My Best Friend's Exorcism: A Novel

That book cover is perfection. I’d seen it out for a while under it’s original cover, the school photo of the girl with her back to the camera, all hunched over. But once I saw this I had to have it. Even if the book sucked, I must have this book cover. Because it’s lovely and reminds me of Blockbuster and video stores and all things cheesy horror. Lucky for me MY BEST FRIEND’S EXORCISM far from sucked. OMG I swallowed this book whole. Definitely reminiscent of those older horror movies from the 80s where it starts off quirky and innocent and totally teenager and then it just takes a big ol’ flying leap off of a horror cliff once the crap starts hitting the fan. The only thing is I think the blurbs make it out to be far quirkier and silly than what it actually is. There’s some serious silliness at the very end that actually had me laughing and going ‘what the . . .’ in the middle of a seriously spooky scene, but that was about it. The culmination of the story is where the silliness really is. But everything else? It’s creepy and exactly what you’d think of an exorcist story without it taking itself all that seriously. I loved the song titles for chapter titles and how the 80s was there without being THERE in the story. Hendrix fit those aspects in seamlessly (like Abby’s makeup and hair, the mix tapes, the diet fads). It wasn’t just these time bomb drops meant to immerse you in the decade. The story did that excellently. If anything I’d compare this to Stranger Things with a little more humor and four chicks instead of four boys at the forefront. There were some aspects of this story that were creepy and cringeworthy. For all the quirkiness, Hendrix did his job working in the horror too. This would be an amazing Friday night Halloween horror movie as it drills into Abby’s life and upends everything. And what a great character. All of them were great characters, but Abby especially. You watch as everything around her falls apart and she just keeps hanging on and hanging on. Even when everything looks its absolute worst she still has a fingernail in the game. This is a re-read book, without a doubt. Even though there was one scene in particular that had me practically gagging. If you’ve read the book you know which one I’m talking about. Blech. But I am so happy this book turned out to be everything the cover told my soul it was. The world needs more of these books and I really, REALLY hope there’s a movie or a TV series or something in the pipeline for this. I really, really do. 5

After reading December Park, I had an inclination to read more in the horror/suspense genre, particularly stuff set in the 80’s, so when I was doing some digging to make my 10 Books to read if you love Stranger Things, I came across this one and had to add it to my TBR because this screamed what I was looking for. Not only that, but the cover just spoke to me, it just gave that vibe that I had to read it. The title also gave me throwback vibes of one of my favorite movies as a kid in the early 90’s, My Boyfriend’s Back! My Bestfriend’s Exorcism is a semi-campy Jennifer’s Body meets The Exorcist teen story, set in the 80’s. If you grew up during this time or fell in love with Stranger Things because of its 80’s themes, then you are going to get hit in the face with a nostalgia bomb without it being overbearing. The heart of this book is about the unbreakable teen bond that tested by a demonic possession and a good dose of dark humor with a Buffy the Vampire Slayer-like teen angst (yes, Buffy is 90’s, still works though.) “Where everyone was desperate to be an individual, but they all were terrified to stand out.” The story is well written, but what really sells the whole thing is the authentic feeling friendship between Abby and Gretchen. These two grapple with their identities and all the usual social pressures of high school. When the supernatural bits ramps up, the loyalty of their friendship is put to the test. The eighties setting really brings everything to life without feeling forced, filling the pages with perfect nostalgia through the music, clothes, and teen culture that make the whole world feel real. Some of the criticism I have is that it never felt very suspenseful until near the very end. It wanted to be, but it just wasn’t. I’m also a whispersync/immersion reader and unfortunately, because the file size was so large, the kindle app on my phone and tablet kept crashing, so I had to do an audio only listen. So if your preference is to read ebook, you may want to try a kindle tablet or physical copy. I do have to say that Emily Woo Zeller’s performance narrating the story was very good, giving each one of the characters their own voice and filling out their personalities. I also decided to watch the movie adaptation after I finished my listen and it was not a good adaptation, but the movie did a better job selling the exorcism part. Despite all that, My Best Friend’s Exorcism is a quick, entertaining read that I’d recommend to anyone wanting to go down that 80’s rabbit hole or wanting to read a campy horror story with a strong emotional core of the bond between best friends, with some decent dark humor.

