This inclusive horror anthology features 13 scary stories by 13 authors of colour including Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Tiffany D. Jackson, Chloe Gong and more. 🤍🖤 My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Tor/Forge for the advanced copy & Mai for putting it on my radar.

If you liked 'Get Out' by Jordan Peele or if you've cheered anytime the Black guy makes it to the end credits in a horror movie, without being used as sacrificial entertainment fodder, then this anthology might be for you. It's smart and subversive and for me, it was relatable (try growing up brown-skinned in a predominantly white school in Australia in the 90/00s) yet entertaining AF.

My favourites were Everything's Coming Up Roses by Tiffany D. Jackson, and The Road to Hell by Terry J. Benton-Walker, but honestly, I had a blast from start to finish. I read this over many months, in between longer reads, using each story as a palate cleanser.

Intro: Ghoulfriends online blog | By Terry J. Benton-Walker | ★★★★☆

Short introduction story that ties the next 13 stories together. Self-aware, satirical and hilarious.

1. All Eyes on Me | By Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé | ★★★★☆

🎪 Where reality gets as twisted as a contortionist in a hall of mirrors. Trigger warning: Clowns, racist gas-lighting boyfriends.

2. Hedge | By Kalynn Bayron | ★★★★☆

🌳 Really grew on me.

3. The Golden Dragon | By Kendare Blake | ★★★★☆

🐲 What if Mean Girls stumbled into a Japanese cult horror flick?

4. Best Served Cold | By H.E. Edgmon | ★★★★☆

🍽 Don’t you hate it when you go to a dinner party and discover you’re the main course?

5. The Protege | By Lamar Giles | ★★☆☆☆

🧙‍♂️ This one had an interesting premise but it was a bit all over the place.

6. Docile Girls | By Chloe Gong | ★★★☆☆

🩸 Reminiscent of teen slasher flick fun!

7. Gray Grove | By Alexis Henderson | ★★★★☆

🏚 Ghost hunters mixing literal hauntings with the USA's abhorrent haunted past (slave plantations).

8. Everything's Coming Up Roses | By Tiffany D. Jackson | ★★★★★

🌹 Super unhinged and effective epistolary with a garden-obsessed girlie. Rose to the occasion. (Not sorry).

9. Heaven | By Adiba Jaigirdar | ★★★☆☆

🧟 In an underwater post-apocalyptic world, it's not just the sharks you have to watch out for. Intriguing M Night Shyamalan-style (iykyk) concept, but could benefit from more fleshing out.

10. Break Through Our Skin | By Naseem Jamnia | ★★★☆☆

🧿 How to deal with an asshole mansplaining boss: An ancient millenia-old-spirit's guide.

11. Wasps | By Mark Oshiro | ★★★★☆

🐝 How to get your entitled neighbour who wants to gentrify the neighbourhood to buzz off. Cosmic-horror-macabre and lots of fun, depending on what your definition of fun is.

12. Hell is Other Demons | By Karen Strong | ★★★★☆

👹 Nothing says I love you quite like exorcising and banishing a demon from your love interest's body.

13. The Road to Hell | By Terry J. Benton-Walker | ★★★★★

👻 You'll never look at the rare Ghost Orchid that grows in Florida's swamps the same way again. 1 bonus star for the most creative narrator POV and 1 bonus star for mention of 'ghost dick.'

Epilogue| By Terry J. Benton-Walker | ★★★☆☆

Sufficient, charming conclusion.

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Short story collections are difficult because the book is only as good as its worst story. With that in mind, I really enjoyed reading his collection and the framing narrative to contain all thirteen stories was a nice touch. Can I give it five stars? No. A couple of the stories were a bit trite and felt a bit unfinished. A few of the stories were excellent and I’ll be thinking about for quite some time. Overall a really appealing collection of horror stories with enough diversity in their plots and character types to keep a lot of people interested. Not all of them had overt underlying themes of marginalization and oppression which was kinda nice in a way. It was there enough to make a point but missing from a few stories in a way that managed to keep things fresh and interesting.

