Carol Monda Voice Over

The audiobook for WSOS came out 8 years ago today. It stays with me still. Thanks to Grady Hendrix: Fan Page and Blackstone Publishing for giving me these words to sing.

“We Sold Our Souls” by Grady Hendrix is one of the most metal-inspired novels I’ve ever read. In case you didn’t know, I’m a huge metalhead. It’s been in my veins and a part of my life for well over 20 years now and still going strong. I grew up listening to Nirvana, Korn, System of a Down, Linkin Park, and countless other bands. As I got older, I got into heavier bands of the evil variety. You know, Slayer, Behemoth, King Diamond, Cannibal Co**se, Possessed, Obituary, Death, Black Sabbath, and the list goes on.

Needless to say, I was super excited to read this novel by one of my favorite horror authors. Hendrix has given me several incredible reads as I knew going into “We Sold Our Souls” that it would be another fun thrill ride in horror. Now, before I jump into my review, let me go over some trigger warnings.

In “We Sold Our Souls” you will find situations of su***de and inappropriate touching of a female at a metal concert. If either of these triggers you, please do not read this novel. It does get very graphic and detailed so keep that in mind.

Moving along, I completely lost my mind when I realized every chapter was a unique song title from all sorts of metal bands. I literally jumped for joy when I saw there was a REIGN IN BLOOD chapter since Slayer is my all-time favorite metal band. Speaking of which, to see them heavily mentioned in this novel was so awesome. I loved it since it’s so rare I get to read a horror novel that heavily mentions Slayer and many other of my favorite metal bands.

There are a ton of band references in this novel as well as breaking down the overall culture of what it’s like being a metalhead, preparing to go to an epic metal concert, and just all the little details behind it. I’m pretty sure Hendrix has to be a metalhead since he was completely spot on with everything that goes into being one and the fandom behind it with a great horror twist.

Oh yes, ladies and gentlemen, the horror in this novel is fantastic. I’m talking wild, insane, and totally brutal. Don’t worry, I won’t ruin or spoil anything for you but I loved all the plot twists, gore, and sheer insanity. The characters were also very well done with a few being so creepy. Out of them all, I truly loved Kris the most. She’s the true definition of a badass female metal protagonist that is ambitious, relentless, and beyond awesome. Her journey in this story was very inspiring and captured that pure metal spirit of nothing getting in our way as we’ll break through walls if we have to get what we want.

Hendrix truly hit the nail on the head with a very special novel that gives readers a true glimpse of the metal world while having dual stories happening in a brilliant way. Nothing was confusing or filler but straight to the point and riveting. I was hooked reading this to the end because it was fascinating and my goodness, the ending rocked!

The ending to “We Sold Our Souls” was one of the most epic metal endings I’ve ever read in a novel. There’s a lot of meaning behind it as I was left in awe, jaw on the floor, just loving every moment of it. It’s hard to explain without giving it away but let’s just say, if you’re into metal, horror, the power of song lyrics, and an incredible look into the world of metal, this is a must-read novel.

I give “We Sold Our Souls” by Grady Hendrix a perfect 5/5 because I had so much fun reading this novel while listening to all my favorite bands. Lots of Slayer, Slipknot, Mercyful Fate, Amon Amarth, Bathory, Abbath, and many more turned this into quite the reading experience. This felt like a King Diamond conceptual album similar to that of “Abigail” that comes into place as you read to get the entire story. The tension and buildup to the end were so worth it and well, I’ll leave you all with my favorite quote from “We Sold Our Souls” that simply hit my soul…

“Metal never dies. Metal never retreats. Metal never surrenders.”

I think it’s fine to read these over time, too!

In case you've ever felt the urge to read 42 books in 42 days...I got you :)

PIRACY IS THEFT.

it’s as simple as that.

NOTHING about piracy or piracy websites are legal, they’re also mortally very wrong.

there is zero reason or excuse to justify partaking in, or using piracy websites. ZERO.

authors have had their books uploaded on the same day they release them on piracy websites, authors have had their OWN work removed or flagged because of piracy. they have to wait for “investigation” to be done to prove it’s their own work, and even then some have had to remove their own books off multiple sites, apps, platforms etc because of piracy.

while traditional published authors have also been victim, a lot of times, it’s indie authors. indie authors that don’t have a big publishing house to back them up and help them with getting their books taken down.

to see a piracy website finally be taken down, and then to see people “heartbroken”, and “mourning” and trying to do a fundraiser to have it back up, it’s actually sad.. and wild.

this is also a reminder that books ARE copyrighted. even if you purchase e-book, you own the rights to read it, you don’t own the book, you don’t own the right to share (illegally), you don’t own the right to upload a book illegally or at all. not just for piracy websites, for any sites and platforms.

i do NOT condone piracy, i do not condone supporting piracy websites and/or using them

i understand not being able to always buy books, but most (not all) libraries offer free library cards, and a lot of them you can get online, there are several other ways to read the books you want/love, without doing so illegally.

SUPPORT AUTHORS.
PIRACY IS THEFT.

*disclaimer: because i know there will be at least one person that brings up the freebies i share, that is NOT the same AT ALL. it still helps authors and SO MANY message me to thank me for sharing because it helps them

Oh, Earth…

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