I struggled to get into this one more than some of Brom's other work, but in the end, this was one heck of a ride.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the ARC. Having loved Slewfoot, I was super excited for this book. Ruby is such a fun main character. Reminded me of my angsty teenage days. Loved the gore. Despite being a little silly in comparison to Slewfoot it was still a good read.

Grom’s Evil Me is an electrifying blend of raw energy and dark introspection that leaves a lasting impression. From the very first note, the song pulls you into its shadowy world with gritty, distorted guitars and pounding drums that refuse to let up. The production is clean yet retains a gritty edge, striking the perfect balance between chaos and clarity.

The lyrics explore the battle between light and darkness within oneself, giving the track a deeply personal yet universally relatable feel. Delivered with unfiltered emotion, the vocals add an extra layer of intensity, shifting between menacing growls and haunting, almost whispered moments. It’s this contrast that keeps the track engaging from start to finish.

What makes *Evil Me* truly stand out is Grom’s ability to craft a sound that feels both familiar and fresh. It’s heavy, but not overwhelmingly so; introspective, without feeling overly dramatic. Fans of hard rock, metal, or even alternative genres will find something to latch onto here.

I was so excited to receive this book after loving Slewfoot so thoroughly. Brom has a way of writing that is unlike many authors I’ve read. I’m not sure if this story was necessarily for me, however I am definitely grateful to have had the chance to read another novel by Brom.

I am so grateful for this book but it was unfortunately not for me. I appreciate it and see it’s allure to others.

I enjoyed the first chapter of this book sooooo thoroughly. Had my jaw on the literal floor. But, dare I say, the first chapter was by far the better part of the book. I did like the book and enjoyed it enough to finish, but did I really finish? After everything was said and done…. I got no loop for closure at all. I was anxious at all the outcomes of the beginning problems but we never address them at all. How could such a short book feel so unfinished?

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for gifting me this advanced reader copy.

I absolutely loved slewfoot by BROM and I was so excited when he announced this book and so excited because the premise sounded amazing!

BROM definitely delivered! I don’t think I loved this one quite as much as slewfoot but it still was really good.

This one is definitely unique! I loved the punk themed & that it was so prevalent in the story. I love punk music so this is was ~music to my ears~ 🥁

It took a little bit to get to the actual horror in the book but as long as you hold out I think everyone will enjoy this book!

This new book by Brom is a fun, fast paced story that follows a girl who uses music to lead her way. The plot was fun and unique and as always the art accompanying the book is stunning

This is my second Brom book and I had such a good time with it. The music aspect made this so enjoyable because it was so personal and soulful. Ruby constantly trying to do better with her life and get out of this rutty hole was so heartfelt. It also felt so relatable with how people get sucked into a life they hate and can't escape. Everything about this story pulled at my heartstrings and was so enjoyable. I loved the tongue in cheek humor and how everything played out. Definitely continuing on my track with reading more Brom!

I was so excited to read this book! Having loved Brom's writing in Slewfoot, this book was really exciting to me especially paired with the 80's punk rock demon theme. This story started so strong and I initially really enjoyed the interactions between the MC and the voice within her head. Unfortunately towards the end the story started to feel a bit cheesey and lost some of the intensity that the book had started with. By the time I had reached the end, I was a little dissappointed. I overall enjoyed the journey of the story but I do wish the demonic vibes had been pushed a bit further.

If you love horror and haven't read Brom - what are you doing with your life? From Slewfoot to Krampus, I always have a great time. Evil in Me was no exception. It was a bit different than his past books - campier with some Grady Hendrix vibes, but gorier. There are serial killers, ghosts, mysticism, ancient demonic artifacts, punk rock, angst, and insane family drama.

Ruby was a great main character. I rooted for her the whole time. It was hard not to care for her. Her parents are terrible people, and you can't help but want the best for her.

Evil in Me also gave me so much nostalgia because I grew up in the 80s. Satanic Panic is alive and well in this story, and I was here for it. I also loved the way Brom wrote the possession. I found it both humorous and frightening.

At this point, Brom is an auto-buy author for me. He gives us so much more than just a story. The artwork alone is worth the price of the book. I read and listened to Evil in Me in tandem, and I am so glad I did because you get to hear The Maxines play the songs, which added so much to the listening experience.

If I had any complaints, I felt it took a long time to get to the heart of the story, and I would have liked to spend a bit more time in the meat of it.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and TorNightfire for advanced copies in exchange for an honest review.

#evilinme #brom #themaxines #macaudio2024 #macmillanaudio #tornightfire

12-4 update posted on TikTok

Please excuse the late review. First, my reaction differs from most readers. As of today, Evil In Me has an average rating of 4 stars and above at the places I checked.

This was my first book by Brom and I wanted to love it. I'd been seeing recommendations for Slewfoot on BookTok for weeks, and I visited his website before requesting the book. I was disappointed that the e-ARC didn't include his artwork.

I appreciated Brom's originality, and the details of the demon lord and the cursed ring. There were chilling moments, and I felt some empathy for Ruby. Unfortunately, I found many of her decisions depressingly predictable. I was extremely uncomfortable reading the hatred and violence toward Jewish characters.

The book is delighting its intended audience. It simply wasn't a fit for me. Many elements of the book appealed to me at the outset--the outsider MC, relics, demons, music--but reading it evoked more sadness than horror.

.This is a personal reaction, nothing against the author and the many readers who enjoy this author and artist. The cover is wonderful.

Thank you, Tor Publishing Group / Tor Nightside for the e-ARC via @NetGalley for consideration. These are my honest opinions

Ruby Tucker wants nothing more than to make it big in the punk music scene in Atlanta but she's currently stuck in her backwoods, small town with her dysfunctional family and she's had a falling out with her best friend and bandmate and her dreams look dead in the water,

When Ruby goes to help her neighbor organize his religious relics, a strange ring affixes to her finger. The ensorcelled ring sends a blood-thirsty demon into Ruby's soul. The ring also acts as a broadcasting beacon, drawing all sorts of unnamable horrors toward her, all wanting to feast on her flesh.

There's one way out - one way to remove the ring and rid herself of the demon: Ruby must get hundreds of people to chant a spell at the same time. Now Ruby needs to get the band back together, teach them a new song and take it on the road before it's too late.

This is only my second experience with author Brom and, like the first, it's enjoyable. If you consider demons and bloodlust enjoyable, that is.

One of the things that separates Brom from so many of the other dark fantasy or horror writers is his deep storytelling and the way in which his main character(s) confront raw evil. His characters, both women in the two books I've read, initially react with revulsion and horror, but find strength to accept, comply, and ultimately stand up to the evil in front (or inside) of them. I enjoy a number of other horror authors, but Brom stands out for this trait.

Despite the story, this one never felt particularly dark or horrific (I'll admit, I was looking for, or expecting, something akin to Slewfoot). I never felt Ruby was truly in danger, despite the detailed setup. She was maybe too strong from the start, or the danger just wasn't threatening enough, but this danger is integral to a horror story.

Still, I liked the story and the characters, and any book that centers around music and musicians (even punk) is probably going to sit well with me. I enjoyed this, but it's not the horrorfest that I was expecting from Brom. It's horror lite.

The published edition of this book apparently has artwork by Brom. My ARC does not so I cannot comment on how the art adds to the experience.

Looking for a good book? Brom's Evil in Me puts horror on stage with a heavy beat.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Evil in Me follows Ruby in a hellish adventure to save her soul, through the sheer power of magic and rock and roll. This is my first Brom novel, and honestly I had a really fun time with it. He really nailed the characterization of Ruby as a girl just trying her best and sometimes she can’t get out of her own way but you just want her to figure it out and be okay so badly. She’s a really great protagonist who has evil constantly bombarding after her but won’t go down without a fight. I also really love the side characters- especially Tina (badass as hell), Vutto and the ghost guy. I think this would work best for fans of Grady Hendrix, the writing and tone really reminded me of works I’ve read from Hendrix. It’s a lot of fun.

Having been captivated by Brom’s Slewfoot, I couldn’t wait to dive into Evil in Me—and it exceeded all expectations. Brom, renowned for his ability to merge chilling narratives with mesmerizing artwork, once again delivers a story that is both haunting and deeply human.

