jocelyn73c's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- 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
3.75
kkehoe's review against another edition
2.0
A great cast of characters with a true-world drama of religious differences in a setting of satanic panic devolves into a somewhat lame fantasy vibe once the Devil appears. The touching nods to Mercury and the moments of real-world devastation a la losing a friend to zealotry and property destruction sadly can't save the story from it's weak supernatural aspects.
raforall's review against another edition
4.0
Appears in my October 2020 take over of THE READERS' SHELF column in Library Journal: https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=scary-reads-horror-that-is-sure-to-please
Unnerving Magazine has capitalized on the popularity of the horror novella, mixing in yet another huge genre trend-- nostalgia for the gore and camp of 1970s, 80s and 90s horror films with their Rewind or Die series. Entry 8 in the series, HELL’S BELLS by Lisa Quigley, is a terrifying and humorous take on the “Satanic Panic” trope, featuring teen girls who mistakenly summon Satan in their suburban basement, but use rock n roll to save themselves and the world at large. The characters jump off the page, the action and terror are perfectly realized, and the musical allusions are fun and frequent. Quigley is also a host of the award winning Ladies of the Fright podcast, so her name may ring a bell with patrons, despite this being her debut. The awesome cover art surrounding this tale, and every entry in the series, will help the book sell itself to patrons. Read-alike: The fourth entry in this series, CIRQUE BERSERK by Jessica Guess is another great choice. Both feature witless teens, slasher tropes, and are bunches of gory, fun to read.
Unnerving Magazine has capitalized on the popularity of the horror novella, mixing in yet another huge genre trend-- nostalgia for the gore and camp of 1970s, 80s and 90s horror films with their Rewind or Die series. Entry 8 in the series, HELL’S BELLS by Lisa Quigley, is a terrifying and humorous take on the “Satanic Panic” trope, featuring teen girls who mistakenly summon Satan in their suburban basement, but use rock n roll to save themselves and the world at large. The characters jump off the page, the action and terror are perfectly realized, and the musical allusions are fun and frequent. Quigley is also a host of the award winning Ladies of the Fright podcast, so her name may ring a bell with patrons, despite this being her debut. The awesome cover art surrounding this tale, and every entry in the series, will help the book sell itself to patrons. Read-alike: The fourth entry in this series, CIRQUE BERSERK by Jessica Guess is another great choice. Both feature witless teens, slasher tropes, and are bunches of gory, fun to read.
oddly's review against another edition
3.0
This is a coming-of-age horror story featuring Queen, the devil, and teenagers.
The focus of the story is on Hayley and Sasha, two friends that are growing up and growing apart. Hayley has turned to church and eschews what she used to have in common with Sasha—rock'n'roll—for Jesus. Sasha just wants to convince her friend that there's no such thing as the devil and that her religious fanaticism is making her into someone she's not. The problem is, when they do a ritual to summon the devil, he shows up.
The story is set in the early nineties, so the idea of satanic panic is definitely still lingering around, and many people did blame music for infesting their kids with supposed demonic thoughts and actions. Even today, if you wear too much black eyeliner to school you will probably be labeled a goth weirdo who might burn down the building.
Though I liked the characters and the idea of the story, in execution, this one felt a bit lacking. I am not personally religious, but the book definitely puts Christianity (or whatever religion, I'm not an expert) in a negative light, leaning on stereotypes and anti-religious sentiment. I wish that the idea of religion and what it meant to the characters (perhaps how Sasha viewed music as her religion, etc.) had been explored more—even though the story is short, I think there could have been a more meaningful conversation throughout about what religion means to one person vs. another.
This is still a fun, quick little horror tale, and I enjoyed reading it.
The focus of the story is on Hayley and Sasha, two friends that are growing up and growing apart. Hayley has turned to church and eschews what she used to have in common with Sasha—rock'n'roll—for Jesus. Sasha just wants to convince her friend that there's no such thing as the devil and that her religious fanaticism is making her into someone she's not. The problem is, when they do a ritual to summon the devil, he shows up.
The story is set in the early nineties, so the idea of satanic panic is definitely still lingering around, and many people did blame music for infesting their kids with supposed demonic thoughts and actions. Even today, if you wear too much black eyeliner to school you will probably be labeled a goth weirdo who might burn down the building.
Though I liked the characters and the idea of the story, in execution, this one felt a bit lacking. I am not personally religious, but the book definitely puts Christianity (or whatever religion, I'm not an expert) in a negative light, leaning on stereotypes and anti-religious sentiment. I wish that the idea of religion and what it meant to the characters (perhaps how Sasha viewed music as her religion, etc.) had been explored more—even though the story is short, I think there could have been a more meaningful conversation throughout about what religion means to one person vs. another.
This is still a fun, quick little horror tale, and I enjoyed reading it.
bookishactor's review against another edition
I feel pretty conflicted about this book. In short, I think the book is well written, but I was very put off by the anti-religious themes present in the story. Unfortunately that ruined the experience for me.
calicoreadstoomuch's review
dark
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? No
5.0
inciminci's review against another edition
5.0
"The confrontation with my parents had been a bummer, but Hayley's conversion was ruining my post-virginal glow."
It's the night that Freddy Mercury died and it's sure not easy being fan girl Sasha right now - not only did she lose her idol, but also her virginity to the boy she loves and her best friend Hayley to fundamentalist Christians.
When Hayley smashes all Sasha's and their friends' Jessica and Tiffany's cassette tapes with a hammer in a wild bid to convert and save them, Sasha loses herself and strikes Hayley, knocking her out. So in order to show her what it feels like to be forced into a belief, the decide to summon the devil himself with virgin Hayley's blood. And sure enough, he comes. He's just not the only one joining the party and things will soon take unexpected turns.
If you think this sounds wild so far, you should know that the real action begins after this point - this book is insanely good!!! I thought the highlight of the Rewind or Die series was "Food Fright", in which French speaking croissants were chasing and trying to eat highschool girls, but "Hell's Bells" has just topped even that.
I surprised myself by how much I loved reading this. And I read it breathlessly! Don't be fooled by page numbers, Lisa Quigley packs incredibly deep existential questions, an utterly likeable set of characters, a very humorous (as well as frightening) representation of religion and a genuine, humanist ending with a heart warming message into this little (but big) book.
It's the night that Freddy Mercury died and it's sure not easy being fan girl Sasha right now - not only did she lose her idol, but also her virginity to the boy she loves and her best friend Hayley to fundamentalist Christians.
When Hayley smashes all Sasha's and their friends' Jessica and Tiffany's cassette tapes with a hammer in a wild bid to convert and save them, Sasha loses herself and strikes Hayley, knocking her out. So in order to show her what it feels like to be forced into a belief, the decide to summon the devil himself with virgin Hayley's blood. And sure enough, he comes. He's just not the only one joining the party and things will soon take unexpected turns.
If you think this sounds wild so far, you should know that the real action begins after this point - this book is insanely good!!! I thought the highlight of the Rewind or Die series was "Food Fright", in which French speaking croissants were chasing and trying to eat highschool girls, but "Hell's Bells" has just topped even that.
I surprised myself by how much I loved reading this. And I read it breathlessly! Don't be fooled by page numbers, Lisa Quigley packs incredibly deep existential questions, an utterly likeable set of characters, a very humorous (as well as frightening) representation of religion and a genuine, humanist ending with a heart warming message into this little (but big) book.
theb00kcryptid's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-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
3.75