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Those Below the Tree House
After an attack leaves Tony’s stepfather wounded, his thirteenth birthday descends into a nightmare. His stepdad is home, a bite on his neck, as Riverside’s only officer searches the woodlands for the aggressor. Tony is told not to cause a panic among the few kids living in Riverside’s mountaintop community, and his best friends Ben Rodgers and Lee Tally are unaware.
Overnight, the condition of Tony’s stepfather worsens. His mother won’t leave the bedside. And soon, Riverside is turned upside down as residents morph into moss-covered abominations. Freaks.
Joined by the local bully, the boys seek refuge in Rodgers’ tree house, trapped inside as neighbors, and even family, claw the trunk… Food and water soon runs low.
With all hope lost, the boys decide to have their first of what they can before time runs out. Their first drink, their first cigarette, their first of anything at all. Like baby birds thrown from the nest, they will need to fly or fall. And time is running short.
For his thirteenth birthday, Tony has learns the world has teeth. And someone else is out there, too, watching. An adult in a butcher’s apron. Waiting…
Those Below the Tree House is the new supernatural coming-of-age from the Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of What Do Monsters Fear? and A Penny For Your Thoughts.
Overnight, the condition of Tony’s stepfather worsens. His mother won’t leave the bedside. And soon, Riverside is turned upside down as residents morph into moss-covered abominations. Freaks.
Joined by the local bully, the boys seek refuge in Rodgers’ tree house, trapped inside as neighbors, and even family, claw the trunk… Food and water soon runs low.
With all hope lost, the boys decide to have their first of what they can before time runs out. Their first drink, their first cigarette, their first of anything at all. Like baby birds thrown from the nest, they will need to fly or fall. And time is running short.
For his thirteenth birthday, Tony has learns the world has teeth. And someone else is out there, too, watching. An adult in a butcher’s apron. Waiting…
Those Below the Tree House is the new supernatural coming-of-age from the Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of What Do Monsters Fear? and A Penny For Your Thoughts.
276 pages, Paperback
Published June 11, 2020
9 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 19, 2020
Considering the downturn this year has taken only three months in, I’m even more grateful for the fact that I began my year with such a stellar reading lineup. In January I had the honor of beta reading THOSE BELOW THE TREE HOUSE, and it set the bar extremely high for the other books on my TBR list. After I finished this novel, I sat in my book hangover haze and thought to myself, “I’m running out of ways to praise Matt Hayward’s work”. I had this thought, not because I’m at loss for words, but because I don’t want to simply repeat what I’ve said before. I’ve got plenty of praise for this one, and while I don’t want to sound like a broken record, I just can’t help if I repeat some of what I’ve told you in the past. So in this review, be prepared to hear what you might already know about Matt’s work, as well as what I hope is a fresh take on the topic.
Just give me one moment to grab my notes…
Oh, there they are! I thought I’d misplaced that file labeled “Books I Want To Hug and Call my BFF”. Turns out I’ve got it right here, and even if I’d lost it, I’d remember that this novel is on the top of that list. Let’s see what I wrote down about this one, and I’ll expand on each thought:
Tony=my favorite character:
By now you’re all aware that Matt is a master at character development. It’s part of what makes his stories so authentic and relatable, and one of the main reasons why I love the writing. It’s impossible not to empathize with the characters in this story, especially the protagonist, Tony. I especially loved the moments about music and its effects on him amidst the tumult. This took me back to my own youth, and while I’m not a musician, I was practically born wearing a pair of headphones. Music was always a constant no matter how turbulent life was at the time. Before I ramble more, let’s just sum this up by saying that I think Tony is tied with Owen from “Meeting Gregory” for the spot of my favorite Hayward character.
This is my favorite coming of age story:
You might know that I’ve struggled with coming of age stories in the past. There have only been a few that resonate with me, and this is one of them. Of all the books and stories I’ve read that fit this description, this one is my absolute favorite.
I couldn’t put this book down—finished 75% of it the first day I started reading:
This is true, and will probably come as no surprise to anyone who is a fan of Matt’s work. I basically forced myself to stop reading that first night and save the remainder of the book for the following day. Then, I carried my Kindle around all day, and after work, I sat in a parking lot and finished the book before running errands. I just couldn’t wait. Isn’t that one of the best feelings when a book is so good, you carry it around all day just to sneak in a read whenever possible? You’ll have a hard time putting this one down. The story pulls you right in from the beginning, and from there the tension builds. This novel exudes everything that makes Matt’s writing great. Within its pages you’ll find the perfect combination of horror, humor, and heart (I think I’ll call this the “Triple Threat" from now on). My heart raced with suspense, broke with grief at certain points, and I had a good laugh when it was needed most.
I want to condense this book and wear it in a locket, close to my heart:
Well, that was the last line of my notes, and while it might sound silly, I can’t think of a better way to describe how much I loved this novel. Things are rough for us all at the moment, but what a comforting thought to know that books are always there—amazing books like this one from Matt Hayward. In the midst of the turmoil, readers can take comfort in the fact that this novel is on the horizon.
