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If You Go Down to the Woods
A powerful and emotional debut thriller perfect for fans of It by Stephen King, The Chalk Man by C. J. Tudor and the TV show Stranger Things. We were so young when it all happened. Just thirteen-years-old, making the most of the long, hot, lazy days of summer, thinking we had the world at our feet. That was us--me, Fat Bobby, Jim and Tara--the four members of the Outsiders' Club. The day we found a burnt-out car in the woods was the day everything changed. Cold, hard cash in the front seat and a body in the trunk ... it started out as a mystery we were desperate to solve. Then, the Collector arrived. He knew we had found his secret. And suddenly, our summer of innocence turned into the stuff of nightmares. Nothing would ever be the same again ...
1 pages, Audio CD
First published March 22, 2018
426 people are currently reading
3864 people want to read
About the author
Seth C. Adams
5 books100 followersRaised on Marvel comics, horror fiction, The Twilight Zone, and other genre entertainment unsuitable for an impressionable young mind, Seth C. Adams knew he wanted to tell stories at a young age.
With a Bachelor's in anthropology from the University of California, Riverside, and completing his Master's in North American History at Arizona State University, as an adult he's learned that real life is indeed often stranger–and more frightening–than fiction.
He currently splits his time between California and Arizona, and is always working on, or thinking about, his next story.
With a Bachelor's in anthropology from the University of California, Riverside, and completing his Master's in North American History at Arizona State University, as an adult he's learned that real life is indeed often stranger–and more frightening–than fiction.
He currently splits his time between California and Arizona, and is always working on, or thinking about, his next story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
April 4, 2018
Alright I have to admit my reason for picking this one up is it being advertised as for fans of It by Stephen King and The Chalk Man by C. J. Tudor. For once the advertising from the publisher is actually pretty spot on instead of the usual why in the world are they comparing this to that book feeling I get. This one will immediately remind you of the titles they’ve listed.
The book starts as Joe is remembering the summer he was thirteen and his parents decided on a move to the small town of Payne, Arizona. At that age the move was a new adventure to Joe and shortly after moving he meets Fat Bobby being tortured by some bullies and so the beginning of the Outsiders club. Joe, Bobby, Tara and Jim bond together and begin their summer adventure.
Eventually while exploring in the woods a car is found locked up and hidden. Of course curiosity gets the better and when finally able to get inside they find a fortune in cash. Now we know that this is a too good to be true scenario and of course the next thing for the Outsiders is a major order of danger coming their way.
As I said this one has major vibes of the books they compared it too so if you are a fan of a nostalgic coming of age with a dangerous twist type of read then this one will probably be for you. While I enjoyed this one much as I had the others before it my only thought though was is it terribly original. Sure these kids get into their own mess of troubles over their summer but one can’t help but to compare so in the end I decided to rate this one at 3.5 stars.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
The book starts as Joe is remembering the summer he was thirteen and his parents decided on a move to the small town of Payne, Arizona. At that age the move was a new adventure to Joe and shortly after moving he meets Fat Bobby being tortured by some bullies and so the beginning of the Outsiders club. Joe, Bobby, Tara and Jim bond together and begin their summer adventure.
Eventually while exploring in the woods a car is found locked up and hidden. Of course curiosity gets the better and when finally able to get inside they find a fortune in cash. Now we know that this is a too good to be true scenario and of course the next thing for the Outsiders is a major order of danger coming their way.
As I said this one has major vibes of the books they compared it too so if you are a fan of a nostalgic coming of age with a dangerous twist type of read then this one will probably be for you. While I enjoyed this one much as I had the others before it my only thought though was is it terribly original. Sure these kids get into their own mess of troubles over their summer but one can’t help but to compare so in the end I decided to rate this one at 3.5 stars.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
October 6, 2018
After reading the description about liking this book if you watched “Stranger Things” which I loved. I had high hopes for this and was not disappointed.
Joel aged 13 and his family move to Payne Arizona with his parents and older sister Sarah. He and his new found friends start the “ outsiders club “ Joel, Bobby, Jim and Tara discover an abandoned car with a body in the trunk and lots of cash!!
Loved this book, devoured it in one day. Especially the friendship side, having being an outsider myself (was a book worm even at school) I appreciated how it feels when you meet like minded people Takes me back to all that teenage angst, fighting with siblings, first ever kiss etc.
I am looking forward to you’re next book Seth Adams you are an author to watch out for!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
Joel aged 13 and his family move to Payne Arizona with his parents and older sister Sarah. He and his new found friends start the “ outsiders club “ Joel, Bobby, Jim and Tara discover an abandoned car with a body in the trunk and lots of cash!!
Loved this book, devoured it in one day. Especially the friendship side, having being an outsider myself (was a book worm even at school) I appreciated how it feels when you meet like minded people Takes me back to all that teenage angst, fighting with siblings, first ever kiss etc.
I am looking forward to you’re next book Seth Adams you are an author to watch out for!!
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
March 3, 2018
If You Go Down To The Woods by Seth C Adams a book about a group of young teenagers who become friends and start the Outsiders club. The group encounter bullies and get into situations out of their control. This has far reaching consequences for each of them. This book is full of nostalgia and has some creepy qualities. It reminded me of Stand By Me and the beginning reminded me of IT by Stephen King. I enjoyed this book. I would like to thank NetGalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2018
One summer in the life of Joe, Bobby, Jim, and Tara ..and later Sara, will remain with them forever. They named themselves the Outsiders' Club.
Not much to do in this small town in Arizona, Joe spies something and convinces his new friends to go exploring. And what a find! A Buick ... on a back road. The car obviously had been there forever and a day. Locked, covered with forest growth, was a mystery that had them all excited.
When they finally got a door open, what they find is a fortune in cash.. all neatly bundled, all just sitting there for the taking. But it was what they found in the trunk that had them scared. And when the man known as The Collector came along, the kids were absolutely terrified.
They would all have nightmares for a very long time.....
