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The Smashed Man of Dread End
A chilling middle grade horror novel with an unforgettable basement-dwelling monster, perfect for fans of R.L. Stine and Holly Black alike.
Noe Wiley couldn’t be more excited to move. After the slumber party sleepwalking incident of last year, she’s ready to make some new friends.
But Noe didn’t expect the sullen, strange girls who live on her new street. And she certainly didn’t expect the strange warning they give her—to stay out of the basement, no matter what.
Noe’s not going to let these girls boss her around. She’ll go in her own basement whenever she wants.
So she does.
And there he is.
And now there’s no going back.
Noe Wiley couldn’t be more excited to move. After the slumber party sleepwalking incident of last year, she’s ready to make some new friends.
But Noe didn’t expect the sullen, strange girls who live on her new street. And she certainly didn’t expect the strange warning they give her—to stay out of the basement, no matter what.
Noe’s not going to let these girls boss her around. She’ll go in her own basement whenever she wants.
So she does.
And there he is.
And now there’s no going back.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published August 17, 2021
6 people are currently reading
2932 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 15, 2021
4.0 Stars
Finally, a horror novel with a teenager who is NOT moody and emo because her family moved to a new place!
I have really come to appreciate middle grade horror in this last year so I was incredibly excited for the opportunity to read this latest one. Written by JW Ocker, who wrote one of my all time favourite adult horror novels, I went into the book with high expectations. Long story short, it did not disappoint!
This story blended together all the elements that make these children horror stories great. It has a strong protagonist, great family dynamics, a sunny group of friends, and a spooky setup which lead to a lot of entertaining moments.
While this book is targeted at a younger audience, I can completely attest that the story has all ages appeal. I was still able to fully enjoy the narrative in my thirties. The humor in the novel was on point, including a lot of jokes that would be more funny to adult readers and probably go over the heads of younger children.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would recommend this novel to kids as well as adults open to reading middle grade horror. It was a lot of fun!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Finally, a horror novel with a teenager who is NOT moody and emo because her family moved to a new place!
I have really come to appreciate middle grade horror in this last year so I was incredibly excited for the opportunity to read this latest one. Written by JW Ocker, who wrote one of my all time favourite adult horror novels, I went into the book with high expectations. Long story short, it did not disappoint!
This story blended together all the elements that make these children horror stories great. It has a strong protagonist, great family dynamics, a sunny group of friends, and a spooky setup which lead to a lot of entertaining moments.
While this book is targeted at a younger audience, I can completely attest that the story has all ages appeal. I was still able to fully enjoy the narrative in my thirties. The humor in the novel was on point, including a lot of jokes that would be more funny to adult readers and probably go over the heads of younger children.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would recommend this novel to kids as well as adults open to reading middle grade horror. It was a lot of fun!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
July 11, 2021
Author here. The Smashed Man of Dread End is for kids who want a scare but not a ghost story. For kids who believe their neighborhood can contain an entire universe. For kids who know that, in the end, the adults can’t help them.
And for adults who want to share a scare with their kids.
And for adults who want to share a scare with their kids.
November 11, 2021
Wow what a CREEPY good time! Noe Wiley couldn’t be more excited to move. After the slumber party sleepwalking incident of last year, she’s ready to make some new friends. But Noe didn’t expect the sullen, strange girls who live on her new street. And she certainly didn’t expect the strange warning they give her—to stay out of the basement, no matter what. Noe’s not going to let these girls boss her around. She’ll go in her own basement whenever she wants. So she does. And there he is. And now there’s no going back. It’s not often I get really scared by a MG book-but this 1 definitely did the job. lol The whole story behind this neighborhood, the white house on the hill, & the smashed man himself were all so interesting. Such an engrossing, fast-paced read. Great characters too. Noe is incredible, & it was the 1st time I’ve read from a character who suffered from sleepwalking-which was also VERY interesting….& definitely NOT the best thing to do in THIS book that’s for sure lol. The other girls in the neighborhood were also amazing. Fern was quite a character too. I found myself actually enjoying her lol. The smashed man was terrifying. Perfectly written with vivid details that actually scared me because I could picture him so well. I also loved everything involved with the girls trying to get rid of him, & the whole “every monster has rules” thing-which is true if you thing about it. Was like a puzzle of sorts, & I loved the whole mystery of it. If you’re looking for a good creepy book that’s sure to spook you & give you goosebumps-here ya go! Lol Highly recommend. BEAUTIFUL cover by Jeannette Arroyo too!💜
December 4, 2024
I met the main character of this novel on Saturday.
Seriously.
I met up with J.W. Ocker at Niagara Falls (on the Canadian side), and his daughter was with him. She has black hair with red highlights and a vaguely goth/horror-fan vibe going on.
As I was mentioning which of Ocker's books I'd read, I got to this one and he said "She's the main character." And he casually points at his daughter.
I do a double take. "Wait really?"
And J.W. Ocker goes on to show me the cover for his next MG Horror novel, "The Ghost Show" (coming out next August), which is featuring his other daughter, and which looks and sounds INCREDIBLE.
All the while I'm still kind of reeling from the fact that I've JUST MET A FICTIONAL CHARACTER. And I'm racking my brain to remember everything I can about the character but also feeling super weird about my curiosity about this random girl I've just met.
"How does it feel to be in a novel?" I ask her.
"I can't believe they made me blonde. Dad should have told them my hair colour!"
Anyways, that was about all we talked about this book, but it was enough to make me want to reread it soon. XD
J.W. and his daughter were both so sweet and fun, btw! It was very cool meeting two people who were nerdy about similar stuff to me (and let's be fair, J.W. Ocker's books are part of the reason I'm so nerdy about cryptids and the strange side of our world.)
We talked about C.S. Lewis, G.K.Chesterton, and Ray Bradbury among others, and I loved every minute of it!
J.W. Ocker, thank you for taking the time to meet me and share your insider advice about writing MG Horror! Also thank you Esme Noelle, for letting me meet you. I've never the main character of a novel before! :)
Looking forward to reading the rest of Ocker's MG Horror, especially "The Ghost Show"!
Seriously.
I met up with J.W. Ocker at Niagara Falls (on the Canadian side), and his daughter was with him. She has black hair with red highlights and a vaguely goth/horror-fan vibe going on.
As I was mentioning which of Ocker's books I'd read, I got to this one and he said "She's the main character." And he casually points at his daughter.
I do a double take. "Wait really?"
And J.W. Ocker goes on to show me the cover for his next MG Horror novel, "The Ghost Show" (coming out next August), which is featuring his other daughter, and which looks and sounds INCREDIBLE.
All the while I'm still kind of reeling from the fact that I've JUST MET A FICTIONAL CHARACTER. And I'm racking my brain to remember everything I can about the character but also feeling super weird about my curiosity about this random girl I've just met.
"How does it feel to be in a novel?" I ask her.
"I can't believe they made me blonde. Dad should have told them my hair colour!"
Anyways, that was about all we talked about this book, but it was enough to make me want to reread it soon. XD
J.W. and his daughter were both so sweet and fun, btw! It was very cool meeting two people who were nerdy about similar stuff to me (and let's be fair, J.W. Ocker's books are part of the reason I'm so nerdy about cryptids and the strange side of our world.)
We talked about C.S. Lewis, G.K.Chesterton, and Ray Bradbury among others, and I loved every minute of it!
J.W. Ocker, thank you for taking the time to meet me and share your insider advice about writing MG Horror! Also thank you Esme Noelle, for letting me meet you. I've never the main character of a novel before! :)
Looking forward to reading the rest of Ocker's MG Horror, especially "The Ghost Show"!
October 17, 2022
3.5 - not quite a 4, even though I was rooting for it along the way.
Noelle is excited to move, so they can get a dog and she can get a fresh start. But the girls her age in the new neighborhood aren't friendly, and warn her to stay out of the basement. To spite them, Noe goes down to the basement and doesn't see anything. But when she sleepwalks the next night, she awakes to find herself in the basement, face to face with some kind of smashed man emerging from a crack. When she screams for her parents, they can't see him. Every time Noe goes down to the basement, he starts coming out of the crack, inch by inch, and no one has waited around long enough for him to come out. But it's not easy easy as staying out of the basement to avoid him: Noe can't control her sleepwalking, and her younger sister has started to do it too.
Sometimes this books was wonderfully tense and suspenseful and creepy and almost genuinely frightening, but then Ocker pulls it back. And I know that this is for middle schoolers, but having read more of him now, I think that's just how he is. He takes you all the way to the edge of the scare, and then walks you back. And it's so frustrating, because you read a scary book to be scared! And when it just wasn't scary afterwards.
I never know if I'm just to old and logical for middle grade, or if I would have been annoyed when I was younger, too.
And I've NEVER been a fan of the trope where you are so intent on protecting someone that you never fill them in on a single thing that's going on. That's not how humans works - we are curious, stubborn, contradictory creatures, and if you're acting mysterious and like something is so important, people are going to be compelled to investigate! And not listen to your directions to stay out!
But, overall, a fun ride.
Noelle is excited to move, so they can get a dog and she can get a fresh start. But the girls her age in the new neighborhood aren't friendly, and warn her to stay out of the basement. To spite them, Noe goes down to the basement and doesn't see anything. But when she sleepwalks the next night, she awakes to find herself in the basement, face to face with some kind of smashed man emerging from a crack. When she screams for her parents, they can't see him. Every time Noe goes down to the basement, he starts coming out of the crack, inch by inch, and no one has waited around long enough for him to come out. But it's not easy easy as staying out of the basement to avoid him: Noe can't control her sleepwalking, and her younger sister has started to do it too.
Sometimes this books was wonderfully tense and suspenseful and creepy and almost genuinely frightening, but then Ocker pulls it back. And I know that this is for middle schoolers, but having read more of him now, I think that's just how he is. He takes you all the way to the edge of the scare, and then walks you back. And it's so frustrating, because you read a scary book to be scared! And when it just wasn't scary afterwards.
I never know if I'm just to old and logical for middle grade, or if I would have been annoyed when I was younger, too.
And I've NEVER been a fan of the trope where you are so intent on protecting someone that you never fill them in on a single thing that's going on. That's not how humans works - we are curious, stubborn, contradictory creatures, and if you're acting mysterious and like something is so important, people are going to be compelled to investigate! And not listen to your directions to stay out!
But, overall, a fun ride.
October 23, 2021
Are you afraid of your dark basement? Well, you will be after confronting and meeting the 'Smashed Mad' in J.W. Ockers teen; middle grade horror book! Well, not as much horror as I thought there would be.
Here is my video review here on my Youtube channel; "Nightmares, Tears, Anyone?"
https://youtu.be/bY28zzunibI
After reading this author's 'Twelve Nights at Rotter House' I was really expecting more of a a chilling and scary book; even though I knew it was a middle grade read, this was really kind of disappointing in the fact that the reveal and explanation of what and who the 'Smashed Man' is was not well done. Could have been close to a four star but this barely made it to 3 for me. There were some very dark and creepy scenes, but they were just really cut quickly before the jump scare came! Damn.
Can't recommend it.
Barely 🧟♂️🧟♂️🧟♂️
Here is my video review here on my Youtube channel; "Nightmares, Tears, Anyone?"
https://youtu.be/bY28zzunibI
After reading this author's 'Twelve Nights at Rotter House' I was really expecting more of a a chilling and scary book; even though I knew it was a middle grade read, this was really kind of disappointing in the fact that the reveal and explanation of what and who the 'Smashed Man' is was not well done. Could have been close to a four star but this barely made it to 3 for me. There were some very dark and creepy scenes, but they were just really cut quickly before the jump scare came! Damn.
Can't recommend it.
Barely 🧟♂️🧟♂️🧟♂️
October 19, 2022
FROM THE BLOG:
The Smashed Man of Dread End by J.W. Ocker may be middle grade horror fiction, but it is, without a doubt, the most unsettling book I’ve read so far this Hallowe’en season. Brimming with chilling, frightful imagery, this novel is decidedly not afraid to go dark. And with it, Ocker joins the ranks of personal favorite authors like Katherine Arden and Neil Gaiman as an excellent purveyor of children’s horror.
The smashed star of the show itself will go down as one of the creepiest monsters I’ve ever come across, in terms of presence and demeanor. Many of the scenes involving the Smashed Man were simply full of dread and suspense — the tension so palpable you could almost cut it with a knife. One of Ocker’s intentions was to create a monster who would, in his own words, “be welcomed at Bobby Pickett’s ‘Monster Mash.’” I think he succeeded. All the great monsters come with their own set of rules, after all. What they can and cannot do. The Smashed Man is no different, and many of the story’s most interesting sequences had to do with the characters trying to find out what those rules were.
The characters were notably strong here, too. They felt more real and less stylized than the standard fare in a lot of children’s horror. Presumably because Ocker based the main siblings on two of his own daughters. Protagonist Noe in particular was smart and clever without ever veering into precocious, nettlesome territory. Len acted exactly like a toddler, with all the delight and frustration that entails. But I was even more impressed with the rest of the Dread Enders — Crystal, Radiah, and Ruthy — who were portrayed, not as capricious side-characters, always ready with a quip and a wry remark, but as thoroughly terrified, traumatized children. Which is, of course, exactly what they were. Drollery is often so much easier and safer to write than depth, so I appreciate the restraint Ocker showed with the depiction of these characters.
An excellent story for the spooky season.
The Smashed Man of Dread End by J.W. Ocker may be middle grade horror fiction, but it is, without a doubt, the most unsettling book I’ve read so far this Hallowe’en season. Brimming with chilling, frightful imagery, this novel is decidedly not afraid to go dark. And with it, Ocker joins the ranks of personal favorite authors like Katherine Arden and Neil Gaiman as an excellent purveyor of children’s horror.
The smashed star of the show itself will go down as one of the creepiest monsters I’ve ever come across, in terms of presence and demeanor. Many of the scenes involving the Smashed Man were simply full of dread and suspense — the tension so palpable you could almost cut it with a knife. One of Ocker’s intentions was to create a monster who would, in his own words, “be welcomed at Bobby Pickett’s ‘Monster Mash.’” I think he succeeded. All the great monsters come with their own set of rules, after all. What they can and cannot do. The Smashed Man is no different, and many of the story’s most interesting sequences had to do with the characters trying to find out what those rules were.
The characters were notably strong here, too. They felt more real and less stylized than the standard fare in a lot of children’s horror. Presumably because Ocker based the main siblings on two of his own daughters. Protagonist Noe in particular was smart and clever without ever veering into precocious, nettlesome territory. Len acted exactly like a toddler, with all the delight and frustration that entails. But I was even more impressed with the rest of the Dread Enders — Crystal, Radiah, and Ruthy — who were portrayed, not as capricious side-characters, always ready with a quip and a wry remark, but as thoroughly terrified, traumatized children. Which is, of course, exactly what they were. Drollery is often so much easier and safer to write than depth, so I appreciate the restraint Ocker showed with the depiction of these characters.
An excellent story for the spooky season.
August 8, 2024
DUDE THIS WAS SO GOOD i wish there could be a sequel
December 2, 2021
Okay, I’m going to sound like a bit sourpus and that may turn some potential readers away. So right up front, I want to get the obvious out of the way: I am not the intended audience for this book. I’m not the biggest fan of YA fiction in general.
But I do love monsters and was interested in seeing what kind of unique creature Ocker cooked up here. When I saw the title “Smashed Man” and read that he described the book as being about an entire neighborhood that’s haunted by an all new kind of monster, I was very intrigued. Unfortunately, I think I would’ve preferred the more straightforward thing that comes to your brain when you hear “The Smashed Man”. Rather than the ghost of some dude who walked under an anvil or some strange physical predator that seeks shelter in small spaces, the entity here is an inter-dimensional 2D…guy?
And since this is YA, it’s preoccupied with rules. Oh boy, are there rules. And that’s fun as heck when you’re a kid. Figuring out new parameters in which to fight a monster is half the enjoyment from monster stories when you’re young.
But as an adult I hate rules in horror, so I really felt like the Grinch, yelling about All the rules, rules, rules, rules!
And, as always, YA fiction just has this really annoying convention of having to throw out really stupid names for everything: Darkwash, cell knowledge, stuck places, Elberexes, Nonatukes, Amberonks.
All of the complaints that came before, completely disregard them if this is your genre. I fully admit I’m being too hard on something that was written for 8-12 year olds. However, something I feel is a legitimate criticism is that there were a few missed opportunities to use all these rules to the books advantage: adults can’t see the Smashed Man, and instead their eyes glow purple. So I was really looking forward to a moment in the climax where are teens were using the glowing eyes of adults as a signal to know the smashed man was closing in when they couldn’t see him. There are also two characters that are so traumatized by the ever-present threat of the SM that they draw him and make paper cut outs of him obsessively. I was absolutely positive that there would be a fakeout where Noe thought she was looking at a drawing or a cutout, and then it moved on its own to suddenly reveal that it was in fact our 2D monster.
But you know, despite my own grumpiness, the characters are well drawn. I legitimately liked the relationship between the two sisters and their parents, and the other neighborhood girls eventually came into their own as well. I suspect any kids 7-13 would really get a kick out of this, so while this review was mostly dumping on this thing, I have to give it a recommend to the people it was really written for.
But I do love monsters and was interested in seeing what kind of unique creature Ocker cooked up here. When I saw the title “Smashed Man” and read that he described the book as being about an entire neighborhood that’s haunted by an all new kind of monster, I was very intrigued. Unfortunately, I think I would’ve preferred the more straightforward thing that comes to your brain when you hear “The Smashed Man”. Rather than the ghost of some dude who walked under an anvil or some strange physical predator that seeks shelter in small spaces, the entity here is an inter-dimensional 2D…guy?
And since this is YA, it’s preoccupied with rules. Oh boy, are there rules. And that’s fun as heck when you’re a kid. Figuring out new parameters in which to fight a monster is half the enjoyment from monster stories when you’re young.
But as an adult I hate rules in horror, so I really felt like the Grinch, yelling about All the rules, rules, rules, rules!
