A review by magicalrealem
My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

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

3.0

 
My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix  had me so excited when I picked it up from the library. The hardcover cover isn't as thrilling as the paperback cover, but I was surprised when I opened it and found the book formatted as a yearbook; the inside covers are full of amazing classmate yearbook signings, and there are even advertisement pages. At first glance I thought it was vandalized. 

I loved Abby and Gretchen right away. The first 50 pages detailing their friendship were so fun, and I loved Abby's energy and attitude. But the shift into the rest of the whole book didn't keep me captivated. It was still fun and there were  suspenseful scenes, and I was invested in finding out what happens to Abby and Gretchen, but I found myself a little disappointed in how things all wrap up. Another thought: in an effort to keep the book in its setting: 1988 - 1989, there are some uncomfortable things said or described; they could've been contextually set up better. I am specifically thinking of one character describing another emaciated character as an Ethiopian because this was a few years after the Ethiopian famine. 

A lot of people love this book, and I think if you want a 1980s teenage thriller full of body horror, you should check it out. It's often advertised as YA because the characters are under 18, but it doesn't feel/read like YA more like general suspense/thriller fiction. For full disclosure there is animal cruelty, and if that will bother you, you may want to look into that (or ask me) before picking it up. 
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