Think STAND BY ME, Stephen King's IT, THE CLIENT .... this book brought these all to mind. It contained elements of all these movies. It was still a good read .. just not terribly original.
The characters were alright, but my favorite of all is Bandit, the 4-legged Outsider that saved the day time and time again. It's a short read, but entertaining all the same.
Many thanks to the author / Harper Impulse - Killer reads / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this adventure. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Not much to do in this small town in Arizona, Joe spies something and convinces his new friends to go exploring. And what a find! A Buick ... on a back road. The car obviously had been there forever and a day. Locked, covered with forest growth, was a mystery that had them all excited.
When they finally got a door open, what they find is a fortune in cash.. all neatly bundled, all just sitting there for the taking. But it was what they found in the trunk that had them scared. And when the man known as The Collector came along, the kids were absolutely terrified.
They would all have nightmares for a very long time.....
Think STAND BY ME, Stephen King's IT, THE CLIENT .... this book brought these all to mind. It contained elements of all these movies. It was still a good read .. just not terribly original.
The characters were alright, but my favorite of all is Bandit, the 4-legged Outsider that saved the day time and time again. It's a short read, but entertaining all the same.
Many thanks to the author / Harper Impulse - Killer reads / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this adventure. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 17, 2018
Based on the length, I expected to blow through this book in one or two sittings, but it actually took me a few days to get through it. Comparisons to It by Stephen King and The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor are accurate when it comes to the story, but I found this one lacking. I might have felt more suspense if the main character, Joey, didn't drive me absolutely batty. I know, he's thirteen. And I know thirteen year old boys aren't known for being the least annoying creatures on the planet. But I have read plenty of stories with characters of a similar age where they came across as likable and still realistic enough. This was not one of them. Most of the other characters are fine. I also have no problem with foul language, as I have a mouth like a sailor myself. This does not include racial slurs (mostly used by "bad guys" but so often it was jarring) or using the word "retarded" a dozen or so times as an insult, both of which feature a lot in this story. I know that people use those words, and I know kids especially tend to. I just don't think it added anything and in fact detracted from the story for me. I didn't need more reasons to dislike the main character, but his use of "retarded" gave them to me. I hate to rate books low, and the language is not even the main reason but I just didn't enjoy this one.
Just thirteen years old, Joey and his older sister have been forced to move with their family because of their father's job. It's not long before Joey connects with new friends, and not long before he makes some new enemies. Pulled to a mysterious glinting light in the woods, he and his new group of outsiders discover an old abandoned car that looks like it's been sitting in one place for years and years. It's locked. Of course, they are convinced they have to open it. Inside, they find more money than they've ever seen in their lives, more money than most people will... and in the trunk, something most people would hope never to see: a decaying body that's been laying alone and forgotten for a long time. But someone knows they've found his secret: a mysterious man called The Collector, who will make sure this is a summer they'll never forget.
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley, Harper Impulse, and Killer Reads, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
Just thirteen years old, Joey and his older sister have been forced to move with their family because of their father's job. It's not long before Joey connects with new friends, and not long before he makes some new enemies. Pulled to a mysterious glinting light in the woods, he and his new group of outsiders discover an old abandoned car that looks like it's been sitting in one place for years and years. It's locked. Of course, they are convinced they have to open it. Inside, they find more money than they've ever seen in their lives, more money than most people will... and in the trunk, something most people would hope never to see: a decaying body that's been laying alone and forgotten for a long time. But someone knows they've found his secret: a mysterious man called The Collector, who will make sure this is a summer they'll never forget.
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley, Harper Impulse, and Killer Reads, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
May 14, 2018
Joe moves to Payne, Arizona at 13. It ends up being a summer he will remember for the rest of his life. His new friends, forming The Outsiders Club, the car they find abandoned in the woods, a serial killer.... Definitely an eventful summer.
There is some language in this book that might be very offensive to most people. But....let's be truthful here...there is no middle school or group of tweens/teens where at least some (or even all) of those words don't get used during a fight or disagreement. At times, those words are used in normal conversation even. In fact, I've heard those terms (and worse) used in the lyrics of songs that kids listen to. Wanting a more diverse and kind world is a great thing to strive for....but there is no magic wand you can wave and take hurtful words kids hurl at each other out of the mix. Fat kids are going to be called fat and be subjected to hurtful things. Kids are mean. Wanting them to not be that way doesn't take that magically away and leave middle school and those final years before adulthood a kind, nurturing, happy place and time. It has never been a perfect, happy place for anybody.....but it's a learning time, a place of lessons and memories that last a life time. Good and bad. And the strongest, best friendships, too. To rate down a book because it uses terms that kids actually use saying "It's 2018'' and a book shouldn't use those words.....that's akin to censorship and it's asking authors to make books based on a fake, cleansed picture of the world. Now....did the story get just a bit over-the-top and trope-y with a few of the characters like the racist, corrupt, disgusting sheriff ? Yes. But, do teen boys hear and say words like retarded, fat, gay, n*****, b*tch, and the like on a daily basis? Yes, they do. Do nerdy kids or those branded as "losers'' or fringe get picked on and targeted? Yes, they do. Wanting a kinder planet is unfortunately never going to take those words out of the English language and out of the arsenal that kids use against each other. Does it make those words the right thing to say? NEVER. But authors can't create stories based on a cleansed world that doesn't exist. Nothing good will come from that. Does that mean we have to accept and like words and actions like that? Of course not. But in writing a story about bullies and a group of kids outside the normal social circles, those words are realistic. If I sat in the center of my son's middle school at lunch time, I guarantee I would hear every single one of those words coming from kids in reference to other kids. It's unfortunate......but realistic. That being said....I think calling a character N***** Jim is going over the line. Really? I can tolerate that in Tom Sawyer because it's from another time. But in this book it was a cringe-worthy moment that pulled me out of the story. One step too far.