Just give me one moment to grab my notes…
Oh, there they are! I thought I’d misplaced that file labeled “Books I Want To Hug and Call my BFF”. Turns out I’ve got it right here, and even if I’d lost it, I’d remember that this novel is on the top of that list. Let’s see what I wrote down about this one, and I’ll expand on each thought:
Tony=my favorite character:
By now you’re all aware that Matt is a master at character development. It’s part of what makes his stories so authentic and relatable, and one of the main reasons why I love the writing. It’s impossible not to empathize with the characters in this story, especially the protagonist, Tony. I especially loved the moments about music and its effects on him amidst the tumult. This took me back to my own youth, and while I’m not a musician, I was practically born wearing a pair of headphones. Music was always a constant no matter how turbulent life was at the time. Before I ramble more, let’s just sum this up by saying that I think Tony is tied with Owen from “Meeting Gregory” for the spot of my favorite Hayward character.
This is my favorite coming of age story:
You might know that I’ve struggled with coming of age stories in the past. There have only been a few that resonate with me, and this is one of them. Of all the books and stories I’ve read that fit this description, this one is my absolute favorite.
I couldn’t put this book down—finished 75% of it the first day I started reading:
This is true, and will probably come as no surprise to anyone who is a fan of Matt’s work. I basically forced myself to stop reading that first night and save the remainder of the book for the following day. Then, I carried my Kindle around all day, and after work, I sat in a parking lot and finished the book before running errands. I just couldn’t wait. Isn’t that one of the best feelings when a book is so good, you carry it around all day just to sneak in a read whenever possible? You’ll have a hard time putting this one down. The story pulls you right in from the beginning, and from there the tension builds. This novel exudes everything that makes Matt’s writing great. Within its pages you’ll find the perfect combination of horror, humor, and heart (I think I’ll call this the “Triple Threat" from now on). My heart raced with suspense, broke with grief at certain points, and I had a good laugh when it was needed most.
I want to condense this book and wear it in a locket, close to my heart:
Well, that was the last line of my notes, and while it might sound silly, I can’t think of a better way to describe how much I loved this novel. Things are rough for us all at the moment, but what a comforting thought to know that books are always there—amazing books like this one from Matt Hayward. In the midst of the turmoil, readers can take comfort in the fact that this novel is on the horizon.
Read
July 6, 2020I know I had previously stated back in mid-June that a review would be forthcoming for this title, however in light of recent events I will no longer be reviewing THOSE BELOW THE TREE HOUSE. A number of fellow reviewers have alleged they have been sexually harassed by this author and I believe and support them. If you're unfamiliar with what has been happening, you can read my statement on the matter at my website, High Fever Books: https://www.highfeverbooks.com/review...
You should also listen to Episode 271 of The Horror Show with Brian Keene, which reports on all this and provides additional details and insight. It's a hell of an episode, one that is both sad, frustrating, and rage inducing, but also a valuable and necessary work of reportage on the current state of affairs: http://thehorrorshowbk.libsynpro.com/...
You should also listen to Episode 271 of The Horror Show with Brian Keene, which reports on all this and provides additional details and insight. It's a hell of an episode, one that is both sad, frustrating, and rage inducing, but also a valuable and necessary work of reportage on the current state of affairs: http://thehorrorshowbk.libsynpro.com/...
June 14, 2020
I have quickly fallen in love with Hayward's writing this year. Those Below the Tree House was pretty great, as expected. The premise seems pretty straight forward at first, but then details come to light, making for a more interesting experience. Also, it's coming-of-age horror, and that sub-genre is amazing when done right.
My full review will appear on DeadHeadReviews.com before posting here and elsewhere.
My full review will appear on DeadHeadReviews.com before posting here and elsewhere.
June 30, 2020
4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for Goodreads.
I feel like I start almost every review like this but Matt Hayward is a new to me author. After reading Those Below the Tree House I will definitely be seeking out more of his work. For me this feels like a perfect summer read. I never had a tree house growing up but if I would have I can imagine it being a place to stash my Pokemon cards, rap cd’s, and to shoot my paintball gun out of the window all in the sweltering heat of summer.
Enough about me though let’s get to why you are here. Riverside is a small mountain community nestled close to the abandoned lumber mill. This is the place Tony calls home. It’s his thirteenth birthday and what should be an occasion to celebrate and remember will soon devolve into chaos and be remembered for all the wrong reasons when the mountain side residents mutate into moss covered “freaks” hellbent on spreading their weird mutation to every last living soul. Tony, his friends, and the local bully seek refuge in a tree house as their families, friends, and neighbors, now all mindless freaks hungry for fresh meat surround the tree, trapping the boys inside.
This zombie coming of age tale is full of glimmers of hope that are all too soon dashed out by dire circumstance and rotten luck. The boys must grow up all too quick as life and death decisions are thrust upon them. Should they risk going out for food or stay here and starve? What about running to the neighbors to use the phone to call for help, but will anyone answer? Is this tree house their sanctuary or will it become their tomb?
I am not one who is big on zombie fiction but Matt Hayward’s unique twist on the otherwise stale and overdown genre was a pleasant surprise. Combine that with the fact that the “freaks” play second fiddle to the star attraction which are the boys themselves. They all feel like fully fleshed out and realistic characters but furthermore they all act their age. They feel like kids, not like kids who act like adults would in this situation. They are scared and desperate and unsure of themselves. The boys each handle the situation differently and I think everyone can relate in some way to at least one of the characters. Hayward does a fantastic job at capturing the wide range of emotions from grief and despair, to remorse and love.
