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ishouldreadthat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Not my favourite of Hendrix's books, but I absolutely loved the main character and the use of music throughout the book. Unfortunately, the plot didn't hold together well in certain places.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
ishouldreadthat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not my favourite Grady Hendrix book, but my god did it do some amazing things. I really loved the main character and the use of music throughout the book. I just felt that the plot didn't hold together as well as it could have in places.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexual assault
lovelymisanthrope's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Of all of Grady Hendrix's novels, I expected this one to be my favorite before I had read any of them. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, but it is not my all-time favorite from Grady Hendrix, it definitely falls somewhere in the middle of the pack.
"We Sold Our Souls" follows a young woman named Kris. In the 1990's, her band, Dürt Würk, was ready to make it big and finally have their chance at fame. Unfortunately, everything fell apart one night, a night that no one in the band seems to remember. Now, in present day, one member of the former band is a musical idol and set to go on his farewell tour. Kris, sick of her horrible life, decides finally to confront him and get to the bottom of what happened decades ago and uncover why Dürt Würk never made it.
This novel is just like every other Grady Hendrix in the sense that he has his own special brand of comedic horror. This story is graphic, has violence and death, but it is still funny past all of the blood and gore. I really loved Kris as a character. She presents herself as real and authentic. Her dreams were shattered, and she was left to pick up pieces she should not have had to do. She struggles with dealing with the failure of her youth and she feels trapped in a terrible life she never wanted. But, once she finally gets that inspiration to fight for herself and her beloved band, she will stop at nothing for answers. Her whole character arch really takes you through a myriad of emotions and you cannot help to root for her.
I also really enjoyed the metaphor of "selling your soul" for your art. Without giving too much of the story away, someone in the band has sold his soul to become successful. I think this is such an interesting idea and discussion because fame tends to really cloud even the best person's judgment. Purists want the art to matter above all else, so when someone sells their soul, meaning they sacrifice their art for success, some people are outraged. But, at the same time you want to respect the hustle and the ambition to make it in this world because of their art.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Grady Hendrix's books, and I look forward to continue enjoying more from him!
"We Sold Our Souls" follows a young woman named Kris. In the 1990's, her band, Dürt Würk, was ready to make it big and finally have their chance at fame. Unfortunately, everything fell apart one night, a night that no one in the band seems to remember. Now, in present day, one member of the former band is a musical idol and set to go on his farewell tour. Kris, sick of her horrible life, decides finally to confront him and get to the bottom of what happened decades ago and uncover why Dürt Würk never made it.
I also really enjoyed the metaphor of "selling your soul" for your art. Without giving too much of the story away, someone in the band has sold his soul to become successful. I think this is such an interesting idea and discussion because fame tends to really cloud even the best person's judgment. Purists want the art to matter above all else, so when someone sells their soul, meaning they sacrifice their art for success, some people are outraged. But, at the same time you want to respect the hustle and the ambition to make it in this world because of their art.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Grady Hendrix's books, and I look forward to continue enjoying more from him!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Toxic friendship, Violence, Drug use, Addiction, Alcohol, Murder, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment, Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Car accident, Gun violence, Stalking, Suicide, Vomit, Torture, and Toxic relationship
chezler24's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A story of never giving up, reigniting passion, and finishing what you've started. Hendrix does it again by weaving an easy-to-read horror/thriller which also serves as an homage to heavy metal and rock. Throughout the book, we follow Kris Pulaski as she slowly realizes what truly led to the demise of her band and the larger powers at play behind the music industry and the world at large. Kris goes on a journey to come face to face with the man she blames for the worst event in her life that made her fall short of glory; however, she realizes soon that he isn't the real mastermind behind everything that happened to her. The conspiracy theory notes didn't always hit for me, but the odes to metal and the idea of music telling a story larger than itself kept me glued to the page.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Suicide, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Drug use, and Mental illness
Minor: Forced institutionalization
wirewrappedlily's review
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexism, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Gaslighting, and Addiction
meecespieces's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Suicide, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
dandaloriian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
lap1n's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.5
pulpy but fun, pop culture references at times felt heavy handed and shoehorned in but overall enjoyable
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Gore
Moderate: Sexual assault
brookey8888's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I mean this was fine, but I just didn’t care for the story/plot. It also wasn’t scary or thrilling or anything.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Sexual assault
anglefish's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Another hit by Grady Hendrix! It took about 50 pages to actually pick up plot wise and once it got going, it didn’t stop! The horror and gore was used at the perfect time. I wish Melanie was a bigger part of the story. As the plot progressed, it felt like her story became an afterthought. In the context of the story, there’s no such thing as coincidence, so her appearances felt on time and very needed. But I just wanted to see more of her.
Also, fuck every man in this book except JD and Scottie.
Also, fuck every man in this book except JD and Scottie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Drug use, and Misogyny
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide