Hi all!

Welcome back to the bookclub! In September, we read The Smashed Man Of Dread End by J.W. Ocker for The You’ll Read Too Bookclub! Spoilers ahead!

Quick Reminder: This month we are reading ‘The Summoning’ by J.P. Smith.

Today I’m going to give a quick plot summary, plus my overall star/scare-factor ratings. Then I will share the discussion topics and trivia questions. Please include all of your answers and opinions down below. I want to know exactly what you thought. I’ll also leave the answers to the trivia questions at the very bottom of the post. Without further ado, let’s get into it!

THE SMASHED MAN OF DREAD END by J.W. OCKER – SEPTEMBER 2021 

PLOT SUMMARY 

Noe Wiley couldn’t be more excited to move. After the slumber party sleepwalking incident of last year, she’s ready to make some new friends. But Noe didn’t expect the sullen, strange girls who live on her new street. And she certainly didn’t expect the strange warning they give her – to stay out of the basement, no matter what. Noe’s not going to let these girls boss her around. She’ll go in her own basement, whenever she wants. So she does. And there he is. And now there’s no going back.

OVERALL STAR RATING

I thoroughly enjoyed this one! For a middle-grade novel, it was quite scary. I loved how original and quirky the concept was. I gave it 5/5 stars. It definitely had a few plot holes, but my overall reading experience more than made up for it. Also, it was nice to see a child excited to move houses for once. I highly recommend it. It’s unlike anything I’ve picked up before. 

OVERALL SCARE-FACTOR RATING

I gave it a scare-factor rating of 4/5 stars. It was downright creepy. A flattened man, oozing out of a hole in the basement at night? Terrifying! I was significantly frightened when Noe’s parents eyes started glowing purple, after her first encounter with The Smashed Man. There was something unsettling about how it would reset itself, once a child left the basement. The visuals my mind created whilst reading this book, were spooky beyond compare. 

DISCUSSION TOPICS

1.) Why do you think The Smashed Man only targeted children?

Because children in general, are more innocent and impressionable by nature. They are much easier to influence and sway. Nobody listens to children. Also, as this is a middle-grade novel, it makes sense that the kids were the targets. 

2.) Why do you think Erica and Noe were drawn to the same house? 

I feel like they had similar personality traits of courage, wisdom and determination. They were both willing to do whatever it took to eradicate The Smashed Man. It still doesn’t answer things, but it’s a link.

3.) At the end, we learn that The Smashed Man used to be a Neighbour. Do you think there will be a sequel because of this reveal? Why/why not? 

I think there will be a sequel. The ending implies that this could occur again with another Neighbour. There is also the question of Erica waking up. I also really liked the unique sigils and symbols. I feel like there are more of them, yet to be revealed. 

TRIVIA QUESTIONS

Easy: What type of toys does Len collect?

Medium: What is the name of the sigil the girls paint on all the houses?

Hard: What drink does Noe like sipping at Fern’s place? 

I hope you enjoyed the book club discussion in this post and on Instagram. As mentioned above, share all of your thoughts in the comments below! If you have any feedback/suggestions to improve the bookclub, please let me know. I look forward to talking to you all next month! Thanks for reading!

Peace & Love xoxo

TRIVIA ANSWERS: Easy: Unusual stuffed animals. Medium: Amberonk. Hard: Chai Tea.