A uniquely dark and gruesome page turner that wears its heart on its sleeve. Those Below the Tree House punches you in the gut as it sinks its teeth into your neck and refuses to let go until after the final page. If you are into zombie fiction and coming of age tales then I highly recommend checking this one out. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
I received an ARC from the publisher for review consideration.
I feel like I start almost every review like this but Matt Hayward is a new to me author. After reading Those Below the Tree House I will definitely be seeking out more of his work. For me this feels like a perfect summer read. I never had a tree house growing up but if I would have I can imagine it being a place to stash my Pokemon cards, rap cd’s, and to shoot my paintball gun out of the window all in the sweltering heat of summer.
Enough about me though let’s get to why you are here. Riverside is a small mountain community nestled close to the abandoned lumber mill. This is the place Tony calls home. It’s his thirteenth birthday and what should be an occasion to celebrate and remember will soon devolve into chaos and be remembered for all the wrong reasons when the mountain side residents mutate into moss covered “freaks” hellbent on spreading their weird mutation to every last living soul. Tony, his friends, and the local bully seek refuge in a tree house as their families, friends, and neighbors, now all mindless freaks hungry for fresh meat surround the tree, trapping the boys inside.
This zombie coming of age tale is full of glimmers of hope that are all too soon dashed out by dire circumstance and rotten luck. The boys must grow up all too quick as life and death decisions are thrust upon them. Should they risk going out for food or stay here and starve? What about running to the neighbors to use the phone to call for help, but will anyone answer? Is this tree house their sanctuary or will it become their tomb?
I am not one who is big on zombie fiction but Matt Hayward’s unique twist on the otherwise stale and overdown genre was a pleasant surprise. Combine that with the fact that the “freaks” play second fiddle to the star attraction which are the boys themselves. They all feel like fully fleshed out and realistic characters but furthermore they all act their age. They feel like kids, not like kids who act like adults would in this situation. They are scared and desperate and unsure of themselves. The boys each handle the situation differently and I think everyone can relate in some way to at least one of the characters. Hayward does a fantastic job at capturing the wide range of emotions from grief and despair, to remorse and love.
A uniquely dark and gruesome page turner that wears its heart on its sleeve. Those Below the Tree House punches you in the gut as it sinks its teeth into your neck and refuses to let go until after the final page. If you are into zombie fiction and coming of age tales then I highly recommend checking this one out. I don’t think you will be disappointed.
I received an ARC from the publisher for review consideration.
March 23, 2020
"Sweet pickled Fu**'s!" This was my feeling after finishing Hayward's latest novel. His apocalyptic coming of age couldn't have better timing. "Change. It all came down to change. Innocence to sin, dream to nightmare, youth to death." This story tore at me on a personal level and then terrified me in the most pleasingly unexpected way. "He had a laugh like a hyena on coke, and a mind sick enough to make me taste a new flavor of fear. One tasting of copper and spoilt meat." If you're looking for a terrifying, bloodcurdling story that'll have you wanting more, Those Below the Tree House is for you. "The memory stuck a knife of sorrow in my heart and twisted."
dnf
September 5, 2020Got this book in Night Worms’s June package. Never heard of the author before then. Read about a third, but because of reasons well known to the indie horror community by now, I won’t be continuing my read of Hayward’s book. Or any of his other work.
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June 30, 2020Removed my rating and review due to Hayward’s recent actions.
Read
June 30, 2020I will no longer support this author.
Read
July 1, 2020There will be no review or rating for this book due to the author's recent actions.
April 10, 2020
Thank you Poltergeist Press for sending me a digital copy of this one 😊
Those Below The Tree House will quickly grab hold of you, then slowly crawl up your spine and invade your head, like moss creeping across a bed of rocks.
The story starts off with Tony’s stepfather being viciously attacked after stopping on the side of the road to investigate a strange sighting. He is alive at first but as his condition worsens, Tony soon realizes his stepfather was not the only victim and finds himself running for his life, away from the freaks who have taken over the town. Along with some neighborhood kids, Tony hides out in his friends treehouse but as supplies run short, they find themselves planning their escape as hopes of being rescued all but disappear.
“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘨𝘶𝘯𝘬 𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦-𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳.”
This was a coming of age story filled with nostalgia, the supernatural and loss. Matt Hayward put his whole heart into this one, and it shows. I really enjoyed the characters and loved the details of the “freaks.” The boys acted their actual age, not like some other coming of age stories where the characters seems much older than they actually are. Also, those Doom Squad guys sounds like real jerks 😂.
Overall I had fun with this one and look foreword to my next Hayward book!
I give Those Below The Treehouse
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Those Below The Tree House will quickly grab hold of you, then slowly crawl up your spine and invade your head, like moss creeping across a bed of rocks.
The story starts off with Tony’s stepfather being viciously attacked after stopping on the side of the road to investigate a strange sighting. He is alive at first but as his condition worsens, Tony soon realizes his stepfather was not the only victim and finds himself running for his life, away from the freaks who have taken over the town. Along with some neighborhood kids, Tony hides out in his friends treehouse but as supplies run short, they find themselves planning their escape as hopes of being rescued all but disappear.
