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A review by vaniavela
Birthday Party Demon by Wendy Dalrymple
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Birthday Party Demon is a quick, campy, and fun read that takes slumber-party chaos to supernatural levels.
The story follows best friends Tina, Eve, and Lacey as they gather for a Sweet 16 celebration that goes wildly wrong when an accidental summoning leads to Lacey’s possession. Things take a quirky twist as Tina and Eve find themselves trapped in a fashion catalog straight out of the ’90s. As the duo navigates this fabulous but dangerous world, they must hurry to save Lacey before the demon takes over completely.
Packed with ’90s nostalgia—think video rental stores, beepers, and clothing catalogs bursting with throwback trends—the book will delight readers who enjoy a blast from the past. However, the frequent pop culture references can feel a bit heavy-handed at times, detracting from the story’s overall voice.
While marketed as YA, Birthday Party Demon leans more toward a middle-grade audience in tone and execution. The premise is clever and entertaining, but the story would’ve benefited from being a full-length novel, giving more room for character development and heightening the emotional impact of the ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this nostalgic, supernatural romp! Fans of campy horror and throwback vibes will find plenty to enjoy.
The story follows best friends Tina, Eve, and Lacey as they gather for a Sweet 16 celebration that goes wildly wrong when an accidental summoning leads to Lacey’s possession. Things take a quirky twist as Tina and Eve find themselves trapped in a fashion catalog straight out of the ’90s. As the duo navigates this fabulous but dangerous world, they must hurry to save Lacey before the demon takes over completely.
Packed with ’90s nostalgia—think video rental stores, beepers, and clothing catalogs bursting with throwback trends—the book will delight readers who enjoy a blast from the past. However, the frequent pop culture references can feel a bit heavy-handed at times, detracting from the story’s overall voice.
While marketed as YA, Birthday Party Demon leans more toward a middle-grade audience in tone and execution. The premise is clever and entertaining, but the story would’ve benefited from being a full-length novel, giving more room for character development and heightening the emotional impact of the ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this nostalgic, supernatural romp! Fans of campy horror and throwback vibes will find plenty to enjoy.