You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight

I don’t typically reach for YA books, but You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight was such a fun surprise. From the first few chapters, it pulled me in with its fast pace, strong writing, and characters that actually felt distinct and well developed. What really stood out to me was the campiness—in the best possible way. It leans into classic slasher vibes while still feeling modern and fresh, and it was clear the author was having fun with the genre. That energy made it a quick, entertaining read that never took itself too seriously but still delivered tension and emotion when it needed to. Charity was a great lead. She felt grounded and real, not just a stereotypical “final girl,” and her relationship with Bezi was one of my favorite parts of the book. The queer representation felt natural and integrated into the story instead of being treated like a big dramatic reveal, which I really appreciated. I could easily see this being turned into a movie or a limited series. The setting, characters, and overall tone feel perfect for the screen. Even though YA isn’t usually my go-to, this one definitely worked for me, and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a fast, fun, slasher-style read

Kalynn Bayron's You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight is a chilling and powerful fiction book that masterfully intertwines classic slasher horror with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ teens in a spine-tingling Friday the 13th type horror setting at a remote camp. This compelling narrative takes readers on a heart-pounding journey, blending elements of suspense, social commentary, and emotional depth, leaving us completely enthralled and moved. From the very first page, Bayron's writing grips you with its authentic representation of marginalized youth. The LGBTQ+ and BIPOC representation in this book is both refreshing and vital, showcasing the resilience and strength of these young individuals amid terrifying circumstances. The summer camp setting provides the perfect backdrop for the unfolding horror, and Bayron masterfully builds tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats throughout. The Friday the 13th atmosphere adds a familiar and eerie element to the story, creating a sense of dread and anticipation that lingers long after the last page. As the story progresses, the horrors faced by the characters are not limited to the supernatural, but also extend to the very real fears and discrimination they encounter daily. Bayron deftly weaves in subtle themes of systemic oppression making this book a poignant reflection of the challenges faced by marginalized communities. In You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight, Bayron has crafted a thrilling and entertaining read. The book strikes a perfect balance between horror and social commentary, allowing readers to be both terrified and enlightened simultaneously. The emotional depth of the story is another standout element. The characters' struggles and fears are palpable, drawing us into their world and forging a deep connection with them. Bayron's prose is evocative, painting vivid pictures of the eerie camp and the inner turmoil of the characters. This book's resolution is both satisfying and leaves you desiring more, leaving us contemplating the wider implications of the story's events long after the final page is turned. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion in literature and challenges us to examine our own beliefs and prejudices. In conclusion, You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight is a gripping and socially relevant fiction book that delivers a thrilling Friday the 13th style horror experience. Kalynn Bayron's writing is masterful, and her ability to seamlessly blend important social themes with a heart-pounding plot is commendable. This is a must-read for anyone seeking a compelling, thought-provoking, and ultimately empowering reading experience.

I really enjoyed the first three-quarters of this book. The summer setting, slasher-inspired premise, and fast pacing made it an easy, bingeable read. It had all the ingredients for a fun YA thriller, and I found myself eager to keep turning the pages to see how everything would unfold. Unfortunately, the ending didn’t work for me. The story takes a direction that felt very different from what had been built throughout the rest of the book, and it ultimately left me more disappointed than satisfied. That said, I still think this is a solid choice for readers looking for a quick YA thriller with strong Summerween vibes. While the payoff wasn’t for me, I appreciated the atmosphere, the tension, and how easy it was to get invested in the story. Overall, a fun premise with a memorable setting, but the ending kept it at 3 stars.

