Clown in a Cornfield

Clown in a Cornfield #1

by Adam Cesare

It's hard becoming a famous influencer when you live in the middle of a cornfield, but that doesn't stop up-and-coming internet sensations Cole Hill & Co from trying, with everything from candid videos to high stakes pranks, anything to get those clicks and keep folks tuning in. Everything tastes better with a little drop of Baypen.

I really loved about half of this book and found the other half serviceable.

This book highlights the strain influencer culture takes, not just on young people, but on the society around them, (as well as the strain said society takes on the kids). There are a few adults in the mix, but most of the characters are young, and dealing with common problems of youth, so don't come in expecting them to act like adults. The author did a good job incorporating modern slang and chatspk without sounding like a 500 year old man slowly turning to dust.

The political stuff on the backend of the story is a little too on the red rubber nose for my taste, but considering the release date it's understandable. I just think it could have been done with a lighter touch. Also, some of the character motivations I found far-fetched or flimsy, but I've let stories get away with much worse.

I, myself, grew up in a cornfield, almost in this exact town, minus the murder clowns, so I appreciate all the spooky, ominous descriptions of the environment, as well as the reality of bad wifi reception. Fear-wise, I would liken this series to R.L. Stine's Fear Street, more mature than Goosebumps but less mature than a Stephen King thriller. The sequences won't keep me up at night, but they did keep me turning the page, and I read the whole book in less than two days. It should be noted, I am not scared of clowns. If you are scared of clowns, you will find it scarier, because boy oh boy are there sure clowns!

If I found the sequel on a shelf somewhere, I would probably read it, but I'm also not on an epic quest to find "Frendo Lives." I had a good time with this book though. Great way to close out spooky season!