Reviews with content warning for Stalking - You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight

Reviews tagging 'Stalking'

You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron

25 reviews

safton's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

So I have always enjoyed horror, especially slasher films. It only recently came to my attention that slasher *books* existed, too. As an avid fan of both slashers and immersive haunted houses and the like, the premise of "You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight" immediately intrigued me.

The first half of the book is great. We get introduced to a diverse and well-rounded cast of characters who are all legitimately interesting in their own ways and easy to get invested in. Bayron does a good job of slowly ratcheting up the tension with the use of atmospheric set pieces and showing us what the camp is like as the plot builds toward the final act.

However, I'm sorry to say that the narrative sort of falls apart under its own weight in the last half or at least the final third of the novel. It's not unreadable by any means, but the quality of writing noticeably drops off. Everything feels a tad rushed and forced, abandoning the nuanced, suspenseful, and mysterious atmosphere that had been crafted so well up to this point. For instance, we start to have multiple sequences filled with awkward & stilted dialogue which blatantly serve only as an exposition dump for the audience. The characters start acting in weird and unbelievable ways solely to advance the plot (including the ones that are supposed to be "savvy"). Without going too heavy into spoiler territory, the book does try to use false trails and plot twists to throw off the audience from what they were likely expecting. I won't go so far as to say that it isn't still fundamentally a slasher story at its core, but it probably isn't what you go into the book expecting. For me, the build-up and payoff on the twist(s) was lacking and didn't really hit... but I admire the attempt.

Overall, however, I consider the book to be a nominally positive experience. I give it a 3.5/5. I read it in record time. It's great for the Halloween season given the limited amount of titles in the genre, but I don't know how much interest it would hold for non-horror geeks.

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midnacine's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I.... I honestly don't know how to process this book.

Some moments like the whole reveal with Mr. Lamont and Kyle, or Bezi's revenge in the epilogue were extremely predictable, while others... the whole Owl Society made me cackle, it was so ridiculous. But then I really liked other parts, like Charity's death and the general set up for the plot.

Idk I just think Kalynn Bayron isn't the author for me

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annanass's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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gen_wolfhailstorm's review

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

August pick for Amy McCaw's YA Book Club 2023.

What a fantastic debut into horror. Once the insanity of the plot began and the real fear kicked in, I felt so sick in anticipation and discomfort.

I loved how fast paced this was but without feeling rushed or skimping on the detail at all - it was the perfect balance.

I enjoyed all the horror references and was looking forward for the potential of more Easter eggs for scenario's to come.

The whole plot being set at a horror camp simulation was so cool. It was the perfect backdrop and I loved how rich in its own history and legend it was. It felt so real.

We had a fantastic cast of characters and the pulled the story through with so much personality. I couldn't help but connect to all of the main players in some way.

The plot twist at the end was absolutely amazing! I was so shocked!

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bookish_afrolatina's review

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Bayron brought back the vibes of older slasher flicks in You’re Not Supposed To Die Tonight and it was just as entertaining.

Charity runs the show at Camp Mirror Lake, a gory horror simulation where she and her crew are tasked with scaring the living daylight out of guests each night. It’s a typical summer of fright until some of her staff mysteriously don’t show up for shifts. Oh well! This “final girl” leads her team in another game with her girlfriend and bestie subbing in. Little do they know, it’s about to get real.

This book accomplishes what every teen slasher should, which is keep you on your toes! However, I could have done with a little more substance on Charity‘s situation with her mom and literally anything about Beni’s family. The characters had fun lines here and there but they mostly felt one-dimensional.

It was a cool premise, but the pacing sped wayyyy up at the end and the epilogue left me feeling like, “okay…I guess that’s nice.” Felt like there was a whole in how that wrapped up.

If you’re looking for some books for your Spooky Season TBR, this would be a good addition.

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