| Title | : | The Stars Did Wander Darkling |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 006301551X |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780063015517 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 336 |
| Publication | : | First published September 13, 2022 |
Maybe Archie Coomes has been watching too many horror movies.
All of a sudden, the most ordinary things have taken on a sinister edge: a penny on a doormat. A man in a brown suit under a streetlamp. The persistent sound of an ax chopping in the middle of the night.
He keeps telling himself that this is Seaham, a sleepy seaside town where nothing ever happens. Or at least nothing did, until his dad’s construction company opened up the cliff beneath the old—some say cursed—Langdon place.
Soon, though, he and his friends can’t deny it: more and more of the adults in town are acting strangely. An ancient, long-buried evil has been unleashed upon the community, and it’s up to the kids to stop it before it’s too late. . . .
The Stars Did Wander Darkling Reviews
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4.0 stars
This was an enjoyable classic coming of age horror novel. This is marketed as middle grade but I honestly don't know why. The book references a lot of nostalgic media that younger readers wouldn't know. I thought the prose and characters were well done. The book isn't exactly revolutionary but I did not mind. -
Despite my predilection for this author already, I feel objectively certain that I would’ve loved this book no matter who had written it. I really enjoyed the Goonies/Stranger Things vibes, the Oregon coast setting (especially fresh off an Oregon coast road trip), and all the various characters, though I was partial toward the movie rental proprietor.
Such a fun read, and an example of how children’s literature can often surpass adult literature in craft, clarity, and an overall satisfying reading experience. -
Much like in his music, Meloy wears his influences front and center. His talent is in mixing and remixing the tropes for a specific type of vibe, and that's what's going on here.
Typical Kids-on-Bikes™ tropes here, right down to the very (too) safe setting of the late 80s, which is increasingly feeling low effort because it skirts having to grapple with what kids on bikes would look like in 2022. The kids in question are much more
It than Stand by Me, and the only thing that makes the inevitable Goonies reference feel fair is that it's firmly Oregon coast. The Zebra tho? That's Stephen King all the way down. Some bits of Locke and Key in there too. The Byron feels very shoehorned, but Carson's super metal typeface on the cover helps me look the other way.
A bit anticlimactic, and not even remotely original, but enjoyable nonetheless.
The audiobook shares a narrator with
The House in the Cerulean Sea, and it's hard not to imagine this book existing in the PNW equivalent of that setting. -
Well that was certainly a book I read
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2,5/5⭐
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Atmosphere, creepiness, and a great cast of characters started strong, but lost the race in the home-stretch.
I think it's important to talk about why middle-grade is so important to the industry. Children's books are all about the foundations of reading, and middle-grade is one of the earliest and most influential periods to foster a life-long love of reading. The books start to teach young readers about some of the most joyous and frustrating parts of reading fiction. It is where tropes are born. Where characters aren't overly complex but rather emotionally vulnerable enough to make the reader feel like they can relate. The strength in setting and language as well as the role of dialogue are all vital parts of reading fiction and much of that is learned by reading stories that are intriguing and fun to read.
With all of that said, I want to make sure not to take this book overly serious. As one of the characters says in this very book, "Sometimes, he figured, things do work out for the best. Sometimes they do resolve like a movie, no matter how unbelievable that might be." - Colin Meloy
Now on to the bulk of the review. The characters were well done. They were not overly complex or layered. This is important because, much like the target audience, they are still learning and growing. However, the book spends a lot of time establishing the closeness of the main cast of characters and at the end of the book they had begun drifting. It felt like an odd choice.
The writing style and language were ok. I felt like the language was a little high for a middle-grade, edging closer into the YA category, but the dialogue grounded it. The established setting was a perfect depiction of a "sleepy seaside town".
Now for the problems that I found with my journey into this book. The ending just feels abrupt, and the epilogue or final chapter left me scratching my head. There is no backlash after the events of the end of the book. There are circumstances that would not simply be brushed over, and much of this trauma would leave lasting marks on those affected. Another gripe I had was that it did such a good job including a great cast of characters, but there were no follow ups for some characters that had more than a passive role in the novel. Lastly, the ending itself was lacking, and even a little confusing. There was a vastly different tone in the ending of the book than was consistently shown throughout the majority of the book. The ending felt flat and while I think there was meant to be an eerie cliffhanger that would hang over the reader in the last paragraph of the book it didn't hit its mark.
