Children of the Dark by Jonathan Janz is one of my favorite types of books!  Why's that?  WELL, let me just tell you.  It combines so many things I look forward to in a horror novel:  coming of age / kids being kids, serial killers, supernatural elements, etc.  It was such a fun read and evoked all kinds of nostalgia the way The Monster Squad, Goonies, and even Stranger Things can all do as movies or TV shows.  Janz creates a group of friends that reminds me of The Loser's Club from IT and the kids in Dan Simmons' Summer of Night.  I have been told that this book also gives some readers slight Boy's Life vibes written by Robert McCammon, but since I have not read that yet, I will just have to trust their opinions!

If the summary here on Goodreads or Amazon does not sound like something you are already dying to read then I don't know what else to say!  Janz does not disappoint with his storytelling skills and ability to build up characters.  He is able to put you, as the reader, smack dab in the middle of Savage Hollow and in the midst of all the horrific chaos that is happening.

The narrative flowed so perfectly and kept me engaged.  It was always entertaining and an incredible blend of horror and thriller.  I even liked what Janz did with the chapter titles in this one.  They were usually broken down into a small list of three items which were basically high-level categories/topics for what the chapter was going to be about. So each chapter title hooked you wanting to know in detail what was about to happen.  I never wanted to take a break from reading this book - but I am glad that I also was able to enjoy it over a few days as opposed to devouring it in one long sitting.  Soaking this story in over multiple days really was fantastic and gave me something else to look forward to each day after work before my husband would come home from his job.

Aside from supernatural horror and how terrible humanity can also be, Janz touches on the concept of family a lot.  Will has been fatherless in life.  His mother is an addict in the worst way.  And he has been forced to take grow up too fast and take care of his younger sister, Peach, because there is no one else.  I loved this aspect of the overall story and it was just another creative way that Janz makes it personal and connects to the reader, making this story even more real.

A huge thank you to Jonathan Janz, Erin Sweet Al-Mehairi, and Sinister Grin Press for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.  And the copies were signed and inscribed which makes the treat even sweeter!  AND I was able to discuss and bond over my group of Night Worms over yet another incredible book!  5 out of 5 stars and I highly recommend this book to EVERYONE.