I'm going to start suing Authors for emotional distress and damage

1989 small Texas town, teenage Tolly Driver was just trying to fit in. He had no idea that the events at a high school party would change his life, ending many others.'

This book was profoundly raw. The afterword mentions this is the closest to being autobiographical of all his books, and the detail and vulnerability really proves that true. I cried so many times during this book, but heavily throughout the ending. Tolly is one of the most heartbreaking characters I've ever read and I just wanted everything to be okay for him. He reminded me of myself as a teenager, grew up in a small country town, felt outside, complicated. The details made this book feel real and so, so sad. My new favorite from SGJ

DNF at 30%.

I tried physically reading the book. I tried listening to the audiobook. I cannot get into this book. It is hard for me to follow. It is a little random. It is written like a journal entry at times and I do not like the writing style or word selection.

I wanted to love this book, but I can’t get over the writing or into the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for access to the ARC of this book. I truly appreciate the opportunity.

I Was A Teenage Slasher is the first book I have read by Stephen Graham Jones but I guarantee it won't be my last. I loved the way the story weaved between the current day and the 1980's when he became a slasher due to forces and events outside of his control. Tolly and Amber's relationship as they navigated his changes, the attacks and finding his Final Girl was a wonderful representation of friendship and unconditional love. The final pages had me in tears.

Stephen Graham Jones continues to deliver. This book is absolutely engaging. You get the story from the perspective of a serial killer/slasher. The first-person account is both chilling and enticing...as you weave your way through the world with the lens of a monster.
The pacing is a little clunky for the subgenre of horror Jones is writing...but it can be forgiven because of how enthralling and unique the writing style is.
Definitely recommend checking this one out.

Probably not as popular as Jade Daniels, but Tolly does the job! This one is definitely easier to follow along to than the mind of Jade, but that's Jade for you. I did enjoy this one although some parts did drag. It can be overwhelming when killers go back and forth on their timelines. It felt at times a bit confusing but I like SGJ beautiful mind regardless.

I have a lot of mixed feelings about this one. It was exactly what I thought it would be going into it and nothing like it at the same time. The concept was interesting and the characters were great. The story overall followed along like a slasher movie, which I enjoy. I just... can't put on finger on it. I wanted to love it so much, but i found myself see how much was left until it was over. maybe it was the prose? everything flowed and with all these positive elements you'd think I'd have a higher rating, but i can't bring myself to give more three stars. It was a good story, but not great.

Stephen Graham Jones is one of, if not my favorite, horror author today. I say this at the start of every review to set expectations because I feel his Goodreads ratings are criminally low. If you like THE ONLY GOOD INDIANS or MY HEART IS A CHAINSAW, this will be right up your alley.

I always appreciate the clear love Jones has for slashers and how he incorporates different elements and references into each of his works; this book is no different and in fact may rely on some of these tropes and devices more than his other titles. It's another slow burn, as are most of his novels, but the twist and climax are heart-pounding in a way I've come to expect from Jones. Another winner to me!

Hmmm. What can I say about this new Slasher by one of my favorite horror authors? Well....it was...definitely different that what I've read so far from Mr. Jones. Did I LOVE it? Honestly: No. It wasn't BAD, don't get me wrong... but I just didn't feel excited or have a blast like I have with his other books. The story has some great gore and slasher scenes, but I just felt very disconnected from the main character. There were a few transitions between the non-slasher and slashing scenes that I found confusing (like I'd missed something), and they just weren't smooth. I often wondered if the lead was ACTUALLY killing people or if it was all in his head. And maybe that was the author's intent, but I found that the slasher scenes felt injected, and I don't think the overall story was executed as well as it could have been.

Previously, I have purchased all of the Jones titles I've read PRIOR to reading them, and in this novel's case: I'm kind of glad I got an ARC of #IWasATeenageSlasher, thanks to #NetGalley, #SagaPress, and my Colorado-neighbor ... because, I probably will not reread this one. Also, It's important that I note that Slashers are my favorite subgenre of horror, and #StephenGrahamJones is an ACE in this category, but I honestly felt like this story felt a little forced, as if Jones maybe had this great idea (and the concept IS great), but had trouble navigating where to go with it. There are some consistencies with Jones's writing that are still present here: great gore/slasher scenes, a weird, creative, and fun supernatural twist on things, to be specific. And maybe if you go into it knowing all these things, you'll have a great time. But I should tell you all that this story is a train-of-thought/internal-narration novel, where you're in the main character's (the slasher's) head the whole time—so if those types of stories aren't your thing...you might skip this one. I typically enjoy train-of-/internal-thought narration, but this story just didn't hit for me. When I finished, I thought: "Welp. That was a book." Lol.

All of that said, I'm still a huge fan of SGJ, and look forward to more stories from the Slasher Master. It kind of breaks my heart to slap 3 stars on this one, but there it is.

This is a thrilling book, love the voice the author is able to give the characters! I found it intense, fun and a page turner!

I Was a Teenage Slasher
Stephen Graham Jones
A courtesy ARC from Netgalley in return for my honest review.
💀💀💀 💀 rounded up for style, but a couple creepy stars away from a home run.

