Reviews tagging 'Grief'

We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix

4 reviews

horrorhayleigh's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• 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

Of all of Grady Hendrix's novels, I expected this one to be my favorite before I had read any of them. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel, but it is not my all-time favorite from Grady Hendrix, it definitely falls somewhere in the middle of the pack.
"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. 
 

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! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

werewolvesnotswearwolves's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Addiction and Alcohol

wonderworm's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug use