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

challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book was a frustrating read, it had so much misogyny and misogynoir, gaslighting, and violence against women that I found myself with clenched fists and jaw almost the entire time I was reading it.  I hated all the men so much.  The desire of white men to be rewarded for mediocrity and thinking that they have a right to things they haven't worked to earn, the entitlement and treatment of women and especially black women that they are nothing but either pets or 'the help.'  That they think that they need to stick together and defend each other no matter what, and taking each others word over that of their own wives just is maddening.

The author definitely does not hold back when it comes to describing all the horrible things that happen throughout the story as well, the physical abuse, rape and gruesome murders are detailed.  So watch out.

The story itself was good, and I could see the way the author was showing all the negative consequences that come from patriarchy and being complacent with misogyny and racism.  It was just something that was difficult to look at, though maybe that's the point.  May want to put a mouth guard in if you have issues with teeth grinding...
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