In fact, I felt this book went just that step too far several times. Events occurred that went just a step past reality towards melodramatic and bad trope. Actions and characters went just a step past believable towards ridiculous. The sheriff. The Collector. The bullies. Mobsters. Some portions of the story felt like a bad 1980's movie script.
I don't like it when books are marketed as "like Stephen King'' or "for lovers of" some bestseller or popular author. Nobody can pull off Stephen King plots but Stephen King. It was nothing like It or The Chalk Man. This book is just not up to that level of writing or story-telling. Is the story enjoyable? Most of it is. But at certain places, it failed....and failed hard.
All in all, this story was okay. I would read another book by this author. I think he needs to find his own voice and not strive to emulate his favorite authors. I'm giving it 3 stars based on the portions of the story I liked. The first half of the book was stronger than the last half.
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Harper Impulse/Killer Reads via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
There is some language in this book that might be very offensive to most people. But....let's be truthful here...there is no middle school or group of tweens/teens where at least some (or even all) of those words don't get used during a fight or disagreement. At times, those words are used in normal conversation even. In fact, I've heard those terms (and worse) used in the lyrics of songs that kids listen to. Wanting a more diverse and kind world is a great thing to strive for....but there is no magic wand you can wave and take hurtful words kids hurl at each other out of the mix. Fat kids are going to be called fat and be subjected to hurtful things. Kids are mean. Wanting them to not be that way doesn't take that magically away and leave middle school and those final years before adulthood a kind, nurturing, happy place and time. It has never been a perfect, happy place for anybody.....but it's a learning time, a place of lessons and memories that last a life time. Good and bad. And the strongest, best friendships, too. To rate down a book because it uses terms that kids actually use saying "It's 2018'' and a book shouldn't use those words.....that's akin to censorship and it's asking authors to make books based on a fake, cleansed picture of the world. Now....did the story get just a bit over-the-top and trope-y with a few of the characters like the racist, corrupt, disgusting sheriff ? Yes. But, do teen boys hear and say words like retarded, fat, gay, n*****, b*tch, and the like on a daily basis? Yes, they do. Do nerdy kids or those branded as "losers'' or fringe get picked on and targeted? Yes, they do. Wanting a kinder planet is unfortunately never going to take those words out of the English language and out of the arsenal that kids use against each other. Does it make those words the right thing to say? NEVER. But authors can't create stories based on a cleansed world that doesn't exist. Nothing good will come from that. Does that mean we have to accept and like words and actions like that? Of course not. But in writing a story about bullies and a group of kids outside the normal social circles, those words are realistic. If I sat in the center of my son's middle school at lunch time, I guarantee I would hear every single one of those words coming from kids in reference to other kids. It's unfortunate......but realistic. That being said....I think calling a character N***** Jim is going over the line. Really? I can tolerate that in Tom Sawyer because it's from another time. But in this book it was a cringe-worthy moment that pulled me out of the story. One step too far.
In fact, I felt this book went just that step too far several times. Events occurred that went just a step past reality towards melodramatic and bad trope. Actions and characters went just a step past believable towards ridiculous. The sheriff. The Collector. The bullies. Mobsters. Some portions of the story felt like a bad 1980's movie script.
I don't like it when books are marketed as "like Stephen King'' or "for lovers of" some bestseller or popular author. Nobody can pull off Stephen King plots but Stephen King. It was nothing like It or The Chalk Man. This book is just not up to that level of writing or story-telling. Is the story enjoyable? Most of it is. But at certain places, it failed....and failed hard.
All in all, this story was okay. I would read another book by this author. I think he needs to find his own voice and not strive to emulate his favorite authors. I'm giving it 3 stars based on the portions of the story I liked. The first half of the book was stronger than the last half.
**I voluntarily read an advance readers copy of this book from Harper Impulse/Killer Reads via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
May 3, 2018
1 star.
The racial and homophobic slurs, and terrible representation towards a black and a fat character, have made me hate it.
This book takes place in the 70s/80s, so these types or wordings were normalized back then, but this is a 2018 release. It's understandable wanting to be realistic, but you can write a historical piece without the CONSTANT use of slurs and microagressions. STRANGER THINGS and IT (the movie, the book was about as offensive as this, but they had the brains to use other wordings BECAUSE ITS 2018) did it (which is what this book is CONSTANTLY being compared to, which makes sense because this is IT, but done worse), so why couldn't they with this book?
Thank you to Netgalley for sending this to me for review, but I will never recommend this book to a single soul.
The racial and homophobic slurs, and terrible representation towards a black and a fat character, have made me hate it.
This book takes place in the 70s/80s, so these types or wordings were normalized back then, but this is a 2018 release. It's understandable wanting to be realistic, but you can write a historical piece without the CONSTANT use of slurs and microagressions. STRANGER THINGS and IT (the movie, the book was about as offensive as this, but they had the brains to use other wordings BECAUSE ITS 2018) did it (which is what this book is CONSTANTLY being compared to, which makes sense because this is IT, but done worse), so why couldn't they with this book?
Thank you to Netgalley for sending this to me for review, but I will never recommend this book to a single soul.
February 25, 2018
I read this in one sitting today as it is utterly compelling. The descriptive sense of it captures so much emotion in a "nostalgia for childhood" way although I wouldn't want to live through the summer this group of friends, The Outsiders,live through. I was entirely caught up in their story and suffered through a lot of angst in the telling - Seth C Adams makes you care about his characters and layers them well to make you feel it right in your heart when bad things happen.
I did love this very much for it's writing, the premise of the story and for the most part the execution. This is a writer to watch. However it wasn't without it's issues - perhaps it is a little over reaching in the saga, there's a little too much going on that starts to feel more unlikely. Perhaps less is more, for example I didn't think the kids needed *quite* so much going on, I can't say much without spoilers but one thing or the other or that one, not ALL the things. Also the kids read older than they were actually stated as being which at many points didn't ring true especially in their decision making - and sometimes the "bad guys" veered off into caricature and there was a horror movie staple scene near the final resolution that I really felt was too over the top. My honest feeling is that pared back on the event situations, raising the age of the kids just a little, allowing that beautiful writing to shine through rather than distract with so much going on, would have made this a 5* and then some read for me.
