Final Girl Phenomenon

Final Girls are hot right now. What are FINAL GIRLS? A final girl is a horror trope, which refers to the last girl standing in a horror film (or book) to face the killer and live to tell the story.

I’ve read two new books released last month just in time for the spooky season, and I was lucky enough to meet both authors at special library events. They were both very much inspired by the rise of the horror movie genre in the early 80s. You know, my high school prime, lol. I watched all those movies: Friday the 13th, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, etc. for the first time then and remember them being so scary!

After reading Grady Hendrix’s The Final Girl Support Group and Stephen Graham Jones’ My Heart is a Chainsaw last month, I decided I needed a slasher refresher and cued them all up to rewatch. I added Scream as well because somehow I had missed that one. I love all things monsters, but HUMAN monsters I do not love. I think they are way scarier. I won’t watch series like Saw or Hostel, torture porn is not my scene. I don’t need that in my head.

Somehow, slasher movies, especially the old ones that lean toward campy (no Camp Crystal Lake pun intended), are just more fun than scary. I gotta say, the first time around in the early 80s though, I was scared. But this time, I just found myself laughing and marveling at all the young actors who appeared in those shows and went on to big movie careers like Kevin Bacon and Johnny Depp for example.

I’d give both of these books FIVE STARS and definitely recommend them. Grady Hendrix has a very entertaining website as well. He has read and reviewed hundreds of 70s and 80s horror fiction novels. It’s worth your time to read a few of his reviews. 😀 Also, if you ever have a chance to see Grady Hendrix and hear him speak on the history of slashers, it is well worth your time.

He was delightful.

Monster Spotlight: Werewolves

ON OCTOBER 29, 2021 BY LISA MEDLEYIN UNCATEGORIZEDEDIT

This week’s MONSTER SPOTLIGHT is on WEREWOLVES. Werewolf lore is found in almost every culture. Sure, they have different names (loup-garou, wendigo, rugaru, wolven), abilities (change from human to wolf on the full moon–or not, tremendous strength, speed, and aggression), and weaknesses (silver bullets, other silver weapons, wolfsbane), but they are a common staple in myth, legend, and folklore around the globe.

The werewolf is only one incarnation of a variety of human-to-beast shifters in lore to showcase man’s baser instincts in the physical form of a monster.

I love a good werewolf book, and one I’m looking forward to coming out on Nov. 16, 2021 is THE WOLF by J.R. Ward. Ward’s book Dark Lover began my writing obsession back in 2010. I can’t wait to see what those “Brothers” have been up to and continue the story…

You know where else you can get your werewolf fix? Comics, movies, and games!

Check out these monstrous deals…

Werewolf By Night: New Wolf Rising (Werewolf By Night (2020-2021) Kindle & comiXology

Collects Werewolf By Night (2020) #1-4.

A new Werewolf by Night is prowling the American Southwest — but all is not as it seems! A young man, a family curse and an unholy experiment prove to be a dangerous combination for a small town in Arizona. All young Jake wants is to protect his people, but who will protect him from the monster within? Jake soon finds himself in way over his head, and the law — and Red Wolf — are closing in! With his entire life in chaos, Jake’s only way out may be to fully embrace the secret history of…the Werewolf by Night! Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas and writer Benjamin Jackendoff team up with artist Scot Eaton to tell an epic tale of righteous fury, lycanthropic legacy and incredible transformation in the Mighty Marvel Manner!

Bezier Board Games Ultimate Werewolf Deluxe Edition Black

Each player gets a unique role: A Werewolf, Seer, Troublemaker, or another, all with special abilities. After a secret night phase that includes changing roles, players have just 5 minutes to find a Werewolf. Figure out who’s who in this fun group bluffing game.

Ravensburger Horrified: Universal Monsters Strategy Board Game for Ages 10 & Up

Take your best shot defeating the WOLFMAN among other Universal Studio monsters in this fun cooperative board game

An American Werewolf in London (Full Moon Edition) [Blu-ray] by Universal Studios

David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne), two American college students, are backpacking through Britain when a large wolf attacks them. David survives with a bite, but Jack is brutally killed. As David heals in the hospital, he’s plagued by violent nightmares of his mutilated friend, who warns David that he is becoming a werewolf. When David discovers the horrible truth, he contemplates committing suicide before the next full moon causes him to transform from man to murderous beast.