This was a fun ride, a YA slasher that actually had some substance. Chaotic in the best way. A thrilling horror with woke Gen Z'ers. Loved all the horror movie references! I think the worst part of it was the villain being a clown. For a YA horror that just feels too on the nose? stereotypical? lazy? Also the reveal at the end of who the villain was fell a little flat because the reader doesn't really have any connection to the character; the character is only loosely tied to the story which was disappointing. But I did appreciate the diversity representation in the book. We need more horror with rich black final girls! 4 stars. Thank you NetGalley for this e-arc

I can appreciate what this book is attempting to do, looking at horror tropes through a more social lens. It breaks down choices that characters make that lead to their downfall. It thinks it's subverting expectations. But nothing is ever turned on it's ear. In fact, it ends up a fairly standard slasher. A random killer punishes privileged teens by subjecting them to increasingly nonsensical tortures. It tries to point out forms of privilege but this isn't enough to overwhelm the nonsense.

I must have blacked out when I read the summary of this one because I did not realize the killer was dressed up as a clown, which made this book that more creepy. This was definitely a fun read especially for Halloween season. It was more gory than I was expecting from a YA read and it definitely added to the kills. I also enjoyed the quotes from scary movies that started each chapter.

I definitely think this book dragged on more than it should and found myself saying “why haven’t you tried killing the killer” multiple times. Also all the characters are spoiled rich kids, which made me like the characters less.

Overall, this was a fun read for spooky season and would recommend to anyone who loves horror movies.

A clear homage to classic slasher movies from the 80s/90s, with a modern "gen z" twist. A fun read, especially leading up to Halloween. Will most likely purchase a title for our teen horror section.

Thank you very much for the opportunity to read this book early! I really enjoyed it. I thought the writing was very well done, and the story kept me interested. I believe my students/patrons would also love this book and will be acquiring it for the library!

One group of rich and internet famous teens + a Halloween party = a truly killer night. Horror fanatic Noelle plans an exclusive Halloween party for a small group of the biggest stars of her senior class, hoping to boost her own socials. The scares are fun at first, until the clown she hired takes things a bit too far. He's there for a reason, and no one will make it out unscathed. Can Noelle prove that she is a Final Girl, or will she be just another casualty?

This was a fun read for Halloween. Feels just like a typical slasher flick. Fits all the tropes, but trying to fit with the current times (maybe trying too hard). Clowns really are horrifying, especially when they actually want to murder you! I did find most of the characters a bit annoying (very spoiled rich kids), but I guess that kind of works since you don't really mind when they get taken down. The characters are pretty one dimensional. Lots of action and gore when the kills start though. I wanted to see where the story led, though it ended up being fairly predictable. Very campy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!

Wow, what a fun story!! This is a very unique take on the horror genre, at least to me, with a FMC that is determined to be the final girl. Her party ends up taking a turn for the worse when her hired clown has plans of their own.

This was definitely a slasher-esque book, but I absolutely ate it up. It felt like a fun teen slasher flick from the 90s-early 2000s. Absolutely recommend this book!

This young adult contemporary horror novel was a terrifying romp in the best way. Noelle is poised to take her successful horror movie club to the next level with an exclusive Halloween party none of the cool kids would dare miss, and she’s ready to rock it when things go terrifyingly awry because that ‘low budget It clown’ she hired is taking the method method to a new level and she’s not going down without a fight. She knows Black girls usually die first in almost all the scary movies but she’s ready to prove that she’s a Final Girl.

I was heavy into horror novels as a teen and young adult but have taken a long break in the last few years so this was a treat to read because it was one of the first times I’ve seen my (younger) self reflected in any way! I was really touched by the fact that our mc is not only a young Black woman but also one who knows her genre and is committed to being the Final Girl, in all ways. Loved the incorporation of lived experiences and how Lisa touches on privilege and marginalization even as murder and mayhem is happening.

There’s a playlist embedded in the story since it’s set at a horror movie club party that goes horrifically awry when the clown that’s been hired comes with his much bloodier game plan in mind which I thoroughly enjoyed. Some of the tracks that came to mind for me as I was reading it include: Flawless by Beyoncé, Betrayal by Yo Gotti, Scream by The Misfits, Tripping by Nathan Barr and Paint The Town Red by Doja Cat.

Content Warning: Murder, Blood, Clowns

My thanks to Lisa Springer, Delacorte Press, tbrbeyondtours.com and NetGalley for the DRC of “There’s No Way I’d Die First”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Do you like scary teen movies? Do you like books that feel like you’re watching a scary teen movie? Then There’s No Way I’d Die First is the book for you!

I had so much fun reading this teen horror book. This was such a well done debut novel by Lisa Springer. It had all the slasher horror goodness that I love in horror books. There are some pretty gruesome parts in this book and I think you’ll love this one if you love slashers.