this is an eARC review; the book will be out on july 16, 2024

the white guy dies first is a really interesting concept i was excited to read! i love that the anthology highlights meaningful poc struggles, povs, and experiences in each short story. it made everything feel interconnected and intentional while also having the authentic horror aspects. that being said, i didn't enjoy multiple of the entries. some of them, while hosting intersting ideas and important messages, felt flat in how the horror elements were executed in a way that came across as only there to elicit an uncomfortable/unpleasant/unsettled feeling or for shock value. i enjoyed the variety of stories but some of them were just lamely and underwhelmingly strange at best. they just weren't fun to read like others were. the storytelling was good but the components just came out of nowhere which was unenjoyable to me. ironically, my least favorite story was "the road to hell."

while none of the entries were especially enjoyable to me, i did like "heaven," "docile girls," "wasps," "gray grove," and "the golden dragon." i also liked "everything's coming up roses" for the non-traditional pov being told through diary entries. the stories i didn't like weren't because of the characters or core meanings but rather because of the chosen execution/horror aspects. i think the most well-written entry is between heaven and wasps, although heaven sticks out also because it's not as overtly horror (except for maybe <spoiler>when the mc spontaneously kills her friend/coworker & bombs the city's gates because she thinks she's saving them</spoiler>). these two stories felt the most fleshed out in the short format--they didn't feel shallow, rushed, dense, or unfinished but rather like they were meant to be told as short stories and used that strategically in the storytelling. i liked the rapid reveal of docile girls not from the killer reveal but from when you realize where the title comes from, and gray grove and the golden dragon were just interesting to read (plus gave some <spoiler>closure that others didn't which felt important to me</spoiler>). i feel like all 5 of the aforementioned stories pulled off the horror short story while also nicely implementing the why behind the story.

overall, i'm glad to have read this and really love the idea of a collection of a variety of meaningful horror short stories by poc authors, but a majority of the stories weren't my personal cup of tea per se. i don't necessarily think anything wasn't well-written so much as not my preferred kind of horror stories. i also do like that the end of the book circles back to the beginning through the epilogue, further intertwining everything.

thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for letting me read this, i can't wait for it to be out in the world for other people to experience!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Teen Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this horror anthology.

Revenge, Redemption, rising above, and Heaven as a dystopian universe is just some of the numerous plots to these stories.

I read Terry J Benton-Walker's debut novel so I knew this collection would be wonderfully put together. I already can't get enough short stories.

Some of the standout stories for me:
"The Golden Dragon"- part urban legend part revenge, this one ended soooo satisfyingly.
"The Protege"- a youngster's introduction to magic is more than he bargained for.
"Docile Girls" - A group of people get trapped while preparing for a dance, such a plot twist, left a nice smirk on my face at the end.
"Everything's coming up Roses" - I knew my girl Tiffany would deliver, and boy did she! starts out looking like an innocent letter correspondence that moves toward a shocking admission.
"Hell is Other Demons" reads like a fun supernatural episode, I would LOVE to see more to this short story, it ended set up for more.
"The Road to Hell" told in the point of view of a house, Benton-Walker knocked this one out of the park.

Overall, they really held my attention, each story had its own moral with still sticking to a central theme.

All eyes on me by Faridah àbíké-íyímídé
3.5 ⭐ good but felt like missing something

Hedge by Kaylynn Baro
5 ⭐ creepy, amazing ending

The golden dragon by Kendare Blake
5 ⭐ creepy

Best served cold H.E. Edgmon
4 ⭐ Gross

The protégé by Lamar Giles
3 ⭐ felt like a prologue to a book on a series rather than a short story

Docile Girls by Chloe Gong
4 ⭐ fun slasher revenge story

Gray Grove by Alexis Henderson
3.5 ⭐ ghost Hunter vibes

Everything's Coming Up Roses by Tiffany D. Jackson
5 ⭐ annoyed about home Depot tho

Heaven by Abida Jaigirdar
3⭐ cosmic and cultu vibes

Break through Our Skin by Naseem Jamnia
4 ⭐ creepy and great body horror, definitely would read an adult horror from this author

Wasps by Mark Oshiro
3 ⭐ good story throughout, ending lost me a bit

Hell is other Demons by Karen Strong
3⭐ fun

The Road to Hell by Terry J. Benton-Walker
5 ⭐ love the unique pov

Ghoulfriends Online Blog with epilogue was a fun addition
Edited by Terry J. Benton - Walker

I've recently developed a deep interest in horror, which feels oddly fitting considering I was born in October, a month synonymous with all things spooky. This interest was sparked after watching Jordan Peele's *Get Out,* a film that blends horror with profound societal commentary. It made me realize that, for me, horror books must carry real-life lessons or present an adult twist on Aesop's Fables to be truly engaging.