Even having said all that I see such a huge talent here. The author made me feel every moment of this one and even when I had to suspend that disbelief I was still right in there. There were some wonderfully done scenes (Joey and Tara at the fair, Joey and his sister's love/hate interactions to name some) some beautifully layered characters and that nostalgic sense of the friendships we make when we are young was spot on and brilliantly done as were the differing parental relationships. There were shades of King in here, that way of immersing the reader into the world and making them laugh and cry and hate and love and all those things right alongside those they are reading about so mostly it was excellent stuff.
If You Go Down To The Woods stole my Sunday afternoon and I gave it up gladly. I can't wait to see what this author brings us next - it is true it is an emotional and powerful debut - with the few caveats I made this is an easy 4* for me and I'm adding Seth C Adams to my watch list for future releases with no hesitation at all.
Recommended.
I did love this very much for it's writing, the premise of the story and for the most part the execution. This is a writer to watch. However it wasn't without it's issues - perhaps it is a little over reaching in the saga, there's a little too much going on that starts to feel more unlikely. Perhaps less is more, for example I didn't think the kids needed *quite* so much going on, I can't say much without spoilers but one thing or the other or that one, not ALL the things. Also the kids read older than they were actually stated as being which at many points didn't ring true especially in their decision making - and sometimes the "bad guys" veered off into caricature and there was a horror movie staple scene near the final resolution that I really felt was too over the top. My honest feeling is that pared back on the event situations, raising the age of the kids just a little, allowing that beautiful writing to shine through rather than distract with so much going on, would have made this a 5* and then some read for me.
Even having said all that I see such a huge talent here. The author made me feel every moment of this one and even when I had to suspend that disbelief I was still right in there. There were some wonderfully done scenes (Joey and Tara at the fair, Joey and his sister's love/hate interactions to name some) some beautifully layered characters and that nostalgic sense of the friendships we make when we are young was spot on and brilliantly done as were the differing parental relationships. There were shades of King in here, that way of immersing the reader into the world and making them laugh and cry and hate and love and all those things right alongside those they are reading about so mostly it was excellent stuff.
If You Go Down To The Woods stole my Sunday afternoon and I gave it up gladly. I can't wait to see what this author brings us next - it is true it is an emotional and powerful debut - with the few caveats I made this is an easy 4* for me and I'm adding Seth C Adams to my watch list for future releases with no hesitation at all.
Recommended.
August 10, 2018
A highly enjoyable coming of age crime thriller that pays homage to Stephen King’s ‘The Losers Club’.
Thirteen year old Joey and he’s family move to Payne, Arizona. Where he soon becomes friends with Fat Bobby, Jim and Tara - this group of misfits soon refer to themselves as the Outsiders Club.
Whilst exploring in the woods they discover a burnt out car with tons of money in the front seat and a body in the trunk.
Soon after a shady guy know as The Collector comes for the money, which in-turn plunges the whole group into danger.
Riding on the success of Stranger Things and IT, this novels strength is the dynamics between the young group of friends.
I really liked the manner in which they were introduced.
The story was fun and fast paced. But I really liked was the fact that it was a straight forward crime thriller rather than trying to introduce any supernatural elements which these type of stories tend to have.
Highly gripping last few chapters, I really enjoyed reading this!
Thirteen year old Joey and he’s family move to Payne, Arizona. Where he soon becomes friends with Fat Bobby, Jim and Tara - this group of misfits soon refer to themselves as the Outsiders Club.
Whilst exploring in the woods they discover a burnt out car with tons of money in the front seat and a body in the trunk.
Soon after a shady guy know as The Collector comes for the money, which in-turn plunges the whole group into danger.
Riding on the success of Stranger Things and IT, this novels strength is the dynamics between the young group of friends.
I really liked the manner in which they were introduced.
The story was fun and fast paced. But I really liked was the fact that it was a straight forward crime thriller rather than trying to introduce any supernatural elements which these type of stories tend to have.
Highly gripping last few chapters, I really enjoyed reading this!
April 6, 2018
This is the night. These are the times.
This was a solid 3 star read for me. I was definitely expecting a paranormal element which wasn’t present in the book at all, and it surprised me a little.
The main thing I struggled with was the narrator. A young boy, Joey was just so typical of guys his age, and I struggled to connect with his character. I found him incredibly annoying, strangely unlikeable and honestly quite annoying, which made me feel a little detached from the story.
Besides the narrator, I also struggled to find some parts of the story believable. It was just a little farfetched and could honestly be so easily resolved by involving a grown-up or the police. I also really wanted to just slap these kids and stop them from being so dumb. I mean, some of their decisions were truly questionable.
Overall I quite liked the ‘feel’ of the book, it was very atmospheric and I could easily transport myself into the minds of these children and the environment they lived in, so for that I can commend the author.
While I was slightly disappointed by this book, I would be interested in reading more from the author. I hope his other narrators are more likeable.
Would recommend for: fans of Stephen King for sure!
February 25, 2018
I am not completely sure about this book. It was totally unbelievable for kids of that age to behave in the ways these kids did. It was a great story but I felt like the kids should have been older.
The called themselves The Outsiders Club.. a group of kids who really didn't fit in in the small town of Payne Arizona. There is Joey, Bobby Jimmy and Tara... who are 13-16. The find an abandoned car in the woods one day... and the The Collector arrives to claim back the contents of that car. A series of crazy scenes and encounters between the characters then start.
It was a good story, I just struggled to see young kids acting the way that they did. Thanks to Killer Reads and NetGalley for a copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions
The called themselves The Outsiders Club.. a group of kids who really didn't fit in in the small town of Payne Arizona. There is Joey, Bobby Jimmy and Tara... who are 13-16. The find an abandoned car in the woods one day... and the The Collector arrives to claim back the contents of that car. A series of crazy scenes and encounters between the characters then start.
