Cover Image: His Scream Queen

His Scream Queen

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Who doesn't love a good 80s/slasher moment? This book was super fun to read and an absolute treat. If you want a horror love story with some nostalgia baked in, this is the read for you.

Was this review helpful?

this was a great horror novel, I enjoyed that this was a third book in a series. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and the storyline. I look forward to more from the author.

Was this review helpful?

Three years ago when Brittany was in Middle School, she was considered one of the freaks and geeks as she was a plain jane. That is until she discovered in the library some of the occult books and learned the art of spells and witchcraft. She practiced day in and day out until she was able to summon her demon named Scar ( for short). With an animal blood sacrifice, Brittany learned that Scar could grant wishes for her and so she worked her way up the chain to become Queen Bee of the school, leaving behind her old life and everyone in it - including her ex-best friend Jamie Blair. Jamie is now the target of Brittany's bullying tactics and when Brittany goes too far and dumps her boyfriend as he's not "prom king" material. Her ex-boyfriend Lucio decides to get revenge by turning Jamie into Prom Queen material and winning the crown from Brittany as Prom Queen is her dream. This book is also set in the 1980s and has that strong 80s slasher film feel to the book. When Brittany learns of her competition, her sacrifices start to turn to larger livestock and eventually humans as Scar helps her to eliminate everyone in her way of achieving her dream as Prom Queen. What happens though when Scar becomes too powerful and it looks like the 1983-84 Prom is about to turn into a scene from Carrie? Find out in this fun 80s horror-themed read "His Scream Queen" by Brooklyn Ann. Reading this has made me want to go back and check her other two previous stories which are in the same 80s slasher film theme. His Scream Queen by Brooklyn Ann is perfect for those who grew up enjoying Christopher Pike, Lois Duncan, and RL Stine.

Was this review helpful?

Brittney, just one of the faceless middle class girls, was besties with Jaime until her father became a partner at his law firm and the doors of the country club set were open to her and she left Jaime in her dust. Lucio, the son of the local chef, had been Brittney’s crush, but she dropped him when his class made it impossible for her to be Prom Queen with him as her King.

Lucio decides he wants revenge and talks Jaime into helping him by setting her up as a rival candidate. Soon, mayhem ensues as Brittney’s rivals begin to drop dead.

This book takes place in the same town as the 2 previous books in this series do. They are all stand alone books and can be read in any order, though they are being published chronologically

Was this review helpful?

This book is the equivalent of watching a B-movie. It’s campy and it’s fun, not too gory, and not too serious. There’s no lesson to be learned or emotions to be exploited. There were a few gory scenes, but they were presented in an exaggerated manner that made them utterly unrealistic. The storytelling/narration was adequate—not too flowery and not too bland, but not terribly memorable. Overall, it was a diversionary endeavor and I enjoyed it.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the advance copy of this book!

I loved this book. The atmosphere was everything I wanted it to be. A bit creepy and I loved the plot and the twist in the book. I loved the characters in this story. His Scream Queen is one book I will not forget. It gave me all the feels I was looking for when I started reading this. I love a good "Prom Queen" story when we involve some highly creepy aspects to the story. I highly recommend this author. I loved the writing. I will be looking for other works in the future from this author.

Was this review helpful?

Minor Spoilers

‘I’ve been inside you for days. I can have you whenever I choose. And if you don’t feed me, I’ll help myself. And if I have to help myself, I will have a feeding he likes of which this world hasn’t seen in many years.”-Scar

Much to my chagrin, I had no idea that there was a follow up or third installment in the ‘B Mine’ series. ‘His Final Girl’ was enthralling and captivated my attention until the very end, so when I saw that this was available for request on NetGalley, I immediately downloaded it. I was not disappointed.

Brooklyn Ann takes inspiration from giallo horror on this one. Lucio Argento has recently been dumped by the snobby and bitchy Brittney, and instead of sulking in sorrow and misery, he decides to exact revenge on her by abolishing her chances of receiving the crown at senior prom. He needs to find another top contender to fulfill his mission for retribution, and that’s where the trailer park beauty Jamie Blair comes in. There’s just one catch: Lucio and Jamie aren’t merely competing against Brittney, they’re up against a demonic force, At the same time, Lucio embellishes Jamie as a pawn in his menacing scheme, but falls for her just as quickly. The ‘B Mine’ collection is a crossover series for Brooklyn Ann, who specializes in cult romance. I’m not a big fan of this specific genre, and there is corny love stuff in here, but Brooklyn presents it in such a tasteful manner. It really is reminiscent of those cheesy 80s slashers with terrible acting and trashy nude scenes.

Was this review helpful?

