Review of Boyhood Adventures - Second Edition

Please use this forum to discuss historical fiction books. Common definitions define historical fiction as novels written at least 25-50 years after the book's setting.
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
Post Reply
User avatar
Saint Bruno
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 1799
Joined: 28 Aug 2020, 14:47
Favorite Author: Agatha Christie
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 192
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-saint-bruno.html
Latest Review: The vampires missing cape by Steve Stables
fav_author_id: 2484

Review of Boyhood Adventures - Second Edition

Post by Saint Bruno »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Boyhood Adventures - Second Edition" by Aaron L. Carter.]
Book Cover
4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


In Texarkana, Arkansas, in 1953, three eight-year-old boys, Dennis, Lee, and Frank, embarked on a series of nocturnal adventures that most boys their age wouldn't dare to pursue. Dennis and Lee are interested in finding ghosts, and Frank cannot say no to going with them on these nerve-wracking adventures because they are his only friends, and saying no might cost him the protection being with them brings him.

There are rumors that one of the buildings in Texarkana is a haunted house. This house, known as the Gramercy house, has been uninhabited for years after some deaths happened in it. Hence, Dennis and his friends decide to explore the place in the hope of finding specters. What will they find in this building? One thing is for sure, and it's that the boys are in for a spine-chilling experience that might involve keeping a secret forever.

I am happy to report that I thoroughly enjoyed reading Boyhood Adventures - Second Edition by Aaron L. Carter. It opened the gates for many old memories to come rushing in. I started to wonder where we got all the courage to embark on some crazy adventures back then. Aside from the introduction, the author uses the third-person point of view to tell the entire story. This title is a fiction book, but the author informs readers that the adventures of Dennis, Lee, and Frank mostly portray the true-life experiences he and his two best friends had when they were young.

I enjoyed almost every part of this book, so much so that it's hard to pick my favorite aspect. But I would go with the satisfying end of the story. A few pages to the end of this book, I actually put down the book and clapped for the author. I liked the plot twist, but I especially enjoyed how the concluding revelations helped me appreciate the opening narrations. I got answers for almost all the questions I had, which, for me, makes reading a stand-alone book satisfying.

I also enjoyed the characterization. The characters are lifelike and unique. While Dennis is almost fearless, Frank is the direct opposite. However, Frank appears to be the most brilliant lad out of the three friends. They also have their vulnerabilities, which make them relatable. For example, Lee and Dennis struggled with grammar, but I liked how eager they were to learn new words. I was so angry at some of their decisions and greatly feared for their safety. I had to remind myself that I did similar things when I was their age.

Furthermore, the author's infectious sense of humor makes this book a joy to read. Even amid nerve-wracking narrations, Mr. Carter managed to bring some relief through funny conversations between the characters. I laughed out loud when Dennis told Lee that the doctor said Frank had a 'percussion.' The poor boys later learn from their friend, Frank, that the correct word is 'concussion.' Now that I am writing about it, I feel kind of bad for not making the humorous aspect of this book my favorite.

The only issue I had with this book was the boys' strong dialect. Nevertheless, I found that it appropriately portrayed how kids conversed in the region at that time. And I soon adapted to it in no time, so I hold no grudge. I highly recommend this book to readers who would love to read a boyhood adventure story with a touch of supernatural exploits. I found a few errors in the book, but they have nothing on its well-deserved rating of four out of four stars because I didn't dislike any aspect of the book. I must commend the author for the well-developed characters, suspenseful narrations, and vivid descriptions. Good job, Mr. Carter.

******
Boyhood Adventures - Second Edition
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
User avatar
Kavita Shah
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 3116
Joined: 12 Dec 2020, 12:30
Favorite Book: Spellbound - The Workings of Drugtech
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 188
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kavita-shah.html
Latest Review: Kalayla by Jeannie Nicholas

Post by Kavita Shah »

I would love to read this book. It's a thrill to be in haunted house and reading sounds tgrilling as well. Thanks for a great review!
Deewakar Tembe
Posts: 1
Joined: 13 Jul 2021, 11:41
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 0

Post by Deewakar Tembe »

I didn't read the book out and out yet but i will because the story bring a lot of horror thriller experience which I had faced a while ago..... 😱😱😱. The character Dennis inspires me from the short story yet as this is frighten to visit the haunted house which both of this other friend are completely in a different mood to get the some kick off adventure.
User avatar
Raluca_Mihaila
Posts: 2849
Joined: 03 Aug 2020, 14:52
Favorite Book: The Brothers Karamazov
Currently Reading: The Master and Margarita
Bookshelf Size: 175
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-raluca-mihaila.html
Latest Review: Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess by Dan E. Hendrickson

Post by Raluca_Mihaila »

I am so curious to discover if the ghosts were there! I loved adventure books, and the humor makes it even more interesting. Thank you for this stellar review and your recommendation!
User avatar
PeterRabitt20
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 1670
Joined: 12 Oct 2020, 10:35
Currently Reading: Verity
Bookshelf Size: 127
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-peterrabitt20.html
Latest Review: The Power Of Our Inner Gremlins by Suzanne Daplyn

Post by PeterRabitt20 »

I love a good ghost story, and this one sounds haunting. The cover isn't bad either. Thanks for the review.
User avatar
marta baglioni
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 607
Joined: 18 May 2021, 12:42
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 41
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-marta-baglioni.html
Latest Review: Shatter Girl by Shay Miranda

Post by marta baglioni »

I think this will be a very fun read! Thank you for your review ;)
User avatar
Ldpuff
Posts: 276
Joined: 19 Jul 2020, 08:54
Currently Reading: Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating
Bookshelf Size: 41
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ldpuff.html
Latest Review: The Merriest, The Beariest Bears by Doreen M. Atkinson

Post by Ldpuff »

I really like the cover of this book. After reading your review, it definitely sounds as though the cover goes well with the story. Nicely done!
User avatar
shreyagupta
Posts: 125
Joined: 01 Aug 2020, 00:57
Currently Reading: And Then There Were None
Bookshelf Size: 32
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-shreyagupta.html
Latest Review: Just Die by E Alan Fleischauer

Post by shreyagupta »

Sounds like an interesting read. Great review!
User avatar
Josephe-Anne
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 1251
Joined: 15 Jul 2019, 13:55
Favorite Author: George Orwell
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 486
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-josephe-anne.html
Latest Review: Not Fishy Enough by Briton Kolber
fav_author_id: 1746

Post by Josephe-Anne »

Oh! Kids out ghost-hunting? That sounds like a nail-biting adventure! I appreciate the fact that the characters are realistic for their age. The humor is also a nice touch.

Thank you for your wonderful review, Saint Bruno!
:tiphat:
"A house without books is like a room without windows." :techie-studyinggray:
― Horace Mann
Post Reply

Return to “Historical Fiction”