It was a good story, I just struggled to see young kids acting the way that they did. Thanks to Killer Reads and NetGalley for a copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions
August 30, 2018
Tanta publicidade sobre este livro e não correspondeu, de todo, às expectativas. Demorou demasiado a desenrolar a ação e teve uma introdução das personagens demasiado longa que se tornou aborrecido.
November 13, 2021
Not a bad tale, but it was sorely lacking heart. The kids never jelled for me as best friends, or really even good friends. The whole story strained the bounds of belief, but that's also one of the best things about coming of age tales...the weirdness. The holy crap, this shit is not happening moments! What brings it all together is the reader believing that these kids would die for their friends. Come hell or high water, they'd do whatever it takes. I loved the dog though. This isn't a book that I'd recommend. Not if you love the friendships in other coming of age tales by the likes of Stephen King, Dan Simmons, McCammon, etc..This book doesn't come close to those relationships.
February 27, 2018
I did not finish this one because I couldn’t get past the adolescent male narrative. I found the main character unlikeable and annoying and the novel is almost written as a satire of a coming-of-age story. Very forced, very contrived. For anyone who’s read it, is it worth pursuing? I rarely give up on a book so quickly.
April 11, 2019
I’m shelving this unfinished, but I’m leaving a review for a specific reason.
It is 2019, authors, agents, editors, and publishers. There is literally no reason that a debut author in this time and place should ever use the word “retarded” four times in the first six pages of the novel. Someone should have given the author a heads up as to how offensive this is and had them change it. It serves no purpose in the narrative. I was trying to slog through, but when the main character goes into a bookstore with his dog in tow, and says to a patron “he’s a support animal, I’m half retarded“, I literally tossed the book away. I’m not reading this garbage.
The main character is a 13-year-old boy, so I can only assume that he experiences some growth as the novel progresses. But in the first six pages, not only are we treated to ableist slurs, but it’s also filled to the brim with disgusting fat shaming, bullying and misogyny. One of the characters is literally referred to as “fat Bobby“, because I guess calling him by his name wasn’t quite enough. The author really had to drive the point home that the “doughy“ kid was fat. We are also treated to a nice little excerpt where the main character blames the kid for being bullied because of the way he looks.
I don’t need to read this rendition of Stephen King’s “IT” that badly. Hard pass.
It is 2019, authors, agents, editors, and publishers. There is literally no reason that a debut author in this time and place should ever use the word “retarded” four times in the first six pages of the novel. Someone should have given the author a heads up as to how offensive this is and had them change it. It serves no purpose in the narrative. I was trying to slog through, but when the main character goes into a bookstore with his dog in tow, and says to a patron “he’s a support animal, I’m half retarded“, I literally tossed the book away. I’m not reading this garbage.
The main character is a 13-year-old boy, so I can only assume that he experiences some growth as the novel progresses. But in the first six pages, not only are we treated to ableist slurs, but it’s also filled to the brim with disgusting fat shaming, bullying and misogyny. One of the characters is literally referred to as “fat Bobby“, because I guess calling him by his name wasn’t quite enough. The author really had to drive the point home that the “doughy“ kid was fat. We are also treated to a nice little excerpt where the main character blames the kid for being bullied because of the way he looks.
I don’t need to read this rendition of Stephen King’s “IT” that badly. Hard pass.
January 8, 2021
I own this book.
When I was in a charity shop just before lockdown started, I needed another book to make up 8 books for a special offer they had so I grabbed this one on a whim. And I am not disappointed that I did. This book is a thriller type book, where kids, a gang of misfits and outcasts, find an abandoned Buick in the woods and their lives change forever. Bobby, Jim, Sarah, Tara and Joey find themselves being persued by The Collector, a mysterious man who threatens them when they find out his secrets of what is in the car and what it is doing abandoned in the woods. The kids soon find they are in over their heads.
This book was very atmospheric, it had a beautiful eerie frozen in time type of a feel. It doesn't really seem to have an age, in a limbo between the 1950s and now. The small-town mindsets are evident in this book, making it difficult to read in some places but it was also a very real and raw read. I enjoyed it, but I found myself dropping in and out of focus with this book which is why I cannot rate it higher, it didn't grip my attention in the way I wanted it too.
When I was in a charity shop just before lockdown started, I needed another book to make up 8 books for a special offer they had so I grabbed this one on a whim. And I am not disappointed that I did. This book is a thriller type book, where kids, a gang of misfits and outcasts, find an abandoned Buick in the woods and their lives change forever. Bobby, Jim, Sarah, Tara and Joey find themselves being persued by The Collector, a mysterious man who threatens them when they find out his secrets of what is in the car and what it is doing abandoned in the woods. The kids soon find they are in over their heads.
This book was very atmospheric, it had a beautiful eerie frozen in time type of a feel. It doesn't really seem to have an age, in a limbo between the 1950s and now. The small-town mindsets are evident in this book, making it difficult to read in some places but it was also a very real and raw read. I enjoyed it, but I found myself dropping in and out of focus with this book which is why I cannot rate it higher, it didn't grip my attention in the way I wanted it too.
June 14, 2018
Thirteen year old Joey's family has moved from SoCal to small town Payne, Arizona. He befriends a group of outcasts that summer; Bobby, Jim, and Tara; and together they form The Outsiders Club. They spend their time getting into scrapes with dangerous local bullies and eventually embark on an adventure way beyond their wildest dreams when they discover an old Buick parked in the woods. Inside they find millions of dollars and a dead body, long decomposed.
It doesn't take long for a shady character known as The Collector to arrive for the money, but The Outsiders are in over their heads and a dangerous game begins.
