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aspiringvilliagewitch's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Eating disorder, Vomit, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Rape, Blood, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, and Classism
gwensweb's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
reading this felt like a chore at times and i almost didn’t finish it. the only thing i enjoyed was the last few pages but i wouldn’t recommend reading it just for those. if it wasn’t boring it was offensive so idk. the names of the parents were also switched a couple of times in my copy which was confusing at first and annoying later on
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, and Vomit
Moderate: Eating disorder and Rape
oshild's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Vomit
ladyyaru's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Vomit
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Blood
antonebooks's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Disappointed. I loved this author’s retail horror novel but this one missed the mark for me. It had interesting themes it seemed like he wanted to explore but terrible execution.
Also there were just too many instances of racist remarks or events that were completely unnecessary in connection to the story. Why did we, the reader, need to know about the MC’s dad having a porn fetish for black women and then have it written off as a ludicrous joke and why is there a “slave day” at the MC’s school? None of this is ever mentioned later or adds to the story.
Also there were just too many instances of racist remarks or events that were completely unnecessary in connection to the story. Why did we, the reader, need to know about the MC’s dad having a porn fetish for black women and then have it written off as a ludicrous joke and why is there a “slave day” at the MC’s school? None of this is ever mentioned later or adds to the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, Torture, and Vomit
bickleyhouse's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Another five-star read by Grady Hendrix, who is rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors. Hendrix's typical humor shines in this one, and just like the other two I have read, there suddenly reaches a point where things just aren't funny any more.
The book begins with adult Abby reminiscing over the past, and then immediately flashes back to years from childhood on to high school. The friendship between Abby and Gretchen begins when Gretchen is the only one who shows up to Abby's tenth birthday party. The relationship begins very awkwardly, but blossoms into a best-friend relationship pretty quickly.
The story progresses as Abby and Gretchen get older, and eventually, the two of them become friends with Glee and Margaret, and all of them are students at a private school. Abby's family, however, is the only family that is not really wealthy.
Something terrible happens one night, though, on a holiday weekend, when the four of them decide to drop some LSD and go skinny-dipping at the lake. Gretchen gets separated from the others, and basically spends the night out in an abandoned concrete bunker by the lake. That's when it all started. Gretchen really started having weird things happen, and, at first, chalked it up to flashbacks from the LSD. The thing is, none of the other three ever noticed any effects from the LSD.
Things get worse and worse for Gretchen and Abby, until one day, Gretchen seems back to normal and suddenly Abby is excluded from the rest of the group. That's as much plot as I will reveal, here, but I will say that the eventual exorcism scene is harrowing.
I will also admit that the end made me cry. But I'll cry at just about anything, so there's that.
Definitely another great book by Mr. Hendrix, and I plan on watching the 2022 movie that was made. I am also excited to find that a TV adaptation is in progress for his Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires.
The book begins with adult Abby reminiscing over the past, and then immediately flashes back to years from childhood on to high school. The friendship between Abby and Gretchen begins when Gretchen is the only one who shows up to Abby's tenth birthday party. The relationship begins very awkwardly, but blossoms into a best-friend relationship pretty quickly.
The story progresses as Abby and Gretchen get older, and eventually, the two of them become friends with Glee and Margaret, and all of them are students at a private school. Abby's family, however, is the only family that is not really wealthy.
Something terrible happens one night, though, on a holiday weekend, when the four of them decide to drop some LSD and go skinny-dipping at the lake. Gretchen gets separated from the others, and basically spends the night out in an abandoned concrete bunker by the lake. That's when it all started. Gretchen really started having weird things happen, and, at first, chalked it up to flashbacks from the LSD. The thing is, none of the other three ever noticed any effects from the LSD.
Things get worse and worse for Gretchen and Abby, until one day, Gretchen seems back to normal and suddenly Abby is excluded from the rest of the group. That's as much plot as I will reveal, here, but I will say that the eventual exorcism scene is harrowing.
I will also admit that the end made me cry. But I'll cry at just about anything, so there's that.
Definitely another great book by Mr. Hendrix, and I plan on watching the 2022 movie that was made. I am also excited to find that a TV adaptation is in progress for his Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Blood, and Vomit
m3l3fic3nt's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
simchareads's review
dark
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
I loved the cheesy 1980’s coming of age, campy horror hybrid of this story & the cover art is brilliant! I grew up during the 1990’s so a lot of the pop culture references were pure nostalgia for me. Despite some graphic scenes, the story still felt light & readable to me. It’s great if you’re in the mood for a solid ‘friendship overcomes all’ trope.
The aspect that keeps me from scoring is perfectly is there was a build up to certain plot points that just never amounted to anything more than a minor, briefly mentioned detail that I think should’ve just been excluded i.e.All the suspense that was built up around possessed Gretchen wreaking havoc on Halloween amounted to minor events that were only briefly mentioned.
