Review: Campfire by Shawn Sarles

Title: Campfire

Author: Shawn Sarles

Publisher: Jimmy Patterson

Publishing Date: July 17th, 2018

Pages: 304
Audio Length: 7 Hours and 10 Minutes

Genre: YA Horror
TW: Parent death, alcohol and drug consumption, gore

Series: Standalone

Source: ARC

 
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While camping in a remote location, Maddie Davenport gathers around the fire with her friends and family to tell scary stories. Caleb, the handsome young guide, shares the local legend of the ferocious Mountain Men who hunt unsuspecting campers and leave their mark by carving grisly antlers into their victims' foreheads.
The next day, the story comes true.

Now Maddie and her family are lost in the deep woods--with no way out--being stalked by their worst nightmares. Because there were other, more horrifying stories told that night--and Maddie's about to find out just how they end...

What made me pick this book up: 

The cover was what caught my eye first. It just looks creepy.

What did I like about the cover: 

Like I said it looks creepy. I love the black and white and the color pop of the flames in the eyes. And also the terrified expression on the person's face.

What made me read this book: 

I like me a good scary campfire story. And this one sounded fantastic. Plus I won it in a giveaway on Goodreads! 

What did I like the most: 

This book had me from the beginning to be honest. I remember when I got it in the mail I started reading it and just the first couple of chapters had me wanting more.

I love that this book has a couple short scary campfire stories in them. It's stories within stories.

I think this book is really well written, in the way that the stories were very unique in the way they were told.

Like I said, this book had me going from the beginning. I just HAD to know what was going on, so I think the writing is done really well, especially during some scenes. I felt like I was seeing all the death and blood and gore. And it had me feeling a bit queasy at times.

One of my favorite characters died, I won't say who, but when they died I actually cried. Like full blown ugly crying. So the author did a great job showing emotions.

The characters were decent. I liked the MC for the most part, but she did get a bit annoying at times. Like any teenage girl would.

***Spoiler alert- Highlight to read***

Not really a spoiler, but some people don't like to read it. There was a HUGE twist in the end. I've read some reviews that say "oh I knew it was coming" but I didn't and I like not being able to figure out the who dunnit. So with that I think the author did a fantastic job.

***Spoiler over***

What didn't I like: 

This book started great, then slowed *way way way* down. Then BAM about 3/4 of the way through it, everything started happening all at once. 

I read the physical book, and Jenn listened to the audio and we both seemed to have a problem that there was a lot of characters, it was really hard to keep them straight on who was who.

I also didn't for one second believe that who they thought was the killer, was the killer. It seemed too obvious. And I hate books that make it seem that obvious.

Would I read the rest of the series/more from this author?

This book definitely gave me the creepy crawley chills that campfire stories usually give. It turned out to be bloody, and gross, and everything a horror book should be.

Shawn Sarles was born and raised in a small town in western Kentucky. After graduating from Wake Forest University, he moved to New York City. He has lived there and worked in the publishing industry for almost a decade. Campfire is his debut novel.