherwise I enjoyed these two characters together.
I wish the magic had been explained a little more. I have a vague understanding, but since it was introduced and is a big player in the story resolution, I just wanted more detail. It doesn’t feel like there’s going to be a second novel, so I don’t think there will be more exploration into the magic system.
All in all, this was a fun, quick read with nice characters I cared about and understood. I’d like to read more from the author. If you like young adult fiction, this is right up your alley.
This was a really easy read and didn’t drag like some other young adult books do. There isn’t much mystery with who the villain is and how to defeat her, but I was engaged and wanted to find out how it ended nonetheless.
Ron is slightly annoying, but like you’d expect a teenage boy who isn’t thrilled about the huge changes in his life to be. He’s realistic, and his slightly jerk-ish qualities didn’t make it hard to follow him as the main protagonist. At his core, he’s a sweet boy that’s been screwed over by circumstances outside his control.
The relationship between Ron and Christina is adorable. They actually have things in common and talk about more than how incredible they think the other person is. I don’t like how soon they proclaim their love for each other, but otherwise I enjoyed these two characters together.
I wish the magic had been explained a little more. I have a vague understanding, but since it was introduced and is a big player in the story resolution, I just wanted more detail. It doesn’t feel like there’s going to be a second novel, so I don’t think there will be more exploration into the magic system.
All in all, this was a fun, quick read with nice characters I cared about and understood. I’d like to read more from the author. If you like young adult fiction, this is right up your alley.
March 25, 2019
John Coon's debut novel PANDORA REBORN is a rollicking, supernatural treat that will make those of us who grew up with BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER or SMALLVILLE feel right at home. Deer Falls is a lovingly painted backdrop for a murderous witch on a killing spree, reminiscent of the small-town terrors of Stephen King. With this debut, Coon marks himself as a talent to watch out for. His thriller is a well-paced, fun and often horrifying read. Stupendous, eerie and exciting from the first chapter onwards. If you're looking for a fix between seasons of STRANGER THINGS, I'd highly recommend PANDORA REBORN.
September 26, 2021
Mayhem and death
A kid steals a chest and unleashes an evil witch. People start to die and disappear. The new kid in town gets pulled into it after his brother claims he saw something. When things come to a head, lots of people end up dead.
Casey ends up being my favorite character. Nerdy and misunderstood. Christina is feared but brave. Ron is the cocky jock who is confident in himself. I definitely enjoyed this story.
A kid steals a chest and unleashes an evil witch. People start to die and disappear. The new kid in town gets pulled into it after his brother claims he saw something. When things come to a head, lots of people end up dead.
Casey ends up being my favorite character. Nerdy and misunderstood. Christina is feared but brave. Ron is the cocky jock who is confident in himself. I definitely enjoyed this story.
October 19, 2018
This is Mr. Coon’s debut YA novel. There were many things I loved about this story. I enjoyed a boy’s viewpoint, since I usually read YA’s through a girl’s perspective. The characters were strong, flaws and all, while the story line was unique. Ron moves to a small town, after his parent’s divorce, with his mother and little brother. He leaves his friends and soccer team behind. The first day at his new school, he ends up in detention. Ron’s introduced to some new friends, and a strange “town lore” that he brushes aside. But, things begin to happen, and people are disappearing. Ron seems to be in the middle of it all. Ron’s only goal up to this point had been to play soccer, but now he must pull himself out of that comfort zone. I recommend “Pandora Reborn” if you love a well-told paranormal YA with a bit of gore and romance thrown in.
February 24, 2019
Take the cruelty of the cool kids from Heathers, add the cursed small town of It or Twin Peaks, and toss in an ancient malevolence unleashed in an unexpected manner and you have Pandora Reborn. John weaves a story that is both somewhat surprising and thoroughly enjoyable. I feel like there’s a sequel waiting in the wings.
December 5, 2019
This was a quick paced and a great read. An amazing YA horror story filled with an evil ghost.
Pandora Reborn will give you chills and have you looking under the bed at night. If you love spooky creepy stories, this book is for you. I wish the story would have been just a bit longer, but it's a great read none the less
This author has a great imagination and hope to see more.
Pandora Reborn will give you chills and have you looking under the bed at night. If you love spooky creepy stories, this book is for you. I wish the story would have been just a bit longer, but it's a great read none the less
This author has a great imagination and hope to see more.
October 24, 2018
This book was AMAZING! It hooked me in from the start and kept my attention throughout. I read it in one sitting! The cast of characters was perfect for this book. I feel like Dean should have gotten a bigger part though. I am going to put this on my Halloween reads shelf!
March 23, 2019
WOW!
Brilliantly told story. I loved it from the beginning to the ending. Whilst reading Pandora Reborn, Coon had me clinging to the arms of my chair. This would make a great film - the story has a touch of the film, The Woman in Black with Daniel Radcliffe. Well deserved 5 stars.
Brilliantly told story. I loved it from the beginning to the ending. Whilst reading Pandora Reborn, Coon had me clinging to the arms of my chair. This would make a great film - the story has a touch of the film, The Woman in Black with Daniel Radcliffe. Well deserved 5 stars.