“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘨𝘶𝘯𝘬 𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦-𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳.”
This was a coming of age story filled with nostalgia, the supernatural and loss. Matt Hayward put his whole heart into this one, and it shows. I really enjoyed the characters and loved the details of the “freaks.” The boys acted their actual age, not like some other coming of age stories where the characters seems much older than they actually are. Also, those Doom Squad guys sounds like real jerks 😂.
Overall I had fun with this one and look foreword to my next Hayward book!
I give Those Below The Treehouse
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
June 22, 2020
Lately it seems that Coming of age books by indie horror authors has replaced zombie novels glutting the bookshelves. There have been some great ones but everyone seems to be writing them and I have felt some fatigue. So I approached Those Below The Tree House with some trepidation. Thankfully my worries were unfounded and I found the novel to be an excellent story which combines coming of age tales with zombie tales. Of course that is true if there are actual zombies as you cannot be totally sure what the human monsters are. The authors character development was really great. I love characters who are rough around the edges and all of these characters have their flaws and have to work to overcome them. There is plenty of action and the right amount of gore. No one character in this book is safe and you feel any or all of them could die at any time. I read through this book very quickly and had such a blast reading it. I highly recommend this book.
November 14, 2020
I had my doubts early on with this one, but after a few chapters I was on board. My full review can be read here ---> https://wp.me/p5t5Tf-1VM
June 27, 2020
Hayward's writing is amateur, poorly executed. The worst part of this book was that for a book about a group of young teenagers, none of the characters sounded like kids at all. At one point one of them used the term "come to blows" and I burst out laughing.
I got about halfway through this book and did not enjoy it at all, but was pushing on because it had been chosen for a bookclub. When that bookclub cut ties with the book after almost twenty women came forward with sexual harassment allegations toward the author, I happily filed this book under DNF.
I got about halfway through this book and did not enjoy it at all, but was pushing on because it had been chosen for a bookclub. When that bookclub cut ties with the book after almost twenty women came forward with sexual harassment allegations toward the author, I happily filed this book under DNF.
June 18, 2020
I absolutely loved this book!!! If you love creature horror then you must read this book! If you liked or loved Boys Life you need to read this book!! Took me back to when my friends and I would build forts out of anything and scare ourselves with tales of monsters!
Read
July 2, 2020Hayward delivers another 5-star read again. Add this to your summer-in-lockdown TBR pile now, folks.
June 14, 2020
I was a little skeptical about Those Below the Tree House when I first dove into this novel, as the first third of the book focuses on a lot of telling, not showing, character traits and development. However, once I got to the core of the freak's take over of the neighborhood, I was hooked and could not put this book down!
*Spoilers Ahead!*
So let's start off with what I didn't like, because there isn't a lot of it, but it is what stopped this book from being a full five-star rating for me. I'm not sure I am a fan of how Matt Hayward introduces his minor characters. Tony's mom, step-dad, and friend Jacob all play pretty pivotal roles in the story, however, we know little about them other than what Tony blatantly explains to the reader. On top of that, for how major their existences and deaths are to Tony, it felt strange that they weren't given more depth and felt more like the cliches of a drunken stepfather, a neglectful mom, and a sort of lame friend you only hang out with out of convenience. Had Hayward taken the time to hash some of these minor characters out more, then I feel like the beginning of the book would have been a lot stronger. Since he didn't, the book felt really rushed at the beginning. I think if about 30-50 more pages had been added for the set up of the entire novel, that this book would have been an easy 5 stars.
So then, what did I love about this book? Three major things jumped out at me as I was reading: 1. The monsters are really cool. They're definitely a spin-off of zombies, but if zombies were some kind of strange spore moss monster. I loved the initial uncertainty of whether or not the victims of the moss monsters (known as freaks) were still alive or not. This is definitely something that sets these creatures apart from zombies, but also totally reminds me of the monsters in the video game The Last of Us, especially when the kids start mutating.
2. The kids in the story have a really great dynamic and they show tons of character development that is lacking elsewhere in the novel. Our narrator, Tony, is absorbed with his love of music, even when he is running for his life, but he's also not the leader of the group. He's just a 13-year-old who is trying to cope with the end of his world as he knows it through his guitar. This was such an interesting take for a coming of age horror story, and I really liked how his love of music became his therapy during all of the distress he went through. Then we get to Rodgers. Poor Rodgers. I found this character incredibly annoying and useless at first, but his story arc was definitely my favorite, and he by far has the most gut-wrenching death. The suicide of a child is probably one of the most horrifying things in the world, and Hayward did a really incredible job at showing Rodgers' depression and downward spiral. Lee was awesome. I found it strange that this 16-year-old was friends with kids three years younger than him and I didn't quite believe the reasoning given in the story, but I did love the inclusion of someone older to help these younger kids find their way through this catastrophe. And Lee was definitely the most interesting character of the bunch. Finally, there is Kit. Kit was my favorite character. He was basically Henry Bowers if Henry Bowers joined the Loser's Club instead of going insane. Kit had the best back story, the best redemption arc, and the most unnecessary death. His death really angered me because I felt like it wasn't needed, Tony didn't really mourn or react to it, and it was nowhere near as dramatic as the deaths of the other kids. Kit had redeemed himself. He deserved to survive.
