A review by ryleesbookshelf
You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 
This is THE Summerween book. Yes it is basically fall now but it’s still a perfect time to read this one. It takes places at the end of summer so realistically August/September is the time to read it. 

Cinderella Is Dead has been on my TBR for years now and while I finally picked up a copy this year, You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight was my first book by Bayron. Needless to say I’m definitely a fan will be eventually buying all of her books. 

This book is a love letter to slasher films. Even the some of the characters are horror movie lovers. Since this is a young adult book it is light on the descriptions of gore and tends to simplify descriptions. Instead it relies on the suspense of the situations the character’s find themselves in. This makes the books an easier horror read for older readers while being enough to keep younger readers up at night. 
 
Potential spoilers following: 
I like to check other reviews when writing my own and it sticks out to me that some people think the supernatural aspects of the book take away from the slasher aspect. I’d like to add that at no point in the story do we know that there is any truth to the ghost story until the end! And not even the last chapter. It was in the epilogue where you get the actual twist! This aspect is like the friday the 13th movies through and through.
End of potential spoilers. 
 
It is also the perfect length for a one sitting read! My only complaint is the title is really long to type out. 
 
CW: murder, gore, major character death, minor character death, blood, animal death (non pet), racism. 
I’d also like to add that there are two incidents where an antagonist threatens the characters with a gun and also police threaten the characters as well. There is also some cult aspects involved in the story. 
 
Borrowed from my local library as a physical copy. US hardcover is pictured. 
Available as a hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook. 
Other Books Read by this author: None. Cinderella is Dead and Sleep Like Death are on my physical TBR. 
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