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lotoblanco's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Gaslighting, Gore, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Torture, Blood, Car accident, Cursing, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Sexual harassment, Confinement, Murder, Stalking, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical trauma
moosereads1's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.0
Yet another great hit from Hendrix! I loved the concept of this book, even though I'm not a metalhead myself (more of a punk than anything). I think it was fascinating to see music mixed with conspiracy, going way past the idea of conspiracy through subliminal messaging and taking it to a whole other level. More than anything else, I loved the fact that "music can change the world" was taken to the extreme.
Now, I will say, it isn't my favorite by Hendrix - I had a harder time falling in love with the characters than I usually do with his novels. It took some time for me to love Kris, though I came around eventually. Regardless, this book was so fun and had a great concept.
Now, I will say, it isn't my favorite by Hendrix - I had a harder time falling in love with the characters than I usually do with his novels. It took some time for me to love Kris, though I came around eventually. Regardless, this book was so fun and had a great concept.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
earofthedog's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Suicide, and Gore
Moderate: Drug use, Kidnapping, and Confinement
Minor: Alcohol and Death of parent
hooksforeverything's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Confinement
Genuinely fascinating, structurally and emotionally. Maybe very slightly too many characters but I don't know who I'd cut so that's not helpful of me.thesupermassive's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
top 10 books to accompany Ghost's entire discography
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Stalking
Moderate: Gore and Sexual assault
Minor: Car accident
cinderrunner's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It is honestly impressive how metal, in essence not even just subject matter, this book is. I will admit, i wasn't overly impressed when i first started. I felt like it was taking too long to actually get anywhere. The plot doesnt really get rolling or exciting til maybe halfway through. I felt myself wishing Hendrix spent more time on them as a band and developed their connection a little better so their relationships had more omph. But the longer I read, the more the plot revealed, the more into it I got. Specifically around page 182 (in the edition I own) Kris starts playing guitar with a girl on the street and she talks about why she plays and the things that drive her. I read that passage and wanted to start snapping like i was at a poetry reading. If you are an artist of any kind, someone who really gets the drive to create for the sake of art not fame or money, the themes in this book are gonna hit home. Definitely recommend for you. Especially if youre an artist who is in alt subculture. I've only read 3 Hendrix books so far and can only recall the plot of this one and Final Girl Support Group enough to comment on them. But something I don't think people give Hendrix enough credit for his the social commentary and psychology behind some of these books. I get its easy to look past it with the camp factors and horror elements. Yet, its a really powerful part of the books when you notice it and it keeps making me rate them higher than i expect to. We Sold Our Souls would have been a 3 star read until the themes around society, its ambivalence to suffering, our obsession with shallow crap that doesnt matter, our selfishness, our obsession with treating the famous like gods, etc started becoming clearer to me. I love the full circle moment of ending on Melanie the way the book opens on Kris. Really wraps up the overall message of the book incredibly well. CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS FOR THIS ONE PLEASE! ESPECIALLY IF SA IS A TRIGGER FOR YOU.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Car accident, Confinement, Excrement, Violence, Vomit, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Sexual violence, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Blood, Body horror, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, and Stalking
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
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
laurenleigh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was delightfully weird! I love a good hero’s quest story structure, especially if our protagonist is a badass woman. I enjoyed the plot, though it got a little gross and gory at times. It felt right for the story though, like the novelation of a metal album. Actually all the chapter titles are album titles, which took me way too long to recognize! Hendrix’s style reminded me of a gritty film noir, focusing on what some might call the dregs of society, but in a way that highlights their wonderful humanity. Though many of these characters dream of fame and glory, most are extremely regular folks just trying to survive in less than ideal conditions. The ending felt right and tied up everything in a fun, bombastic way. I would totally read a sequel featuring the character we left off on! I think I’ll check out this author’s other works.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Gore, Violence, Suicide, and Confinement
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Stalking, Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Car accident
odrib's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Gun violence, Death, Blood, Excrement, and Gore
Moderate: Confinement, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Minor: Alcohol, Medical content, and Addiction
gmc16's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement and Gore