And finally, 3. The Biblical Butcher. The biblical butcher made no sense to me as to how or why he was there, but that kind of added to how creepy he was. The scene of him standing in Kit's house when Tony entered the bedroom was the most unsettling scene in the entire novel and I absolutely loved it! He reminded me greatly of the Space Cowboy in Stephen King's Gerald's Game, who is one of my favorite monsters in all of horror lit. It was also the twist that this novel really needed in order to keep it interesting and dangerous beyond just the monsters and the kids' mental health. Tony's reflection on Kit missing his father twice really got me thinking that there's so much we don't know about these characters and that I wanted this book to be twice as long just so I could get more!
So, as you can probably tell, I really loved this book and have a ton of things to say about it, but as I just stated above, my biggest problem with this book is that it wasn't long enough to give me everything I wanted out of the story and characters. Granted, it doesn't need to be 1,100 pages and add an ancient space turtle, but I do think that about 100 pages more of background and character development would have launched this book into an instant horror classic.
*Spoilers Ahead!*
So let's start off with what I didn't like, because there isn't a lot of it, but it is what stopped this book from being a full five-star rating for me. I'm not sure I am a fan of how Matt Hayward introduces his minor characters. Tony's mom, step-dad, and friend Jacob all play pretty pivotal roles in the story, however, we know little about them other than what Tony blatantly explains to the reader. On top of that, for how major their existences and deaths are to Tony, it felt strange that they weren't given more depth and felt more like the cliches of a drunken stepfather, a neglectful mom, and a sort of lame friend you only hang out with out of convenience. Had Hayward taken the time to hash some of these minor characters out more, then I feel like the beginning of the book would have been a lot stronger. Since he didn't, the book felt really rushed at the beginning. I think if about 30-50 more pages had been added for the set up of the entire novel, that this book would have been an easy 5 stars.
So then, what did I love about this book? Three major things jumped out at me as I was reading: 1. The monsters are really cool. They're definitely a spin-off of zombies, but if zombies were some kind of strange spore moss monster. I loved the initial uncertainty of whether or not the victims of the moss monsters (known as freaks) were still alive or not. This is definitely something that sets these creatures apart from zombies, but also totally reminds me of the monsters in the video game The Last of Us, especially when the kids start mutating.
2. The kids in the story have a really great dynamic and they show tons of character development that is lacking elsewhere in the novel. Our narrator, Tony, is absorbed with his love of music, even when he is running for his life, but he's also not the leader of the group. He's just a 13-year-old who is trying to cope with the end of his world as he knows it through his guitar. This was such an interesting take for a coming of age horror story, and I really liked how his love of music became his therapy during all of the distress he went through. Then we get to Rodgers. Poor Rodgers. I found this character incredibly annoying and useless at first, but his story arc was definitely my favorite, and he by far has the most gut-wrenching death. The suicide of a child is probably one of the most horrifying things in the world, and Hayward did a really incredible job at showing Rodgers' depression and downward spiral. Lee was awesome. I found it strange that this 16-year-old was friends with kids three years younger than him and I didn't quite believe the reasoning given in the story, but I did love the inclusion of someone older to help these younger kids find their way through this catastrophe. And Lee was definitely the most interesting character of the bunch. Finally, there is Kit. Kit was my favorite character. He was basically Henry Bowers if Henry Bowers joined the Loser's Club instead of going insane. Kit had the best back story, the best redemption arc, and the most unnecessary death. His death really angered me because I felt like it wasn't needed, Tony didn't really mourn or react to it, and it was nowhere near as dramatic as the deaths of the other kids. Kit had redeemed himself. He deserved to survive.
And finally, 3. The Biblical Butcher. The biblical butcher made no sense to me as to how or why he was there, but that kind of added to how creepy he was. The scene of him standing in Kit's house when Tony entered the bedroom was the most unsettling scene in the entire novel and I absolutely loved it! He reminded me greatly of the Space Cowboy in Stephen King's Gerald's Game, who is one of my favorite monsters in all of horror lit. It was also the twist that this novel really needed in order to keep it interesting and dangerous beyond just the monsters and the kids' mental health. Tony's reflection on Kit missing his father twice really got me thinking that there's so much we don't know about these characters and that I wanted this book to be twice as long just so I could get more!
So, as you can probably tell, I really loved this book and have a ton of things to say about it, but as I just stated above, my biggest problem with this book is that it wasn't long enough to give me everything I wanted out of the story and characters. Granted, it doesn't need to be 1,100 pages and add an ancient space turtle, but I do think that about 100 pages more of background and character development would have launched this book into an instant horror classic.
June 12, 2020
Gave me chills
Those Below The Tree House is spectacular. With all of the elements of a weekend Creature Feature film, the chills of a rollercoaster ride, as well as a hefty dose of tension, I found myself propelled through a Nightmare come to life. It was just one heart racing moment after another. My favorite book by Matt Hayward so far. I felt like I was sitting in that Tree House with Tony and his friends throughout the whole ordeal. This was REALLY good!
