The hungry Hare
The Hare is Coming and is so sooo hungry
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc.
1.5 ⭐️
If you are excited for a campy classic slasher, don’t hold your breath. This title and cover are misleading and disappointing.
The concept is an interesting take, where we follow the cops after the killing has already taken place. Fast pacing, quick chapters.
The characters feel one dimensional and have no personality.
To be honest I zoned out for most of the story. At chapter 26 / 68% of the book I just skipped ahead to the last chapter.
Again this is an interesting style but this is more thriller than horror ( only horror parts was a tiny bit of gore mentioned) I feel disappointed that I was looking for a campy slasher.
It did give a little bit of Friday the thirteenth / Town that Dreaded Sundown and the legend of the bunny man’s bridge.
Has anyone else ever picked up a book, completely drawn in by a killer cover, only to find the story inside is... well, not what you signed up for? That's exactly how I felt diving into 'The Summer Fun Massacre.' With a title like 'The hungry Hare' and a cover featuring a rustic wooden sign, ominous pine trees, and that iconic blood-red 'MASSACRE' text, plus a dark house and even a cool VHS tape design element, I was absolutely convinced I was in for a wild, campy slasher ride. I mean, who wouldn't be? It screamed classic horror! When I see a cover like that, my mind immediately goes to those golden-era slashers – think 'Friday the 13th,' 'Sleepaway Camp,' or even 'The Town That Dreaded Sundown.' I'm looking for high body counts, often over-the-top kills, a mysterious masked killer, and maybe a final girl who's smarter than everyone else. There's a certain thrill in the chase, the suspense of not knowing who's next, and that delightful blend of terror and dark humor. That's the 'slasher' vibe I was searching for, and based on the aesthetics, I thought 'The Summer Fun Massacre' by Craig DiLouie was going to deliver. The idea of 'hare horror' is intriguing too, right? Whether it’s an actual killer rabbit or a menacing figure named 'Hare,' it promises something unsettling. Animal-themed horror can be incredibly effective when done well, playing on primal fears. So, when a book gives off these slasher and creature feature vibes through its packaging, it creates a very specific expectation. But sometimes, a book's marketing can be a bit... creative. What makes a genuinely great slasher, in my opinion, is its commitment to the genre. It embraces its tropes, builds genuine suspense, and often has a signature killer or location. When a book hints at these elements but then veers off into a more subdued thriller territory, it can leave slasher fans feeling a bit cheated. It's like going to a party expecting a mosh pit and finding a quiet book club instead! To avoid this kind of 'slasher disappointment,' I've started doing a bit more digging beyond just the cover. Checking out a few early reviews (especially from fellow horror fans!) can give you a clearer picture. Sometimes, even looking up the author, like Craig DiLouie, and seeing their other works can give you a clue about their typical style. If you're really craving that pure slasher experience, look for keywords like 'campy,' 'retro slasher,' 'cabin in the woods,' or '80s horror homage.' For those still yearning for true slasher greatness after reading my review, I'd suggest checking out some classics or modern homages that really nail the genre. Don't let a misleading cover deter you from exploring the vast, bloody landscape of actual slasher horror. There are so many fantastic films and books out there that truly capture that thrilling, terrifying, and sometimes hilarious spirit!