And, as always, YA fiction just has this really annoying convention of having to throw out really stupid names for everything: Darkwash, cell knowledge, stuck places, Elberexes, Nonatukes, Amberonks.
All of the complaints that came before, completely disregard them if this is your genre. I fully admit I’m being too hard on something that was written for 8-12 year olds. However, something I feel is a legitimate criticism is that there were a few missed opportunities to use all these rules to the books advantage: adults can’t see the Smashed Man, and instead their eyes glow purple. So I was really looking forward to a moment in the climax where are teens were using the glowing eyes of adults as a signal to know the smashed man was closing in when they couldn’t see him. There are also two characters that are so traumatized by the ever-present threat of the SM that they draw him and make paper cut outs of him obsessively. I was absolutely positive that there would be a fakeout where Noe thought she was looking at a drawing or a cutout, and then it moved on its own to suddenly reveal that it was in fact our 2D monster.
But you know, despite my own grumpiness, the characters are well drawn. I legitimately liked the relationship between the two sisters and their parents, and the other neighborhood girls eventually came into their own as well. I suspect any kids 7-13 would really get a kick out of this, so while this review was mostly dumping on this thing, I have to give it a recommend to the people it was really written for.
August 23, 2021
My 8-year-old and I both loved this book!! Devoured it, even. We don't usually love the same books, so this one's special.
We originally won an early copy in the drawing from the author, but my daughter quickly protected it as her own, so I had to wait until the release date to read my copy. She finished the first half in one sitting, but then she started reading slowly to ration it so that it never ends... She now wants to explore every basement in every house she enters. :-) It's just scary enough for her, but still feels super spooky to me. As an old-school horror movie fanatic, I loved the whole "Monsters have rules" concept.
I'm a huge fan of Ocker, in all genres that he writes, and this one didn't disappoint. I don't usually read horror books marketed at middle-grades, but gave it a shot because I figured that if anyone could do it well, it's him.
The fact that the whole thing takes place in this spooky little cul-de-sac in the summer makes it great. The way it's crafted makes you feel how trapped the the characters are, and it gives off kind of a Coraline vibe. (No spoilers, but maybe the eyes feed into that?)
Loved the character development and how Ocker vividly paints each character through perfect little descriptive details. It's also lovely to read a book with strong female characters working together to solve a problem.
Crossing fingers that there will be a sequel!
We originally won an early copy in the drawing from the author, but my daughter quickly protected it as her own, so I had to wait until the release date to read my copy. She finished the first half in one sitting, but then she started reading slowly to ration it so that it never ends... She now wants to explore every basement in every house she enters. :-) It's just scary enough for her, but still feels super spooky to me. As an old-school horror movie fanatic, I loved the whole "Monsters have rules" concept.
I'm a huge fan of Ocker, in all genres that he writes, and this one didn't disappoint. I don't usually read horror books marketed at middle-grades, but gave it a shot because I figured that if anyone could do it well, it's him.
The fact that the whole thing takes place in this spooky little cul-de-sac in the summer makes it great. The way it's crafted makes you feel how trapped the the characters are, and it gives off kind of a Coraline vibe. (No spoilers, but maybe the eyes feed into that?)
Loved the character development and how Ocker vividly paints each character through perfect little descriptive details. It's also lovely to read a book with strong female characters working together to solve a problem.
Crossing fingers that there will be a sequel!
October 2, 2021
Ooooooo that ending though!! 😳🙌🏻
This was such a fun ride! It's weird how there's some imagery in here that's comforting to me or even pretty, but it still manages to be creepy. I'm an adult but I'm a bit of a wimp so I like creepy middle grade! There are so many tiny details that make this neighborhood seem like a real place with real people. I'm lucky in that I DO see pictures in my head when I read and ugh did I see Noe's creepy basement 😅 there's also a really wonderful line I won't spoil about different vs wrong and I took a screenshot bc I loved it. Also, I'm not sure of it's bc I had the ebook from the library, but the author photo at the back!! Serious attention to detail. Perfect.
Fern was my favorite part of this book because grumpy old people are the contemporary version of the grizzled old warrior I always love in fantasy. And Len!! I think she's 3? But the fact that she has stuffed animals of all these "weird" and obscure animals made me love her instantly.
I'm glad I forgot I'd borrowed this from the library (it was due back/to be taken away at noon tomorrow 😅) because it made me read almost all of it today, with some Halloween ambiance on in the background. As fast as possible is my preferred way to read this sort of book bc what is going on?! I need to know!
Anyway. My reviews are useless. Fern and black holo paint. That is all.
