obtained a evaluate copy from the writer. This doesn’t have an effect on the contents of my evaluate and all opinions are my very own.

My Ex, the Antichrist by Craig DiLouie

Mogsy’s Score: 4.5 of 5 stars

Style: Horror

Collection: Stand Alone

Writer: Run For It (July 1, 2025)

Size: 406 pages

Writer Data: Web site

Craig DiLouie has been on a roll recently, and My Ex, the Antichrist is but another excuse why he’s turn out to be one among my must-read authors of horror who doesn’t simply suppose exterior the field—he kicks the hell out of it like a rock star trashing the stage. The premise alone caught my consideration, with its promise of punk rock, doomed love, and the potential finish of the world. However even then, I wasn’t in any respect ready for a way compulsively readable this novel turned out to be. I didn’t need to put it down, so I didn’t. I should have devoured it in a matter of hours.

Informed within the model of a documentary retrospective, the story follows Lily Lawlor, a sheltered Catholic school scholar whose life is turned the wrong way up after she meets a mysterious and charismatic younger man named Drake. Bonding over their shared ardour for music and a need to vary the world, their friendship rapidly turns right into a romance, and collectively they channel that power into forming a band known as The Shivers. Underneath Drake’s magnetic management, they rapidly recruit a bassist, a keyboardist, and a drummer, and Lily—now reinventing herself as Lily Lawless—dives headfirst into the punk rock scene. Earlier than lengthy, the band is reserving gigs and making waves, besides the eye they’re attracting isn’t precisely the type they need. Unusual issues begin occurring at their exhibits, like individuals fainting and brawls breaking out randomly. The group simply appears to spiral uncontrolled wherever they carry out.

Because the band’s buzz grows, so does the chaos that appears to comply with them. Lily begins to suspect there’s one thing a lot darker occurring, particularly with Drake, whose moods have gotten chillier and extra unpredictable. Ultimately, he leaves the band, breaking Lily’s coronary heart within the course of. However this isn’t the final they see of Drake. Quickly, he turns up because the lead guitarist in a rival band poised to headline an enormous battle-of-the-bands competitors ominously named Armageddon, an occasion that The Shivers, now below Lily’s management, can be hoping to win. What started as a narrative about music and rebel abruptly blows up into one thing way more apocalyptic as Drake embraces his bigger future tied to the top of days. With the destiny of the world hanging within the stability, it would all come right down to who can rock the toughest.

This e book was an absolute blast! Sure, there are creepy moments, however for probably the most half, it capitalizes on campy and over-the-top horror than something historically scary. And truthfully? That’s a part of the attraction. The story doesn’t take itself too significantly, and that offers the wild idea behind it the room it must breathe. I particularly beloved all of the nods and references to punk rock and its tradition. My Ex, the Antichrist was the entire bundle full with angle and vibes, and it’s clear the creator has an actual love for the scene as a result of it pours by means of each web page.

However what actually made this e book stand out for me was its construction. The story is framed as if we’re watching a docu-series providing a deep dive into an occasion that has already occurred, together with interviews, information articles, and different background snippets from sources linked to The Shivers and the insanity that adopted them. A lot of the narrative focuses on the band’s origins, like how they got here collectively and located their sound. These insights floor the story and supply it with its emotional coronary heart, but it surely’s additionally greater than that. Interjections from aspect characters and different epistolary bits sprinkled all through add additional layers of depth and texture to the plot. It was only a actually cool approach to current a narrative, and it hooked me instantly.

In fact, for all this to work, your characters must be sturdy, and I’m blissful to say the e book delivered on that entrance. The band members take heart stage, each feeling distinct and genuine. Their clashing personalities made for some nice moments, notably in these early days once they’re nonetheless figuring one another out. However whereas Drake is the darkish star all of them orbit, the lifetime of the story is all Lily. Her character arc, which confirmed her transformation from an harmless and timorous teen to true punk rock princess, was definitely worth the value of admission alone. Watching her discover her voice, each actually and figuratively, was extremely satisfying, particularly when she comes to comprehend she doesn’t want Drake to make it on her personal.

There’s quite a bit occurring right here, and it’s in all probability not going to be everybody’s cup of tea. Nonetheless, it labored for me. You be taught slightly rapidly to roll with it and benefit from the experience. All in all, My Ex, the Antichrist is a wildly entertaining learn, and I beloved its distinctive premise, creative storytelling model, and the sheer power of all of it. Even when it will get bizarre, it’s the form of bizarre that’s daring, imaginative, and retains you glued to the web page. Musically themed horror is quick turning into one among my favourite area of interest style mash-ups, and if the idea of this one even remotely intrigues you, I say go for it! A must-read for Craig DiLouie followers.