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Brenda ~The Book Witch at Witch Words's Reviews > The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
by
by
4.5 stars
YaHoo!! Hot Diggity Dang! This is one brilliantly done story!!!
So how does what seems like a stereotyped, sexist story about southern woman in a book club turn into a skin-crawling, blood soaking story? Then turn into a refreshing, powering, brilliantly houmous story with meaningful character development. Well, Grady Hendrix does some mightly fine footwork here, and I couldn't help but analyze this story.
This one is not my normal story and one that was not on my radar to read, but after seeing how much fun some TS were having in a group read, that fear of missing out on a fun discussion had me joining in. That overthinker in me almost ruined the story, and that over-analyzer saved it for me along with my curiosity. I struggled at first with a few of those the gory scenes and with a darkly disturbing part to the story and almost did not finish, but I had to know why so many readers loved this one. Once the story hit that major turning point, everything started to become clear to me as to why!
On the surface, this one is not what it seems, through the brilliantly layered southern humour, horrifying twists, what seems like stereotyped characters and insightful social commentary comes a powerful turning point in the story that made this one an eclectic sightful, thrilling and entertaining read.
There is no doubt the story is over the top and highly fictionalized with the supernatural side to the story. It's all in the subtext here, and Hendrix draws parallels between a blood-sucking vampire and soul-sucking husbands here in this story along with sexism and racism through the actions of them.
The strength of the story here is Grady Hendrix wanting "to pit Dracula against my mom," he writes. "As you'll see, it's not a fair fight." Never underestimate a Mother's magical power called love!!
Well, this one is not for everyone I do highly recommend giving it a try. You might find yourself as surprised as I did!
I received a copy from the publisher on EW.
YaHoo!! Hot Diggity Dang! This is one brilliantly done story!!!
So how does what seems like a stereotyped, sexist story about southern woman in a book club turn into a skin-crawling, blood soaking story? Then turn into a refreshing, powering, brilliantly houmous story with meaningful character development. Well, Grady Hendrix does some mightly fine footwork here, and I couldn't help but analyze this story.
This one is not my normal story and one that was not on my radar to read, but after seeing how much fun some TS were having in a group read, that fear of missing out on a fun discussion had me joining in. That overthinker in me almost ruined the story, and that over-analyzer saved it for me along with my curiosity. I struggled at first with a few of those the gory scenes and with a darkly disturbing part to the story and almost did not finish, but I had to know why so many readers loved this one. Once the story hit that major turning point, everything started to become clear to me as to why!
On the surface, this one is not what it seems, through the brilliantly layered southern humour, horrifying twists, what seems like stereotyped characters and insightful social commentary comes a powerful turning point in the story that made this one an eclectic sightful, thrilling and entertaining read.
There is no doubt the story is over the top and highly fictionalized with the supernatural side to the story. It's all in the subtext here, and Hendrix draws parallels between a blood-sucking vampire and soul-sucking husbands here in this story along with sexism and racism through the actions of them.
The strength of the story here is Grady Hendrix wanting "to pit Dracula against my mom," he writes. "As you'll see, it's not a fair fight." Never underestimate a Mother's magical power called love!!
Well, this one is not for everyone I do highly recommend giving it a try. You might find yourself as surprised as I did!
I received a copy from the publisher on EW.
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Reading Progress
May 10, 2020
–
Started Reading
May 10, 2020
– Shelved
May 15, 2020
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 68 (68 new)
message 1:
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Helen
(new)
May 22, 2020 08:52AM
I really want to read this one!
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I hope you get the chance to read it Helen and love it!
An awesome review Brenda!
great book -bad ass vampire good story no damn romance.\
Tina wrote: "An awesome review Brenda!"Thank you, Tina!
Rich wrote: "great book -bad ass vampire good story no damn romance.\"
The no romance made it even better!
Deanna wrote: "Great review!!!"Thank you, Deanna!
Good review, Brenda!! Not a fan of vampire stories, but this one was entertaining.
I keep seeing amazing things about this book- brilliant review Brenda !
