A review by mrtvavrana
My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 

Let me start this by saying: What the fuck? I went into this silly-looking book thinking it would be a quick and easy-to-read fun horror. What I was not prepared for, though, were the horrors. 

 

My first book by Grady Hendrix was quite good. I am a 90´s baby, so I never really experienced the 80´s other than on screen and in books. But I loved the atmosphere My Best Friend´s Exorcism offered. 

 

When it comes to the characters, I can´t say I loved them. Both the main characters, Abby and Gretchen, were a bit annoying. I did feel quite bad for Abby in the second half of the book, and I also loved her determination to mend the friendship with Gretchen, Glee, and Margaret, no matter the cost. 

 

The pace was quite steady, but the first 100 or so pages have nearly put me to sleep. The second half of the book was more eventful, so I think it evened out. 

 

As the title says, this book was about exorcism. It was not the best (but also not the worst one I have seen), and the events that followed after did not quite live up to my expectations, but I have to say this was probably the most unique book I have read this year. 

 

I think what I enjoyed the most was the beautiful and complicated friendship between the characters. And also the fact that there was no massive dark twist at the very end; it ended quite wholesome. I honestly can´t wait to read more of Grady Hendrix´s work.