The story (both writing and plot) is obviously influenced by the work of Ray Bradbury and Stephen King and while it is a highly entertaining read, it's not very original, heavily relying on the nostalgia of the aforementioned writers. I struggled to figure out the time period because it reminds me so much of The Body (also known by the film name Stand By Me) and The Goonies, which are both 1980's, but there are references in this novel to the internet and more recent events.
The formula of the well-known 1980s misfit adventure filled with danger is back in action in If You Go Down to the Woods. Readers can expect an entertaining story like the classic films I mentioned. I felt like this was written with the intention of paying homage to the author's major influences and with that spirit in mind, I enjoyed the novel.
Thanks to Harper Impulse/Killer Reads and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.
For more full reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
It doesn't take long for a shady character known as The Collector to arrive for the money, but The Outsiders are in over their heads and a dangerous game begins.
The story (both writing and plot) is obviously influenced by the work of Ray Bradbury and Stephen King and while it is a highly entertaining read, it's not very original, heavily relying on the nostalgia of the aforementioned writers. I struggled to figure out the time period because it reminds me so much of The Body (also known by the film name Stand By Me) and The Goonies, which are both 1980's, but there are references in this novel to the internet and more recent events.
The formula of the well-known 1980s misfit adventure filled with danger is back in action in If You Go Down to the Woods. Readers can expect an entertaining story like the classic films I mentioned. I felt like this was written with the intention of paying homage to the author's major influences and with that spirit in mind, I enjoyed the novel.
Thanks to Harper Impulse/Killer Reads and NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.
For more full reviews, visit www.rootsandreads.wordpress.com
August 17, 2018
I don't remember the last time I marked a story DNF (Did Not Finish for those new to the lingo), but it does not happen often. In fact the last time was probably right around the time I started my blog back in 2012.
HOWEVER.
I just could not with this story. I tried. I tried forcing myself. I tried leaving it alone and coming back to it later. I even tried reading other stories in between. And .... no.
This came across as a half-assed attempted to mimic Stephen King. Some of the parallels between this story and IT were just too glaring to ignore. And the writing style was juvenile at best (and yes I get it was told from the point of a teenage boy, but this was worse). That's not even going into the blatant racism, sexism, fat shaming and the overall disrespect towards the handicapped.
Despite my best efforts to finish this, I just couldn't do it. And perhaps this story will appeal to others (in fact judging from the 4 and 5 star reviews I well may in the minority here), but this was not for me. Nor would I read more from this author.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
HOWEVER.
I just could not with this story. I tried. I tried forcing myself. I tried leaving it alone and coming back to it later. I even tried reading other stories in between. And .... no.
This came across as a half-assed attempted to mimic Stephen King. Some of the parallels between this story and IT were just too glaring to ignore. And the writing style was juvenile at best (and yes I get it was told from the point of a teenage boy, but this was worse). That's not even going into the blatant racism, sexism, fat shaming and the overall disrespect towards the handicapped.
Despite my best efforts to finish this, I just couldn't do it. And perhaps this story will appeal to others (in fact judging from the 4 and 5 star reviews I well may in the minority here), but this was not for me. Nor would I read more from this author.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
February 25, 2018
Premise: A group of teenagers make a discovery that brings about a chain reaction of action and consequence of epic proportions and nightmare quality.
Favorite passage/quote: "He too smiled at me, and I didn't care for that smile anymore than the winks he gave, or the tip of the hat. His every feigned display of propriety was a nuanced mockery and as much as the Collector or Mr. Perrelli and Brock, I knew Sheriff Glover wasn't really human anymore."
5/5 stars because it met my three requirements to get that 5th star:
(1) It captivated me. Literally held me captive. I read this book in 6 hours straight, couldn't put it down.
(2) I'll talk to people about this book and recommend they read it and tell others.
(3) I'll read it again. If I don't love a book enough to read it again, I won't give it five stars.
I'll admit to having a Stephen King "Stand By Me" vibe early on, but the story quickly defined itself as not being a copy cat. I could definitely feel the influences of King, perhaps some Dean Koontz with a dash of John Saul and Clive Barker. Basically I'm comparing this debut novel to some of my favorite horror authors, giants in their field. So yeah, I liked this book.
The story is told in 1st person narrative by Joey Hayworth, then 13, now grown. It flowed. It was smooth. At no point did I pause and go back trying to figure out complicated plot lines. Oh, they were there. Layers and twists and the unexpected, but woven so seamlessly together and told in a controlled and well paced narration. Nothing was rushed. No frantic scrabbling to cram details into the story. From a technical standpoint, this is a great representation of what happens when you have talented authors and editors working together. Unfortunately I do not, at this time, have the editor's name to give credit, but I'll add it in later if I come across the info.
When I said that the book captivated me, I meant it in the literal sense. The story pulled me in, made me care about the characters, wonder what they were going to do next, caused some anxiety over what happened to some of them, may have caused a little smile toward Karma for what happened to others.
It was difficult to select just one passage as my favorite, because honestly I did a lot of highlighting in this book. Not just because of clever phrasing or word usage (those are present, and nicely done!), but because of the deeper meaning of the passages. Joey isn't just telling us the story of "One summer when I was a kid...", he's telling us the story of THE summer when he stopped being a kid, when some of the polish was no longer on the world, when you learn that people hurt each other and the fair isn't magical, it's just a traveling money-maker.
I could continue to gush over this book, but the bottom line is that If You Go Down to the Woods by Seth C. Adams is an incredibly well written book that pulled me in and didn't let go until I'd read the last word.
(Thank you to NetGalley and KillerReads for the digital ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.)
Favorite passage/quote: "He too smiled at me, and I didn't care for that smile anymore than the winks he gave, or the tip of the hat. His every feigned display of propriety was a nuanced mockery and as much as the Collector or Mr. Perrelli and Brock, I knew Sheriff Glover wasn't really human anymore."
5/5 stars because it met my three requirements to get that 5th star:
(1) It captivated me. Literally held me captive. I read this book in 6 hours straight, couldn't put it down.
