SYNOPSIS:
The year is 1988. High school sophomores Abby and Gretchen have been best friends since fourth grade. But after an evening of skinny-dipping goes disastrously wrong, Gretchen begins to act…different. She’s moody. She’s irritable. And bizarre incidents keep happening whenever she’s nearby. Abby’s investigation leads her to some startling discoveries—and by the time their story reaches its terrifying conclusion, the fate of Abby and Gretchen will be determined by a single question: Is their friendship powerful enough to beat the devil? This review took a bit longer than I expected because I had to take an Intensity Break (I was *not* expecting a book with a Top 80s Hits playlist at the front to go quite this hard). I'm not exaggerating when I say I found this to be scarier than The Exorcist. At least in that one, the adults realize something is deeply wrong and find the best people they can to help. Here, it's just one terrified kid who knows the truth. Brrrr. (on a related note, I wanted pretty much every adult in this book to eat glass) Reactions I wrote while reading (spoilers ahead): -- I'm pretty sure I own all the songs in the chapter titles. 😄 I love the playlist and the yearbook quotes are so spot-on and equally parts nostalgic and cringey. -- 'For Abby, "friend" is a word whose sharp corners have been worn smooth by overuse. "I'm friends with the guys in IT," she might say, or "I'm meeting some friends after work." But she remembers when the word 'friend' could draw blood.' Just beautiful, and so accurate. -- "That's the day of my birthday party." "Oh, right. But you can move that." Whenever the demon arrives, I want it to eat Mrs. Link. -- Abby, sweetheart, I wish I could hug you. ((I wrote this about ten pages in, but upon finishing the book, just assume it is always my mindset)) -- "Abby's invitation was first," she said, eyes blazing. "So you're the rude one. And she's not a liar. I saw it." I would officially die for you Gretchen -- 'The la-di-da part of Mt. Pleasant where all the houses were dignified and either overlooked the water or had enormous yards, and if anyone saw a black person walking down the street who wasn't Mr. Little, they would pull their Volvo over and ask if he was lost.' ...yow. I am ALL for nostalgia that doesn't indulge in rose-colored glasses. -- 'One of her rules was that Gretchen could only have six magazines and five books at a time.' okay only a demon could ever be scarier than *that* -- 'an eternal process of self-classification' is my new favorite description of the teenage years -- Of course Gretchen's parents are Reagan Republicans -- Oh *hell* no her parents need to disappear -- "I'm going to kill her," she whispered. Then she wiped her nose and looked up at Abby. "Don't ever tell I said that." I fully support you and will provide an alibi, go right ahead and kill that abusive creep. -- I adore the little extras throughout: the newspaper article, the postcards... -- Weird Al mention! <3 -- Oh man, those tense, short, hurtful teenage fights. -- Dearly But Not Queerly. Ah, early 'no homo' slang, how I do not miss you. -- The 'she didn't have to help, but she *could*' section is so lovely. -- I want to believe the whole "Satan is your Roommate" pamphlet is fake for the book, but after seeing Chick Tracts, I just don't know. -- Riley needs to die horribly -- Shop smart. Shop S-Mart! -- Ah, AIDS jokes. Thank you 80s -- "Cool beans," Gretchen said. "Let's go fry my brains." I LOVE THIS KID -- Glee doing her homework while she's waiting for acid to kick in is pretty much me at any party ever -- okay Gretchen never mind providing an alibi I'll just go ahead and kill your parents *for* you HOW DARE THEY -- "No matter what happens," she said. "I'll never hurt you." i'm mildly freaking out -- 'Margaret talked in a way that made Abby feel helpless. Everything was the way Margaret said it was, and if you didn't agree you were a moron. Arguing was useless.' I've had friends like that. -- "I'm not an idiot. I know what drugs are. If you're really her friend, get her to stop." Yes, that's so very useful, what an amazing and caring teacher you are -- my heart just *hurts* for Abby's mom -- I am cringing so damn hard at Abby trying to explain to Gretchen's asshole parents what happened -- "You were doing drugs?" I KNEW IT I *knew* that was what you jackasses would hone in on -- "You two don't care about her. You just want to control her. You hit Gretchen! All you care about is that she doesn't embarrass you!" They're going to make your life hell for this, but you're spot-on, kid -- "I'll save you, Gretchen," Abby swore to herself. "They can't stop me from saving you." You should *not* be in this position alone. -- Oh yeah Slave Day isn't horrifying at ALL -- "Don't leave me alone," Gretchen begged. "I can't do this on my own. I can't fight it by myself. I'm sorry for what I did, but he makes me. He's always whispering in my hear, telling me what to do, making me hurt people. He wants me to be all alone, with no one left but him. I'm sorry, Abby. I'm so, so sorry." Just run my heart straight through the wringer why don't you -- oh god no the demon's fully in control now and i might cry -- Margaret that is not safe -- 'not me not me help me not me' So this is me NEVER SLEEPING AGAIN. -- omfg the urban legends being passed around along with the D&D rumors -- oh my damn Abby's mom I adore you -- ...okay I adore you a little less support your kid in private not just in front of the principal -- Oh, Glee. :( -- that scene where they find out exactly what's wrong with Margaret JESUS CHRIST body horror nightmares for all time -- okay no i am not reading the section with Max I know he dies I don't need to actually see the words -- I love that the exorcist just told her to 'stay frosty' -- "Hot damn!" he shouted. "We got ourselves a demon!" omfg Brother Lemon you NERD. ((also wtfffff, were you not sure *before* you did all that?!?)) -- 'The door swung open and Abby turned to see Brother Lemon approaching the bed. In one hand was a steaming teakettle. In the other was the funnel.' oh shit -- "I will mortify the flesh until she gives up the demon," Brother Lemon shouted. "I'm not screwing up again!" UM -- I know you have no idea what you're doing but do NOT run off and leave this child all alone to deal with this aaaaaaand you just did -- well there's a song I'll never be able to listen to again without getting the shakes -- I know this whole scene is creepy but 'old and dried up and thirty' made me snicker -- "And I'm just a stupid little girl!" Abby shouted back. "But I will not stop because you have my best friend and I am coming for her! Do you hear me? I am coming for her and there is nothing you can do, because I will not stop, I will never stop, I will never give up because I want my friend back!" Don't mind me, just over here sobbing. -- ohhhhhh she's using their past as something holy to fight the demon and my heart cannot handle this my *girls* -- "I love you dearly and I love you queerly and no demon is bigger than this!" **crying** -- 'And then the exorcist saved her life.' ohhhhhhhh. -- "You always drove me everywhere," Gretchen said. "I figured it was time to return the favor." GRETCHEN I could not have asked for a better ending. Poignant and bittersweet, it's beautiful and it fits perfectly. Hendrix is officially on my short list of "buy their book the minute it comes out".
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A WORLD WITH A BLUER SUNMy reviews are set up a little like live-tweets: I write down lines I like/impressions as I read, and then transcribe. Reviews will contain spoilers, but I'll give a warning before they start. Archives
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