Reviews tagging 'Child death'

My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

36 reviews

romy_f's review

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dark emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This is my second  Grady Hendrix book. while the book is labeled as horror, it's not really. there are some scary elements, maybe because of our expectations and previous experiences with Hollywood movies, but the story is more suspense than scary. It's not even a story of exorcism as much as it's a story about friendship and the glorious 80s.  

I am not a big fan of exorcisms but I have seen a few movies here and there. 
The exorcism in the novel might as well be the best exorcism scene ever.  Never thought I'd tear up during an exorcism but here I was with tears in my eyes and it got more and more towards the end of the book. 

 I Can't decide if this scene was better or the one from The Chilling Adventure of Sabrina Spellman. Oh and the one from Practical Magic! 

bear in mind this is a book about exorcism so some gore should be expected 

The audiobook is amazing !! The narrator did a good job being serious when the role required it and being funny and lighthearted when the scene called for it. 

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writewithapendragon's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I love Grady Hendrix’s writing and stories but I wish he could complete a book without including sexual assault. 

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ralibbey13's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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triggs4780's review against another edition

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challenging dark 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? Yes

3.5


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angelfoodcakes's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25


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brittanylee0302's review against another edition

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dark tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

1.5 stars out of 2
 I dont even know where to start...
 This book had the potential to be good but it freaking tumbled off a cliff. The characters were all awful, in the beginning the girls are 10 & by the time of the exorcism they're sophomores in high-school, BUT they still seemed to act like 10 year olds??? Like I'm not sure what Grady Hendrix thinks girls in high-school are like but im afraid he doesn't actually have a clue. & this book was so vulgar & focused on female anatomy & sexualized in just weird ways??? & if I had to hear about a "maxi pad" in one more reference, I think I would have lost it. The exorcism part was okay, but Gretchen speaking like Bugs Bunny & a few other characters really ruined it for me. & why was Abby's fully grown mother also so terrible? Like all these characters were absolutely awful. This is my second try at a Hendrix book & I think its my last. 

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gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Details:
Narrated by Emily Woo Zeller
Unabridged
 

This was such an entertaining read. The relationships, both toxic and pure, was such a fantastic study of high school life, but added in sinister atmosphere with the whole possession plot (which reminded me of Jennifers Body mid way through).

It wasn't really that scary but the scene with Good Boy Max the dog made me feel sick.

The manipulation of Gretchen as she became deeper consumed by her demon was interesting to see, especially when no one else could see what was happening other that Abby.

I thought the ending about friendship was so sad and true and it wrapped up perfectly, with closure, as I like my stories to do.




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itsheyfay's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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thehhugg's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5


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moonlitemuseum's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Energetic and addictive, I started this book because a friend was reading it and then devoured it over the course of a day. The author works fast to make you as invested in Abby and Gretchen's friendship as Abby herself is, and as everything begins to unravel the pain feels almost as present as if these were real events that happened to you or people you love. Gritty and firmly anchored in its era, this feels perfect for anyone who wants to slurp up a nostalgic slice of millennial horror.

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