This book was very nostalgic for me. It was akin to the point horror books from the 80s and 90s. Super fast to read but fun and just a little scary. I loved it

Great book

Friday, the 13th, meets backwoods Halloween Horror Nights, meets a badass female protagonist who knows what she's doing. Plot: 4/5 Characters: 3/5 Scare Factor: 2/5 What immediately drew me to this book was the cover and the title. Then, I was sold when I read the synopsis and how the setting was a Camp in the middle of the woods, an interactive Horror game, etc. This book was a speedy read. I would have read this book in a day if it weren't for my work schedule. The pacing is quick, and I was instantaneously sucked into this story and did not want to put it down. I immediately fell in love with Charity and even the rest of the cast, but man, did I root for Charity. There's something about characters in a horror story that know the elements of horror, actively try to do the right thing, and call out the stupidly obvious steps to getting killed in a horror story that I love. I love when characters are aware of their situation and actively try to do the right thing instead of being cliche...while also giving us those horror scenarios we love. It almost always raises the stakes and the scare factor for me. While this book was creepy at times, it didn't scare me. I was disappointed that I finished it and didn't want to swear off cabins and summer camps in the woods. However, I know this is a YA novel, so I didn't expect it to be too scary; I just wanted more. The creepiest thing to me was the ending. I loved it. I loved the plot twist, and I'm both satisfied with the mystery of not knowing what happens next and so curious to see what did happen next. I recommend this book for a quick summer horror story that won't keep you up at night. It's worth a read, and I will be re-read it again next summer or so. Also, Kalynn Bayron is an excellent writer, and I've loved her previous works and look forward to what she brings to us next.

This is my favorite book from this author. I love the premise and the ending and the twist with a twist is exactly what I was looking for

This book is so good and I couldn’t put it down! Charity spends her summer working for a camp in which patrons pay to get scared be living the events of popular scary movie The Curse of Camp Mirror Lake. As their summer season winds down some of the cast starts no showing for work. Assuming they went home early, Charity asks her girlfriend Bezi and their friend to come help out. Everything is going well until some random lady shows up warning them away. Afterwards things get worse as they hear strange noises, think they see people, and start seeing random objects. Could their be more to Camp Mirror Lake? What about the crew who no showed? Can they survive the night? Kalynn Bayron latest had me feeling all the tense emotions! Even in the daylight I could feel the fear! It’s intense and suspenseful and you won’t be able to put it down!

WHY she acting like she ain't got no damn sense.. 😭 That Ending.. 👀 The way I gobbled up this book in one sitting 😩 WHY was I yelling at this girl like that, no the import question is why is she acting like she has never watched a horoor movie before.??????? 🤔 Girl if you don't act black. 😩 Ugh I wanted slap her everytime she opened her mouth. hwooo... okay rant over read the book of you don't getting high-high (blood pressure) 😁✌🏾

First of all: the cover is stunning 🖤 Since this is a short book, the beginning felt a bit rushed—I would’ve loved a little more time with the characters before everything kicked off. The middle part wasn’t fully my personal taste (slasher fans know how subjective the genre is). But the ending really delivers. The twists genuinely surprised me and made the whole read worth it. Fun, bold, and unexpected 🔥

Pretty good, it keeps you in your toes. And the end was really unexpected. It's a really fun book for summerween

This was a great read! It was exactly what I wanted and a fun homage to 80/90s slasher films. I really liked the concept of this camp that runs horror simulations designed to scare you and give you all the experience of being in a slasher film without any of the stakes. This alone was a lot of fun and I enjoyed seeing Charity and the other teens running the place. Charity not only helps run it all but is cast as the ‘final girl’, that well known character who is set to survive the night. It was an amusing take on the trope and it was just a lot of fun to have the horror themed camp slowly turn real. I enjoyed getting to know the characters as unusual things start happening. I actually really liked all them and didn’t want any of them to die so the tension was high throughout. It was high suspense and high stakes and I was never sure what was going to happen. The reveals and twists were great (especially at the end) and though I still can’t decide how I feel about the end, it was a great read! Overall it was just a fun, fast paced and high stakes. It was tense enough that I left the light on whilst reading 🤣 basically everything I wanted this slasher horror read to be. If she writes more horror I will absolutely be reading

A fast paced, thriller. Wonderful writing, sapphic romance and edge of your seat tension.