YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Georgetown, Washington D.C., 1973. Actress and divorced mother Chris MacNeil starts to experience 'difficulties' with her usually sweet-natured eleven-year-old daughter Regan. The child becomes afflicted by spasms, convulsions and unsettling amnesiac episodes; these abruptly worsen into violent fits of appalling foul-mouthed curses, accompanied by physical mutation. Medical science is baffled by Regan's plight and, in her increasing despair, Chris turns to troubled priest and psychiatrist Damien Karras, who immediately recognises something profoundly malevolent in Regan's distorted fetures and speech. On Karras's recommendation, the Church summons Father Merrin, a specialist in the exorcism of demons . . .

I can't wait to finally read this one :)

Dannii wrote: "I can't wait to finally read this one :)"

Me too!! I’ve been putting it off for years cause the movie freaks me out so much... 😵 lol

First quarter - (view spoiler)[I'm really liking the writing style and how immediately chill-inducing this is. The Ouija Board entered the book very early, as did Chris' bad dreams (hide spoiler)]

Second quarter - (view spoiler)[I'm really enjoying this. It is so unnerving and I am wanting to scream at all these characters to believe in the supernatural events that are clearly occurring. They are adamant that a physical cause is at fault, which is totally understandable though.

The scene at the hospital was horrendous to read. I felt so, so sorry for both Regan for having to go through that and Chris for having to witness it. (hide spoiler)]

Third quarter - (view spoiler)[I'm actually glad that the murder mystery plot has been added to the supernatural one, even though I know they are joined, as I am reading this whilst home alone and don't think I'd be able to sleep tonight, otherwise!

There are some seriously graphic scenes in this, which are so hard to read about considering the young age of Regan. (hide spoiler)]

Shannara wrote: "Dannii wrote: "I can't wait to finally read this one :)"

Me too!! I’ve been putting it off for years cause the movie freaks me out so much... 😵 lol"

I've seen the film once but I can't remember anything about it and so most of this feels new to me.

Fourth quarter - (view spoiler)[This was such a terrifying read, throughout. There seemed a somewhat happy ending for Regan but I knew the epilogue would alter that. I'm glad this family moved to escape the bad memories that would continue to haunt their home. (hide spoiler)]

26% of the way in (view spoiler)[ This is already freaking me out, but I’m pretty sure it anticipation at this point. Only a few strange things have happened. It’s just that The Exorcist terrifies the crap out of me... So I’m bound to be totally freaked out this whole time. But I’ve gotta say, with her daughter randomly starting to act like that and hearing the shit in the attic... I’d have called somebody or moved already. (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "First quarter - [spoilers removed]"

Right?!?! (view spoiler)[ Those things are no joke. I love how they’re still sold and like children’s toys... No Thanks!!!! (hide spoiler)]

Shannara wrote: "Dannii wrote: "First quarter - [spoilers removed]"

Right?!?! [spoilers removed]"

They were so chilled about it too. I'd want one nowhere near me!

56% (view spoiler)[ I’m totally freaking out here... This is scary as hell and I cannot believe they weren’t throwing around the word possessed way earlier!!! But Ahhhh!!!!! The whole head turning around thing!!!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! I’m not going to be able to read this at night anymore... 😱😱😱😱 (hide spoiler)]

Shannara wrote: "56% [spoilers removed]"

Serious nightmare fuel!!!

Okay, 76% ... (view spoiler)[ Why have I not noticed the so many open spaces my house has until now?!?! Maybe cause nothing has freaked me out like this before!!!! I cannot believe he’s spending this time trying to figure out a way to convince the church to help her even when I think Karras already knows exactly what he’s got to do.

Is that like flipping real life?!?! If so, that’s terrifying. So this is the convo I keep hearing in my head, “Possessed you say? Well, hang tight, we have to prove it first by disproving every single possible reason for your behavior, which includes everything you’ve ever heard of, not excluding a few made up things to see if you’re still paying attention. Oh an try not to die or kill anyone in the meantime.” Wtf?!?! (hide spoiler)]

Shannara wrote: "Okay, 76% ... ."

(view spoiler)[That is like exactly what they are trying to do. I kept wanting to shake the characters and make them take this very obvious supernatural entity seriously. I also kept glancing around my house ans getting spooked my each shadowed corner, hehe. (hide spoiler)]

Dannii wrote: "Third quarter -"

Omg yes!!! I second that about Regan’s age. Like dang... I understand the reasoning, but I think I’d have been fine without that.

Finished... (view spoiler)[ this was some intense stuff... And just as quickly as it ramped up, it slammed into the wall and came to abrupt ending. I really enjoyed this, but the ending seemed a little rushed. Who knows, it’s probably just me trying not to focus on the crazy possessed child who hopefully doesn’t remember three religious men dying in her vicinity while she had something controlling her!!! That’s got to be awful!!

Also!!!! Can we take a step back and mention Karl briefly... how is he always brushed over?? What do you mean his wife thinks their young daughter is dead, which is to save her the pain of finding out she’s some sort of drug addict?!?! Um what?!?! What sort of craziness is this?!?! How did he manage to make his wife think she’s dead anyway?? Sorry, I’m ranting for no reason. I was just curious.

Anyway, I agree with you. Four star read!!! (hide spoiler)]

Shannara wrote: "Finished... "

I agree with your thoughts about the ending. The entire thing was very creepy, but the ending seemed a little truncated compared with how drawn out and eerie everything preceding it was.

Dannii wrote: "Shannara wrote: "Finished... "

I agree with your thoughts about the ending. The entire thing was very creepy, but the ending seemed a little truncated compared with how drawn out and eerie everyth..."

I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who thought that!!!! I seriously (view spoiler)[ read the part where Karras yells to have the demon take him and then he flings himself out the window over again cause I thought maybe I missed something.. 🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️😂🤣 (hide spoiler)]

Still liked it, but yeah. Ending whip lash lol