October 8, 2019
A fast-paced YA novel with high stakes and colorful characters. Parts of it reminded me of the film, The Faculty. You can read my full review of the book here: https://laurasbooksandblogs.com/revie...
September 28, 2018
I received a free copy from NetGalley for an honest review.
Pandora Reborn is a dark horror fantasy book about a town where weird supernatural things take place more frequently than anywhere else. Ron Olson is new to town and already struggling since his parents divorce. The popular kids take an instant dislike to him but he finds friends in Casey and Christina. People are disappearing and dying and Ron may be the prime suspect.
This was a fun easy read. Slightly gruesome but I have read way worse. I found certain things a little predictable but other parts were unique and I was unable to guess. I actually read this pretty quickly but it did not suck me in. I did not find it bad I just never got sucked in. I liked the premise and the characters were realistic for the most part. I found Ron to be a little s*** at times but for his age I think it was totally normal.
I would read this author again because I think hes got some interesting premises and I hope he grows in his writing. There is a lot of potential which is why I give 3 1/2 stars. I'll round to 4 because on NetGalley that is yes I recommend it. On Goodreads I put three because I liked but didn't love it.
Pandora Reborn is a dark horror fantasy book about a town where weird supernatural things take place more frequently than anywhere else. Ron Olson is new to town and already struggling since his parents divorce. The popular kids take an instant dislike to him but he finds friends in Casey and Christina. People are disappearing and dying and Ron may be the prime suspect.
This was a fun easy read. Slightly gruesome but I have read way worse. I found certain things a little predictable but other parts were unique and I was unable to guess. I actually read this pretty quickly but it did not suck me in. I did not find it bad I just never got sucked in. I liked the premise and the characters were realistic for the most part. I found Ron to be a little s*** at times but for his age I think it was totally normal.
I would read this author again because I think hes got some interesting premises and I hope he grows in his writing. There is a lot of potential which is why I give 3 1/2 stars. I'll round to 4 because on NetGalley that is yes I recommend it. On Goodreads I put three because I liked but didn't love it.
April 26, 2020
In the edition I read, there are periodic formatting problems, causing paragraphs to get scrunched. It's annoying, but not so bad as to ruin the book. I mentioned this to the author, and he said he's working to fix it.
“Pandora” reads well, is fast-paced, has likable characters, but these characters are teenagers, who speak like adults a bit too often. I've read worse though.
Ron is the new kid in town. Ron is not a perfect hero—he hates his new town, has racing hormones, and he treats his mom like dirt. But he's a teenager, and some of that is to be expected. He looks like he'll grow out of it. He has nice friends, though: Casey, the nerdy guy who believes the town is cursed and Christina, the hot girl with a secret. And then there's Dean, a vagrant with an even bigger secret.
I like the sudden shift from Ron to his kid brother in Chapter 9. Having younger kids face the horror makes it even scarier.
Coon tends to have things happen that aren't immediately clear, and can lead to confusion. I suspect he does this on purpose, for dramatic effect, because the explanation usually follows only a couple paragraphs later. It's a style choice that I would not use, but some will not mind it.
But the scene where the kids discover the human heads—and then keep exploring—almost ruined the book for me, as it seemed so out of character. If I discovered a cache of human heads, I would turn tail and run out of that place. That's not even being squeamish; that's just being prudent. A police office might expect to find something like that, from time-to-time; the rest of us would not.
Aside from that one scene, it's a good book. The reveal of the monster's identity is quite a surprise. All in all, a satisfying read.
“Pandora” reads well, is fast-paced, has likable characters, but these characters are teenagers, who speak like adults a bit too often. I've read worse though.
Ron is the new kid in town. Ron is not a perfect hero—he hates his new town, has racing hormones, and he treats his mom like dirt. But he's a teenager, and some of that is to be expected. He looks like he'll grow out of it. He has nice friends, though: Casey, the nerdy guy who believes the town is cursed and Christina, the hot girl with a secret. And then there's Dean, a vagrant with an even bigger secret.
I like the sudden shift from Ron to his kid brother in Chapter 9. Having younger kids face the horror makes it even scarier.
Coon tends to have things happen that aren't immediately clear, and can lead to confusion. I suspect he does this on purpose, for dramatic effect, because the explanation usually follows only a couple paragraphs later. It's a style choice that I would not use, but some will not mind it.
But the scene where the kids discover the human heads—and then keep exploring—almost ruined the book for me, as it seemed so out of character. If I discovered a cache of human heads, I would turn tail and run out of that place. That's not even being squeamish; that's just being prudent. A police office might expect to find something like that, from time-to-time; the rest of us would not.
Aside from that one scene, it's a good book. The reveal of the monster's identity is quite a surprise. All in all, a satisfying read.
July 29, 2018
Solid Book from First Time Author (Spoilers)
Pandora Reborn is a good book from relatively newer author, John Coon. Set in small town Colorado, this book details Ron Olsen's fight with friends Christina and Casey against a powerful and ancient evil that has been released on the town. It is written in classical horror/thriller style, with a linear narrative and third person limited omniscience reference frame. It is a relatively quick read and can easily be finished in a long afternoon.