Hey there book lovers! It is your old pal, Ninetoes. Coming to you from Ninetoes Loves Books Headquarters. Today, I have for you my review of Grady Hendrix’s My Best Friend’s Exorcism. I have coffee in my system, and my thinking cap on, so let’s get to it! I spent my high school years (1980-83) down south in the mountains of North Carolina. I feel it necessary to point this out because this book is a love letter to the 1980s (the late 1980s, after I got out of college), and it tripped all sorts of memories for me. It also tripped a bunch of “what the hell were we thinking” moments regarding fashion, music, etc. Abby, Gretchen, Margaret, and Glee are friends. Abby and Gretchen are best friends. They became best friends on Abby’s 10th birthday when no one else but Gretchen showed up for her birthday. Fast-forward six years, and the girls are sophomores in high school. Abby, the girl at Albemarle Academy on scholarship, hangs out with her three friends whose parents are old blood rich. They spend a lot of time on Margaret’s boat, drinking beer and smoking menthol cigarettes. One night, at Margaret’s they decide to experiment with acid. The girls are reluctant at first. But like falling dominoes, they all give in. At first, nothing happens, then one of the girls claims she is hot, like the temperature of the sun hot. She takes off on a run down the dock and jumps in, but it is low tide, and she disappears. Her friends locate her three hours later, naked, shivering and covered in mud. Not long after this, strange things start happening. One of the friends becomes moody, a foul odor follows her, her self-care goes down the tubes in astounding fashion. Then, one day, she comes to class glowingly gorgeous, and weirder things start to happen to her friends. One starts to lose an astounding amount of weight and becomes mega hot until the weight loss goes too far, one tries to jump off of the clock tower in a massive fit of teen angst/depression, and another is framed for dealing drugs and theft. The friend accused of theft and drug dealing uncovers the truth, her best friend is possessed, and she enlists the aid of a self-proclaimed exorcist to drive the devil out. But this proves to be easier said than done… If Pat Conroy and William Peter Blatty had a love child, it would be this book. It drips with southern coastal charm and demonic possession. As stated earlier, it is a 337-page love letter to the 1980s. It oozes that time period from the music (each chapter is titled after a popular song of the time) to the clothes, to food that is not even available now. Even the cover, designed to look like a VHS movie cover gives off the vibe, and that vibe is maintained throughout the entire book. The pace of the book is steady but quick. The pages became potato chips because I could not just read on and be happy, I had to have another and another. The characters are perfectly flawed and likable. The horrific imagery is next level (seriously, there is something done with worms that still has me unsettled), and there is no gore for the sake of having gore. It fits the book and serves it well. This one is, in my opinion, literary perfection. I give this one 5 very enthusiastic bookmarks out of 5!

I knew I recognized the story within this book. Seen the movie. I particularly didn't like the actress who had played, Abby. Moving forward, My Best Friend's Exorcism by, Grady Hendrix is a fun, nostalgic horror novel that blends 1980s teen angst with supernatural elements. Here are some of my thoughts: The book perfectly captures the 1980s setting, from the fashion and music to the social and cultural anxieties of the time. This creates a strong sense of immersion for readers. Hendrix balances the horror with a healthy dose of dark humor, making the book both frightening and entertaining. The dialogue is sharp and witty, adding to the overall enjoyment. While exaggerated for comedic effect, the teenage characters feel authentic and relatable, grappling with issues of friendship, identity, and social pressures. The premise of a teenage girl possessed by a demon is not entirely new, but Hendrix puts his own unique spin on it, incorporating elements of 1980s teen horror tropes and adding his signature blend of humor and horror. Some readers might find the plot predictable at times, especially if they are familiar with the tropes of teen horror and demonic possession. While the humor is generally effective, some readers might find certain aspects of the book to be overly exaggerated or cartoonish. Despite its occasional predictability and over-the-top elements, My Best Friend's Exorcism, is a highly entertaining and enjoyable read. It's a nostalgic trip down memory lane for anyone who grew up in the 1980s, and a fun, spooky read for fans of horror and dark humor. Would I recommend it? Yes, I would recommend My Best Friend's Exorcism to fans of horror, dark humor, and 1980s nostalgia. It's a quick and engaging read that will stay with you long after you finish it.

This is a good book. One that is just plain fun to read. Hard to rate, but so much fun to read. I've been sitting on this review for days now but finally decided it was time to get to it. This book is so hard to give a rating to. The 80's referencing was glorious. It was hilarious to be taken back to that time era. Since the chapters are all song titles, be prepared to have a lot of different songs stuck in your head for days (perhaps months, the jury's still out on that one). Things like that were top notch. The clothing, cars, fads, terms, looks, etc. were so funny. Though story wise there were times it seemed to get a little bit jumbled up or lost. However, at the same time, you still couldn't put it down. Most of the characters were well written and relatable. Some were way too cliché for the time but not very realistic to the point where you sort of disregarded them. The book was going great for a good 50% to 60%. Then something happens and it gets a little weird until about 85-90%. The last part is real good though. My goodness. So, as this is probably showing, it was a very difficult book to rate! The parts that were good were very, very good but the parts that weren't just weren't. I would seriously say read it. I'm glad I did and do like the book enough to recommend it with confidence. It's worth reading and not one you want to pass by.

The nostalgia pulled me in immediately. The 80s setting felt authentic without being over-the-top, and the humor worked really well for me. It kept the story fun and engaging even when things started getting weird. At its core, what really made the book work was the friendship. Abby and Gretchen’s relationship felt genuine and grounded, which made everything that followed hit harder. That said, the first quarter dragged a bit. It took some time for the story to really find its footing. Once Gretchen’s behavior starts shifting and the possession element ramps up, though, the book becomes much more gripping. From that point on, I was fully invested. The horror itself leaned more unsettling than outright scary, which worked for me. Some moments were genuinely uncomfortable in a way that sticks with you… especially the dog scene. That one is burned into my brain. The tone balances creepy, ridiculous, and emotional in a way that somehow fits the story. The ending felt satisfying and earned, and it stayed true to what the book was really about underneath everything else — friendship. Overall, the biggest strengths here are the nostalgia and humor, while the slow start is really the main drawback. I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy horror with personality, humor, and heart, or anyone looking for a strong dose of retro atmosphere with their unsettling moments.

