LTJ's Reviews > We Sold Our Souls

“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 Corpse, 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 suicide and inappropriate touching of a female at a metal concert. If either of these triggers you, please do not read this novel. It goes 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, Merciful 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.”