The main characters are all relatively privileged, white girls against the backdrop of 1980’s Charleston, SC. I only mention this because the lack of diversity or acknowledgment of racial tensions in the area may bother some people. There are particularly graphic eating disorder and animal death scenes in this book. There are a few homophobic & AIDS jokes sprinkled throughout the book that would definitely not be acceptable today, but they were common in casual conversation during the time period setting.
The aspect that keeps me from scoring is perfectly is there was a build up to certain plot points that just never amounted to anything more than a minor, briefly mentioned detail that I think should’ve just been excluded i.e.
The main characters are all relatively privileged, white girls against the backdrop of 1980’s Charleston, SC. I only mention this because the lack of diversity or acknowledgment of racial tensions in the area may bother some people. There are particularly graphic eating disorder and animal death scenes in this book. There are a few homophobic & AIDS jokes sprinkled throughout the book that would definitely not be acceptable today, but they were common in casual conversation during the time period setting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Eating disorder, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
There are a few homophobic & AIDS jokes that are stated in the context of humor that was consider appropriate during the time the story takes place in.katiebella_reads's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
5⭐️
Tigger Warning ⚠️
* dead abused animals
* rape talk
* Demon Possession
Summery
Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since they were 10yrs old. It's the summer of 1988, and as teens, they are coming into their own. Growing up and doing all the things they have always been told not to. They are young. They are honor students. They are invincible. Until they aren't.
Gretchen is from the right part of town. Her parents belong to the right social clubs. They go to the right church. These kind of things don't happen to people like them.
Something is definitely wrong with Gretchen, but only Abby seems to understand that it's so much more than teenage angst. Gretchen is changing. Acting strangely. This isn't Gretchen.
My Thoughts
Wow!!!! I loved it. The 80's child in me couldn't get enough. It is written exactly like the old style horror movies before the world was all AI and CGI. When movies were gritty and you could feel the fear of the actors. When you could relate to the bumps of an old car on a dirt road because it was really being driven, not special effects. This book is corny and cheesy in all the best ways!
Abby is the perfect example of a true high school teenager. Imperfect skin, worrying about her grades, and just trying to fit in. She is real and authentic. She shows true friendship to the extent she is willing to go to to save the people she cares about, even when it seems they no longer care for her. The author wrote her with such clarity that I could picture her walking down the school halls, hanging with friends, and bopping along to the soundtrack of life. It was easy to empathize with her. She is likable. She grows as the book goes along.
There is no doubt that Hendrix can write! This is the second book in a week that I have read by him, and as soon as I finished, I jumped online to order another. He protays horror in the way it should be done. The way I remember it growing up. Hitchcock and The Omen sprinkled in with some vibes of the movie The Craft. All the nostalgic feels with this read while keeping me turning pages and a breakneck speed. Goosebumps all grown up.
Tigger Warning ⚠️
* dead abused animals
* rape talk
* Demon Possession
Summery
Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since they were 10yrs old. It's the summer of 1988, and as teens, they are coming into their own. Growing up and doing all the things they have always been told not to. They are young. They are honor students. They are invincible. Until they aren't.
Gretchen is from the right part of town. Her parents belong to the right social clubs. They go to the right church. These kind of things don't happen to people like them.
Something is definitely wrong with Gretchen, but only Abby seems to understand that it's so much more than teenage angst. Gretchen is changing. Acting strangely. This isn't Gretchen.
My Thoughts
Wow!!!! I loved it. The 80's child in me couldn't get enough. It is written exactly like the old style horror movies before the world was all AI and CGI. When movies were gritty and you could feel the fear of the actors. When you could relate to the bumps of an old car on a dirt road because it was really being driven, not special effects. This book is corny and cheesy in all the best ways!
Abby is the perfect example of a true high school teenager. Imperfect skin, worrying about her grades, and just trying to fit in. She is real and authentic. She shows true friendship to the extent she is willing to go to to save the people she cares about, even when it seems they no longer care for her. The author wrote her with such clarity that I could picture her walking down the school halls, hanging with friends, and bopping along to the soundtrack of life. It was easy to empathize with her. She is likable. She grows as the book goes along.
There is no doubt that Hendrix can write! This is the second book in a week that I have read by him, and as soon as I finished, I jumped online to order another. He protays horror in the way it should be done. The way I remember it growing up. Hitchcock and The Omen sprinkled in with some vibes of the movie The Craft. All the nostalgic feels with this read while keeping me turning pages and a breakneck speed. Goosebumps all grown up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
eeemacarena's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
AND HISTORIANS WILL CALL THEM....!!!!
To be honest with y'all... this was the first time, after a very, very long time, that I tossed my book away and needed a moment.
Also, I did skip like two pages because I knew that there was a scene that would fuck me up (and not in a good way) but lowering my ranking because of it seems silly? She was possessed by a demon. Of course, she's going to do some fucked up shit. Do I think it was absolutely necessary to include that part? Hell nah. But did it fit the story? Yeah. It's not the author's fault that I can't stomach these things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, and Vomit
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship