Review
Party of a Lifetime by Henry Corrigan is a book that can be accurately judged by its cover. The author delivers lovable characters and a story that begins light-hearted but quickly turns horrific. Not to mention a series of nail-biting events that lead up to an epic showdown. This story was so wild that when I finished the book I had to ask myself, “What the fuck did I just read?”
Corrigan asks readers to remember a time when they were college-age and likely making questionable, uninformed, inexperienced decisions. Our main character Becca faces the reality of students loans piling up with only half of her education complete. But her family dynamic is a bit tumultuous. She’s an only child with divorced parents and a social media-obsessed influencer mom. Needless to say, she’s definitely looking forward to reunited with her friends for a beach day – and perhaps a budding romance.
While the story leans toward optimistic to start, we know from the prologue that something – or rather, someone – is out to get them. And soon enough we see those plans put into motion when the foursome find themselves lost in an unfamiliar place with grotesque beings.
Party of a Lifetime explores what a coming-of-age, sexual-identity journey might look like in hell. Literal hell. The dangers and creatures they encounter are detailed to the point where you might not want to read this during your lunch hour. The premise was certainly intriguing, but the writing style and dialogue could have been improved. Nevertheless, I became invested in the characters’ journey and couldn’t put it down until I found out if they made it out alive.
Henry Corrigan joins the Cantina Book Club Podcast to talk about tapping into his teenage self and plans to continue the story. Keep an ear out for the episode and preorder a copy of Party of a Lifetime, available June 8.
Book
Welcome to Hell 🙂
You don’t deserve to be here.
For Becca Longford, prom was supposed to be the best night of her life, and in a way…it was. Despite parental meltdowns, “mean girl” machinations, and a fire, Becca and her friends forged an unbreakable bond.
Now, one year later, Becca looks to recreate the night that could’ve been.
Too bad someone else has other plans.
In the bowels of an unholy church, a deal has been struck. One which will drag the four friends to Monotony, a hellish town full of depraved demons. Forced to fight for their lives, the friends must rely on each other to survive. But the longer they stay, the more Monotony twists them into horrific abominations.
Will Becca and her friends make it home alive?
Will any of them still be human if they do?