(2) I'll talk to people about this book and recommend they read it and tell others.
(3) I'll read it again. If I don't love a book enough to read it again, I won't give it five stars.
I'll admit to having a Stephen King "Stand By Me" vibe early on, but the story quickly defined itself as not being a copy cat. I could definitely feel the influences of King, perhaps some Dean Koontz with a dash of John Saul and Clive Barker. Basically I'm comparing this debut novel to some of my favorite horror authors, giants in their field. So yeah, I liked this book.
The story is told in 1st person narrative by Joey Hayworth, then 13, now grown. It flowed. It was smooth. At no point did I pause and go back trying to figure out complicated plot lines. Oh, they were there. Layers and twists and the unexpected, but woven so seamlessly together and told in a controlled and well paced narration. Nothing was rushed. No frantic scrabbling to cram details into the story. From a technical standpoint, this is a great representation of what happens when you have talented authors and editors working together. Unfortunately I do not, at this time, have the editor's name to give credit, but I'll add it in later if I come across the info.
When I said that the book captivated me, I meant it in the literal sense. The story pulled me in, made me care about the characters, wonder what they were going to do next, caused some anxiety over what happened to some of them, may have caused a little smile toward Karma for what happened to others.
It was difficult to select just one passage as my favorite, because honestly I did a lot of highlighting in this book. Not just because of clever phrasing or word usage (those are present, and nicely done!), but because of the deeper meaning of the passages. Joey isn't just telling us the story of "One summer when I was a kid...", he's telling us the story of THE summer when he stopped being a kid, when some of the polish was no longer on the world, when you learn that people hurt each other and the fair isn't magical, it's just a traveling money-maker.
I could continue to gush over this book, but the bottom line is that If You Go Down to the Woods by Seth C. Adams is an incredibly well written book that pulled me in and didn't let go until I'd read the last word.
(Thank you to NetGalley and KillerReads for the digital ARC in exchange for my fair and honest review.)
September 6, 2019
I rarely review a book that I don't finish, but felt I had to share my thoughts on this one.
This has to be one of the most amateurish novels I've ever read (or rather, attempted to read). I got as far as page 60, and that was enough for me. DNF, and will not be giving this author another shot.
Like many, perhaps, I was initially drawn in by the premise - bullied schoolkids clubbing together, and stumbling upon adventure.
A fair number of reviewers have criticised the bad language and racial slurls - and I agree. But for me, what killed this book was the author's writing style - dull, stodgy sentences, and more than a few quite frankly silly analogies. Consider this one:
"A fat and lazy man with a gut like a beach ball stuffed beneath his shirt, and beer cans lettered about his feet like carelessly delivered babies."
'Carelessly delivered babies'? I mean, what the hell?
And from the very same page, when describing Fat Bobby's father:
"He looked at me like he was looking at a fly that had alighted on his food and taken a shit."
There is a host of stuff like this, and as said, after less than a third of the way through the book, I'd had enough.
It just seemed to be a work that has been written by a 12-year-old, aimed at readers around the same age.
This has to be one of the most amateurish novels I've ever read (or rather, attempted to read). I got as far as page 60, and that was enough for me. DNF, and will not be giving this author another shot.
Like many, perhaps, I was initially drawn in by the premise - bullied schoolkids clubbing together, and stumbling upon adventure.
A fair number of reviewers have criticised the bad language and racial slurls - and I agree. But for me, what killed this book was the author's writing style - dull, stodgy sentences, and more than a few quite frankly silly analogies. Consider this one:
"A fat and lazy man with a gut like a beach ball stuffed beneath his shirt, and beer cans lettered about his feet like carelessly delivered babies."
'Carelessly delivered babies'? I mean, what the hell?
And from the very same page, when describing Fat Bobby's father:
"He looked at me like he was looking at a fly that had alighted on his food and taken a shit."
There is a host of stuff like this, and as said, after less than a third of the way through the book, I'd had enough.
It just seemed to be a work that has been written by a 12-year-old, aimed at readers around the same age.
May 20, 2018
I received this book from Netgalley and am providing an honest review below.
This book seems at first heavily inspired by Stephen King's The Body (filmed as Stand By Me). The action is moved to Arizona, a group of misfits band together, deal with bullies in a way that raises the ante dramatically from The Body, find an abandoned car in the woods loaded with a body in the trunk and millions of dollars in the backseat, and soon deal with a mysterious killer called The Collector. Seth Adams writing is engaging, and the first half of the book nicely straddles the line between YA and adult thriller, but then the book goes completely off the tracks and becomes a blood splattered thriller fueled by inane decisions by the 13 year-old narrator, which lost me as a 58 year-old crime fiction reader.
While the book lost me, I'll still give it 3 stars for the writing and that it might work for teen readers.
This book seems at first heavily inspired by Stephen King's The Body (filmed as Stand By Me). The action is moved to Arizona, a group of misfits band together, deal with bullies in a way that raises the ante dramatically from The Body, find an abandoned car in the woods loaded with a body in the trunk and millions of dollars in the backseat, and soon deal with a mysterious killer called The Collector. Seth Adams writing is engaging, and the first half of the book nicely straddles the line between YA and adult thriller, but then the book goes completely off the tracks and becomes a blood splattered thriller fueled by inane decisions by the 13 year-old narrator, which lost me as a 58 year-old crime fiction reader.
While the book lost me, I'll still give it 3 stars for the writing and that it might work for teen readers.
March 9, 2019
#FirstLine ~ This is the night.
This book was quite fast paced and quite thrilling. I devoured it nearly in one day. I loved that it was unlike other books in this genre. It was edgy and had me on the roller-coaster of emotions. I can see this book becoming a movie because it has all the great component that make a great book to film adaptation. It has some twists and a few turns I did not see coming, so that was very exciting. I recommend this read to those who desire a read that will get their heart racing and get them burning through the pages of an engaging read!
