kier__'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Stalking, Suicide, Child death, Blood, Cursing, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Violence, Drug abuse, Sexism, Drug use, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Suicide attempt, Torture, Bullying, Death, Sexual assault, Addiction, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
horrorhayleigh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Addiction, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Violence, Grief, Gore, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Blood, and Car accident
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"We Sold Our Souls" follows a young woman named Kris. In the 1990's, her band, Dürt Würk, was ready to make it big and finally have their chance at fame. Unfortunately, everything fell apart one night, a night that no one in the band seems to remember. Now, in present day, one member of the former band is a musical idol and set to go on his farewell tour. Kris, sick of her horrible life, decides finally to confront him and get to the bottom of what happened decades ago and uncover why Dürt Würk never made it.
Spoiler
This novel is just like every other Grady Hendrix in the sense that he has his own special brand of comedic horror. This story is graphic, has violence and death, but it is still funny past all of the blood and gore. I really loved Kris as a character. She presents herself as real and authentic. Her dreams were shattered, and she was left to pick up pieces she should not have had to do. She struggles with dealing with the failure of her youth and she feels trapped in a terrible life she never wanted. But, once she finally gets that inspiration to fight for herself and her beloved band, she will stop at nothing for answers. Her whole character arch really takes you through a myriad of emotions and you cannot help to root for her.I also really enjoyed the metaphor of "selling your soul" for your art. Without giving too much of the story away, someone in the band has sold his soul to become successful. I think this is such an interesting idea and discussion because fame tends to really cloud even the best person's judgment. Purists want the art to matter above all else, so when someone sells their soul, meaning they sacrifice their art for success, some people are outraged. But, at the same time you want to respect the hustle and the ambition to make it in this world because of their art.
I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Grady Hendrix's books, and I look forward to continue enjoying more from him!
Graphic: Confinement, Toxic friendship, Violence, Drug use, Addiction, Alcohol, Murder, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual harassment, Death, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Car accident, Gun violence, Stalking, Suicide, Vomit, Torture, and Toxic relationship
chezler24's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Murder, Suicide, and Gore
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Drug use, and Mental illness
Minor: Forced institutionalization
wirewrappedlily's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexism, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Gaslighting, and Addiction
erin_a_ziraphale's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This one of the weirdest books I have ever read in my life, if you are willing to ignore BIG flagrant issues it has handling mental illness and conspiracy theories that dip too much into Q-anon terrotory making them valid
Spoiler
No Mr. Hendrix, my mental illness doesn't make me or other mentally ill people "magic" or "more attuned to hear the cry of troglodyte", my meds aren't for mind controling me, in fact they keep me from tearing my hair and my sking with my nails! and Capitalism™️ sure sucks, but racist, misogynistic, antisemetic conspiracy theorist DO NOT AND WILL NEVER HAVE A POINT.
How does a sparrow destroy a mountain? One pebble at a time.
Graphic: Mental illness, Violence, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Forced institutionalization, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Gaslighting
caidyn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Mental illness, Gaslighting, and Gore
werewolvesnotswearwolves's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.5
Graphic: Sexual violence, Body horror, Car accident, Cursing, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Medical content, Medical trauma, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Addiction and Alcohol
henrygravesprince's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Car accident, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, and Mental illness
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, and Medical content
Minor: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Racism, Gun violence, Child death, and Misogyny
bebidocrimes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Suicide