Scan barcode
A review by aoki_reads
Gig of the Damned: Slay the Competition by Phrique
5.0
First, I'd like to thank the book bestie Phrique for putting me on the ARC team of bad bitches— I am beyond honored to have read this work early. Gig of the Damned: Slay the Competition is a book to be on the lookout for when it drops on 6/1. I can't believe what I just read is from an author writing his debut novel.
"People don't just disappear. DRAG QUEENS don't just disappear!"
Someone is literally slaying the competition before the Trick'd and Treated pageant. She's a bedazzled baddie—pretty in pink. Oh gawd, the hunties are being hunted!
Gig of the Damned: Slay the Competition follows the story of our MC, Antonio, better known as Gamble Donna Phart— who is preparing for the Trick'd and Treated pageant. Over the timespan of one week, shit hits the fan as fellow drag queens in Gamble Donna Phart's life begin meeting crazy, violent, and untimely ends. Someone is taking them out one by one, but who?
This book reads like a great giallo film. There's mystery, a ton of gruesome murder, eroticism, sleaze, and visuals galore. While reading many of the unique kill scenes, I could vividly picture what was happening in my head. Phrique takes a familiar and famous trope, and spins it in the best and most entertaining way.
And while there's plenty of slashing and slaying— Gig of the Damned targets sensitive topics that horrendously affect the LGBTQIA+ community through flashbacks from our MC's childhood. Bigotry, homophobia, and religious extremism are outed with confidence. Phrique gives the middle finger to it all by telling a touching, heartbreaking backstory that made me teary-eyed more than once.
But then I laughed obnoxiously, too. This books is full of sassy lingo, vibrant shit-talking, throat-catching insults, and witty banter. While often ridiculous and over-the-top, the author writes with ease, authenticity, and in ode to those who created the lingo: black/brown people and the gays, babe! Don't worry— there's even a little glossary explaining drag lingo for you as the book moves along.
For real, what an entertaining debut with a twisted, messed up ending. This one is for those who love gore, murder-mysteries, and unique spins on common horror tropes. And it's giving campy B-horror?! A must-read. Because when's the last time you read some drag giallo? Exactly.
To all my good Judys— you must pick this one up or I'm coming for your neck! This was an easy ★★★★★ stars to give, and I'm never wrong. I'm living for GOTD and I am so excited to see what Phrique drops into our lives and laps next.
"People don't just disappear. DRAG QUEENS don't just disappear!"
Someone is literally slaying the competition before the Trick'd and Treated pageant. She's a bedazzled baddie—pretty in pink. Oh gawd, the hunties are being hunted!
Gig of the Damned: Slay the Competition follows the story of our MC, Antonio, better known as Gamble Donna Phart— who is preparing for the Trick'd and Treated pageant. Over the timespan of one week, shit hits the fan as fellow drag queens in Gamble Donna Phart's life begin meeting crazy, violent, and untimely ends. Someone is taking them out one by one, but who?
This book reads like a great giallo film. There's mystery, a ton of gruesome murder, eroticism, sleaze, and visuals galore. While reading many of the unique kill scenes, I could vividly picture what was happening in my head. Phrique takes a familiar and famous trope, and spins it in the best and most entertaining way.
And while there's plenty of slashing and slaying— Gig of the Damned targets sensitive topics that horrendously affect the LGBTQIA+ community through flashbacks from our MC's childhood. Bigotry, homophobia, and religious extremism are outed with confidence. Phrique gives the middle finger to it all by telling a touching, heartbreaking backstory that made me teary-eyed more than once.
But then I laughed obnoxiously, too. This books is full of sassy lingo, vibrant shit-talking, throat-catching insults, and witty banter. While often ridiculous and over-the-top, the author writes with ease, authenticity, and in ode to those who created the lingo: black/brown people and the gays, babe! Don't worry— there's even a little glossary explaining drag lingo for you as the book moves along.
For real, what an entertaining debut with a twisted, messed up ending. This one is for those who love gore, murder-mysteries, and unique spins on common horror tropes. And it's giving campy B-horror?! A must-read. Because when's the last time you read some drag giallo? Exactly.
To all my good Judys— you must pick this one up or I'm coming for your neck! This was an easy ★★★★★ stars to give, and I'm never wrong. I'm living for GOTD and I am so excited to see what Phrique drops into our lives and laps next.