Those Below The Tree House is spectacular. With all of the elements of a weekend Creature Feature film, the chills of a rollercoaster ride, as well as a hefty dose of tension, I found myself propelled through a Nightmare come to life. It was just one heart racing moment after another. My favorite book by Matt Hayward so far. I felt like I was sitting in that Tree House with Tony and his friends throughout the whole ordeal. This was REALLY good!
March 20, 2020
I received an advanced copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. From the first page this novel will suck you in. I could not stop reading this and hated having to put it down in order to actually do normal grownup things.
The way the author weaves the story keeps you gripped and unable to peel your eyes away from the pages as they fly by.
Would highly recommend this novel to anyone who wants a great read that is fast paced and will make your heart race with anticipation with each page that goes by.
The way the author weaves the story keeps you gripped and unable to peel your eyes away from the pages as they fly by.
Would highly recommend this novel to anyone who wants a great read that is fast paced and will make your heart race with anticipation with each page that goes by.
April 13, 2020
The Synopsis:
After an attack leaves Tony’s stepfather wounded, his thirteenth birthday descends into a nightmare. His stepdad is home, a bite on his neck, as Riverside’s only officer searches the woodlands for the aggressor. Tony is told not to cause a panic among the few kids living in Riverside’s mountaintop community, and his best friends Ben Rodgers and Lee Tally are unaware.
Overnight, the condition of Tony’s stepfather worsens. His mother won’t leave the bedside. And soon, Riverside is turned upside down as residents morph into moss-covered abominations. Freaks.
Joined by the local bully, the boys seek refuge in Rodgers’ tree house, trapped inside as neighbors, and even family, claw the trunk… Food and water soon runs low.
With all hope lost, the boys decide to have their first of what they can before time runs out. Their first drink, their first cigarette, their first of anything at all. Like baby birds thrown from the nest, they will need to fly or fall. And time is running short.
For his thirteenth birthday, Tony has learns the world has teeth. And someone else is out there, too, watching. An adult in a butcher’s apron. Waiting…
Those Below the Tree House is the new supernatural coming-of-age from the Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of What Do Monsters Fear? and A Penny For Your Thoughts.
So here are my thoughts on this book.
First things first, Matt Hayward throws you right into the action at page one and doesn’t let go! In the beginning I did think things were moving a bit quick, not getting to know or feel for certain characters before their departure, but the more I read on, the better the story became.
I loved all the characters in the tree house, even though the chubby Rodgers and Bully Kit. Lee was definitely a strong character and of course you can’t forget the amazing narration from the main character!
This Coming-Of-Age Zombie tale will have you at the edge of your seat as you read along what’s going on through the main characters mind.
Things get hard for the kids in the tree house, and finally when there’s a glimmer of hope, it’s shattered the very next page. This book has a ton of tragedy behind the pages I loved every second of it!
From Rodgers tooth ache to the biblical butcher, this book had scenes that just didn’t let you go. There were no breaks in this brilliant horror novel!
Overall, I give Those Below the Tree House Five Stars! Yes, Five Stars! It was that good! I highly recommend you check this book out when it releases on June 11, 2020.
After an attack leaves Tony’s stepfather wounded, his thirteenth birthday descends into a nightmare. His stepdad is home, a bite on his neck, as Riverside’s only officer searches the woodlands for the aggressor. Tony is told not to cause a panic among the few kids living in Riverside’s mountaintop community, and his best friends Ben Rodgers and Lee Tally are unaware.
Overnight, the condition of Tony’s stepfather worsens. His mother won’t leave the bedside. And soon, Riverside is turned upside down as residents morph into moss-covered abominations. Freaks.
Joined by the local bully, the boys seek refuge in Rodgers’ tree house, trapped inside as neighbors, and even family, claw the trunk… Food and water soon runs low.
With all hope lost, the boys decide to have their first of what they can before time runs out. Their first drink, their first cigarette, their first of anything at all. Like baby birds thrown from the nest, they will need to fly or fall. And time is running short.
For his thirteenth birthday, Tony has learns the world has teeth. And someone else is out there, too, watching. An adult in a butcher’s apron. Waiting…
Those Below the Tree House is the new supernatural coming-of-age from the Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of What Do Monsters Fear? and A Penny For Your Thoughts.
So here are my thoughts on this book.
First things first, Matt Hayward throws you right into the action at page one and doesn’t let go! In the beginning I did think things were moving a bit quick, not getting to know or feel for certain characters before their departure, but the more I read on, the better the story became.
I loved all the characters in the tree house, even though the chubby Rodgers and Bully Kit. Lee was definitely a strong character and of course you can’t forget the amazing narration from the main character!
This Coming-Of-Age Zombie tale will have you at the edge of your seat as you read along what’s going on through the main characters mind.
Things get hard for the kids in the tree house, and finally when there’s a glimmer of hope, it’s shattered the very next page. This book has a ton of tragedy behind the pages I loved every second of it!
From Rodgers tooth ache to the biblical butcher, this book had scenes that just didn’t let you go. There were no breaks in this brilliant horror novel!
Overall, I give Those Below the Tree House Five Stars! Yes, Five Stars! It was that good! I highly recommend you check this book out when it releases on June 11, 2020.