This book was quite fast paced and quite thrilling. I devoured it nearly in one day. I loved that it was unlike other books in this genre. It was edgy and had me on the roller-coaster of emotions. I can see this book becoming a movie because it has all the great component that make a great book to film adaptation. It has some twists and a few turns I did not see coming, so that was very exciting. I recommend this read to those who desire a read that will get their heart racing and get them burning through the pages of an engaging read!
April 2, 2018
I read somewhere that this novel is perfect for fans of IT and TV Show Stranger Things. I haven't read or watched either so I can't comment on this but as a reference point for myself, I'd say that this novel is a mix of The Goonies meets Pulp Fiction. I can see both parts clearly before my eyes. I know it sounds like a strange combination but the novel did start out as a young adult novel, suited for younger readers even more perhaps, and then morphed in the end into a much darker read with quite a violent plotline. I was really lulled into a secure and safe feeling because yes there were plenty of threats and angst that the main character Joey feels but hey he's a young kid and he apparantly pees his pants when he's afraid,.. so it's not so strange perhaps that I kind of went into complete shock with the turn of events in the end!
What I really did like though was the writing in this novel, the author has a very pleasant style, and I enjoyed the author's (or Joey's) way of telling the story. He's sharing a story about that one summer in his life, a summer that starts with great friendships being made, of falling in love for the first time all sweet and innocent, but then a sequence of small decisions made him grow up a lot faster than he wanted to. The novel started off very strongly and I was certain I had a five star read in my hands but my excitement died down a little... maybe it was meant to be really suspenseful and threatening when this bunch of kids encountered the Collector but I didn't really feel the adrenaline pumping, yet in the end the author certainly made up for that and my heart rate must have been the equivalent of running a marathon because I was really scared then for Joey and the rest.
Another thing that really made me want to keep on reading were actually the members of the Outsiders' Club, a very diverse bunch of kids. There's a black kid who knows how to shoot a gun, a fat kid who's used to bullying, and a beautiful tomboy girl who isn't scared of anything. I loved their personalities and seeing their friendship develop but the one that really stole my heart was Bandit, Joey's dog. Bandit goes everywhere with him and I held my heart that he wouldn't die from the moment I read about him and yes, it's a sin I know but I skipped to the end to see if I could still see his name written there... I'd have been devasted to see him die. There were almost human qualities attributed to him, he understands Joey so well and he was such a lovely character!
I don't want to give the impression that this was a bad read but I think I'd have rated it a lot higher if the author had chosen a more linear style of writing, going all the way dark or not. I don't know if everybody will feel this way because I might be more difficult than some when it comes to crossing genres but this is my personal opinion. I also would have liked more background and more exlaining on what was actually the greatest mystery of all: the car and the body in the car. There's a lot (if not all) left unexplained and I wasn't entirely satisfied that this intriguing part of the story was left unexplored.
Long story short: the title should definitely have been Don't Go Down To The Woods!
What I really did like though was the writing in this novel, the author has a very pleasant style, and I enjoyed the author's (or Joey's) way of telling the story. He's sharing a story about that one summer in his life, a summer that starts with great friendships being made, of falling in love for the first time all sweet and innocent, but then a sequence of small decisions made him grow up a lot faster than he wanted to. The novel started off very strongly and I was certain I had a five star read in my hands but my excitement died down a little... maybe it was meant to be really suspenseful and threatening when this bunch of kids encountered the Collector but I didn't really feel the adrenaline pumping, yet in the end the author certainly made up for that and my heart rate must have been the equivalent of running a marathon because I was really scared then for Joey and the rest.
Another thing that really made me want to keep on reading were actually the members of the Outsiders' Club, a very diverse bunch of kids. There's a black kid who knows how to shoot a gun, a fat kid who's used to bullying, and a beautiful tomboy girl who isn't scared of anything. I loved their personalities and seeing their friendship develop but the one that really stole my heart was Bandit, Joey's dog. Bandit goes everywhere with him and I held my heart that he wouldn't die from the moment I read about him and yes, it's a sin I know but I skipped to the end to see if I could still see his name written there... I'd have been devasted to see him die. There were almost human qualities attributed to him, he understands Joey so well and he was such a lovely character!
I don't want to give the impression that this was a bad read but I think I'd have rated it a lot higher if the author had chosen a more linear style of writing, going all the way dark or not. I don't know if everybody will feel this way because I might be more difficult than some when it comes to crossing genres but this is my personal opinion. I also would have liked more background and more exlaining on what was actually the greatest mystery of all: the car and the body in the car. There's a lot (if not all) left unexplained and I wasn't entirely satisfied that this intriguing part of the story was left unexplored.
Long story short: the title should definitely have been Don't Go Down To The Woods!
July 28, 2023
Really liked the twists and turns of the plots and the intense part of the chapters. However the chapters were just too long which made reading it feel like a task
June 12, 2023
dnf @ 20%
i refuse to force myself to read something i’m not enjoying just to say that i finished it— sorry. i don’t know what i was expecting from a book i’ve already dnfed once.
i refuse to force myself to read something i’m not enjoying just to say that i finished it— sorry. i don’t know what i was expecting from a book i’ve already dnfed once.
July 5, 2024
DNF - for a book written in 2019 and set during a time with computers and google, the author has no issue blasting the R word and the N word pretty much every page as a way to describe the main character’s friends. This language is gross, the writing is cheesy, and the plot is just not good. I don’t think anyone I know who likes Stephen King or horror novels would enjoy this like the cover claims they would.
May 15, 2018
They were only so young just 13 years old and making the most of the sunshine . We found a car in the woods which have burnt out and on the front of the car was a lot of Money ,then the collector arrived .
I got this from Netgalley .
I got this from Netgalley .
December 18, 2017
I really liked the atmosphere and the storyteller, however the plot itself was kind of too much to believe for me...
September 25, 2021
DNF after 22 pages. Overuse of the word retarded as a slur, outdated gender stereotypes and fat shaming.
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