The cover of Toxic Summer by Derek Charm looks like it would be a fun, summer romance romp. Maybe it would have some misadventures or possibly a monster that is a masked one, or even one that has a “is it or isn’t it?” thought. But instead, it turned out to be a bit cartoonish and not always in a fun way. Still, if you like over-the-top antics, a bit of humor, and somewhat queer romance, this is the book for you. Of course, you might need to like thriller stories, with a smidgen of horror, as well as have a pennant for beach blanket bingo summertime antics to get the full experience. This is if Scooby Doo was out, Shaggy and Fred had a baby (and it was out), and the masked villains were not so masked. Like I said, cartoonish.
The idea of two Bill & Tedesque teens wanting to have an orgy party filled summer isn’t new, but it does let you know what you are getting into. This also is the plus of that cover. At least you know you won’t be getting War and Peace but probably Weekend At Bernies. The boys get jobs at the ocean front community of one’s grandmother. This was the beach when this kid was really young, his grandmother picked for the family vacation and all the boy saw what wonderful hedonistic fun the beach goers were having. Now, years later, he and his buddy are the only two lifeguards on a beach filled with toxic sludge and dead marine animals. Oh yeah, and zombie-like swimmers.
Enter the antics of high colored, comic detailed graphics to a bizarre story. Failed hook ups and mysterious events made for a fun, beach read story read in autumn. It wasn’t clever but it wasn’t toxic waste. There was a bit of meat and potatoes, just no gravy. With that said, if there is a sequel and/or companion (one character has a great story about alien abduction) I probably will be there, but I’m not running out and getting a copy for my shelf. I’ll give it some time and borrow from my library again.