This was such a fun ride! It's weird how there's some imagery in here that's comforting to me or even pretty, but it still manages to be creepy. I'm an adult but I'm a bit of a wimp so I like creepy middle grade! There are so many tiny details that make this neighborhood seem like a real place with real people. I'm lucky in that I DO see pictures in my head when I read and ugh did I see Noe's creepy basement 😅 there's also a really wonderful line I won't spoil about different vs wrong and I took a screenshot bc I loved it. Also, I'm not sure of it's bc I had the ebook from the library, but the author photo at the back!! Serious attention to detail. Perfect.
Fern was my favorite part of this book because grumpy old people are the contemporary version of the grizzled old warrior I always love in fantasy. And Len!! I think she's 3? But the fact that she has stuffed animals of all these "weird" and obscure animals made me love her instantly.
I'm glad I forgot I'd borrowed this from the library (it was due back/to be taken away at noon tomorrow 😅) because it made me read almost all of it today, with some Halloween ambiance on in the background. As fast as possible is my preferred way to read this sort of book bc what is going on?! I need to know!
Anyway. My reviews are useless. Fern and black holo paint. That is all.
September 30, 2022
I think kids would like this, but I'm still going to give two stars. This is one of those books where someone has answers to questions but won't say what they are which just leads to so much repetition.
SPOILS AHEAD!
There also needed to be a better way that the smashed man gets out of the wall because the way it happened was just stupid. The smashed man oozes out of a crack in the basement starting with the top of his head and working his body the rest of the way out. Whatever the main character's name is comes up with a plan to paint a symbol on his forehead that she thinks will repel or kill him. So naturally one would think you just paint this symbol on his forehead as soon as it's visible, right? He wouldn't have any way of defending himself at that point, so there's no reason to wait until his arms and hands are almost free and then paint the symbol. But that's what whatsherface does. She waits until he's almost halfway out and then goes to paint the symbol, but by then he's able to move around and touch her and get his arms and hands out and crawl the rest of the way out and be free. This was just so stupid I couldn't care about anything they did after that and just ended up skipping pages to get to the end.
SPOILS AHEAD!
There also needed to be a better way that the smashed man gets out of the wall because the way it happened was just stupid. The smashed man oozes out of a crack in the basement starting with the top of his head and working his body the rest of the way out. Whatever the main character's name is comes up with a plan to paint a symbol on his forehead that she thinks will repel or kill him. So naturally one would think you just paint this symbol on his forehead as soon as it's visible, right? He wouldn't have any way of defending himself at that point, so there's no reason to wait until his arms and hands are almost free and then paint the symbol. But that's what whatsherface does. She waits until he's almost halfway out and then goes to paint the symbol, but by then he's able to move around and touch her and get his arms and hands out and crawl the rest of the way out and be free. This was just so stupid I couldn't care about anything they did after that and just ended up skipping pages to get to the end.
November 17, 2023
I'm on my phone so this will be more like my tweet reviews. I'm back for another modern middle grade horror book as I've been itching to do more.
This was shouted out in an interview with the Nevermore guy so I checked it our when I saw it at the library. It concerns a girl moving go a new house as she sees this place has an odd figure haunting it.
This was pretty good. I liked the dynamic with the friend group as they deal with this…guy. We see this giving them troubles but they stay close even as some of them make mistakes.
There's an emotional element there that was nice as they hit that balance better than most. The lore with the man is cool as we find out what the deal is there. The mystery building is neat. The man is decently creepy too.
It can be slow and the ending is a bit rushed, lacking an epliouge. It could have used an extra push. Otherwise, it's a solid 3.5. It has nice stuff to it along side some creepy factor.
It's another example of the good work being done these days thar deserves attention.
Idk what will be next review wise but stay tuned for whatever I do next. See ya then.
This was shouted out in an interview with the Nevermore guy so I checked it our when I saw it at the library. It concerns a girl moving go a new house as she sees this place has an odd figure haunting it.
This was pretty good. I liked the dynamic with the friend group as they deal with this…guy. We see this giving them troubles but they stay close even as some of them make mistakes.
There's an emotional element there that was nice as they hit that balance better than most. The lore with the man is cool as we find out what the deal is there. The mystery building is neat. The man is decently creepy too.
It can be slow and the ending is a bit rushed, lacking an epliouge. It could have used an extra push. Otherwise, it's a solid 3.5. It has nice stuff to it along side some creepy factor.
It's another example of the good work being done these days thar deserves attention.
Idk what will be next review wise but stay tuned for whatever I do next. See ya then.
February 5, 2021
Wowza. This book was scary AF.
I am a grown-ass lady who has read and watched a zillion horror things, and I was freaked out by this story. If books like this had existed when I was 11 (SO long ago), I would have been so happy (and could have maybe held off on the Stephen King for a bit).
