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Book Review: MISFITS by Hunter Shea

Title: MISFITS
Author: Hunter Shea
Expected Release: September 8th, 2020
Flame Tree Press
Janine's Review:

During the height of the 90s grunge era, five high school friends living on the fringe are driven to the breaking point. When one of their friends is brutally raped by a drunk townie, they decide to take matters into their own hands. Deep in the woods of Milbury, Connecticut, there lives the legend of the Melon Heads, a race of creatures that shun human interaction and prey on those who dare to wander down Dracula Drive. Maybe this night, one band of misfits can help the other. Or maybe some legends are meant to be feared for a reason.

OK, so full disclosure, this was my first Shea book. There is no way in hell it will be my last, but up until I received this ARC, I had yet to sample his wares.

Thank god I did. 

The blurb was entirely right up my street. Coming of age, nostalgia, legends, have always been tick in the box for me. But unlike most of the tales set in the ’80s, I actually was a teenager in the ’90s. I was into grunge. I wore the baggy jeans, the army surplus stores and charity shop finds. These kids were me, except I didn’t smoke pot. Hey, I always wanted to be in the police, no way in hell was I getting busted for a class c drug. Anyhoo …

So, what did I think of Misfits?

I absolutely loved it. 

I had heard of Melon Heads before and even listened to an episode of Last Podcast on the Left all about it. But I still wasn’t prepared for Hunter’s version of them – they were both awesome, terrifying, super cool, and horrendous!

Coming of age stories are always one of my favourites. Misfits is no exception. It is heart-warming. Heart-breaking. Brutal. Exciting. 

I felt for the characters. I really liked Mick and saw a little of myself in Marnie and Heidi. Thank god I have never been through what Marnie did though. I thought that the subject and aftermath of the rape was handled perfectly. I won’t give away what happens to the fucker but … yay. 

All in all, I loved this story. There were no lulls in the plotline, it moved at a steady but enjoyable pace. The climax was worth waiting for and I fully invested in the characters. 

My only complaint? I read it too quickly so it was over too soon …

Final thoughts?

10/10

Will, I read more books by Shea?

Um, der – of course!

Would I recommend Misfits to others?

In a heartbeat. 

Janine Pipe is a Horror lover and writer who was first introduced to the genre at the tender age of 9 by reading 'Salem's Lot - and she hasn't looked back since. She is inspired by Stephen King and cites Glenn Rolfe and Jonathan Janz as her favourite current writers. She likes to shock with her writing, there is usually a lot of gore and plenty of swearing ...  She is very thankful to her biggest cheerleaders, her husband and daughter and her mentor, Graeme Reynolds. She reviews and chews the fat with fellow authors on her blog -  Janine's Ghost Stories and is a guest reviewer for Gingernuts of Horror. 

You can find her work at Tales to Terrify, Ghost Stories the podcast, and The Horror Tree. Coming this year she has shorts with Kandisha Press, Iron Faerie Publishing and Black Hare Press, as well as a super exciting secret project. 
Follow her on Twitter here - https://twitter.com/disneynine



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