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Review Date: 10/15/2024
Whoa, folks... Evil in Me really scratched the itch; totally quieted the horde in my head and took me on an extremely enjoyable, batshit crazy, folklore-infused journey of Demons & Serial Killers & Punk Rock (Oh My!). Brom nails the tone, delivering a grotesquely creative tale of possession that embraces the chaos and humor without ever ignoring the heavier themes.
I purposely went into this one completely blind. Because of that, it honestly took me a little while longer than it might've otherwise to fully get into the first act (though that opening chapter was brutal). And I maybe would've liked a little more closure at the very end. But ultimately, Evil in Me is right up my alley; a wildly bizarre, high-concept ride full of rebellious punk rock attitude, horrifying possession, and monstrous mayhem.
Brom creates some nightmarishly weird characters. And as always, his artwork is stunning, making his characters work all the more effectivelyâLord Sheelbeth is terrifying; Vutto is awesome. The storylineâwhich finds a troubled punk rocker possessed by an ancient ring, and the hellish demons that live within, fighting for freedom the only way she knows how, through musicâworks wonders, expertly blending its folkloric inspirations with the original narrative. Brom wholly understands Ruby, her struggle, and the soul-saving power of music, which in turn makes us wholly believe in the magic Ruby must make in order to free herself from these horrors.
And the way Brom implements the in-your-face power of punk rock (including original songs written for the book, and performed by The Maxines) and an oddball serial killer subplot to tie the narrative threads together and build toward a truly unpredictable and thematically affecting finale only makes it all feel even more tailor-made for me. What a wonderfully weird ride.
I purposely went into this one completely blind. Because of that, it honestly took me a little while longer than it might've otherwise to fully get into the first act (though that opening chapter was brutal). And I maybe would've liked a little more closure at the very end. But ultimately, Evil in Me is right up my alley; a wildly bizarre, high-concept ride full of rebellious punk rock attitude, horrifying possession, and monstrous mayhem.
Brom creates some nightmarishly weird characters. And as always, his artwork is stunning, making his characters work all the more effectivelyâLord Sheelbeth is terrifying; Vutto is awesome. The storylineâwhich finds a troubled punk rocker possessed by an ancient ring, and the hellish demons that live within, fighting for freedom the only way she knows how, through musicâworks wonders, expertly blending its folkloric inspirations with the original narrative. Brom wholly understands Ruby, her struggle, and the soul-saving power of music, which in turn makes us wholly believe in the magic Ruby must make in order to free herself from these horrors.
And the way Brom implements the in-your-face power of punk rock (including original songs written for the book, and performed by The Maxines) and an oddball serial killer subplot to tie the narrative threads together and build toward a truly unpredictable and thematically affecting finale only makes it all feel even more tailor-made for me. What a wonderfully weird ride.
Review Date: 10/11/2024
Easily one of the most controversial books of the 20th century, William Peter Blatty's The Exorcist is a slow burning rumination on faith that explores the crossroads between psychology and religion in a way that's as thought-provoking as it is sacrilegious as it is spiritually chilling.
Despite seeing the film many times over the years, I still felt like I needed to go to confession immediately upon completing this book. Blatty's language throughout is boldly deliberate in its blunt blasphemy and insightful examination of the psychological and spiritual desperation of these imperfect, wholly relatable characters, bringing their struggles to life with dire urgency and lasting consequence. The prose and narrative throughout is daring and propulsive, but the dialogue is downright flawless; whether through the deeply theological or the shockingly profane, Blatty fills these pages with dialogue that's richly authentic to each character, leaving a truly lasting mark upon the reader.
And above all else, Blatty's work is a masterclass in atmosphere, putting these characters and the reader together in room after room that's dripping with doubt, dread, and the weight of our wavering faith. I shivered, I cringed, I cursed, I gagged, and I blessed myself... time and time again. The Exorcist is a thematically groundbreaking, utterly haunting piece of literary horror that will shake the very foundation of your beliefs.
Despite seeing the film many times over the years, I still felt like I needed to go to confession immediately upon completing this book. Blatty's language throughout is boldly deliberate in its blunt blasphemy and insightful examination of the psychological and spiritual desperation of these imperfect, wholly relatable characters, bringing their struggles to life with dire urgency and lasting consequence. The prose and narrative throughout is daring and propulsive, but the dialogue is downright flawless; whether through the deeply theological or the shockingly profane, Blatty fills these pages with dialogue that's richly authentic to each character, leaving a truly lasting mark upon the reader.
And above all else, Blatty's work is a masterclass in atmosphere, putting these characters and the reader together in room after room that's dripping with doubt, dread, and the weight of our wavering faith. I shivered, I cringed, I cursed, I gagged, and I blessed myself... time and time again. The Exorcist is a thematically groundbreaking, utterly haunting piece of literary horror that will shake the very foundation of your beliefs.
Review Date: 11/14/2024
A nightmarish road-trip that's disquieting, poignant, nostalgic, and unpredictable. It's a wholly immersive and affective meditation on the communal nature of grief and a genuinely creepy examination of the rural legends and folklore that fueled the Satanic Panic of the '80s.
The sense of setting is absolutely phenomenal. Every small town Chizmar brings us through feels authentic in their superficial warmth and underlying judgemental weight. His choice to set it in the '80s, and not rely entirely on pop-culture nostalgia, fills the world of the book with an authenticity that adds to the paranoia of the plot. The friendship between the trio at the core of this book not only moves the increasingly threatening narrative forward in a way that so brilliantly builds up the tension and despair, but also beautifully adds further pathos to the overarching themes.
The sense of setting is absolutely phenomenal. Every small town Chizmar brings us through feels authentic in their superficial warmth and underlying judgemental weight. His choice to set it in the '80s, and not rely entirely on pop-culture nostalgia, fills the world of the book with an authenticity that adds to the paranoia of the plot. The friendship between the trio at the core of this book not only moves the increasingly threatening narrative forward in a way that so brilliantly builds up the tension and despair, but also beautifully adds further pathos to the overarching themes.
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