There is something so alarming about the Smashed Man - the flatness? the oozing from the crack in the basement wall? the fact that no adults can see him? - aaagh. So good - he’s like a malevolent and terrifying version of Flat Stanley. *shudder*
The kid characters were realistic and kind of jerky like kids can be - loved that they weren’t all sweetness and light.
I would hesitate to recommend this to the older elementary kids at the school where I work, but I am all over this for middle school kids who like the scary stuff. I haven’t read any of J.W. Ocker’s other books, but that will be remedied ASAP.
Release date: 8/17/21
* THANK YOU to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the eARC for review.
I am a grown-ass lady who has read and watched a zillion horror things, and I was freaked out by this story. If books like this had existed when I was 11 (SO long ago), I would have been so happy (and could have maybe held off on the Stephen King for a bit).
There is something so alarming about the Smashed Man - the flatness? the oozing from the crack in the basement wall? the fact that no adults can see him? - aaagh. So good - he’s like a malevolent and terrifying version of Flat Stanley. *shudder*
The kid characters were realistic and kind of jerky like kids can be - loved that they weren’t all sweetness and light.
I would hesitate to recommend this to the older elementary kids at the school where I work, but I am all over this for middle school kids who like the scary stuff. I haven’t read any of J.W. Ocker’s other books, but that will be remedied ASAP.
Release date: 8/17/21
* THANK YOU to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for the eARC for review.
August 9, 2021
The Smashed Man of Dread End was a unique middle grade horror novel. The atmosphere was creepy and the main character acted in a manner that was very believable. The premise involves a creepy flat being that comes out of cracks in basement walls, but only children can see it. Adults are blind to the monster. This being is pretty terrifying in that it can actually be harmful to children if it fully escapes the crack and if it touches the child. The neighborhood children get together to try to figure out how to keep everyone safe, but how can they be safe when they don’t know what the rules are?
Overall, this book was fun. I feel that middle grade students will enjoy reading this . . . even reluctant readers. The creature was genuinely creepy and the premise was different than any other book like this. There were also tidbits of information throughout the book concerning science. I highly recommend this to anyone who has a middle grade aged reader who enjoys a good scary story. It reminded me of reading RL Stine when I was younger.
Overall, this book was fun. I feel that middle grade students will enjoy reading this . . . even reluctant readers. The creature was genuinely creepy and the premise was different than any other book like this. There were also tidbits of information throughout the book concerning science. I highly recommend this to anyone who has a middle grade aged reader who enjoys a good scary story. It reminded me of reading RL Stine when I was younger.
April 9, 2022
After finishing Ocker's book Thirteen Nights at Rotter House (and being very impressed), I had to read his new work. And again, Wow.
While this is aimed a middle grade reader it is definitely one that will entertain any adult who likes a good horror/sci fi story. I enjoyed that the adult characters were pretty much useless, although they tried to the best of their ability living in their adult world perceptions. That the one character who might have been able to help, is pretty much unlikeable. And I like that the kids just keep on trying to understand and fix the problem even though they keep running into snags.
A really fun read.
While this is aimed a middle grade reader it is definitely one that will entertain any adult who likes a good horror/sci fi story. I enjoyed that the adult characters were pretty much useless, although they tried to the best of their ability living in their adult world perceptions. That the one character who might have been able to help, is pretty much unlikeable. And I like that the kids just keep on trying to understand and fix the problem even though they keep running into snags.
A really fun read.
November 7, 2022
3.5
I liked the plot and the characters, and the villain was delightfully spooky and original. There were some things I wasn't a huge fan of, though:
1. Ruthy being six years old felt very unnecessary. She didn't behave like one and she acted and talked the same as the rest of the girls. Plus, it doesn't really make sense for a group of 12-13 year olds to consider a six year old to be one of their best friends.
2. In the second half of the book there were a tad too many POVs being introduced than was necessary imo.
Still,,,, I liked this book a lot!! It's a quick read and I will definitely check out more of J.W. Ocker's books.
I liked the plot and the characters, and the villain was delightfully spooky and original. There were some things I wasn't a huge fan of, though:
1. Ruthy being six years old felt very unnecessary. She didn't behave like one and she acted and talked the same as the rest of the girls. Plus, it doesn't really make sense for a group of 12-13 year olds to consider a six year old to be one of their best friends.
2. In the second half of the book there were a tad too many POVs being introduced than was necessary imo.
Still,,,, I liked this book a lot!! It's a quick read and I will definitely check out more of J.W. Ocker's books.
