My Best Friend's Exorcism - Superb '80s Horror!
When I heard that this story was about to be released as a movie on Amazon Prime (September 30th), I knew that I had to get the book read before the release of the movie. I'd heard great things about it and my friend Charlotte (owner of Horror Bound) loved it so much that she volunteered to buddy-read it with me. What a fun book and great experience! I recommend the buddy-read for sure because there is just so much going on, so much room for postulating, and so many gruesome details to gush over. I also found myself feeling more connected to the two main characters knowing I had a friend sharing in those moments with me.
The first thing that hit me was the nostalgia for my childhood. Grady Hendrix is amazing at capturing the magical, goofy, inappropriate moments of ‘80s-’90s youth (especially that of a girl's experience). I was enraptured with the ‘80s hit songs that title each chapter, weepy with memories of my own best friendships, and then absolutely stunned by the horrific events that took place to the main characters, Abby and Gretchen. Things take a terrifying turn and the supernatural creeps into the everyday normalcy of these teenaged girls.
I don't even know how to describe how this book made me feel. The power of real, lasting friendship was written so well by Hendrix. The setting and characters were so accurate to what I would assume are anyone's memories of the ‘80s and ‘90s. It all felt like a memoir until it turned into a real horror novel - and what a great job the author did on that part too! I was disgusted and mortified for most of the second half.
I think the target audience of this novel are kids born between 1975 and 1990. That's the real sweet spot to check all the boxes and hit all the buttons of those who experienced life during that time. But the timelessness of friendship, cliques, rumours, insecurities, and the attitudes of children vs. parents makes this a book that can intensely connect to a reader from any time. I highly recommend you check it out!
