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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this book. I had heard a lot of good things about Grady Hendrix’s writing so i wanted to see what it was all about. Overall, i think Hendrix’s writing style flows really well and makes for a quick paced and comprehensive read. However, as is the case in my experience in reading books by male authors is that there is always a small sense of sexism in the under tones. Writing teenage girls is a tricky one, and for the most part I think he portrayed that experience well, but sometimes it left me thinking too long about what that scene added to the story.
This was one of the first horror books I have read, and I think it is definitely a good story for a beginner of the genre to start with. Definitely check trigger warnings before going into it!
This was one of the first horror books I have read, and I think it is definitely a good story for a beginner of the genre to start with. Definitely check trigger warnings before going into it!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I stopped reading this book because it wasn't really what I was expecting. I wanted to read it because I enjoyed The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, one of Grady Hendrix's other novels. However, the writing style of this book was very different in comparison, and I didn't enjoy it or follow the plot as easily. The novel is from the perspective of children and teenagers, and their dialogue and worldviews can be amusing and realistic at times, but the horror/thriller aspects of the novel weren't compelling enough for me to feel invested in the characters and willing to finish the story.
This book was a lot of fun and I definitely enjoyed the ride! It wasn't scary but I didn't get the feeling that it tried to be. It told the story it set out to tell in a fun and very nostalgic way. It paid homage to everything I think it meant to.
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
I couldn't stop reading this book. It's nostalgic for Gen Xers and the love of a best friend. It was scary and tense and gross but also relatable and a fun read
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a little tough to read at times, but it was totally worth it. This had everything: the magic of close friendship, gross & scary horror moments, humour, '80s nostalgia... And it was a spin on the exorcism genre that was a bit less religious than the movies we know and love. This book had me addicted, I couldn't stop reading, and the ending made me tear up. I loved it ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Vomit
Moderate: Drug use, Eating disorder, Gun violence
Minor: Bullying, Self harm, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Complicated
This beautiful cover sucked me in, and shame on me for judging a book by its cover. Because the book itself is awful. I think this might be a show/movie on Prime. Two besties in the 80s fight against the devil, who is possessing one of them (the Catholic in me hates this. The devil generally does not possess people; he’s a little busy with bigger things. Demons do the grunt work). I gave this book way too much grace and should have DNF’d much earlier. There’s a vibe when a 50 year old white guy is writing about teenage girls… you know? It’s written like a very young YA book, but there’s body horror and unnecessary rapey vibes. There’s also casual hard racism that serves no point, and I’m sure the author would hide behind “that’s what it was like in the 80s.” Except you’re writing this now, buddy. The writing was less than mediocre, and the plot was super slow. The characters were intensely flat (I’ve seen better villains in Saturday morning cartoons). It feels like the author cares more about buzzing the reader with 80s nostalgia than creating a story anyone cares about. I don’t know how this is a best-selling author. Someone explain it to me.