The novel follows Ruby Tucker, a frustrated musician trapped in a small town, whose life takes a terrifying turn when an ancient ring possesses her with a demonic spirit. To save herself, Ruby must channel the power of music to exorcise the demon, but her journey is fraught with bloodthirsty enemies, estranged friendships, and her own inner turmoil.

What makes Evil in Me truly remarkable is how Brom weaves themes of redemption, self-discovery, and resilience into a dark fantasy narrative. Ruby’s fight to reclaim her identity and her music is as compelling as the supernatural horrors she faces. Brom’s illustrations enhance the story’s eerie atmosphere, making each page a feast for the senses.

As with Slewfoot, Brom demonstrates his knack for exploring the complexities of good and evil, presenting characters and situations that defy simple moral judgments. The gritty punk rock backdrop adds a unique energy, making Ruby’s battle feel visceral and real.

For anyone who loves dark fantasy or gothic horror with a touch of rebellious spirit, Evil in Me is a must-read. Brom continues to prove why he’s a master storyteller and artist, and I’m already looking forward to his next masterpiece.

EVIL IN ME
Well @geraldbrom has done it again. I was in the moment I saw the cover for Evil in Me. Then I heard a little about it and I couldn't wait to read it. Let's be honest though, I really went into this one blind because I never remember a synopsis. Then I just about lost it the moment I got the ARC on @netgalley. Finally I almost fell over when I got the ALC.
This book was so enthralling. It had so many things that I love to read about. There's the 80's setting, punk music, demons, possession, some kickass female characters and last but certainly not least VUTTO.
There's also an unexpected subplot that really ties into the story by the end. I really enjoyed this but the audiobook gets ALL of the stars. It was phenomenal and I would highly recommend if you can listen to it. If you don't listen to the audiobook, at least go listen to the fully produced song with the same title.

Brom is a master story teller, with a unique style to his writing, his character development is phenomenal, they are complex, have depth and are relatable, making you genuinely care for them throughout the story, even the demons.

This was a unique twist on the usual trope of a musician selling their soul for fame, and It was a refreshing change, I loved it.

The story was light on the punk music, but that’s ok, because this story is not about the type of music, but more about how your type of music effects your life and soul. There is also a little social commentary about how others see different genres of music.

I also have to say that I love the artwork in the book.

If you have read and liked any of Brom’s other books than I highly recommend this one also.

This was such a fun read! By fun I mean that it was adventurous (there was a road trip) and filled with awesome friendships and some incredibly scary scenes! Ruby is looking after an older gentleman when she gets caught up in the occult. The older gentleman is posed with trying to destroy a ring that causes people to be possessed by an evil entity, but when looking through the old man’s artifacts one day, Ruby becomes intrigued by a ring and the moment she puts it on, she can no longer remove it.

The only person who can help her is in Atlanta, which coincidentally is also where her best friend moved to a year ago – so Ruby decides to go. In between all of this, she is possessed but also trying to not give in to the evil that’s starting to brew in her.

And if that wasn’t enough, a serial killer is also on their trail – wanting to kill Ruby because he’s grown fixated with her.

I loved how the book explored the importance and power of music and how sometimes punk rock can truly save your soul.

This was a fast paced novel told in various POV, but my favorite was Ruby’s. She was the beating heart of this novel and as much as the novel dealt with some truly dark things, I did love the comic reliefs portions of the book too. Read this if you’re into Jewish Mysticism, occult, and a new take on possession.

*Thank you so much to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for the digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I am such a fan of Brom. He’s got a way of writing incredibly evil and wicked stories yet somehow, putting a heartwarming spin on them. Weird, definitely, but I always resonate with his characters. In this case, Ruby, a wayward girl with bipolar disorder just searching for her place in the world.

The 80’s era combined with the music and the characters gives this horror all the heart and creep I expected from Brom. Bravo and well done!

My thanks to Tor for this gifted copy!

This is my first Brom book. I have heard rave reviews about him and was happy to be able to read this ARC. This is a great mix of Horror tastefully done and silly. The characters, whether you love them or hate them, are all written very well and you feel for each of them in different ways. Ruby is a troubled woman who has her world turned upside down when a possessed ring takes over her life. The music was good and the cover artwork beautiful.