You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron: Review

Kalynn Bayron’s You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight takes readers on a pulse-pounding journey that will leave you gripping the edge of your seat with anticipation and horror. 

The story unfolds at Camp Mirror Lake, a haven for thrill-seekers willing to pay for the ultimate scare of their lives. Our main protagonist, Charity Curtis, is thrust into a nightmarish reality when all of a sudden, her co-workers begin vanishing and this is no longer just a simulation. As terror escalates and the line between performance and reality blurs, Charity’s transformation from a scripted final girl to a survivor is both compelling and enthralling for the readers. The relationship between Charity and her girlfriend Bezi offers a pleasant escape for the readers amid the chaos that’s unfurling around them. There’s more to Mirror Lake’s dangerous past than what meets the eye and Charity must unravel the clues and solve the mystery of who the killer is and what they are after. 

Bayron’s ability to immerse the reader in the chilling atmosphere of the camp, the mood of fear and foreboding, and the fast-paced horror from the very beginning of the book made this a thrilling read for me. The author’s use of descriptive language and gore really amped up the spooky feels. 

I felt that the set up went slightly downhill after the first part of the novel, with the pacing being uneven, lack of character development and the transition from horror to paranormal. 

As this novel is quite short, I felt the ending was rushed. This book did get me out of my reading slump and I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a fast- paced thriller/horror YA book. 

Jefna Shaijo, 18