June 25, 2020
I had fun with this book. Matt Hayward crafted an original and compelling zombie story. Are they officially zombies? No, not really, but they're shambling and mindless, so I'm calling them zombies. If you like zombie stories, you will likely enjoy this book.
Like any good zombie story, the characters come first, and other people are where the real danger lies. The story revolves around a group of 4 kids trapped in a treehouse as the world collapses around them. As their zombified families and neighbors amass below the treehouse, they have to make dangerous scavenging trips into the surrounding houses. As they battle to stay alive, they learn more about the monsters below and also about themselves, this is a coming of age novel after all.
So I had a few issues with Those Below the Tree House that kept me from connecting with it. The first being the way the kids spoke. I thought the way that they acted and the decisions that they made were perfect, but the dialogue never felt like kids to me. I highlighted one passage, in particular, that bothered me where 13-year-old using medical terms casually in conversation. So, to me, the dialogue didn't feel authentic. Another thing that bothered me was that the secondary characters weren't developed beyond one-dimensional notes of "he's a drunk," "he's lame," etc. I get that teenagers can view the world through a very narrow lense, but it would have been nice to get further characterization for those side characters.
That being said, this book is a quick and fun read that carries an emotional weight to it. I grew to care about these boys over the 200ish pages of this book and was invested in their story. Despite my personal issues with the book that took away some of my enjoyment, I still recommend this book, especially to fans of coming of age stories and/or zombies.
Like any good zombie story, the characters come first, and other people are where the real danger lies. The story revolves around a group of 4 kids trapped in a treehouse as the world collapses around them. As their zombified families and neighbors amass below the treehouse, they have to make dangerous scavenging trips into the surrounding houses. As they battle to stay alive, they learn more about the monsters below and also about themselves, this is a coming of age novel after all.
So I had a few issues with Those Below the Tree House that kept me from connecting with it. The first being the way the kids spoke. I thought the way that they acted and the decisions that they made were perfect, but the dialogue never felt like kids to me. I highlighted one passage, in particular, that bothered me where 13-year-old using medical terms casually in conversation. So, to me, the dialogue didn't feel authentic. Another thing that bothered me was that the secondary characters weren't developed beyond one-dimensional notes of "he's a drunk," "he's lame," etc. I get that teenagers can view the world through a very narrow lense, but it would have been nice to get further characterization for those side characters.
That being said, this book is a quick and fun read that carries an emotional weight to it. I grew to care about these boys over the 200ish pages of this book and was invested in their story. Despite my personal issues with the book that took away some of my enjoyment, I still recommend this book, especially to fans of coming of age stories and/or zombies.
June 21, 2020
An unrelenting, smart and pulchritudinous journey into growing up, horror, and tragedy.
This is one of the most realistic, well written, and empathetic coming of age stories i have ever read. From the first chapter it demanded my attention and made me remember what being 13-16 years old felt like all over again throughout the entire narrative. Its heartbreaking and makes you care about these boys in a tangible sense. That's not even taking into account the monstrosities roaming the town, which is another beautifully written heartbreak all on its own. The detail of the physical aspects of the creatures and the direction taken with them felt fresh, well thought out and original. I highly recommend you take a trip to Riverside, and don't forget your guitar and Gameboy.
This is one of the most realistic, well written, and empathetic coming of age stories i have ever read. From the first chapter it demanded my attention and made me remember what being 13-16 years old felt like all over again throughout the entire narrative. Its heartbreaking and makes you care about these boys in a tangible sense. That's not even taking into account the monstrosities roaming the town, which is another beautifully written heartbreak all on its own. The detail of the physical aspects of the creatures and the direction taken with them felt fresh, well thought out and original. I highly recommend you take a trip to Riverside, and don't forget your guitar and Gameboy.
June 24, 2020
Just wow!
From the very first chapter, we’re plunged right into the action and it doesn’t let up until the final page! This was my fifth or sixth read featuring cordeceps but it didn’t come across old or unoriginal at all. And I just loved the framing between the first and final sentence in the book! Last bit of praise is for the emotions that the author made me feel; he writes feelings with such skill! I was heavily invested in the lives of his protagonists. This is horror writing at its finest.
Can’t wait to read more from Hayward!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From the very first chapter, we’re plunged right into the action and it doesn’t let up until the final page! This was my fifth or sixth read featuring cordeceps but it didn’t come across old or unoriginal at all. And I just loved the framing between the first and final sentence in the book! Last bit of praise is for the emotions that the author made me feel; he writes feelings with such skill! I was heavily invested in the lives of his protagonists. This is horror writing at its finest.
Can’t wait to read more from Hayward!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 6, 2020
What a nail biting ride! The coming of age story or young boys fighting for survival in a nightmare situation was crazy good. I had a hard time putting the book down. The story flowed quickly and I felt I was there witnessing the horror. The paragraph that struck me as being the closest description of the story: "Kind hearted kids didn't always grow up to have nice lives they deserved, as I saw with Rodgers. Bastards got to wreck nice homes and lives. And some people wanted to hurt others, just because they could. The tunnel of adolescence was a dark and terrifying place." (Hayward, 2020, Those Below the Tree House)
Sums life up. Read this book. You won't regret it!
Sums life up. Read this book. You won't regret it!