I haven't had this feeling from a book in actual decades, probably since reading Goosebumps under the blanket with a flashlight way past my bedtime...30 years ago. I didn't want it to end, and couldn't put it down. When I finally did, it was jarring. Like being dropped back into my bedroom from another reality. I was so immersed! I had to double check that the author is male bc he wrote teenage girl feelings and friendships in a way that captured what I remember vividly.

TW: off book death of a dog, demons, satanic rituals, dead baby, eatting disorders, off book mentions of molestetation, bugs, Set in the same world as THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB'S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES. This is a campy horror book set in the 80s. Every chapter is titled as an 80s pop song. Abby is 10 and she is alone. She doesn't really have any friends and is consistently outcasted by her peers. No one shows up her birthday party at the roller rink. No one but Gretchen. Gretchen and her become fast friends and 6 years later, while in highschool, they are still going strong. One night makes all the difference. One night, Gretchen emerges from the woods and isn't quite the same. Abby sees it, but she is alone. To everyone else, Gretchen has changed for the better and Abby is willing to risk everything to rescue her friend. This book is a dark and slow build story of Abby's quest to help her friend. Grady Hendrix does a fantastic job of implementing very subtle creepiness into his narrative. You know something is coming. You know something is lurking in the shadows unseen. You just dont know when, where or how it will strike. Grady Hendrix often had me at the end of my seat and wanting to know more. There was often very graphic violence and scenes that had a large ick factor that left my skin crawling. This book took alot of time building a solid narrative. We had to see who Gretchen was throughout this and all the ways she had changed. We saw how her friendships evolved as well as how she interacted with the world. This slow build allowed for a ton of emotions to build with the story. This story had areas of suspense, but overall was not suspenseful all the way through. Somehow, this did not have the makings of a full 5 stars for me even though I really enjoyed it. I love how this books was really about two life long best friends who were fighting to stay close when dark forces entered into the picture. If this book has no other message, it's the prevalent power of friendship.

Friendships, demonic possession, troubled families, fan girling demon hunters, 80s pop culture, a slow build of horrific grossness and full of humour. I LOVED this book! One hazy teenage fuelled summer evening a spontaneous drug induced skinny dip goes wrong. Gretchen goes missing in the woods. She is found the next day by her friends naked and afraid. But there’s something a little different. Boy has Gretchen let herself go a little! Why is she acting so weird? What is that smell? Why do all the parents and teachers not give damn?! Can the bonds of friendship survive when your friend may possessed by a demon?! As you would expect there are some gross scenes. One in particular really got me. However this book it not outright horrifically gory. It builds slowly and with warning. Shout out to Brother Christian Lemon! The biggest Demon fan girl EVER!!!! He weirdly stole my heart….it was the white van with whips and chains! This is also a story of friendship. The female friendships are captured so perfectly ... it gave me all the feels and you really root for them. You see the bond that is created between these two girls, Abby and Gretchen, from Abbys 10th ET themed roller disco party. I loved this aspect of the book. I may have done a little cry at the end too! 80s pop culture references aplenty. It’s not forced and all flows naturally into the narrative setting the scene and tone instantly transporting you back. Very cinematic. A kind of homage to the 80s and 80s horror. The 80s song title chapter headings were perfection and fitted the narrative of the chapters perfectly. That VHS 80s style cover! Judge this book by its awesome cover and you will be in for a winner! It does exactly what it says on the tin! Stranger Things meets Heather’s crossed with The Exorcist and with the emotional pull of Beaches. Witty dialogue, great characters, friendships, and a well crafted horror plot. What more can I say other than I can’t wait for the film!

I just finished this book and I really enjoyed it and love the story and friendship between the two main characters! Grady Hendrix always writes unforgettable and cool stories! I would give this book a 4.8 out of 5 stars! Highly recommended if you like these kind of stories.

Great book, awesome storytelling. It took a little bit too long for me to really get going, though

Grady Hendrix has a way of making you think "oh, surely there's nothing paranormal and beyond our mortal comprehension happening here" by distracting the reader with real life horrors such as adolescence and moral panics when it really do be Satan. For the most part it's more....dramatic? Than outright spooky, making the reader more and more uncomfortable and hopeless (but in a good way) up until the climax. The best friendship between Gretchen and Abby is really heartfelt. Don't let any one tell you men can't write good female leads.

It’s a great book! I have to say that for me the first part was scarier and eventually got lighter even though it was supposed to be scarier, I guess. But even though, it’s a beautiful book about friendship, and it’s very easy and pleasant to read. It also surprised me that it was a male author because the girl’s, especially the adolescent girl’s perspective from a general view is very well depicted. I’d surely be reading more from this author.