July 7, 2021
The Smashed Man of Dread End by J.W. Ocker ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
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The very first day that Noe moves into her new house, she is met by the neighborhood kids…who say nothing to her other than an ominous warning about her basement…will she and her little sister be safe? What is going on in her house?
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This is an excellent upper junior/ middle grade horror novel 💖 Genuinely spooky, creepy monsters, cosmic horrors, brave kids, great setting. I loved it! I absolutely would recommend this for 4th-6th grade
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The very first day that Noe moves into her new house, she is met by the neighborhood kids…who say nothing to her other than an ominous warning about her basement…will she and her little sister be safe? What is going on in her house?
•
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This is an excellent upper junior/ middle grade horror novel 💖 Genuinely spooky, creepy monsters, cosmic horrors, brave kids, great setting. I loved it! I absolutely would recommend this for 4th-6th grade
February 16, 2022
I've been getting more and more requests from the middle graders in my library for scary stories. There are only so many times I can recommend Goosebumps (also they are not every kids favorite flavor of scary), Holly Black's Doll Bones, or Gaiman's Coraline. I loved this book. It was the book version of a camp fire story in all the best ways plus there was a friendship story underneath. Kind of like a Baby Sitters Club meets Friday the 13th?
Not for the timid reader, but for those chapter book readers craving an entry to the horror genre, this one will not disappoint.
Not for the timid reader, but for those chapter book readers craving an entry to the horror genre, this one will not disappoint.
April 27, 2021
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.*
This was great! A solid middle grade horror story that I would've eaten up as a kid, alongside the R. L. Stine Goosebumps series. I think this is a great book for kids in the 4th-8th grade range, and really satisfies that need for the scary and macabre. Also, I think the cover of the book is really wonderful too - definitely a great, eye-catching illustration.
This was great! A solid middle grade horror story that I would've eaten up as a kid, alongside the R. L. Stine Goosebumps series. I think this is a great book for kids in the 4th-8th grade range, and really satisfies that need for the scary and macabre. Also, I think the cover of the book is really wonderful too - definitely a great, eye-catching illustration.
June 4, 2021
The Smashed Man was a unique villain and I enjoyed the thrills and surprises in this book. I would recommend it for older middle-schoolers and younger teens, as it does have some legitimately scary scenes and some sci-fi concepts that might be hard for younger kids to follow. However as an adult reader who loves middle-grade books this was an enjoyable read!
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC*
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC*
April 24, 2022
Don't particularly feel like writing a long review. It's a very good, very creepy book with a great monster. Plenty of scares all around, very well-written sense of dread, etc. Read it in one sitting and stayed up way too late. I loved the way the monster's rules were designed and set up and reading about the kids finding work-arounds, but I wasn't a big fan of the ending with its blatant sequel bait. All in all a very good book, its only flaw was that it should have been a standalone
August 31, 2021
Smashing!
I so enjoyed this latest offering from one of my favorite authors! A unique monster, a touch of magic and a smattering of sci-fi, but ultimately a story about sisters and the bonds of friendship overcoming all. A fun and engaging read for middle graders and adults alike.
I so enjoyed this latest offering from one of my favorite authors! A unique monster, a touch of magic and a smattering of sci-fi, but ultimately a story about sisters and the bonds of friendship overcoming all. A fun and engaging read for middle graders and adults alike.
September 10, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is for middle school aged children, but I am an adult. The story is great for people of all ages. What I liked the most about this book was the pace at which the story was told. It pulls you in during the first chapter, instead of dragging on and on before getting to the plot. This was a wonderful book and I would be delighted to read more books from this author!
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October 1, 2021The book dragged a bit for me it could have been shorter to keep the suspenseful parts going. It had the book Darkdeep vibes. If there is a sequel I will not pick it up. The positive for me with this book was the descriptions pf the Smashed Man it gave me shivers. I also loved the resilience of our main character Noe. As well the girls supporting and lifting one another up.
November 22, 2021
The novel hangs almost entirely on the strength of a single image: the initial emergence of the Smashed Man from the crack in the basement. The rest of the book is fine, but that first image? Wow. That first shock sustained through the rest of the read. Genuinely thrilling. I can't wait to recommend this.
February 7, 2023
75/100 or 3.75 stars
This was good. I could actually see the target audience and even teens getting scared by this story. It was spooky and creepy. The main character wasn’t annoying, and they made solid decisions throughout the story. There are some conveniences that I didn’t care for, but otherwise it’s a solid middle grade horror story.
This was good. I could actually see the target audience and even teens getting scared by this story. It was spooky and creepy. The main character wasn’t annoying, and they made solid decisions throughout the story. There are some conveniences that I didn’t care for, but otherwise it’s a solid middle grade horror story.
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