John Connolly is best known for his Charlie Parker novels. This trio of Young Adult fantasies is nothing like Connolly’s mysteries. In The Gates (2009) we’re introduced to a precocious 12=year-old named Samuel Johnson. And, of course, Samuel Johnson has a dog named Boswell. Samuel and Boswell witness the beginning of an invasion of our world by the demons of Hell. But, when Samuel tries to tell his Mother about the danger looming, she thinks he’s just kidding around. In The Infernals (2011) an angry demon seeks revenge on Samuel Johnson and Boswell for the events in The Gates. And in The Creeps (2013) Samuel Johnson and Boswell actually go to Hell as the Multi-verse hangs in the balance.
To write effective Young Adult novels, the characters need to be compelling, the action needs to be sensational, and the plot needs to be ingenious. While John Connolly’s The Gates, The Infernals, and The Creeps provide mild entertainment, these books are not going to attract a large, devoted audience. GRADE: B-
I have a couple of his on the shelves – thanks George, I shall move them further along the TBR 🙂
Sergio, the Young Adult market is hot so plenty of mainstream writers want to tap into it. But, Connolly’s trio of novels don’t quite make the right connections.
I have to agree with you. I read and enjoyed (mildly) THE GATES, which I thought was fun, but by the time the second book came along I found it hard to get interested and quit reading after a couple of chapters.
Jeff, I shared your experience with the second book, THE INFERNALS, but I pushed on to finish it. The third book, THE CREEPS, really creeps along…not in a Good Way.
This fade of adult writers writing books for kids is a bad idea. Let those who really know their audience and want them to be their “only” audience do it.
Patti, you are so right! James Patterson has branched out to Young Adult fiction. He’s publishing a YA book each month!
Ugh. Plus hey have awful covers. If the books aren’t entertaining, they’re waste of time.
Rick, I suspect John Connolly scored a three-book contract and did the best he could to write for Young Adults.
George, I totally disagree with you. I LOVE these books. Kyle, the YA reviewer for Deadly Pleasures did the first in the series as his first review. John came to San Diego for a signing and met Kyle. He was his usual charming self, and made Kyle’s year when he asked Kyle to sign a copy of the review that Nancy printed out to show him. (Kyle’s mom is the office manager at nancy’s real estate office). Kyle gave it an A+++
I loved the humor, and of course, there is a dog. To those of you who haven’t read them, give them a try if you have them. Everyone I’ve recommended them to has told me they enjoyed them
Maggie, Jeff Meyerson and I are dissenters.
we’ll have to agree to disagree
Maggie, different strokes for different folks.