Lucio Argento (what a great name, horror movie fans!) is dumped on Christmas eve by the beautiful-yet-evil Brittany because he's not prom king material. In an effort to antagonize her, Lucio decides to find a girl to beat her at prom queen, choosing the beautiful but poor Jamie. Unfortunately for the two of them - and everyone that pisses her off - Brittany has been dabbling with a demon for several years, giving him bigger and bigger sacrifices in exchange for her father's promotion, thicker hair, clearer skin, and a more expensive wardrobe. It began with small animals, but the sacrifices have been getting larger and the demon demands more. And why not get rid of your rivals while simultaneously feeding your pet demon?! Except the demon is starting to take over and Brittany can no longer control him. And all hell is going to break loose if Brittany isn't crowned queen...

The author's note calls this book: "a mishmash of American '80s high school angst, giallo-style kills, and a hefty dose of my own usual weirdness." I'd say it's a pretty good description. References to trapper keepers, Prime Time Video, and Mad Dog 2020 will leave every '80s kid feeling nostalgic. It's like Carrie meets Night of the Demons meets Pretty in Pink, with a little Suspiria thrown in for good measure. A sweet, tender love story with a spattering of sacrifices and a demon, wherein the awkward outcast gets to have a good time at the prom. Or does she...?

A wonderful tribute to our youth.

Was this review helpful?

The author did a great job on this "Supernatural" / Stephen King type story. It had high school cliques, relationships and other teenaged angst. Though this one had a girl who summoned a demon to get her family to a higher social class and in turn to be the most popular girl at school. But also the deadliest. Lucio and Jamie who start out as acquaintances and become so much more, figure it out but can they stop her? This story was tubular. I received a copy from Netgalley and my review is voluntary.

Was this review helpful?

HIS SCREAM QUEEN is the third book in Brooklyn Ann’s horror/romance “B Mine” series, which is heavily influenced by delightfully cheesy “B” horror films from the 1980s. In this installment the themes are prom-pocalypse, makeovers, and demonic possession. Brittney Shaw is the resident “HBIC” or “head bitch in charge” of the popular clique at Amteep High circa 1984. What the reader knows before many of the characters do, is that Brittney is also making sacrifices to a demon to get what she wants. Even though I, as the reader, knew who the villain in this story was and what she was doing before the main characters, it didn’t ruin my enjoyment of the story. After the main couple fall for each other, they play detective to piece together the bad things happening around town.

As a reader, I think you either like YA or New Adult fiction or you don’t. I was initially slow to warm to this story because Brittney’s comments and internal dialogue sounded insipid – but that’s because that’s who the character is. As a villainess, Brittney combines a vapid and shallow personality with a malignant evil. As with other books by Brooklyn Ann, the strengths in HIS SCREAM QUEEN are the believability and emotional resonance of the relationships between the characters, and the storytelling. After being dumped by Brittney and seeing her for who she is (although still initially clueless about her violent hobbies), Lucio Argento plans to take away the one thing that seems to matter most to her – being Prom Queen. He finds it particularly fitting if the girl to snatch the crown from her is somebody she bullied for years. I like how Lucio is very up-front with Jamie Blair about his reasons for wanting to mold her into the perfect potential usurper Prom Queen. I hate when a hero’s motivations in a situation like that is kept hidden from the heroine. Although he was a part of the popular clique for a while, Lucio was more of a novelty and outsider. However, his time spent in that group, gives him insight into what Jamie needs to do to win. In addition to the makeover plot and shy girl-meets-cool guy romance, Brooklyn Ann throws in a paranormal and malevolent twist to this tale of teen love. For me, the book gets better as the story progresses. The danger increases tenfold as the feelings between Lucio and Jamie deepen. There are so many things I like about this book. While the characters are realistically flawed, I like the hero’s self-awareness and sensitivity. I like the hero and heroine bond over playing detective. I also appreciate the Snow White allusions – whether they were intentional or not – like the heroine’s color palette and the evil “queen” summoning something evil in a mirror.

HIS SCREAM QUEEN has a charming teen romance and an insidious evil that proves to be a compelling mix. The friendships in HIS SCREAM QUEEN are realistic and made the book more enjoyable. Unlike with all the cheesy 80s horror films I’ve watched, Brooklyn Ann makes you feel sympathy for all of Brittney’s human victims. While they may not have been perfect, each of them had qualities that made you believe they’d mature and live a more well-rounded life if given the chance. That vanquishing of hope and promise is somehow more tragic than the actual gory murder method they are eventually subjected to. I look forward to reading Brooklyn Ann’s next “B Mine” romance.

Was this review helpful?

