Search This Blog
April Reviews Link-Up
May Reviews Link-Up
June Reviews Link-Up
July Reviews Link-Up
August Reviews Link-Up
September Reviews Link-Up
October Reviews Link-Up
November Reviews Link-Up
December Reviews Link-Up
2024 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California (3)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho (2)
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana (1)
- Maine (1)
- Maryland
- Massachusetts (1)
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York (1)
- North Carolina (1)
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (1)
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia (1)
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Washington, D.C.*
International:
- Australia (1)
- Canada (1)
- England (5)
- France (1)
- Ireland (1)
- Scotland (1)
- The Netherlands (1)
2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge
Monday, December 07, 2020
Southern Horror Novel Unique and Fun
6:06 AM
Feeling bored with her mundane life and inconsequential to those who share it, stay-at-home mom Patricia Campbell turns to true crime books for excitement. Although she gathers with a group of like-minded women to discuss the tomes, their book club is about more than just reading. It's a refuge for Patty and her pals, a place for commiseration and camaraderie, friendship and support.
When a handsome newcomer arrives in the neighborhood, Patty's friends are immediately atwitter. James Harris awakens long-dormant feelings in Patty, too, but she's wary. Something about the man is not right. He's cagey about his past, strangely allergic to sunlight, and has a weird magnetism that is almost ... supernatural. Then there are all the odd occurrences in the neighborhood that just happen to coincide with James' arrival. No one else seems alarmed, but Patty is convinced James is a vampire. Now, she has to prove it to her friends and get their help expelling the creature. So what if they all think she's crazy? Patty has to protect her neighborhood from the evil that's stalking it. Can she stop the charming bloodsucker before he destroys everything—and everyone—she loves?
Based on the title and plot summary, I expected The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix to be a funny, light-hearted read. And it is in some ways. It's also deeper than it appears, with some very astute commentary about motherhood, female friendships, sexism, and gender roles. Although my experiences with men and community politics don't really align with those of Patty and her friends, I still related strongly to the women at the center of this novel. Hendrix brought them to life for me, making me care about what happened to them. I was so invested, in fact, that I burned through The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires in one day. And it's not a slim novel! The slow-burn story, which is more psychological thriller than horror fest (although there's plenty of gore), is engrossing and compelling. It definitely kept me riveted to the page. While the book wasn't exactly what I expected it to be, I ended up really enjoying it.
(Readalikes: Hm, I can't think of anything. Can you?)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language (a few F-bombs, plus milder expletives), violence, blood/gore, and disturbing subject matter
To the FTC, with love: Another fine find
7 comments:
Comments make me feel special, so go crazy! Just keep it clean and civil. Feel free to speak your mind (I always do), but be aware that I will delete any offensive comments.
P.S.: Don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away. I have to approve each one before it posts to prevent spam. It's annoying, but it works!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(Atom)
Reading
Listening
Followin' with Bloglovin'
-
Time Travel Thursday2 hours ago
-
THE ROMANOV BRIDES Blog Tour2 hours ago
-
American Zion2 hours ago
-
-
Digging Up Trouble by Kitt Crowe3 hours ago
-
-
Love on Camera7 hours ago
-
-
-
-
The Highgate Cemetery Murder by Irina Shapiro11 hours ago
-
Mistimed Meal: A Review of Vampire Fly11 hours ago
-
The Silver Swan: Benjamin Black17 hours ago
-
A Death in Denmark - Amulya Malladi18 hours ago
-
Review: Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera18 hours ago
-
-
Thank you1 day ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
One in the Chamber by Robin Peguero2 days ago
-
Top 5 Tuesday ~ Female Authors2 days ago
-
What's up?2 days ago
-
-
-
-
-
Review: Beartown1 week ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?5 months ago
-
6/25/23 Extra Ezra9 months ago
-
-
-
Sundays with Sam – The Sunday Post11 months ago
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?1 year ago
-
-
-
-
-
Grab my Button!
Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ▼ 2020 (205)
- ► 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)
- ► 2016 (157)
- ► 2015 (188)
- ► 2014 (133)
- ► 2013 (183)
- ► 2012 (193)
- ► 2011 (232)
- ► 2010 (257)
- ► 2009 (211)
- ► 2008 (192)
Sounds like a great read! I've been eyeing this novel, so I'll now add it to my reading wishlist after reading your review of it.
ReplyDeleteAnything with Vampires (+ a book club) seems pretty good to me ... and love the book cover of this one! thx for the review
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear your thoughts about this book. I'd wondered about it and may just put it on hold at the library. :-)
ReplyDeleteHmmmm...my wife is allergic to sunlight, too. Maybe I need to ask a few questions. :-)
ReplyDeleteI've read a lot of positive reviews of this book. It's another one on my TBR list. Can't believe you read it all in one day! :)
ReplyDeleteI am not into horror so will probably not read this one, but I've been hearing really good things about it.
ReplyDeleteI had a more mixed reaction to this than some but it was good.
ReplyDelete