You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Baron
A girl with the perfect summer job at a camp obsessed with horror films finds herself at risk of becoming the real “final girl” in this young adult slasher novel.
Kalynn Baron is a YA author known for capturing characters living in fantasy worlds or being confronted with unique experiences. Baron’s writing not only focuses on clever banter and relatable conversations, but it also sets scenes so immersive that you find yourself feeling like you are part of the story.
From books like Cinderella is Dead, a dark story that follows a queer teen in a world where Cinderella died 200 years ago, to This Poison Heart, a tale of Briseis who has the gift of making plants grow from just a touch — that could turn deadly. Kalynn Baron’s books typically focus on LGBTQ characters that thrive in stories filled with fantasy and mixed with real-world experiences.
In You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight (Bloomsbury YA), Baron works within the slasher genre, making this book perfect for fans of 80s movies such as Friday the 13th and 90s classics such as Scream.
An Eerie Setting and Characters Worth Rooting For
Fans of Baron will love how she makes the horror genre pop, even though this is her first time writing this genre. It’s a perfect book for those looking to dive into something scary.
Charity Curtis loves scary films. She loves them so much that she spends her summer at Camp Mirror, a camp for those who are not just looking for a place to stay … They’re looking to be a part of a terrifying experience, where they can immerse themselves in a simulated horror movie.
At Camp Mirror, Charity plays the role of the “final girl,” a character trope in horror movies who is known for being targeted by the killer, only to redeem herself and make it out safe and sound at the end. As readers get to know Charity, they will realize that this is a job that she is passionate about.
Readers will see how the story connects to and is inspired by 80s slasher films, especially when they realize that the camp’s game is named Curse of Camp Mirror Lake. The screams are real and so are the character’s predicaments. Even though the game feeds on fear, guests at Camp Mirror usually leave pleased and, well, alive.
You can expect things to go wrong throughout the novel, since it promises shocking twists and turns. Charity and her girlfriend Bezi deal with co-workers disappearing and desperately realize that there might be more secrets behind the camp — dark secrets that could even lead to their demise. It’s a book that’ll thrill you and leave you flipping pages until the surprising end.
Full of Dark Fun and Games
Readers that enjoy books that are simply fun, scary and make them jump while reading late at night, will be floored by this story. It is short enough to devour in a day, but also stays with you and makes you smile, especially at the nostalgia that it provides for fans of classic scary movies.
Filled with bumps in the night, a strong duo of female characters and bloody, fun and creepy moments, this is a book that is a rollercoaster ride of fun mixed in with themes of friendship, love and survival. You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight screams trust no one, look behind you and never play a game that could lead to a surprising and dark finale.
Kalynn Bayron is the New York Times and Indie bestselling author of the YA fantasy novels Cinderella Is Dead and This Poison Heart. Her latest works include the YA fantasy This Wicked Fate and the middle grade paranormal adventure The Vanquishers. She is a CILIP Carnegie Medal Nominee, a two-time CYBILS Award nominee, and the recipient of the 2022 Randall Keenan Award for Black LGBTQ fiction. She is a classically trained vocalist and musical theater enthusiast. When she’s not writing you can find her watching scary movies and spending time with her family.
