74 reviews by:

zorhose

Filter
dark emotional mysterious fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark funny tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This didn't quite meet my expectations of the book but it also didn't completely let them down, here's why. 
Due to the title I was expecting a focus on all of the ladies in the bookclub and also their friendship, but while it existed in some parts, definitely wasn't a huge part of the story. I was expecting some more active vampire hunting, like once they find out there's a vampire in the neighborhood they go on and research and scheme together as the bookclub to find a way to destroy him. I probably came to that conclusion since it said "guide" in the title but idk.
A part of the title the book did deliver on was the "southern" part along with the christianity and racism of it all. The Black characters all are in subservient roles towards the white characters and could in general be more fleshed out, but the author would probably justify it as a mix of realistic portrayal of that time period and commentary... I listened to the audiobook so it also delivers on the accent which I certainly enjoyed. 
The book is written in a humorous but dark way as expected and I was honestly quite creeped out at some parts. The vampire was cool.
So, overall, definitely will pick up another book by Grady Hendrix sometime, but I wish we could have gotten more teamwork and bonding moments from the book club, rather than Patricia doing things alone.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
mysterious sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
informative inspiring reflective fast-paced
funny reflective
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
hopeful informative reflective
adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

The Muse

Jessie Burton

DID NOT FINISH: 63%

This dragged on and I felt like I saw the conclusion from a mile away. Not sure wether that was the conclusion or not, because, I didn't finish it, but I didn't really see the point of the book. It is nice prose and has some nice sentiments, but... not for me.