This was the first short story collection I’ve read in years. I’ve read novellas in the past and enjoyed them but I was not a fan of this collection

Wow wow wow was this book a journey! This collection of stories has some of my all time favorite authors with some new to me authors. Every story just got better and better. I loved the intro to the book that set up that these stories are interconnected. Some of these stories were so gruesome it had me reading it while peeking through my hands. These authors have such a vivid imagery, unique storytelling abilities and a great blend of genres into the horror/thriller category. I loved how each story had a unique ending where you didn't know who if anyone were going to make it out alive. I am typically not a horror girl staying on the side of light thriller/mystery, however this book had me unable to put it down. This is the perfect read for the upcoming spooky season.

3 stars. ☆

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc <3

horror is not necessarily my genre so this is definitely out of my comfort zone. i loved that the one theme that i saw was present in all of the short stories was the protagonists' struggles with being perceived as outsiders. they had to deal with generational trauma accumulating, desperation to fit into a more "glamorous (white) lifestyle," and microaggressions. i adored how every story touched on concerns and struggles that are really genuine for BIPOC people. it is what molded and enhanced the characters' nuances.

love, mitra.

Thanks to Tor Publishing Group/Tor Teen and NetGalley for supplying the ARC.

The concept of the book is super interesting and I enjoyed the anthology more than I thought I would as someone who doesn’t read a lot of anthologies/short stories. It's awesome to have a collection of tales written by BIPOC and diverse authors in a genre where we usually get the short end of the stick often. Will definitely look into the other works by these writers. And when October comes around, I plan to reread this collection.

The White Guy Dies First is an incredible collection of short YA horror stories by people of color where, you guessed it, the white guy dies first. I was lucky enough to get the ARC and I loved every page. The stories were TERRIFYING, brutal, agonizing, heart-wrenching, brave, and overall ✨ stunning ✨. I will recommend this collection to the ends of the earth. There are so many different cultures to explore, so many identifies and sexualities. It’s REAL, and raw, and gory as hell. If you’re a fan of horror, you won’t be disappointed. I will remember each and every story from this collection - and I hope you will too.
THANK YOU, @netgalley and @torbooks for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
THE WHITE GUY DIES FIRST is out now, and I highly recommend you pick it up!

Short story anthologies are always hard to rate and this one wasn't an exception. There were some stories that I really liked, some that were just okay, and a couple that didn't really work for me.

It is a fun, creepy, often gory collection all in all. I liked the way the beginning/ending tied the stories together. The diversity was great in this one. I'm usually a really squeamish reader who enjoys being mildly-to-moderately creeped out. There were a few parts here that seriously grossed me out (cannibalism always makes me squirm), but I still found this collection really entertaining.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

This collection of short stories takes the old Hollywood horror trope of ‘the black guy dies first’ and flips it on it’s head. And while I’ve never been a fan of forced diversity just for diversity sake, I don’t feel that is what this collection is about. Yes, the stories do showcase diversity in their cast of characters, but first and foremost this is a collection of good stories. Now as with almost every story collection not every one of them can be a homerun (though All Eyes on Me definitely was…because you know…clowns!), but the majority are good to excellent. In fact there were only two that I would say really missed the mark for me, but I’m not going to identify them by name, as opinions vary and I’d hate to prejudice anyone’s opinion before they have a chance to make up their own mind. Regardless, for horror fans this is definitely a collection worth checking out. Thanks so much to Tor and NetGalley for allowing me access to an advanced copy of The White Guy Dies First.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-white-guy-dies-first-faridah-b-k-y-m-d/1144054706?ean=9781250861269&bvnotificationId=b31c14e6-43b8-11ef-856f-0affc7246703&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/314466013

This was a nice collection of scary stories. Short stories usually leave me lacking but these didn't disappoint. They are nice enough for one sitting but still contain enough to feel satisfied. My favorite one was The Road To Hell by Terry J Benton-Walker. I felt like I was in the house and it was alive. Don't read before bed!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher and authors

A great diverse set of horror stories.
Ranging from morbid, satrical, gorey, trippy, a little bit of everything.

