A review by thepaperwitch
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

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

3.75

I really enjoyed Hendrix's Horrorstore and was looking forward to this book. I liked the idea of a book club taking on a vampire, but there was a lot more to the story that focused on the community, hypocrisy, and maintaining the faux image of perfection that I didn't expect. I wasn't totally put off by it, as it does show the willful ignorance and otherness that the community (and society at large) is built on, but I was hoping for a little more horror and momentum like the book starts with. Ultimately, I think the book was too long and that is what makes it feel very stop and go. I don't mind roller coaster novel movement, but it feels like the momentum stopped at the bottom of the hill a few times. The ending was good and I liked the twist Hendrix put on the vampire idea, but I would have loved to read more on that.

The truly ghastly take away is that this seemingly perfect, white neighborhood can be just as horrible as the monster they are trying to stop. The wife beater, the cheater, the child fascinated with Nazis, the sentimentality to turn a blind eye to what a strange white man does, especially to black (child) bodies, all reflects the social horrors that really do exist.

If you like vampire books, you will probably like this one. Hendrix is very good at writing horror and this has gore, creepiness, and wtf moments, but it may take some effort to move through the story once the adrenaline is done.  
Expand filter menu Content Warnings