In the end, I think we have a solid middle-grade horror book. No more, no less. The title is poetic and beautiful, the cover is gorgeous, but there was more to be desired here. Recommending for middle-grade readers who are looking for a mystery-filled horror read reminiscent of Stranger Things and Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated. Perfect for ages 10-12. -
Dnf 44% this is just, not good?
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I appreciate the author’s attention to detail and how lyrical their writing is; however, these were aspects I found that simultaneously worked against the narrative.
The first paragraph of the novel, while attempting to build the setting for readers, simply read as an over-glorified attempt at hooking readers with a lot of descriptive babble. I felt as if I were glitching whilst reading it. That being said, this set the tone for the slowly burgeoning and moody atmosphere we meet our main characters in. As someone who didn’t live through the 80s, the nostalgia reads loud and clear.
My biggest question at the completion of the novel was, “Was this actually written with a middle grade audience in mind?” I really don’t think so. For that reason, I would be more inclined to recommend this to older audiences. -
Stranger Things but in the Pacific Northwest. This one was taut and atmospheric but lost me at the ending.
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I'm really struggling to put into words what I think about this book. It was really a rollercoaster of expectations and delivery that I don't feel like I can put it accurately into words. But I will not lie, when I first started reading this book, I was expecting your typical middle grade mystery with a touch of light horror. Maybe some science fiction thrown in there. But as I read the first few chapters, I discovered something truly special. This book really took the genre of middle grade horror and stretched it into both something familiar and unknown. It took the somewhat overused premise of teens in a small town in the 80s solving a mystery, and made it feel like an entirely new story/genre. The mystery was always thrilling and intense. The stakes felt high, especially for a middle grade book. Which made this once I got into the story, a very quick read (in the way the best thrillers are). The characters felt fleshed out and properly developed. And that ending....I will be left thinking about it for some time!
At times I did find myself questioning whether or not this book was indeed middle grade. While I think it can be classified as middle grade, I would definitely recommend more for the older middle grade/younger YA audience. While well-done the horror and some of the descriptions might be a little too young for younger middle grade readers. But for those 12+ I think this would be a great read!
I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. -
So, how did this one go from "this is gonna be one of my favorites for sure!" to "what in the world just happened?!"?
I think I can best put my thoughts like this: I absolutely adored the first 80% of this, and then it completely lost me at the remaining 20% when it turned out that all the stuff I loved so much in the beginning ... well ... had absolutely no reason to happen since there was just no explanation at the end?
Without putting any concrete spoilers here, I really liked the characters, the atmosphere, the setting, the premise - it felt like the perfect set-up for my new favorite creepy book. I found it creepier than some adult thrillers. (In general, after finishing it, I do think the age recommendation of 12 is a bit young tbh.) Even the built-up to the climax felt good and exciting and then, suddenly, out of nowhere, nothing made sense anymore. I feel like the grand explanation of what was even going on in this book is completely missing. I loved it at first because I wanted to find out why things were happening the way they were - but we never find out! It was a letdown and kind of destroys my enjoyment of the book's earlier half in hindsight. And lastly, I do have to say, considering this is technically a middle grade book ... the ending (or the "After" part) was the most depressing thing I've read in a while and though I am a big lovers of not everything being a complete happy end, I don't think the ending is suitable for the audience this book intends to reach - and the last line just adds a whole other layer onto the mess of non-explained (or non-existent) plot reasonings. -
Huh????????
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"There are forces at play here that are beyond our understanding. Cosmic forces. Primordial forced. The sort of thing that humankind, when it was just in gestation, was already meddling in."
1980s sleepy town Oregon, four childhood friends are planning their summer camp trip. But then odd things begin to happen: a penny on a doormat, men in brown suits with differing facial hair, axe chopping in the middle of the night. Maybe Archie Coomes has been watching too many horror movies. Or maybe Archie's dad has awoken an old terror buried beneath a cliffside. The adults start to act in bizarre ways, and it is up the kids to get to the bottom of it.
Meloy has crafted a darkly atmospheric middle grade horror / apocalyptic read. There is this whole It and Stranger Things vibe which kids will likely devour. This would be a great gateway book for kids into these genres. While the ending is relatively obtuse (suitable for mature readers in terms of likely understanding), the tale itself is intriguing enough to get any 10+ year old reaching for this novel and devouring the tale of four friends out to fight a strange, mystical battle.