Oscar (oscarjustreads) ✨ wrote: "Good review, Brenda!! Not a fan of vampire stories, but this one was entertaining."Thank you, Oscar! This one gory in a whole different way with the vampire storyline!
Lucy wrote: "I keep seeing amazing things about this book- brilliant review Brenda !"Thank you, Lucy!
Excellent review. I plan to read this one very soon! :)
Fabulous review Brenda! Glad you enjoyed!
Brenda! I just bought this book the other day due to "fear of missing out".. glad I'm not the only one, lol! Great review. :)
Fantastic review, Brenda, of a really different type of book. 🤣
YAY Brenda!!!! Awesome review!!! Excited that you loved this!! Especially since I just grabbed it on EW as well and I'm really looking forward to it. I don't know why they still had it there for download after publication date. but who cares, I'm not kicking a gift horse in the mouth:)!!
Kaceey wrote: "Fabulous review Brenda! Glad you enjoyed!"Thank you, Kaceey!
Melissa wrote: "Excellent review. I plan to read this one very soon! :)"Thank you, Melissa! I hope you enjoy it!
Ceecee wrote: "Fantastic review Brenda 😊"Thank you, Ceecee!
Maureen wrote: "Fantastic review Brenda 🌸"Thank you, Maureen!
Susanne wrote: "Brenda! I just bought this book the other day due to "fear of missing out".. glad I'm not the only one, lol! Great review. :)"Thank you, Susanne! I hope you enjoy it! I look forward to seeing your thoughts on it!
marilyn wrote: "Fantastic review, Brenda, of a really different type of book. 🤣"Thank you, Marilyn! It sure was different!
Kelli wrote: "YAY Brenda!!!! Awesome review!!! Excited that you loved this!! Especially since I just grabbed it on EW as well and I'm really looking forward to it. I don't know why they still had it there for do..."Thank you, Kelli! That’s great they still have it. I grabbed it after too and wondering why. I hope you enjoy it and can read it soon. I look forward to your thoughts
Fantastic review, Brenda! Sounds fun! Glad you enjoyed!
Thank you, Meredith!
Fabulous review B!! So glad this turned out so well for you!!!
Love your review! It was a really fun buddy read!! Not my usual kind of book either. I enjoyed it immensely!
Thank you, Lindsay!
Thank you Debbi! Gotta love it when that happens! I loved the discussion!
Great review Brenda!
Thank you, Holly!
Great review, Brenda! I'm glad you ended up enjoying this!
Thank you, Debra!
Fantastic review Brenda! I don’t do anything vampire, but I’m happy you loved this one! 🤗
Thank you, Suzy! This is definitely not for you!! I hope you are reading something great right now!
Wasn’t sure about this one based on some mixed reviews. Your review SOLD me. I’m also an over thinker so thanks for the warning. I’ll try to go in with an open mind. 😁
Grand review, Brenda :)) It's a terrific feeling when you receive from a book something you never expected :)
Lori wrote: "Wasn’t sure about this one based on some mixed reviews. Your review SOLD me. I’m also an over thinker so thanks for the warning. I’ll try to go in with an open mind. 😁"I hope you enjoy it, Lori!
Beata wrote: "Grand review, Brenda :)) It's a terrific feeling when you receive from a book something you never expected :)"Thank you, Beata! Yes! Gotta love it when that happens!
Today it was a download now for me, on EW, so I grabbed it 😁
I just started this one last night and couldn't put it down! I stopped reading your review once I saw the beginning paragraph of praise! I want to be totally surprised! 😆I did read an author interview (forget who with) and what cinched it for me was that he drew on his memories of eavesdropping on his own Mama and her friends as they gathered on their Low Country porches to drink wine and trash talk whomever or whatever was on their radar at the moment!!😆
Beppie, the discussion for this one is in a group I started for discussions for ARCs and released books. I will send you an invite for you to join in on if you like.
Oh that’s great Marilyn! I hope you join in on the discussion!
Brenda -Traveling Sister wrote: "Oh that’s great Marilyn! I hope you join in on the discussion!"I will, as soon as I can get to the book...it looked like such a lively discussion 😁
Sounds great, Brenda!
Awesome review, Brenda!