May 25, 2020
Those Below The Treehouses brought to life a story I couldn’t have imagined. I forgot several times during the story how old the characters were. It left me feeling like I was in the book myself right alongside Tony. Another excellent read from Matt Hayward! You definitely need to carve out some time to read this book, you will not want to put it down! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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May 4, 2021Vielleicht lese ich es irgendwann später weiter. Vorerst wird es pausiert.
June 13, 2020
3.5 stars
Four young kids, 3 friends and one bully end up trapped in a treehouse together during a zombie like invasion. They work on trying to survive physically and emotionally while planning their escape as the zombies roam under their treehouse.
The story pulls you along on this one, but I hated the opening scene and almost quit after the first chapter. Who am I kidding, after the first couple pages. The beginning was hard too follow, and the chosen words seemed to extreme for the situation. Parts were unbelievable and inconsistent.
From page 12 to page 14 the word “slop” was used six times. Slopping, slopping, slopped, slopping, slop, slop. I picked it up the second time it was used and then it got on my nerves. Choose something else, with all the other exaggerated words already used, I’m sure you could come up with something.
Sorry for the rant. Once things got going the story moved along and there were only a few more far fetched scenes.
I am surprised at all the 5 star ratings but maybe I was just expecting too much.
Four young kids, 3 friends and one bully end up trapped in a treehouse together during a zombie like invasion. They work on trying to survive physically and emotionally while planning their escape as the zombies roam under their treehouse.
The story pulls you along on this one, but I hated the opening scene and almost quit after the first chapter. Who am I kidding, after the first couple pages. The beginning was hard too follow, and the chosen words seemed to extreme for the situation. Parts were unbelievable and inconsistent.
From page 12 to page 14 the word “slop” was used six times. Slopping, slopping, slopped, slopping, slop, slop. I picked it up the second time it was used and then it got on my nerves. Choose something else, with all the other exaggerated words already used, I’m sure you could come up with something.
Sorry for the rant. Once things got going the story moved along and there were only a few more far fetched scenes.
I am surprised at all the 5 star ratings but maybe I was just expecting too much.
January 14, 2021
I’d give this more of a 3.5, it was an interesting twist on zombie-like creatures. It had a really exciting and quick paced beginning and you could really feel the panic and terror throughout each chapter of the book.
I really wanted Kit to end up the one surviving. He had a rough start and had been a jerk to Tony’s friend group pre-infection, but we later on get into his backstory and character more, and he ends up a trustworthy and reliable comrade. Only to get killed off at the very end within a sentence. It felt very lacklustre.
The boys each had their individual traits and personality type, but even with the entire novel focusing on them they felt kind of flat.
The true horror was Kit’s dad, he was incredibly scary and I kind of wished he was written into the story for longer for that reason.
This was a good novel, had a good premise, but I feel it could have been executed more thoroughly.
I really wanted Kit to end up the one surviving. He had a rough start and had been a jerk to Tony’s friend group pre-infection, but we later on get into his backstory and character more, and he ends up a trustworthy and reliable comrade. Only to get killed off at the very end within a sentence. It felt very lacklustre.
The boys each had their individual traits and personality type, but even with the entire novel focusing on them they felt kind of flat.
The true horror was Kit’s dad, he was incredibly scary and I kind of wished he was written into the story for longer for that reason.
This was a good novel, had a good premise, but I feel it could have been executed more thoroughly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2020
Wasn't familiar with Hayward until this book arrived as part of a monthly horror subscription service I use. And yes, I have since been made aware of the serious claims made against Hayward - though I have not followed the details particularly close. I chose to read the book since I had paid for it already.
The story is a zombie variant, centered on some young teens in remote mountain village who have to band together to stay alive while the rest of the townsfolk are transforming into some sort of shuffling, deadly menace. Things get darker than I was anticipating, and the characters display seemingly natural actions in the face of this nutty weirdness.
The story and the writing were enjoyable and genre fun. Yet that doesn't mean I'm a Hayward fan going forward in light of things.
The story is a zombie variant, centered on some young teens in remote mountain village who have to band together to stay alive while the rest of the townsfolk are transforming into some sort of shuffling, deadly menace. Things get darker than I was anticipating, and the characters display seemingly natural actions in the face of this nutty weirdness.
The story and the writing were enjoyable and genre fun. Yet that doesn't mean I'm a Hayward fan going forward in light of things.
May 24, 2021
Apocalyptic coming of age story fits this book as a quick description. It’s well suited for today with its healthy dose of 90’s nostalgia. Thirteen year old Tony’s birthday is rocked when his stepfather is attacked. Trapped with his friends and the local bully, kids are forced to grow up quickly as everyone around them succumbs to a spreading terror. Supernatural horror is mixed in with the horror of everyday life and family tragedy.
July 15, 2020
Blown away
This book was amazing from start to finish.I never got bored and I hated putting this book down when I had to sleep.I was desperate to know what was going to happen to these boys and in the end was pleased As much as 1 can be with a horror story.Truly original and horrifying.
This book was amazing from start to finish.I never got bored and I hated putting this book down when I had to sleep.I was desperate to know what was going to happen to these boys and in the end was pleased As much as 1 can be with a horror story.Truly original and horrifying.
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