Review by salbs -- Demon Freaks by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison
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salbs
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Review by salbs -- Demon Freaks by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison
[Following is a volunteer review of "Demon Freaks" by J.R.R.R. (Jim) Hardison.]
4 out of 4 stars
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What do you get if you combine teenagers, demons, golfers, and MacDonalds!? ‘Demon Freaks’! I need to be upfront about this: I LOVE this book! The author has clearly decided that no holds are barred in this tour of the night before the SAT exam. It’s not often one reads an entire novel based on just one evening, and doesn’t get frustrated with the need to fill pages with details (Ulysses notwithstanding). Not so here. Our protagonists, the Slaughter twins (Ron and Bing), their drummer friend ‘Meat’, and the keyboardist from the inevitable teenage band, Kaitlyn, are supposed to be revising for their SAT exam, which they all seem to be on the verge of failing, with the possible exception of Kaitlyn, but get distracted by their high school history teacher busting into their cabin getaway with a possessed knife, pursued by be-robed individuals with glowing eyes (as you do).
The ensuring chase leads our heroes to the local golf club, and a whole range of unexpected crazy! From the Servants of Darkness (the aforementioned glowing-eyed robed dudes) to the female ninjas who the Slaughters encounter in the underground tunnels while fighting off the ‘teethheads’, this is not a novel short of characters, which provides a myriad of twists and turns – the best of which I will not spoilt for you EVEN THOUGH I REALLY WANT TO!!!!!! Needless to say, the climax is suitably dramatic and heartrending at the same time, and leaves a chink in the door for future instalments.
It’s hard to criticise something that has enraptured one to so great an extent! My only real criticism is one of the character’s repeated usage of ‘Jesus Christ’ as a term of frustration. Whilst this is utilised within the storyline, it jarred every single time it was used and seemed somewhat unnecessary. I would have been less concerned with a s*** or even a f***, so perhaps this is a personal preference, but it really detracted for me.
On the scale provided I give this book 4 out of 4. The version I downloaded had regular typographic errors of the sort that indicate a processing error, but even this couldn’t distract from the creativity and sheer audacity of the author. While this is billed as young adult fiction, if you enjoy ironic fantasy type novels, you will love this. It provided a real escape from the mundanity of the everyday, without taking itself in any way too seriously.
In conclusion, this book is a rip-roaring jaunt through the realm of quasi-real fantasy, it will transport you to an alternate reality, and surprise you with just how engaged you become with the characters and their quest. I can’t wait to read more!
******
Demon Freaks
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4 out of 4 stars
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What do you get if you combine teenagers, demons, golfers, and MacDonalds!? ‘Demon Freaks’! I need to be upfront about this: I LOVE this book! The author has clearly decided that no holds are barred in this tour of the night before the SAT exam. It’s not often one reads an entire novel based on just one evening, and doesn’t get frustrated with the need to fill pages with details (Ulysses notwithstanding). Not so here. Our protagonists, the Slaughter twins (Ron and Bing), their drummer friend ‘Meat’, and the keyboardist from the inevitable teenage band, Kaitlyn, are supposed to be revising for their SAT exam, which they all seem to be on the verge of failing, with the possible exception of Kaitlyn, but get distracted by their high school history teacher busting into their cabin getaway with a possessed knife, pursued by be-robed individuals with glowing eyes (as you do).
The ensuring chase leads our heroes to the local golf club, and a whole range of unexpected crazy! From the Servants of Darkness (the aforementioned glowing-eyed robed dudes) to the female ninjas who the Slaughters encounter in the underground tunnels while fighting off the ‘teethheads’, this is not a novel short of characters, which provides a myriad of twists and turns – the best of which I will not spoilt for you EVEN THOUGH I REALLY WANT TO!!!!!! Needless to say, the climax is suitably dramatic and heartrending at the same time, and leaves a chink in the door for future instalments.
It’s hard to criticise something that has enraptured one to so great an extent! My only real criticism is one of the character’s repeated usage of ‘Jesus Christ’ as a term of frustration. Whilst this is utilised within the storyline, it jarred every single time it was used and seemed somewhat unnecessary. I would have been less concerned with a s*** or even a f***, so perhaps this is a personal preference, but it really detracted for me.
On the scale provided I give this book 4 out of 4. The version I downloaded had regular typographic errors of the sort that indicate a processing error, but even this couldn’t distract from the creativity and sheer audacity of the author. While this is billed as young adult fiction, if you enjoy ironic fantasy type novels, you will love this. It provided a real escape from the mundanity of the everyday, without taking itself in any way too seriously.
In conclusion, this book is a rip-roaring jaunt through the realm of quasi-real fantasy, it will transport you to an alternate reality, and surprise you with just how engaged you become with the characters and their quest. I can’t wait to read more!
******
Demon Freaks
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes
Like salbs's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Raven's Peak by Lincoln Cole
