Scowler by Daniel Kraus

Kraus, D. (2013). Scowler. New York: Delacorte.

 Ryan (Ry) Burke grew up on a farm with his family. His father is an inhumane monster, physically beating his mother and himself to a near death that had him hospitalized and his father Marvin sent to jail.  Ry is now 19, the farm is dying, a meteor shower is coming, and Marvin has returned after an explosion at the prison.  Ry calls on 3 of his childhood toys to help him through the terror of what is to come now as they did when he was 11 years old.

 In all honesty, I did not finish Scowler. I don't do horror books or movies and this most definitely was a thriller/horror book without a doubt. A very graphic one in fact, that caught me a bit off guard. I gave it a shot, but I guess I am in fact "the faint of heart" because I could not handle it.  Which is funny because when I was a young adult I LOVED horror films and books. I can't watch Horror movies now, I can't handle the feeling inside me...it's just to much.  So while I think this may not be suited for many young adults I know that there is a mature YA audience for this book..  I can remember loving that thrill (something to do with thrills that all teenagers seek?) when I was a young adult and so I know there is a following.  And if I'm too afraid to finish the book, then that is some good horror writing! Stephen King books are good recommendations for follow up reading and those who, unlike me, seek to be terrified.