Book Review: My Ex, the Antichrist by Craig DiLouie

 received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.

My Ex, the Antichrist by Craig DiLouie

Mogsy’s Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

Genre: Horror

Series: Stand Alone

Publisher: Run For It (July 1, 2025)

Length: 406 pages

Author Information: Website

Craig DiLouie has been on a roll lately, and My Ex, the Antichrist is yet another reason why he’s become one of my must-read authors of horror who doesn’t just think outside the box—he kicks the hell out of it like a rock star trashing the stage. The premise alone caught my attention, with its promise of punk rock, doomed love, and the possible end of the world. But even then, I wasn’t at all prepared for how compulsively readable this novel turned out to be. I didn’t want to put it down, so I didn’t. I must have devoured it in a matter of hours.

Told in the style of a documentary retrospective, the story follows Lily Lawlor, a sheltered Catholic college student whose life is turned upside down after she meets a mysterious and charismatic young man named Drake. Bonding over their shared passion for music and a desire to change the world, their friendship quickly turns into a romance, and together they channel that energy into forming a band called The Shivers. Under Drake’s magnetic leadership, they quickly recruit a bassist, a keyboardist, and a drummer, and Lily—now reinventing herself as Lily Lawless—dives headfirst into the punk rock scene. Before long, the band is booking gigs and making waves, except the attention they’re attracting isn’t exactly the kind they want. Strange things start happening at their shows, like people fainting and brawls breaking out randomly. The crowd just seems to spiral out of control wherever they perform.

As the band’s buzz grows, so does the chaos that seems to follow them. Lily begins to suspect there’s something much darker going on, especially with Drake, whose moods are becoming chillier and more unpredictable. Eventually, he leaves the band, breaking Lily’s heart in the process. But this is not the last they see of Drake. Soon, he turns up as the lead guitarist in a rival band poised to headline a massive battle-of-the-bands competition ominously named Armageddon, an event that The Shivers, now under Lily’s leadership, is also hoping to win. What began as a story about music and rebellion suddenly blows up into something far more apocalyptic as Drake embraces his larger destiny tied to the end of days. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, it might all come down to who can rock the hardest.

This book was an absolute blast! Yes, there are creepy moments, but for the most part, it capitalizes on campy and over-the-top horror than anything traditionally scary. And honestly? That’s part of the appeal. The story doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that gives the wild concept behind it the room it needs to breathe. I especially loved all the nods and references to punk rock and its culture. My Ex, the Antichrist was the whole package complete with attitude and vibes, and it’s clear the author has a real love for the scene because it pours through every page.

But what really made this book stand out for me was its structure. The story is framed as if we’re watching a docu-series offering a deep dive into an event that has already happened, including interviews, news articles, and other background snippets from sources connected to The Shivers and the madness that followed them. Much of the narrative focuses on the band’s origins, like how they came together and found their sound. These insights ground the story and provide it with its emotional heart, but it’s also more than that. Interjections from side characters and other epistolary bits sprinkled throughout add extra layers of depth and texture to the plot. It was just a really cool way to present a story, and it hooked me immediately.

Of course, for all this to work, your characters have to be strong, and I’m happy to say the book delivered on that front. The band members take center stage, each one feeling distinct and authentic. Their clashing personalities made for some great moments, particularly in those early days when they’re still figuring each other out. But while Drake is the dark star they all orbit, the life of the story is all Lily. Her character arc, which showed her transformation from an innocent and timorous teen to true punk rock princess, was worth the price of admission alone. Watching her find her voice, both literally and figuratively, was incredibly satisfying, especially when she comes to realize she doesn’t need Drake to make it on her own.

There’s a lot going on here, and it’s probably not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. However, it worked for me. You learn rather quickly to roll with it and enjoy the ride. All in all, My Ex, the Antichrist is a wildly entertaining read, and I loved its unique premise, inventive storytelling style, and the sheer energy of it all. Even when it gets weird, it’s the kind of weird that’s bold, imaginative, and keeps you glued to the page. Musically themed horror is fast becoming one of my favorite niche genre mash-ups, and if the concept of this one even remotely intrigues you, I say go for it! A must-read for Craig DiLouie fans.