The Summer That Melted Everything by Tiffany McDaniel
The Summer That Melted Everything by Tiffany McDaniel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fielding Bliss was living in Breathed, Ohio in the summer of 1984 with his parents and older brother. When Fielding’s father summons the devil to their little town Fielding meets a boy his age named Sal who claims that he is the devil. At first the inhabitants of Breathed believe that Sal is a runaway but after attempts to find his family fail the Bliss family take Sal into their home.
Fielding and Sal soon become best friends living together but when things start happening in Breathed that summer folks soon become suspicious of young Sal. The summer soon brings on an unbearable heat wave and soon accidents start happening making the town start to believe that Sal is exactly who he claims to be.
Wow, what a read. From start to finish this one stands out on it’s own and is a completely unique read. I really didn’t know what to expect going into this book. It’s classified as literary fiction which can leave the door open for about anything really. When you have a young boy claiming that he’s the devil and odd things start happening I really didn’t know where the story would end up. What I found with this one though was an emotional and gripping read from start to finish.
Taking place in 1984 the author did a wonderful job mentioning all kinds of things happening in that time that brings you right back to the 80’s. The thing is a lot of what is brought up in this book is the darker side of that era. Racism and homophobia are at the top of the list of topics that will make a reader cringe but as much as you think wow, it really was like that back then and it also makes you think about society today and what is going on in our news everyday so I’m not even sure we’ve made much progress looking back reading this story.
Overall, a very intense, emotional and thought provoking read. Definitely one that I’d recommend checking out.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Carries Book Reviews 
Great review Carrie! 🙂 You totally nailed it in just a few paragraphs (you should start giving workshops on how to do that XD). Oh maaan, I’m at 65% now and just dying to finish it, but gaaah, life is getting in the way of my reading! I’m thinking this is going to be another 5 star one for me as well, though, cause daayum!!
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Aw thanks Anne! I really don’t ever feel like I’m that good at reviews so you made my day. 🙂 I’m looking forward to seeing what you think of this one too. I was kind of sorry I picked it up on the weekend when I had more interruptions myself and had to keep putting it down.
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❤ 85% now and I won't be able to do much reading this week :(. IT'S SO GOOD!
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At 85% I get very very grouchy when I get interrupted with one like this. LOL Hopefully you can get some time to finish. 🙂
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Ooh I’ve been a bag of sunshine this past weekend due to interruptions :’). Someone just died as well and I just want to keep on reading!
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This is where you ask yourself…. do I really need sleep? 😉
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Awesome review Carrie! This looks like a perfect summer read!😊
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Thanks Kim. 🙂 It was a really good one, edge of my seat the whole time dying to know what was going to happen book.
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LOVE books like that!
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I am really excited to read this one! Great review!
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Thanks!! Great book, hope you enjoy it when you get the chance to read it. 🙂
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