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

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

One of the best books I've ever read and officially my favorite book of all time. In fact, I read it twice this year: once in September and again in December. 

Hendrix does Stephen King better than Stephen King does. His portrayal of women's greatest fears is nuanced and realistic, especially the gaslighting and unfortunate marriage dynamics (reflected in both the main character and most others in the book club). Plus, who doesn't love a book that's basically Steel Magnolias x Buffy the Vampire Slayer x Dracula?

Kind of a spoiler, but not really: I will say Hendrix dips his toes into racial inequality, but in sort of a passing mention, not so much deep analysis into the institution itself. I don't know if that was part of the point of the book, like meta-commentary, because the text focuses so much on the affluent white characters and how they react when their safety is threatened, but I'd still like to point it out.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Grief, Medical content, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, and Stalking

Lots of gaslighting. The sexual content is somewhat dubious.