This book features a psychotic murderous clown, so beware if you have a fear of clowns like me! There are some terrifying clown scenes that made my fear even worse. Darn creepy clowns!

There’s No Way I’d Die First is the perfect spooky season read. I loved the kick ass main character and the horror filled story. Definitely add this book to your tbr.

4/5 stars

I feel very mixed about this book. Had some great moments and some other moments that had me confused. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it.

This book started off a little slow as there were a lot of characters to meet and set up the relationships going into the party. But knowing the characters is SO important here - the little character list at the beginning was very helpful to go back to reference. But once the party was getting started the excitement picked up and I was having such a good time. Then the clown arrives and things get even more wild. The party soon learns that the clown is not there for a fun time, but for a violent time and soon they are on the run and just trying to survive the night. With an endless supply of horror movie references, the characters all try to be the “final girl” to make it out alive.
I thought that the horror elements - the violence, the blood/gore, and the suspense - was the best part of this book. I was really enjoying the creepy horror movie vibes all the way through.
The characters were mildly irritating - they were high schoolers so there is some understanding there. But I found some of their interactions to be unnecessary- if the killer is coming for you, stopping in the doorway to talk about how crazy the night is turning out doesn’t seem like the best choice. Or the way Noelle is constantly concerned about what the police would do when they got there, worried about her alibi and that she would be blamed… I thought this was a little irritating given her friends were being brutally murdered in front of her.
For the entire second half of the book, they were running in circles through the house just being caught in trap after trap that the clown had somehow managed to rig up without them knowing.

This book would have benefited greatly from having a map of the house. I found myself constantly confused as to where they were or where they were going. Too many rooms and hallways to really follow since the house was specially designed by rich people.
And if they got outside to the pier with the boat… why did they go back inside just to find themselves locked in again? Either they shouldn’t have been able to get outside to the boat OR I needed a map to understand how all of this would be connected to the house somehow.
And how is the clown surviving through all of the many many attacks? In true Michael Myers fashion, this human villain somehow cannot be killed despite burning and stabbing and bludgeoning.

With some inconsistencies and unbelievable character decisions, this had its fair share of issues. But it was an overall enjoyable read for the horror-filled murderous clown vibes.

When seventeen-year-old Noelle throws a party to celebrate the first-year anniversary of her horror movie podcast, she hires a creepy clown for a game of hide and seek, but when the clown arrives, it seems he has an agenda of his own. With multiple pop culture references and nods to horror movie franchises, this was a fun, quick read that's perfect for spooky season!

Noelle Layne is a horror movie buff. She leads her school's horror movie club and is aiming to boost her social media and launch a new podcast this Halloween. She has planned a super-exclusive Halloween party with her horror movie club friends and some top influencers that is sure to drum up some followers. Noelle has the perfect setting, perfect costume, awesome decorations, playlist, movies (of course) and to top it off, she has hired a creepy clown to play a fear induced game of tag. However, the creepy clown soon turns on the group and begins killing the teens. Noelle and her friends are now faced with a real life horror movie, but Noelle has prepared her whole life for this scenario. She knows she won't die first, but will she make it out alive?

There's No Way I'd Die First is a fast paced young adult horror with many different elements from your favorite horror flicks. I loved the homages to classic horror films including killer clowns, a call from inside the house and blood soaked prom dresses as well as the quotes at the beginning of each chapter to set the tone. The setting of Castle Rock, the secluded, Long Island home of Noelle's affluent parents on a stormy night provided the perfect backdrop for Noelle's party. I do wish I could have envisioned the house and layout better, other than a large house on a hill, since all of the action took place there. The characters were all intriguing, but difficult to feel empathetic towards at the same time. All of the teens are from wealthy families who have gained privilege from that wealth and have benefitted from that wealth in ways that others may deem unfair. The clown, Gage, provides the mystery as Noelle and her friends try to figure out his identity and how he knows their secrets. As Gage hunts down the party guests, the writing offers plenty of gore, strategy and scares. I really wanted to see all of Noelle's horror movie knowledge come through for her, but Gage seemed to anticipate her actions as well as operate exceptionally well while injured. Overall, an action packed, young adult horror with a contemporary twist.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

What a fun YA horror! I wasn't sure about this one at first but I'm glad I decided to push through because once it picks up it becomes a LOT of fun. I also highly enjoyed Noelle, the protagonist. She's smart, tough, and sassy and she knows all about horror and final girls, and what it takes to be a final girl. Her last speech to the slasher near the end was A+ as well.

"I've been a final girl all along." - Noelle, ch. 29

As many slasher stories are, There's No Way I'd Die First is also a social commentary, mainly on privilege and the many forms that it takes and how it can harm those without. Having a Gen Z cast of characters is basically perfect for that, as privilege and the effect it has on various minorities is a big topic for that generation right now, with how much more open and accepting they are of each other's differences and how they even embrace and celebrate those differences (though, obviously, humanity still has a long way to go, and that's also touched on in the novel). Some may find the social commentary aspect annoying or overbearing but it is the foundation of the story and I enjoyed it and believe that Lisa Springer did a great job with how she weaves it into a wild 'kill or be killed' thriller.

I also really enjoyed the horror film quotes at the start of each chapter, and I'm embarrassed to say it took me several chapters before I realized two things about these quotes: 1) these are the films the horror club has watched so far, and 2) they're a hint as to what each chapter is about. I really, really liked that and think it was a fun addition to the story.

I'm really hoping this gets made into a film because it could be a LOT of fun. What a great read for Spooktober!

“It’s Halloween, I guess everyone’s entitled to one good scare.” -Halloween, 1978
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Meet Noelle Layne, creator of Jump Scare, a social media channel that focuses on all things horror movies, particularly Black horror. When Noelle decides to throw the Halloween party to end all parties to kick off her podcast, she invites all the social media influencers are her affluent high school so they will post about it. She also hires a clown to add to the horror experience, but it turns out the clown has an agenda of his own: to kill them all. But Noelle has been training to be a Final Girl for a long time.
🤡
This YA horror book started off so strong for me, but midway through went downhill. It got repetitive and unnecessarily gross/gory. The twist wasn’t really a twist, if you had been paying attention. I would recommend Kalynn Bayron’s You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight if you’re looking for a YA slasher novel.

CW: murder, violence, stalking, racism, death, blood/gore, classism

This was a tough one to get through. I was so excited about Halloween and scary-movie aspects to the story but I found myself bored throughout. It makes me so disappointed because I feel like slasher/horror books in YA are so important but for whatever reason, the characters don’t have a depth to them and are so boring and uninteresting.

I think this was a decent attempt at a slasher book and for the authors first horror it was okay. I just think it had way to many things about it that were irritating, like why are all the influencers from rich families? Would have been nice to have some that worked hard to get to were they were as buying equipment to start any type of social media platform and make it really good can be expensive so they would have had to work pretty hard to get their subs. Makes it harder for me to care about them especially when they get all whiny.

I was over the MC and her soapbox about reparations too since she was having a party in a MANSION her mother owned.

The fact that they were talking to the clown several times through out the book was just strange too, why not try and rush at it if your all together or try and get away, not have a conversation with the killer. It was also easy to figure out who the killer was.

It was a decent slasher for the Gen Z generation but I think maybe I am just to old to care.

was so excited when i got accepted for an arc of this because i've seen so many people talking about it. perfect for spooky season, this novel had me on the edge of my seat the entire time and i loved the slasher vibe of it.

This YA Thriller was a page turner for me. Strong FMC energy and giving very much final girl throughout the book. I look forward to read more from this author.

This book had me on the edge of my seat! I simply wasn't prepared for how action packed and gory the storyline would be. And the kill scenes are waaaaay up there on my horror list.

The beginning starts of normally and we're introduced to an entire cast of rich private school kids along with the main character, Noelle. Being the school's very own horror expert and soon-to-be podcaster, she sets up what is sure to be a Halloween party to remember. Unfortunately, the clown she hired is determined to make her night just as memorable---just not in the way that Noelle hoped.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys gore, traps, psychotic clowns, and Final Girls.

This was fun! But not all the way.

A group of teens are invited to a mansion for a Halloween extravaganza, including games, movie watching, drinking, and for the host, Noelle, hopefully finally hooking up with her crush. But when the killer Clown shows up, and the game of tag turns bloody, everyone's out for themselves - it's survival time. And Noelle is feeling the Final Girl vibes.

It was definitely a bloody murderous book. There's so much nostalgia with classic horror movies, I could not stop reading. There's a lot of running around, and killing, but that is where the book lost me. The action scenes were sometimes illogical. The movements just didn't flow for me. It was graphic, but the whole picture was just so unclear and a cluster - the action lost me. The characters, per such slasher/horror books where a bunch of rich influencers are invited were really shallow and unimpressive.

And let's talk about the final twist - are we serious? I did "kind of" liked how it went around and connected everything, but why is this clown then unbeatable? Why so many kids couldn't get him working together? Is this supposed to be some kind of nod to the system that is broken?

I don't know. There's just so much I wanted to love, and liked about this book, and so much that just didn't work for me. I'll definitely check out this author again in the future and see if we can get a more polished horror book. Will definitely recommend it to those that just want a slasher horror, like the ones we used to watch on TV - filled with gore, but nothing much else.