You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight

You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron is a young adult slasher novel which is a sub-genre I’ve been exploring recently in book form as I’ve been enjoying the film form for years, and this was a fun one which had all the tropes I was looking for but with a surprise or two along the way. 

Seventeen year old Charity is working her third year in a row at Camp Mirror Lake, an immersive slasher camp experience on the film set of a fictional 1983 cult slasher film; she’s been promoted to manager and portrays the final girl in the production.  

It’s primarily narrated from her POV, so we learn a lot about her home life, including her mom’s boyfriend who doesn’t want her around, and her valued relationships, including that with her girlfriend. 

As employees desert her near the end of the season, she recruits her friends to help close up the last few days, and she starts to realize how real the script for her slasher show is becoming. 

I definitely recommend this for anyone who enjoys a teen slasher with diverse characters, humor, and a satisfying conclusion. 

I read the ebook but also listened to the audio, and it was not my favorite production; I got distracted by the cadence of the reading at times, but that could be my personal preference or old ears. The quality of the recording itself was perfect. 

I borrowed these from my local library via https://libbyapp.com/interview/welcome#doYouHaveACard , but, if you decide to purchase, support your favorite indie bookstore (and me) by using my link to order the audiobook from https://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm60355 OR if you prefer using your eyes to read, support your favorite indie (and give us both 20% off if it’s your first purchase) by using my link at https://refer.bookshop.org/candidanorwood.