"The bright sun was extinguish’d, and the stars did wander darkling in the eternal space. Rayless, and pathless, and the icy earth swung blind and blackening in the moonless air."
I received a copy of this from the publisher for an honest review. -
Like a 3.5. Might change this to 3 stars, still really wish Goodreads let half stars be a thing!
I love Colin Meloy and there was a lot of good in here, and the mysterious Stranger Things meets Portland vibes were great I just wish that the ending gave a few more answers and tied things up a bit better! -
I loved this. Many thanks to Colin Meloy for this super creepy middle reader horror that is on par with the writing of Joe Hill, Stephen Graham Jones, and even Stephen King. I was completely immersed in the lives of these four young friends in the town of Seaham in the 80s. Wonderful, very real characters and reminiscent of Stranger Things as well as It - in all the best ways. As for the creep factor, let’s just say I was sufficiently disturbed by the vivid imagery and bizarre goings on that take place. Overall, it’s the friendships that are the beating heart of this story even through scary times of new experiences - supernatural or otherwise.
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This is definitely not a middle grade book like I thought it would be! I think it's more like the show Stranger Things, where the story is about middle graders but is geared toward adults with nostalgia for the early 80s.
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Horror for middle grade and up, did not disappoint! Some extremely disturbing (scary) parts so not for the faint at heart! I am an 80s child and an Oregon native, so I started out feeling connected to the story. I also grew up on the Oregon Coast. The writing was beyond my expectations for a "children's" book. Truly reminiscent of Stranger Things, Stand By Me, The Goonies. Highly recommend to horror lovers, both young and old.
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I, an adult in my late 30’s, felt engaged throughout and look forward to reading it again. I enjoyed the nostalgia of the small town and video store, a community in a time before cell phones. I do question the age of the target audience (8-12?), as some of the content seems a bit much for someone younger than junior high age. I had to take frequent breaks when my imagination started to get carried away! Great story.
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Ummm?!?! Not sure what to make of this one.
The first 100 pages felt like they should have been dramatically purged of extraneous detail ("the kids played frisbee till they got bored and made a fire" is not a direct quote but the earlier chapters were full of stuff like this that felt like the reading of minutes from a meeting). There was very little "life" in the writing, even when the plot managed to chug forward.
Pages 100-200 were AWESOME and possibly some of the most unsettling events I've ever read in middle grade.
As I got closer to page 300 the writing took on more of the wooden quality I disliked about the beginning.
Then the ending ("After") was overwritten and unsatisfying. The last sentence in particular was incredibly stupid and I don't see how it could possibly "mean anything" to a middle grade aged reader, but as I don't make a habit of hanging out with 9-12 year olds I could be wrong.
I didn't like the way the villains were "defeated," it felt lazy.
I also thought there were too many characters. Archie and Chris had the most interesting dynamic, followed closely by Archie and Max, but Oliver was the most interesting character. Athena was nothing, she was literally just a girl crammed into the story to check a box. Honestly the main group of 4 + all their respective family members should have been just two friends + one older sibling as a supporting character. There were WAY too many talking heads.
One final question that may count as a spoiler so I'll hide it. I would genuinely appreciate if someone had an answer. I might go look through the last chapters again because it's bugging me. -
This book started off a bit strange and I listened to the intro probably 4 times. I don’t think I was in the right head space.
Then, I thought it was too slow and kind of boring. And why did the narrator talk like THAT?
I was seriously ready to turn it off.
I don’t know what it was that made me so emotionally itchy.
I’m glad I powered through. About halfway into the story, I realized I was invested. I don’t know what pulled me in, but I couldn’t stop.
Reading about the world through alien eyes, realizing teenage friendships are pure as brand new fallen snow that hadn’t been stepped in yet, how humanity can never quite be replicated or replaced or duplicated.. I felt strangely emotional.
I finished the book with the universe reflected in my eyes, a bit more moist than usual but surprised my tear ducts had not quite overflown.