Although I had favorites I think what I liked the most of it all was the sampling of writing styles from all the the new-to-me authors.

I would enjoy watching this as a mini series, it would play out on screen so well!

This book is packed full of amazing authors of color writing frightening short stories. Some of my favorite authors are included and they do not disappoint. Haunted houses, mysterious magic, creepy clowns, and cannibals!?! Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of this book. Just use caution when reading it before bed… Thank you Tor/Forge for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I received an ARC from the publisher and am voluntarily posting a review.
I love how this anthology subverts a common trope within horror of fridging women and/or people of color by having each story start with the death of a white guy. I especially liked the blog intro and outro by Terry Benton-Walker, which has a lot of jabs for the horror fan community. Few of the stories themselves were memorable, but I enjoyed seeing how each author played with similar overarching themes.

This was a great mix of horror stories from a lot of different backgrounds. I loved the overarching story of a missing director who left behind 13 movie posters for 13 movies that had never been released being the reason behind the compilation. And it was refreshing to see that the white guy doesn't always win.

Overall: 4⭐️

All Eyes on Me- Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé; 3.5⭐️
I hate clowns, but this was a great way to show a girl being set free from her oppressive boyfriend and to fulfill her dreams

Hedge-Kalynn Bayron-4⭐️
I'd love to read a full book on the hedge maze and the missing people related to it

The Golden Dragon-Kendare Blake 4.5⭐️
The spirit in the Japanese garden was a real girls girl and I loved it.

Best Served Cold-H.E. Edgmon 3⭐️
Cannibalism. I don't have much more to say than tha.

The Protege- Lamar Giles 3.5⭐️
Interesting premise but got a bit convoluted and the pacing was slow

Docile Girls- Chloe Gong 5⭐️
Felt like an '80s-'90s slasher flick with a great twist

Gray Grove- Alexis Henderson 4.5⭐️
Love a podcast, love even more with the privileged people get their come comeuppance

Everything's Coming Up Roses-Tiffany D. Jackson 5⭐️
The journal entries were so unsettling and I loved it.

Heaven- Adiba Jaigirdar 3⭐️
An interesting take on class and privilege but it feels like it's missing something.

Break Through Our Skin- Naseem Jamnia 3⭐️
Mansplaining and deadnaming at a school named 'The Oriental Institute'. What else could go wrong? A lot.

Wasps-Mark Oshiro 3.5⭐️
A skeezy landlord tricking an old lady into signing over her home and then trying the gentrify it was a lot and I'm not sure he got enough punishment

Hells is Other Demons- Karen Strong 3⭐️
A second chance on life to get the demon that killed you is an interesting premise but the execution wasn't quite there.

The Road to Hell- Terry J. Benton-Walker 5⭐️
A sentient house being obsessed with it's residents was so unsettling and a perfect final story.

Thank you Netgalley and Tor Teen for providing this ARC to me!

TWDF wasn't for me. It came off more juvenile than I expected, but this is for budding teens, so it serves its purpose. I experienced this novel via audio with a multicast lineup. While some of the narrators did sound robotic (like I can tell you are reading from the paper instead of regaling me in a story), there were a couple that deserved a Grammy for their performances!

Here are my standouts!

1. The Golden Dragon by Kendare Drake: This story is about two Korean-American sisters who take back their justice from a prestigious white boy who only sees Asians as "quiet" and an oriental checklist. The story gives off The Grudge vibes and has a satisfying ending.

2. The Protégé by Lamar Giles: This story is about a young boy looking after a package for his magician neighbor, which doesn't turn out great for him. I understand not many people like Giles's writing, but I read this as if it was part of the Now You See Me franchise that went super dark.

3. Everything Coming Up Roses by Tiffany D. Jackson: This story is about a girl who writes in her journal about her garden and problems at her job. All I can say is this Bih was crazy.

4. Hell is Other Demons by Karen Strong: This story is about an exorcist gone wrong. I like how this story was told. It's not so much about getting into heaven or hell but the work you do outside. One of my "Needs to watch out for" narrators, Angel Pean, performed this story. I loved her work on The American Queen.