His Scream Queen by Brooklyn Ann is part Pygmalion, part Carrie, part Prom Night, and 100% fun! I enjoyed the campy horror novel so much I devoured it in one sitting. Brittney Shaw is the most popular girl in school. She's rich and is the head cheerleader, but she's also smart and knows how to get exactly what she wants in life. . . no matter what she has to do to get it. Right now she wants nothing more than to be elected her school's Prom Queen. She begins working towards this goal by dumping her boyfriend, Lucio Argento, because he doesn't hav the right social status to be her Prom King. Lucio decides to get some revenge by making sure that another girl is chosen as Prom Queen. After Lucio witnesses Brittney bully Jamie Blair, he decides he will help transform Jamie from a girl Brittney sees as unpopular :trailer trash" into a Prom Queen. I don't want to spoil the bool, but what ensues is just pure fun. It felt very much like an 80's era horror film full of blood and gore! As a child of the 80's, the cultural references were spot on and while reading this book I could picture the fashion, makeup, and hair in my head. . . not to mention hear the songs in my head. Was it a little cheesy, yes! But it was intentional cheese and just a fun-filled read! I was unaware that this was the third in the B Mine book series and I am not ashamed to admit that I've already ordered Books 1 and 2 and can hardly wait to read them. I'll also be checking out more from Brooklyn Ann.

Was this review helpful?

It's 1984--the year I graduated! So, I'm definitely in, and this is a book you'll want to get in! His Scream Queen is the ultimate in 1980's books. If you love books from this era, this is one you'll read more than once. It's took me back to a time I'd like to live again!

Was this review helpful?

3 STARS

When Lucio Argento is dumped by Amteep High’s most popular girl, he plots revenge in a way he's certain will crush her. He convinces Jamie Blair - the target of his ex’s bullying - into doing a makeover that will garner enough votes for her to be Prom Queen.

What he doesn't expect is to fall for Jamie, or to become her willing accomplice in uncovering who is behind the spate of deaths of animals in their community. When their classmates begin to die in the most horrific ways, Lucio and Jamie discover dark supernatural forces are at work, and unless they can conjure a miracle, everyone will die at Prom.

.
.
.

Brooklyn Ann states plainly at the beginning of the book that she intended HIS SCREAM QUEEN to be an homage to SK's book CARRIE. Now, not having read it (although it is definitely up next!) I can't comment on the similarities. However, it did remind me of the late 90's movie "She's All That" . . . . just with more blood, murders and demons.

What I loved about this book was the plot. It gets a full 5 stars from me - it was basically a cheesy teenage horror film in the making. I would 100% watch a film adaption of HIS SCREAM QUEEN. Ketchup blood and all. What I didn't like? The writing. It was straight up awful. I also feel like the author couldn't decide on her target audience. The subject matter was very adult (and even steamy at times!) but it felt like it was written for a younger YA audience, which kind of weirded me out.

Recommended for anyone looking for a teen romance (heavy on the cheese) with a side of drama and demon summoning. Even though I couldn't in good conscious rate HIS SCREAM QUEEN any higher than a 3 stars, I will definitely be reading more from this author!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for my ARC. This book is available now!

Was this review helpful?

Someone is kidnapping animals and killing them mercilessly.

When Brittney dumps Lucio, he wants revenge. But he cannot do this alone, he needs help. Enters Jamie, a girl who is relentlessly bullied by the popular girl herself. Lucio, when explained his own plan of making Jamie the prom queen and snatching the title from Brittney, she is dubious. Still she agrees to his crazy plan. But as they spend time together, Lucio starts to fall for her and surely that wasn't in the plan.

On the other hand, Brittney is dead serious in securing her spot and will go to any extend to keep it that way. Even if it means killing a few innocents in the process. Her actions are backed up by some dark and corrupted force that should not have been meddle with on the first place. But its too late for that.

What happens when the supernatural gets unleased? The summoner was never in control but sure enough was be a host for him.

If you are a fan of slasher movies or novels then you must give this book a shot. When I read the blurb, I thought Lucio is the bad guy but as it turns I was wrong. I liked Lucio and Jamie, they were amazing lead characters. The first half was a little slow but the second half of the book, in my opinion was fast paced and the climax scene was absolutely fantastic. The supernatural elements and elaboration made the book uniquely captivating.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

#HisScreamQueen #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this book, which is an ode to slasher movies and contains quite a few odes to one of my favorite horror movie directors, Dario Argento. I did not know there were other books in the series when I began, and thought it still worked well as a stand alone. This author has a great sense of humor and this book has enough 80s cultural references to appeal to today’s kids and their parents alike. A fun read. Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I have read a few of Brooklyn Ann books, so when I saw a horror romance (my 2 favourite genre's) I was excited to read it. I won't lie it took me awhile before I got into it, I didn't read the first one and will go back and read it. I did enjoy how it took place in the 80's, and the revenge plot. Am looking forward to reading more of the B series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance read, I voluntarily read and reviewed all opions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

It's a Brooklyn Ann Horror story, duh! Of course I'm going to fall head over heels for it. In the lastest installment of her B-Movie inspired series, Brooklyn Ann twists Cinderella, 80's rom-com tropes, horror revenge plots and sincere respect for the time period and her characters into a truly dazzling, slightly horrifying tale. 5 Stars!

Was this review helpful?