'

Friday 26 August 2016

MY BEST FRIEND'S EXORCISM by Grady Hendrix


26150510
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As much as I complain about Rue Morgue magazine being the weakest item in my beloved Horror Block, I've bought several books because they were featured in this mag.

This was one of them.

Since the moment I found out about this book, I wanted to read it. I'm a sucker for demonic possession/exorcism stories. I'm also a sucker for anything 1980's. And this book combines both in the best way possible.

Not to mention that I loved Horrorstör!

Anyway, let's talk about the book...

Abby Rivers and Gretchen Lang met when they were kids. Gretchen was the only kid who attended Abby's rollerskating birthday party, and although things started out shaky, they soon became the best of friends. Being from opposite sides of the economic spectrum never affected their friendship, and they even welcomed two other girls into their group: Margaret and Glee.

One night, while the four are enjoying a lazy time in one of Margaret's family's many houses, they decide to try acid. And a simple experiment soon turns into a nightmare when Gretchen is missing all night. After that night, she's never the same and no matter what Abby does to try and help her struggling friend, she just makes everything worse.

Until the only thing left to do is an exorcism...

O.M.F.G! I loved this. Not just because of what I mentioned above, but because I liked Abby's voice and I was hooked. The tension is amazing. The gore is extreme. The demon is despicable. The possession totally insane. But mostly, I loved the true friendship. No matter how much Gretchen hurts Abby, or how much trouble she gets into while trying to help, Abby never gives up.

She's terrified, but doesn't give up. She's facing the wrong side of the law, but still doesn't give up. She pushes to the very end, and that was selfless and brave and awesome!

All the 1980's references were very well written into the story, and so very familiar. I especially got a kick out of the music, E.T. and My Sweet Audrina. Oh, and the demon mythology is definitely strong in this one. There's mention of a bunch of occult stuff I've researched myself.

And man, I can't write a review without focusing on that super creepy and perfect 80's-style cover. Or the special features added throughout the book.


No comments:

Favorites More