Going into this book, I was unfamiliar with Tyll Ulenspiegel as a notable figure in German folklore, who fulfills the traditional trickster role, which may be why I had a bit of difficulty latching onto the character despite my love for this archetype. From the synopsis, I also had the impression that the book would be told from his point of view, whether first person or not, but surprisingly he serves as almost a background character at times, important enough to have a role in events but not really one to linger on. I understand that constantly fixating on him may have hurt his appeal somewhat, but when going into a book about a trickster's part in history, I kind of want to see them as much as possible.

I'm also very finicky when it comes to historical fiction. Novels about wars and politics tend to bore me, so there were many moments in this book that went sluggishly and, again, I yearned for more of the fool's presence. I will say, what did help me stay around was the book's definitive voice and tone. There's always a hint of danger and mystery to it with a touch of playfulness. 

This'll be the third book I've read from Grady Hendrix, after We Sold Our Souls  and The Final Girl Support Group, and, out of all of them, this one is probably my favorite. It feels much more naturally paced than the other two I've read, which had a problem of meandering and getting bogged down by plot every so often. Abby and Gretchen are such likable characters, full of the messy teenage self doubt and insecurities that anyone could relate with. Though the possession plotline is what we come to the book for, their friendship is the real crux of the story, with Hendrix making sure that the reader understands the full depth of their relationship before all the demon stuff kicks off. This may cause the reader to have some trouble really diving into the book at the beginning, but I like that a great foundation was built right at the start.

Adding to the emotional beats of the story, there are a lot of wonderfully grotesque horror vibes going on here, underlaid with all the cheesiness of an 80s teen drama. (You just have to mention the word tapeworm and I shudder.) Body fluids, body horror, decay, the works. There really is a sense of dread when things start to spiral out of Abby's control, as she's ostracized from her friends and has no one to turn to as the demon's presence takes a greater toll on her friend.

The ending, while it may be a bit silly, does ultimately fit with the direction of the story. It's all to do with the power of belief, and, while Abby's belief in the Almighty may not be foolproof, she does believe in her friendship with Gretchen and the strength she feels from it never wavers. Yes, the ending straddles the line between sappy, yet realistic, but it's a nice ending, really the best case scenario ending we could have gotten. 

Maybe this might be my favorite Hendrix book because it ultimately comes with the most satisfying resolution and thematic exploration. Maybe it's because it takes a much simpler route to its terror, which is just as good as something that is complex and labyrinthian with its storytelling. There is a real fear people have of losing those around us as we grow up, especially our closest friends, and really the threat of demonic possession takes it to a whole new level.

A hilarious, gorey, and slightly bleak read perfect for Halloween reading. The style reminds me of late 90s/early 2000s alternative comics, like Lenore The Cute Little Dead Girl, Squee, and Johnny the Homicidal Maniac. With those titles in mind, you can definitely pick up on the kind of story you're going to get: darkly hilarious, partly traumatizing, but still captivating. 

There's this emotional weight to it that I didn't expect, as we see 10 year old Mona reluctantly thrust into a monster apocalypse that she knows she has a slim chance of surviving. At first it's amusing as she's tossed around from place to place along with a group of kooky undead beings looking to get to the bottom of what exactly is going on. However, by the end, as the situation gets worse and worse and companions are lost, you can really see the weight on Mona's shoulders as she's forced into a savior position she never wanted. It really makes me want to continue with the comic and see what's next for this character.

A spooky, mysterious story with a rich atmosphere and setting that you don't really find too often in books. Cotter paints Newfoundland in such a way that you can see the landscapes so clearly as you read along and feel the chill and dampness that the main character's experience as they uncover the secrets behind their family line. Kids will love the ghostly aspects of the mystery, as pieces start to come together and twists pop up at every turn. It's somewhat difficult to read as an adult, as I think it would have flowed better if the chapters managed to be a bit longer and the style was a bit less repetitive and simplistic.