The story itself is well written and well paced, and the words tend to melt away into the background in places where it is most needed. The dialogue is good, a little silly, and at times clever and well balanced with the exposition. The characters are good overall, even though I would have gone a different direction with Casey and Christina. I found myself sucked into the story after ***spoiler*** the death of Lisa ***spoiler*** and very engaged after the midpoint. Some of the scenes are appropriately creepy, including ***spoiler*** Lisa and the pizza boy's death ***spoiler***.
The action in the book is more suspenseful than it is scary, hence my classification as a thriller/horror than a straight Steven King-esque horror novel. The final action sequence where ***spoiler*** Ron, Christina, and Casey confront the witch for the final battle ***spoiler*** is superb, very reminiscent of some of the scenes in Harry Potter.
I look forward to reading more books from John in the future.
Pandora Reborn is a good book from relatively newer author, John Coon. Set in small town Colorado, this book details Ron Olsen's fight with friends Christina and Casey against a powerful and ancient evil that has been released on the town. It is written in classical horror/thriller style, with a linear narrative and third person limited omniscience reference frame. It is a relatively quick read and can easily be finished in a long afternoon.
The story itself is well written and well paced, and the words tend to melt away into the background in places where it is most needed. The dialogue is good, a little silly, and at times clever and well balanced with the exposition. The characters are good overall, even though I would have gone a different direction with Casey and Christina. I found myself sucked into the story after ***spoiler*** the death of Lisa ***spoiler*** and very engaged after the midpoint. Some of the scenes are appropriately creepy, including ***spoiler*** Lisa and the pizza boy's death ***spoiler***.
The action in the book is more suspenseful than it is scary, hence my classification as a thriller/horror than a straight Steven King-esque horror novel. The final action sequence where ***spoiler*** Ron, Christina, and Casey confront the witch for the final battle ***spoiler*** is superb, very reminiscent of some of the scenes in Harry Potter.
I look forward to reading more books from John in the future.
July 28, 2018
The author is an adept story teller whose words had taken me on a roller coaster ride for the last few days. I found myself devouring pages after pages well after my bedtime because I was eager to see what was going to happen next.
I was able to picture vividly the scenes the author was trying to describe, and at times, I found my blood was pumping anticipating the danger about to befall on the main characters. I let out signs of relief when they were able to dodge the many mishaps that came their way.
Even though the story was centered on a bunch of teenagers with different personalities and their dealing with the century-old witch, this book has an appeal to readers of all ages. It was well-written, storyline was well-plotted, and mini-climaxes were peppered all over that laid the ground work leading up to the finale.
I was able to picture vividly the scenes the author was trying to describe, and at times, I found my blood was pumping anticipating the danger about to befall on the main characters. I let out signs of relief when they were able to dodge the many mishaps that came their way.
Even though the story was centered on a bunch of teenagers with different personalities and their dealing with the century-old witch, this book has an appeal to readers of all ages. It was well-written, storyline was well-plotted, and mini-climaxes were peppered all over that laid the ground work leading up to the finale.
July 31, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed Pandora Reborn and am very happy to award it five stars. I particularly enjoyed the ambition of the book and the many ways in which the author was able to bring alive the relationship between the various kids embroiled in the small town horrors of the story. There are some very good descriptive passages in the book, especially in relation to the various murders that occur. There are many aspects of Pandora Reborn that echo contemporary television series like Stranger Things and this, I believe is a very good thing as it gives the book the potential to be developed further, either as a series or possibly even as a screenplay. I highly recommend Pandora Reborn to fans of horror writing everywhere.
August 20, 2018
This is my first time reading this genre and I must say Pandora Reborn does not disappoint. From the first page to the very last page John Coon keeps you guessing, wanting to know more. Despite being a new author, he writes a well thought out and coherent story. Pandora Reborn is a novel I think many fans of horror and supernatural reads will genuinely enjoy. It deals with a multitude of subjects that I think will speak to a wide variety of interest such as magic, high school drama, and murder mystery just to name a few. If you’re looking for a fun and engaging read, Pandora Reborn is well worth the read.
August 23, 2018
I got a chance to read this book through Net Galley and I'll say I wasn't disappointed. It's a quality horror novel. John does an excellent job of building suspense early and keeping it going throughout. There are some clever plot twists and both the characters and the dialogue feel real and believable. Pandora Reborn is definitely worth reading more than once.
September 6, 2018
A good solid horror story that leads the reader to hope there will be a sequel. Looking forward to more by this author.
August 27, 2018
Life in Deer Falls was really enjoyable and I hope that Christina's and Ron' adventure does not end here!
Their plot was really exciting. Also a big recommendation from my side. Fluent from the beginning to the end.
Their plot was really exciting. Also a big recommendation from my side. Fluent from the beginning to the end.
June 24, 2019
I was hooked from page one. Great read.
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