I Was A Teenage Slasher

What. A. Drag. I thought I was never going to finish this. I wish I could see what all the 5 stars reviews see in this book, but I was bored out of my mind. I think it's time for me to accept that SGJ just isn't the author for me.

This was a great story! The scenes were gory. Very vivid visualization of Texas in 1989. The dialogue was nice. A Slasher book and a hint of underlying romance a little bit. A nice summer read in Texas.

This plays out almost like a Romeo and Juliet, but Romeo is a Slasher. This is a silly and fun book where we actually really feel bad for believe it or not the Slasher. I definitely enjoyed this book and looking forward to diving into more Stephen Graham Jones novels!

What a fun read! Graham Jones brings us back into a world, one similar to his in the “Indian Lake” trilogy, where slashers are very real and follow the conventions set up by the horror genre. Rather than focusing on the final girl’s perspective, we get a glimpse into the world of the killer. This made for such a unique reading experience, one that only Graham Jones would be able to accomplish. Tolly is such a dynamic character, and getting to hear his inner thoughts as the events of this novel unfold really made you feel like you were there, living the events alongside him. I do think the first third of this book could have been a little more streamlined, since it felt like it took ages to a actually get to the meat of the story, but once we got there, this was a romp and a half. Graham Jones is such a unique voice within horror, constantly changing the game and shaping the genre into whatever he pleases. So glad to have been able to read this one right after its release, it just makes me sad that it’s going to be a bit before we get his next novel “The Buffalo Hunter Hunter”.

Stephen Graham Jones has written the perfect summer slasher. ^If I wrote that in a letter to David Allen Coe, he'd write me back and say no, it was NOT the perfect summer slasher. It was, in fact, simply THE perfect slasher. ^(if any of you get that reference, you are the literal BEST) THANK YOU to Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, for graciously providing an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book for review at my request. All opinions discussed are my own and are subjective to myself as a reader. Stephen Graham Jones has been one of my all-time favorite authors ever since I read THE ONLY GOOD INDIANS a few years ago. After all his work that I've read and loved since, TOGI has remained my favorite. Until today. Friends, I still have wet eyes and cheeks as I sit here from finishing this book. If you're thinking to yourself that you've read one slasher, you've read them all - or even that you figure SGJ exhausted his Santa Slasher Bag o'Tricks with the Indian Lake Trilogy - you are making the literary mistake of a lifetime. Yes, the author stays true to the rules of slashers, to the letter. What makes I WAS A TEENAGE SLASHER so uniquely beautiful is that SGJ goes deeper than just the rules and formula of slashers, he takes us to the heart of it all. This book will change your horror-loving hearts. Packed with 80's nostalgia, summertime as a small town teenager, friendship, loyalty, humor, self discovery - this is a book that will hold a special place for you. One that you won't be able to pass by it on your shelf without touching a finger to its spine in acknowledgment, or pulling it off the shelf to run a loving hand across its cover. Horror fans - do not sleep on this one! (pun intended) A full non spoiler video discussion regarding my experience with I WAS A TEENAGE SLASHER can be found on my BookTube Channel! A heartfelt thanks to my Patrons on Patreon for their support towards my enthusiasm for reading and reviewing! Special thanks to my highest level Patrons: Ev, Amanda L., Sharon, Andrew, Star, Kate, Gail, Amanda F., Tara, John, Ann, Chad K., Ashley E. & Mel