Anyway, I’m gonna go blast some early 2000’s emo music. -
This book was disappointing, which I hate to say considering how much I love Colin Meloy (and Carson Ellis). I think it just needed a better editor. I found a few typos, and there’s a scene in the middle where the protagonist severely hurts his ankle, culminating in a chase scene where they just get away! They were slowed down by his debilitating injury, but after that scene his ankle is miraculously fine as he runs and climbs ladders and jumps fences. Moreover, the story was derivative. It was like a not-as-good season of Stranger Things. Sorry, Meloy. Not your best. Stoked about the new Wildwood movie though!
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Definitely a 3.5 from me. An enjoyable read with some odd moments that felt half-baked or unexplored. I would have liked to see some Carson Ellis illustrations throughout and a bit more originality. The 80s spooky setting was great but nothing really made it feel like it’s own thing. The ending also felt rushed, confusing, and anticlimactic. That being said though, it was a fun Halloween read that held my interest throughout.
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So I really enjoyed this book, but I do NOT agree with the age rating. This is in a lot of libraries' J Fic section and it's got some super disturbing imagery and scary scenes in it that is better suited for middle or high school even.
Wouldn't recommend putting this in children's fiction.
I'm a horror fanatic, so I greatly enjoyed this. -
5hrs 45min
Charming and exciting. I enjoyed this “kids on bikes” adventure, and had a lot of fun with it. Definitely want more context for some choices in the characters and plot. Similarly, would have liked just a bit more from the ending. Even with that said, I’d say the climax and ending was impactful.
All in all, I’d say this is a magical adventure that will be especially fun for any Oregonians. -
I would consider this to be a middle grade horror novel, and it definitely did not disappoint! I did feel like this was a typical 80s trope style of book. Only because when you think of kids in the 80s, you think of a group of them on bikes and solving cases. If you don’t mind this stereotypical trope, I would definitely recommend you pick up this book!
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This was fun! It's very similar to Stranger Things with fun characters and plenty of creepy creatures! Meloy succeeded in grossing me out with scary imagery and great prose. Amid the scares, the book had some pretty funny moments. Though it's not the best thing I've read, I really enjoyed the story and characters.
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I was going to give this book 2 stars because of how much my wife enjoyed it and I didn't want to be completely off-putting, but I'm sorry, even for her I can't pretend I enjoyed this book. Every time I thought it could maybe take a turn for the better, it did the opposite. It was chalked full of many confusing moments, had a lot of blatant rip offs from other novels/movies I've encountered and the ending was just plain terrible. Maybe I need to go and read the Byron poem to get some sort of insight into the ending, but for a book written for children I doubt any of them are devouring the thoughts of Byron and then picking this up. Also, the book missed every opportunity it has to capitalize on the 80s crazy right now. Sure the book took place in the 80s, but it also could have taken place in the 60s, the 00s, yesterday. Nothing about it screamed 80s except for a reference to a car and the use of a Walkman. Pretty much a marketing ploy to even begin to reference the era. I've stayed away from 1-star ratings for awhile, but I just can't let this one slide, reading this book was a truly miserable experience.
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Just finished The Stars Did Wander Darkling by Colin Meloy, which was a solid Middle-Grade horror book, but I was left with a lingering feeling of disappointment. It reminded me of Goonies and Stranger Things, with a dark and eerie atmosphere, and many creepy elements that kept me intrigued. However, the ending was confusing. I wasn't sure if I missed something, or if the final chapters were intentionally vague. I felt like I didn't have a clear understanding of who or what the evil entity was, the purpose of its minions, and even if it was defeated. Although murkiness isn't always a bad thing, in this case, the book reads like a horror mystery, and the reader anticipates a grand reveal in the end, which it didn’t deliver. Moreover, I was unsettled when I found out the fate of one of the characters on the final page. Unlike the friends in Stranger Things, who showed mad devotion to each other, the friends in this book didn't seem too interested in figuring out a way to release their friend from his nightmarish state. Instead, they seemed perfectly content getting back to their lives, which was a weird way to end a book that implies the general premise was friendship.
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3 stars. This is a solid scary story, and tho it’s classified as Middle Grade I’m not sure kids will enjoy it as much. The nostalgic aspect of the video store and “Be kind, Rewind” won’t resonate with kids. I get the Stranger Things vibe, but I'm not sure if it works in a book setting for this age group.
The scary part is perfect for the kid who likes scary, and the -
I really wanted to like this and at times it was promising but once it got to the reveal of wooden faux zombies they lost me.