5. Heaven by Adiba Jaigirdal: This story is about living in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by creatures called the Sunken, and things aren't what they seem. I'm going to be honest; this was one of my least favorite stories, but the only reason I'm listing it is because the narrator, Kausar Mohammed, blew me away with her emotions. I need to make a backlist of her work.

Overall the work was ehh. Anthologies are either a hit or miss and this was a miss for me.

As someone who isn't typically drawn to anthologies, 'The White Guy Dies First,' edited by Terry J. Benton-Walker, pleasantly surprised me with its diverse and chilling tales. Featuring 13 scary stories by a lineup of bestselling, award-winning, and up-and-coming BIPOC authors, this anthology promises a fresh perspective on horror where BIPOC characters take center stage and break the genre's traditional tropes. From killer clowns to haunted houses and beyond, each story delivers its own brand of terror with a twist — this time, the white guy really does die first.

What struck me most about this collection is its ability to cater to a wide range of horror tastes. Some stories gripped me from the first page with their eerie atmospheres and unexpected twists, while others left me pondering their deeper themes long after I finished reading. The anthology not only celebrates diversity through its characters but also proudly showcases queer and trans identities, adding layers of complexity and authenticity to the narratives. There's a palpable sense of excitement and creativity in every story, ensuring there's something to unsettle and enthrall every horror enthusiast.

'The White Guy Dies First' is not just a collection of scary stories; it's a testament to the richness and breadth of BIPOC voices in speculative fiction. Each author brings their own unique flair to the anthology, making it a compelling read from start to finish. Whether you're seeking spine-chilling thrills, thought-provoking twists, or simply a diverse array of characters that defy stereotypes, this anthology delivers on all fronts. It's a must-read for anyone looking to explore horror through a refreshingly inclusive lens, and I, for one, am eagerly anticipating the conversations these stories will spark.

I found the premise of this collection of horror stories - what if women and people weren’t the default first victims, what if, in fact, the white guy died first - a fascinating jumping off point, particularly because each author took it in a different direction. In some stories, the BIPOC characters were able to enact vengeance on those who had wronged them; in others, they also fell victim to the malevolent forces of the world. My favorite was Heaven, by Adiba Jaigirdar, which tells the story of Earth submerged in water and the last outpost of humanity…that might not be as beautiful as it appears. Some of these stories get very intense (Best Served Cold by H. E. Edgmon and Break Through Our Skin by Naseem Jamnia both featured body horror that was so well-written I personally struggled to read it), and not every story will work for every reader, but that is one of the joys of a collection like this. Highly recommend to any horror fan, especially one who enjoys having their preconceptions challenged.

Wow! !I absolutely loved reading these stories! Of the 13 stories, I'd say I enjoyed 11.5 of them and would highly recommend this book to any horror/mystery/thriller lovers!

Some of the stories were downright terrifying and others were completely insane (in a good way!) but they each had in common that the white guy ALWAYS died first!

The only critique I'd give is that the introduction and closing were not necessary for me, although I can see what TJBW was going for.

“13 scary stories. 13 authors of colour. 13 times we survived…the first kill 🔪” - @torteen

I’m going to get right to it, this horror anthology is OUTSTANDING. Every single one of these stories is an absolute punch to the gut. Sometimes in collections like these you’ll inevitably have stories that feel a little out of place or like they’re filler in between some of the “bigger” tales. This isn’t the case with this collection. Every story belongs here and the jump from one to the next is seamless, despite the differences in content, characters and plot.

The underlying theme of “the white guy dies first” is oddly comforting. When things start going south for some of our characters you remind yourself of the title of this collection, breathe a little sigh of relief and charge forward to find out exactly how grisly this fate is going to be. Spoiler: very.

The White Guy Dies First is advertised as a YA Horror Anthology which I found a little alarming based on how graphic some of these stories were. BUT if you do enjoy that, it is done to perfection. PERFECTION. (In case I needed to clarify.)

