Who Would Like This Book:
If you love horror that isn’t afraid to play with the rules - and tug at your heartstrings - this one’s for you! "I Was a Teenage Slasher" delivers slasher tropes with a clever, deeply emotional twist. Stephen Graham Jones’s unique voice shines through, blending gore, dark humor, and poignant reflections on growing up and change. Fans of meta-horror, coming-of-age tales, and experimental storytelling will find plenty to enjoy here.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the stream-of-consciousness narration a challenge and felt distanced from the main character, preferring side characters or a more traditional style. If you’re not into experimental prose, or want a straightforward slasher horror with less introspection, this one may not hit the mark for you.
About:
I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones is a unique blend of horror and introspective commentary. The story is told through a stream of consciousness narrative that some readers find unusual for the genre. It dives into the changes of growing up, wrapped in a slasher premise that is both funny and tragic, leaving a lasting impression, especially with its poignant ending.
The writing style is described as dream-like and engaging, but it may take time to adjust to its quirks. Some readers appreciate the depth and the lively characterization, while others find it less appealing. Despite the divisive opinions on its delivery, the book offers a fresh take on horror tropes, making it worth the read for fans of the genre.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include violence, themes of loss, death, and possible psychological distress.
From The Publisher:
From New York Times bestselling horror writer Stephen Graham Jones comes a classic slasher story with a twist-perfect for fans of Riley Sager and Grady Hendrix.
1989, Lamesa, Texas. A small west Texas town driven by oil and cotton-and a place where everyone knows everyone else's business. So it goes for Tolly Driver, a good kid with more potential than application, seventeen, and about to be cursed to kill for revenge. Here Stephen Graham Jones explores the Texas he grew up in, the unfairness of being on the outside, through the slasher horror he lives but from the perspective of the killer, Tolly, writing his own autobiography. Find yourself rooting for a killer in this summer teen movie of a novel gone full blood-curdling tragic.
Ratings (22)
Incredible (3) | |
Loved It (8) | |
Liked It (5) | |
It Was OK (4) | |
Hated It (2) |
Reader Stats (62):
Read It (21) | |
Want To Read (33) | |
Did Not Finish (3) | |
Not Interested (5) |
3 comment(s)
I'm officially a fan of the way SGJ writes characters. It took me a hot second to really fall into this writing style because it's so stream of consciousness and voicey that it sounds just like someone rambling at you. And that's really just what it is.
Tolly tells the story of how he became a Slasher and went on a killing spree 17 years ago. He tells the story from start to end with a lot of extra details in between. And before and after. He's a huge fan of straying from the point just to avoid getting to it.
He's just a kid and I really felt for him the whole time. He's self-destructive to a T, running around and making mistake after mistake trying to cope with the sudden loss of his father. His best friend Amber was there with him for the small town struggles, even as they turned violent. All the way to the bitter end. This book is ridiculous and wild, but man the way SGJ writes characters just gets me... I was crying at the end. Tolly you poor poor kid. You deserved better.
I Was a Teenage Slasher was quite the unexpected read for me, as it fell outside of my usual genre. I picked it up based on a strong recommendation from a local bookseller at my favorite bookstore, and I'm so glad I did! The book has all the vibes of a classic slasher movie, but in written form, which made the genre way more appealing to me. Seeing the chaotic thrills play out on the page really shifted my perspective on slashers.
I thoroughly enjoyed the raw and unfiltered description from the main character’s point of view. This tell-all narrative really immersed me into the mind of a teenage serial killer turned slasher. The breakdown of what makes a person turn into a slasher was perhaps the most fascinating aspect—it fed into my need to know how everything happens, putting a chilling twist on the psychological development of the character.
And, of course, the gore was on point! It was perfectly gruesome, never overdone but just enough to keep the tension high and the story more enticing. The ending left me asking for more, though. Just like every slasher needs a sequel, right? There’s no way this teenage killer got full closure.
So I leave you with this: Who is your final girl?
3.5 stars. I enjoyed it. I got invested in the story and it felt quite uniqe when it cones to slashers but it didn't quite go up to a 4 star for me.
What can you read after
I Was a Teenage Slasher?
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