YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DIE TONIGHT by KAYLNN BAYRON
A REVIEW by ALEXA DUNCAN
When you’re the final girl–the girl destined to make it out alive at the end of the horror movie–there’s only one thing you need to do: survive. That’s exactly what Charity is paid to do at Camp Mirror Lake, a “terror simulation” game based off an 80s slasher film that was made at the v
ery place Charity works. When she invites her friends–and girlfriend, Bezi–to help her run the last game of the season, strange somethings begin happening at the camp. Friends go missing, mysterious figures appear like ghosts, and…owls. Lots of owls.
You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight is a quick read, clocking in at just over 250 pages. The writing here isn’t overly flowery. It’s short, snappy sentences that make for an intense reading experience, especially as the plot gets going. Charity, our main character, is resourceful and reliable–she is the final girl, after all. The supporting characters don’t do much, but what they do do, I won’t spoil here. The overall plot of the novel is your typical horror movie. It hits all the familiar beats. Missing coworkers, friends who come to visit and take nothing seriously. Near the end of the novel, the plot takes a massive turn toward the supernatural that I wasn’t sure I liked.
Nevertheless, fans of fun teen horror will enjoy this diverse novel.