This collection did have some solid stand outs for me and I was completely blown away by these stories specifically:

The Golden Dragon by Kendare Blake (@kendareblake )
Best Served Cold by H. E. Edgmon (@heedgmon )
The Protege by Lamar Giles (@lamargiles )
Docile Girls by Chloe Gong (@thechloegong )
Everything’s Coming Up Roses by Tiffany D. Jackson (@writeinbk )
Break Through Our Skin by Naseem Jamnia (@jamsternazzy )

The White Guy Dies First edited by Terry J. Benton-Walker (@icecreamvicelord ) comes out tomorrow (July 16th) and was an easy 5⭐️. Go order a copy right now!

Thank you to @netgalley @tordotcompub and @torteen for making this ARC available to me in exchange for an honest review.

a HUGE thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me this copy.

i had so much fun with this and i’m going to be recommending to people nonstop!

all 13 stories were so different but so good and i’m honestly so sad it’s over. i loved the entire idea behind this collection and all the authors who contributed truly brought it to life. i honestly can’t pick a favourite because so many of these stories were 5 stars for me. definitely something i’ll pick up and flip through at least once a week.

3.5
A collection of short horror stories, probably aimed at a more young adult audience. I appreciate short story collections as an excellent opportunity to explore brand new authors. For me, this collection had several average stories and only a few standouts. Standouts were: The Golden Dragon by Kendare Blake and Everything’s Coming Up Roses by Tiffany D. Jackson, Hell and Other Demons by Karen Strong, and the Road to hell by terry J. Benton. For all of the standouts I would happily read full length versions. In the standouts, the writing/plot was tight and compelling. There was also the right mixture of horror and intrigue. In the rest of the short stories the writing meandered and the plot was not compelling which ruins a short story. None of these were over the top scary though

Looking to break out of a reading slump? This collection will do it!

I've delved into many short story collections this year, and they've been hit or miss, but "The White Guy Dies First" surprised me in all the right ways. Each story stands out with its unique tale, woven together in a way that connects them while still allowing each to shine individually. I was lucky enough to experience both the digital ARC and audiobook versions, and I can say some stories truly come alive through narration. Having the opportunity to experience both formats was a treat. One in which you can fully appreciate the effort that went into providing such a uniquely diverse voice and delivery.

From start to finish, the book sets a clear tone, self-aware and deliciously eerie, explaining its premise effectively. The book presents a unique forward that sets the stage for what’s to come and wraps it all up neatly at the end. This was a delight that I rarely see explored in short story collections, and I found myself wishing more books took this approach. What I love most about this book is its willingness to explore every corner of the horror genre. Whether it’s the unhinged characters, eerie atmospheres, or dark twists reminiscent of classic 80s slasher films and sci-fi horror, there’s something here for everyone. The variety ensures that different readers will find different stories to love, as evidenced by the diverse reviews I’ve seen.

While some stories burn slower than others, most kept me engrossed, especially with the added auditory experience. The collection tackles heavy topics like gentrification, assault, racism, sexuality, coming of age, and societal perceptions. It's unsettling, at times darkly humorous, and occasionally downright chilling. Some stories focus less on blood and gore, instead highlighting the horrors of living silenced lives. It's not afraid to make readers uncomfortable, and that's precisely why I found it successful.

One interesting critique I've encountered is disappointment from those expecting more senseless horror, typical of films where people of color often meet senseless ends at the hands of a white antagonist. However, this collection flips that script, reminding us that existing as a person of color is not a senseless act, but a lived truth with its own complexities and fears. Every death in these stories serves a purpose, contributing to the overarching theme of "scary stories of fear and power." Each character's demise, survival, or motive speaks to deeper societal truths, whether it's the fear of losing oneself, the fear of invisibility, power imbalance, or the struggle against oppressive forces.

Overall, "The White Guy Dies First" is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will leave you intrigued and introspective. While not every story may resonate equally, you'll certainly find new favorites and plenty to discuss.

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing an immersive reading experience and allowing me to share my honest thoughts.