jenna_cross's review against another edition
3.0
I feel like this was an onion of a story that I had to keep peeling away the layers. The top layers I didn’t like so much. As I got to the inner layers I started to understand where the main character was coming from. Jade uses horror movies and knowledge as a shield against the real life horrors she lived through and wants to forget. I think this is one I will plan to read again in October 2022 now that I know how Jade’s brain is working and can relate to her defense mechanisms against trauma. I think upon a second reading my rating will go up.
billies_not_so_secret_diary's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
My Heart is a Chainsaw
by Stephen Graham Jones
Horror ComingofAge Mystery
Scribd Audio
Jade Daniels is a misunderstood seventeen-year-old. Born to teenage parents, living with her father, a drunk while her mom even though she works in town, left Jade to fend for herself. To protect herself from her fears and situation in life, Jade embraced slasher films and they became her armor. But when a new girl in town finds a dead body, and then another, Jade starts to believe there's a slasher in town, and the new girl is the final girl, and Jade must show her how to become it.
The story wasn't bad, straightforward, but it brushed along the lines of Jade's past, of what happened to draw her into a slasher film nut. I hated her parents right off the bat, and her dad's friend. But there wasn't a lot of detail about her mom, why she left and left her daughter behind, though I do have ideas.
It did ramble on here and there, and I found myself zoning out as I listened because a lot of things were repeated, things that really didn't need to be.
As for Jade, I could see myself in her because of my childhood. Instead of slasher films, which I did watch, I latched on to 'evil' things. Demons, devils, etc for protection.
While the MC is seventeen, use caution, there is some sensitive stuff in this book.
3 Stars
by Stephen Graham Jones
Horror ComingofAge Mystery
Scribd Audio
Jade Daniels is a misunderstood seventeen-year-old. Born to teenage parents, living with her father, a drunk while her mom even though she works in town, left Jade to fend for herself. To protect herself from her fears and situation in life, Jade embraced slasher films and they became her armor. But when a new girl in town finds a dead body, and then another, Jade starts to believe there's a slasher in town, and the new girl is the final girl, and Jade must show her how to become it.
The story wasn't bad, straightforward, but it brushed along the lines of Jade's past, of what happened to draw her into a slasher film nut. I hated her parents right off the bat, and her dad's friend. But there wasn't a lot of detail about her mom, why she left and left her daughter behind, though I do have ideas.
It did ramble on here and there, and I found myself zoning out as I listened because a lot of things were repeated, things that really didn't need to be.
As for Jade, I could see myself in her because of my childhood. Instead of slasher films, which I did watch, I latched on to 'evil' things. Demons, devils, etc for protection.
While the MC is seventeen, use caution, there is some sensitive stuff in this book.
3 Stars
sydneyash's review against another edition
2.0
I don't know if it was because I was listening to this as an audio book or if it's intentionally written that way but I feel like I spent most of this book not having any idea what was going on. I still don't know what happened. The classic slasher movie references are fun though.
mhuntone's review against another edition
3.0
A love letter to slasher movies and a movie story that deals with trauma and abuse and racism and so much more. It was slow at times, at didn't quite dig into me as much as I expected but in the end it was wild, and crazy, and beautiful. Now I need to go marathon the Nightmare and Friday and Scream movies!
gladiolus17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
Every time I think, “I don’t like horror” Stephen Graham Jones always proves me wrong.
I LOVE literary horror, apparently! This book has such lovable and hatable characters, and all come together in the end to solidify the theme. The writing is clever and packs a punch. Jade’s voice comes through clear. All in all this book is a work of art.
While I enjoyed everything up until it, the last chapter didn’t stick it for me, though. Which is why my rating is 4.5 stars.
I LOVE literary horror, apparently! This book has such lovable and hatable characters, and all come together in the end to solidify the theme. The writing is clever and packs a punch. Jade’s voice comes through clear. All in all this book is a work of art.
While I enjoyed everything up until it, the last chapter didn’t stick it for me, though. Which is why my rating is 4.5 stars.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
mickcassidy2's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
granolagina's review against another edition
4.0
As a child of the 70's and a teen in the 80's, I loved all the references to the slasher flicks I grew up with. I have seen most of the movies the main character Jade mentioned but I did pick up a few new titles to watch. Jade was a troubled teen, very much a loner, who was just trying to survive. Her history papers written for extra credit were placed between each chapter and were fun to read. The story line was just so unique, bloody, suspenseful, and fun. I only learned after finishing that this was the first of a planned trilogy. I'm just sad that the second will not be published until 2023! I highly recommend this book to horror fans looking for an interesting take on slasher movies.
jongluckner's review against another edition
3.0
I would’ve given this 2.75 if I could. I’ve tried with this author because he’s always given rave reviews for his horror. Last year I read The Only Good Indians. It was beautifully written but I feel like he loses his way kid way through and I’m completely lost on what’s happening. This book kind of felt the same. More of a slasher-inspired novel than his previous, this book started out so strong and exciting…. He lost me the entire middle…and then the ending was really good. He reminds me of a Ryan Murphy show. It’s like he loses his way mid through. I don’t think I’ll be reading anymore of his novels unfortunately.