If you’ve ever watched a slasher and find yourself starting to think maybe those kids deserve what’s coming to them (I mean, some people outta pass a test before being allowed to procreate).
Or maybe you just wanna know what makes a slasher tick 🤷🏻‍♀️. Is it vengeance? Love of violence? Insanity? Or a mind as blank as the expression on Michael Myers’ mask? Either way, you’ve picked up the right book.
With his unique, visually explicit, almost oral style of storytelling, Jones delivers on the classic summer slasher.
Some might prefer audiobook for his stories; as mentioned, the writing style has an oral-like cadence to it. Sometimes, it can feel a bit confusing, especially with the time jumps back and forth. I think it worked well narratively, but, if you haven’t read Jones’ books before, it might take some time to adjust.
Otherwise, my only real complaint was a bit too much exposition over action.
All in all, I’d still recommend checking this one out. So, before the sun sets this winter season, lock your doors, grab a blanket, and settle in. Just ignore that tapping at the window—it’s only the wind, right?

Stephen Graham Jones horror is the best. This fun twist on the 80s classic slasher film where you empathize with the killer was a delight to read. Tolly was relatable if not likeable and you are rooting for Amber (final girl!!) the whole time. Justin Joss and a pump drill . . . SCARY! but so so so fun. Looking forward to the next one.

Stephen Graham Jones has written some of my favorite books and the synopsis for this one sounds truly incredible. I did find myself feeling a little disconnected from this story for some reason. I liked the discussions on how your town and your role in life can impact things. I just wish I felt a little more involved in the story, and I think this was probably because of the way the story was specifically told. I still like his writing style but I wish it wasn't told from a present perspective talking about the past because I didn't really feel any tension. There were some unique and fun elements in this though and I am excited to continue reading from Stephen Graham Jones!

I thought this was going to be a silly wink to slasher movies -- tell the story from the POV of the slasher. However, I got a heartfelt coming-of-age story about friendship, love, small towns, family, and food allergies. I did not think I'd be crying at the end of a slasher novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and S&S/Saga Press for an advance copy of this book to review.

An enjoyable book from SGJ. Really loved getting the story from the slasher POV and the large mix of supernatural that is consistent throughout the novel.

This book is structured as a memoir narrated by Tolly Driver, a teenage boy reflecting on his troubling journey toward becoming a killer. Set in a small Texas town, Tolly grapples with feelings of alienation from his peers, capturing the chaotic and fragmented nature of his thoughts. His narrative intertwines themes of revenge with the complexities of adolescence, including a poignant but ultimately troubled love story with his best friend, Amber. The book also pays homage to classic slasher films, adding another layer to Tolly’s experiences.

While the intention is to elicit sympathy for Tolly, I found it challenging to engage with the characters or feel a genuine connection to the setting. The frequent references to heavy mechanical equipment, particularly pumpjacks, proved difficult to visualize without external research, which detracted from the overall immersion. The excessive focus on specific details sometimes overshadowed the central narrative, contributing to a slower pacing that made it harder to stay fully engaged.

Although the writing style did not resonate with me personally, it may appeal to readers who enjoyed Tolly's previous stories or have a fondness for the conventions of old slasher movies. The chaotic and introspective nature of the narrative will likely engage those familiar with the genre and the themes of revenge and alienation explored throughout the book.

This book was a wild and chaotic ride and I loved it! I wasn't sure what to expect but I will read anything by Stephen Graham Jones and I was not disappointed by his latest work. I can't say too much so as to not spoil anything, but I read this almost nonstop and couldn't put it down.

“Even when slashers die, they’re not really dead are they? Not so long as even just one person remembers.”

This is a deep dive into the beginnings and psyche of a soon to be ‘Slasher’. We start at the origin story and make our way to the Final Girl. The big difference being, our slasher is the main character and we get a first person look into the transformation.

The author did a fantastic job with not only the characters but also the characterization of the setting where the book takes place, Lamesa Texas. Like all slasher mediums, there has to be a small town and high school kids involved right?

I definitely liked this one however, this is definitely one of Stephen Graham Jones’ weaker offerings which still makes it pretty damn good (I say that with the utmost respect). Definitely worth a read for anyone interested in Stephen Graham Jones, I just wouldn’t start here.

This book made me feel so many emotions. As usual Jones' writing is packed with so many expertly placed references. Amazing addition to slasher fiction, I haven't been this invested in a meta horror since Cabin In The Woods. Can't wait for the movie.

DNF’d at 35%. What the heck was even going on? I tried to read the ebook two different times a while back. I recently switched to the audiobook and the narrator made it so much better but still...what the heck was going on? Where was the teenage slasher part? It was just ramblings of a kid who killed people (????) years later as he's writing a memoir (????.) I listened for days and only made it to 35% but felt like I had listened to 3 whole books. This one wasn't for me. (I don't want to give it 1 star because I feel like it had potential but I couldn't continue when I have so many books I want to read!)

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this title for review.

SGJ has graced us with another book and this time from the perspective of the killer himself. I admit I have had trouble getting into his work in the past, but this book had me hooked from the get go. The nostalgic, small town vibes called to me like a siren song.

Tolly is the teenage slasher and he has been through it. Life as an outsider is only bearable because of his relationship with Amber. It’s easy to empathize with Tolly, even as we watch him become a gruesome killer. He is a reluctant slasher, killing for revenge after a nut allergy prank gone very wrong. Set in 1989, we get all the big hair and glam rock, not to mention all the gore and body horror that SGJ is known for.

This is meta and humorous (lots of laugh out loud moments) and beautiful (Tolly and Amber’s relationship ❤️) and all the things. SGJ has proven once again he deserves a spot among the kings and queens of horror.