My Ex, the Antichrist is a fresh, campy horror by Craig DiLouie. What happens when you form a band with someone who just so happens to be the Antichrist? What ensues is something I wasn’t expecting, making for an a fun reading experience.
1998: Lily Lawlor and Drake Morgan form a punk band. Drake inspires faith in some. Fear in others. Lily is a believer.
1999: A Battle of the Bands ends in a shocking death, and a riot that claims the lives of three teenagers.
2009: At the height of her stardom, Lily walks into a police station and confesses to murder.
Now: The band has refused to talk to the press about the night of the riot, Lily’s confession, or anything else. It’s been over a decade, but Lily has finally agreed to an interview. And the band is following her lead. What follows is a story of prophecy, death, and apocalypse. A story about love and love lost. A story about the antichrist. Maybe it’s all true. Maybe none if it is. Either way, this is their story. And they’re sticking to it.
Craig DiLouie’s My Ex, the Antichrist is fun and unconventional novel that wonderfully combines a slow-burn story with moments of unexpected humor. While the book explores some darker, more serious stuff, it blends in a delightful campiness, making it hard to pin down–but that seems to be part of its charm. Is it about a band, or about the Antichrist? It’s a bit of both, and that’s exactly what made it a novel I had I hard time putting down. DiLouie weaves a tale that feels both unique as well as comfortably familiar.
A story that revolves so much around its characters, it’s no wonder that they steal the show. Each one stands out, bringing something special and fun to the story. I was deeply invested in the band’s overall success, not just because I managed bands in a previous life, but because of how much I cared about Lily’s story. She is just a young musician trying to make great music and have a good time while doing it–not realizing she’s accidentally started a band with the Antichrist himself.
My Ex, the Antichrist is a rollercoaster of emotions, with moments of creepiness, heartfelt sincerity, and outright goofiness. DiLouie balances these shifts with ease, hitting a variety of emotional notes that make the experience deeply enjoyable. I choose to experience this book via audiobook, which I highly recommend. The narration, led by one of my favorites Jesse Vilinsky along with Lisa Flanagan, Alexander Cendese, and Pete Simonelli, made for a quick and wonderful read.
My Ex, the Antichrist hits bookstores everywhere on July 1, 2025 from Run For It. The audiobook is available for preorder at Libro.fm!
