You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight
Written by: Kalynn Bayron
Bloomsbury YA
2024
Thrilling and suspenseful, You’re Not Supposed To Die Tonight is a perfect horror for slasher and Friday the 13th fans.
You’re Not Supposed To Die Tonight was such an excellent novel. A Sunshine State Award winner, this novel is short, sweet, and thrilling from beginning to end.
Storytelling
You’re Not Supposed To Die Tonight follows Charity, who plays the “Final Girl” role at Camp Mirror Lake, recreating scenes from the cult classic film Curse of Camp Mirror Lake. Charity is a little like Sydney Prescott, knowing the rules of the horror films that allow her to live through every show.
But when Charity’s coworkers begin to go missing before turning up dead, Charity discovers that the cult classic film is based on some fact, and her role as “Final Girl” is no longer a role.
The novel is absolutely thrilling and perfect for someone who loves slasher movies. The pacing is on point, going effortlessly from one moment to the next while continuously adding to the rising tension.
It’s relentless, like a good horror movie, keeping you hooked and addicted to the plot and sequence of events.
As readers, we pity her, but more importantly, we understand her. We, unfortunately, live in a world where people are marginalized for a variety of reasons, the biggest being their skin color.
And just like any good slasher, you must be somewhat invested in some characters, especially the “Final Girl.”
Charity is a great character. Using the knowledge she has gained from playing a final girl in the camp production, she aims to keep herself and her girlfriend, Bezi, alive.
Charity is clever, and she’s willful. She reminds me a lot of Sydney Prescott. She’s not just trying to stay alive; she’s also trying to solve the mystery. Who is this killer? What is their motivation?
And you, the reader, become invested in her survival and that of her girlfriend, Bezi, because they aren’t just characters but relatable.
Final Thoughts
A ‘Sunshine State Award Winner,’ You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight, is a quick and easy read that keeps you hooked from beginning to jaw-drooping ending. Remember, they always come back for one last scare…
Cynthia Ayala
Cynthia Ayala-Bujnicki majored in Writing and Publishing from Emerson College. Editor-in-chief of Cyn's Workshop, she loves to read and write while tending to her pepper plants. She currently lives in South Florida with her husband, two kids Dante and Selene and two furbabies Mr. J the Kitten who Thinks He's Batman (yes, that is his full name) and Nyx.
