Title: Hellhole
Author(s): Gina Damico
Edition: Hardcover, 368 pages (also available in eBook, and audio)
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: January 6, 2015
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Buy: Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Book Depository - Inkwood Books
The Summary
There was a time when geeky, squeaky-clean Max Kilgore would never lie or steal or even think about murder. Then he accidentally unearths a devil, and Max’s choices are no longer his own. The big red guy has a penchant for couch surfing and junk food—and you should never underestimate evil on a sugar high.
With the help of Lore, a former goth girl who knows a thing or two about the dark side, Max is racing against the clock to get rid of the houseguest from hell before time, and all the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos this side of the fiery abyss, run out.
With the help of Lore, a former goth girl who knows a thing or two about the dark side, Max is racing against the clock to get rid of the houseguest from hell before time, and all the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos this side of the fiery abyss, run out.
My Opinion
What is always great about Gina's books is the humor infused throughout. Even in the most dire of situations, and there are some doozies during the course of the book, there is always a grain of humor, even if it is self-deprecating or tinged with a slight hysterical edge. In this crazy absurd premise, you would think that all the humor would make it even that more absurd, but I felt the humor was the most grounding aspect of the book. Humans often use it as a defense mechanism or as an offensive attack. Gina's deft hand crafts the humor into a support system to make the fact that poor Max Kilgore has gotten saddled with a "Satan" more believable.
Speaking of Max and his unfortunate houseguest, characterization is another aspect that Gina excels at. Max is instantly endearing. He is this nerdy, fossil-loving, crossword-doing outcast who is trying to make ends meet while taking care of a terminally ill mother. He just wants to live his life, and is resigned to the fact that he is a non-entity in his town. But Burgundy Cluttermuck, Burg for short, blows that existence out of the water. Burg is the embodiment of that creepy second cousin at family reunions that no one really likes but is made to put up with. He has this presence of a slob and a greaseball, but there are glints of something much more sinister lurking underneath. The extreme differences in personalities make every interaction between Max and Burg that much more enjoyable. And of course the supporting characters are great as well. I love Max's Mom so much, and Lore is great! Each one of her characters adds to the overall plot and never felt superfluous to me, which I consider really important in order for a book to be enjoyable.
Now the plot I'll leave you to discover because the key to this book is getting surprised by what comes next straight out of left field. But I will just say this: I was always right about cats.
Deliciously fun and frightfully hilarious, Hellhole by Gina Damico is one book you'll sink into and come out of blinking, trying to refocus on reality after the crazy romp you've just experienced. Highly recommended for all readers; it is a delight!
Extras
Book Trailer
Giveaway
We are giving away a Hardcover copy of HELLHOLE to TWO WINNERS
Giveaway is open to anywhere The Book Depository ships.
Giveaway ends on January 21st at 11:59 p.m. Pacific.
A NOTE FROM GINA: Hey there book fans! I'm running a Follow Frenzy giveaway
over the course of this blog tour, and the prize is pretty neato: a signed copy
of HELLHOLE wherein each chapter will have a little bit of trivia and/or a
doodle handwritten by yours truly. (Gina) (Damico) To enter, all you have to do
is follow me on one or more of my various social media outlets (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Instagram, Youtube), then fill out this adorable little
form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1MbfSsZCiALw_I_C7WpI0d71hPNe0b94Ot89sxFesUzM/viewform . That's it! The more things
you follow, the more chances you will earn to win. Good luck!
Final Rating
Book Cover: 4/5
Book Title: 5/5
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Ending: 9/10
Overall: 47/50: A
About the Author
Gina Damico is the author of Croak, Scorch, and Rogue, the grim-reapers-gone-wild books of the Croak trilogy. She has also dabbled as a tour guide, transcriptionist, theater house manager, scenic artist, movie extra, office troll, retail monkey, yarn hawker and breadmonger. A native of Syracuse, New York, she now lives outside Boston with her husband, two cats, and one dog, and while she has never visited hell in person, she has spent countless waking hours at the Albany Regional Bus Terminal, which is pretty darn close. Visit her website at www.ginadami.co.
Tour Schedule
Week One
Jan. 5th Xpresso Reads – Guest Post
Fiction Fare – Spotlight
Jan. 6th Paranormal Book Club – Guest Post
Two Chicks on Books – Spotlight
Jan. 7th A Dream Within A Dream – Review
Book
Jems – Guest Post
Jan. 8th BookHounds
YA – Interview
YA
Midnight Reads – Dual Review
Jan. 9th Novel
Novice – Guest Post
Consuming Words and Worlds – Interview
Week Two
Jan. 12th Once Upon a Twilight – Review
Book Sniffers Anonymous – Interview
Jan. 13th No BS Book Reviews – Interview
The Best Books Ever – Review
Jan. 14th Teen Readers’ Diary – Guest Post
The Book Bratz – Review
Jan. 15th Sweet Southern Home – Review
Eli
to the nth – Review
Jan. 16th Bad Bird Reads – Guest Post
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