Think possession, self-empowerment and rockstar. That’s the vibes!! Brom is a master wordsmith. This was a crazy wild ride of a book!

If you were born and raised in the 80’s and love horror this book is for you! He nailed everything about the 80s in this intense edge of your seat book!

I loved the beginning of this story as we meet Ruby, a woman trying to fulfill the terms of her probation so she can just leave this podunk town. Part of her requirements is community service and she manages to find something she enjoys, teaching music lessons to the children at the community center. The opening scene of this book was adorable. You could see how she connected with the kids and was a great teacher. Unfortunately, her manager believes Ruby's music choices are un-Christian, which leads to a series of events Ruby or the reader could never expect.

From the beginning, I felt for Ruby and her life circumstances. It was easy to understand why she was so angry and I couldn't help but root for her.

This was super entertaining, but the stakes never felt as high as they were supposed to be. This made a very violent book filled with demons, dark lords, serial killers, and oh yeah a lunatic of a step-father feel light and fluffy. I honestly think going from a serious tone and then switching it to a silly one it the heart of why I could this to be a good but not great story. In the end, I was ready to be done and didn't find it that memorable.

Brom did it again!!! I have always been a fan of Broms work and this story is no exception. I enjoyed the pace and the vibes and just thoroughly enjoyed this story. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this fantastic story.

I did enjoy "Evil in Me' by the fantastic Brom. It is your classic cursed object book. It is a fun punk rock n rollercoaster ride. However, it did not do anything jaw dropping or new for me. I do recommend checking it out but don't go in expecting something groundbreaking.

Ruby Tucker, off her meds and struggling with some mental health issues, is in the process of completing mandatory probation. Currently, she’s living at home with her mom, her stepfather, and her POS younger stepbrother, and she’s just ready to finish up community service so she can leave town, track down her friend, and start up their old band again. However, those plans change when Ruby is possessed by a demon inside a ring that fuses itself to her finger.

For such a short book, there is a lot going on. The pace starts off fast and then rollercoasters you through the remainder of the story. There were definitely a few plot lines that I wanted more from, but I loved the brevity of exposure at times too, as it added to the trippy-dreamlike quality of the atmosphere - particularly the music components.

Originally, I received an arc copy of Evil In Me for review, and there was no artwork included. When I was finally able to purchase a copy with the completed art, it exploded the story into a psychedelic, punk-rock fever dream. While not my most favorite work by Brom, I thoroughly enjoyed the story, the art, and the style of writing. It was unique in a way not too many stories of demonic possession are these days. I’d say this was genuinely entertaining to read and if you’re a fan of modern horror, this book should definitely have a place on your bookshelf.

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.