Given my appreciation for the genre, especially when it’s layered with meaningful themes, I had high expectations for this particular anthology. With 5-star reviews across the board, it promised not only chills but also thought-provoking narratives. I was not disappointed.

Each story in the collection brought something unique to the table, blending classical horror elements with contemporary issues. The diverse array of characters from various backgrounds and walks of life added richness and relatability, making each narrative resonate on multiple levels.

This book transcended my expectations by delivering stories that were not just terrifying but also poignant and reflective of real-world complexities. It’s a testament to the power of horror as a genre to illuminate deep truths about human nature and society.

I'm definitely adding this book to my collection and can’t wait to recommend it to all my fellow readers who crave stories that both haunt and enlighten.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! Comes out July 16th!

By far my favorite anthology! I have recently gotten into reading horror anthologies and was really excited to see another one I could get my eyes on. I am so glad I got to read this book and cannot stop recommending it to everyone! Though my average rating of all the stories ended up being about 4.5 stars, The White Guy Dies First is an overall 5 star read for me.

This anthology is an entertaining collection of 13 scary stories by 13 authors of color, the stories are unique, fun, and chilling and left me desperately wanting more. From a circus and clown based horror to increasingly unhinged diary entries. There's a story of home invasion, possession, a lonely haunted house and so much more. I am happy to report that I have many new authors to keep my eye out for!

I really enjoyed these stories, I feel like my favourite was by far Best Served Cold. I mean I definitely did enjoy them all, but I think that one had the most compelling story for me.

This YA horror anthology features a diverse collection of stories with one commonality: they all feature a smug white guy as the first victim. The stories range widely, from a post-apocalyptic fantasy where a human settlement faces off against sea monsters to a series of diary entries from a girl who may or may not be a killer. The protagonists include a nonbinary teen of Iranian descent, a Korean girl working at her family’s Chinese restaurant, and a sentient haunted house. As with any short story collection, some of them resonated with me more than others, but overall this was a super enjoyable read. The collection has a powerful anti racist message while being genuinely spooky and fun. I would love to see more collections like this!

I am normally a short story hater, but I had a great time with this! Of course, some stories read better than others, but this was a good ass time.

Ghoulfriends Online Blog-⭐️4- To be honest I was super confused at first (I’m pretty sleepy right now though so that could be on me) but after it clicked I thought it was a neat little story. It could have befitted from being longer, but most short stories are like that.
All Eyes on Me-⭐️5- I HAD SUCH A HARD TIME PUTTING THIS DOWN. It was super interesting and I couldn’t tell where it was going. If this was a whole book I would read it in a day. I wish I could rate this higher than 5 because it’s definitely my favorite so far.
Hedge-⭐️4-It was kinda slow at the beginning but once it picked up I really liked it
The Golden Dragon-⭐️4- I liked the ending but I don’t think it was as spooky as the others
Best Served Cold-⭐️3- I liked the middle but not really the beginning for ending. It was ok though.
The Protégé-⭐️4- Pretty cool. I kinda wish the actual story/action part was longer and the beginning didn’t drag on as much but it was nice.
Docile Girls-⭐️5- OH MY GOD I HAVE CHILLS FROM THE ENDING!!! I loved this one it’s was so fun to read and the ending was amazing. This is definitely another one of my favorites.
Grey Grove-⭐️3- It was ok. I wish the monster had been a bit cooler and the story more interesting. I feel like it over-explained some elements which took away from them. It was still an okay story though.
Everything’s Coming up Roses-⭐️5- I really liked this one!! It was super interesting and I loved the ending. I like how it was written as journal entries because it was a nice change of style. Another added to my growing (pun intended) collection of favorites!
Heaven-⭐️5- THIS WAS SO COOL!! It had such an interesting theme and it was executed nicely. I’m also a huge fan of the ocean so I might be a bit biased.
Break Through Our Skin-⭐️3- Not my favorite but it was still sweet and terrifying
Wasps-⭐️5- I really liked this one! The ending was amazing and the pacing was nice. Definitely another one of my favorites!
Hell Is Other Demons-⭐️2- It was good at the beginning but I didn’t really like the middle or end that much.
The Road to Hell-⭐️0.5- I don’t have much to say other than I really didn’t like this one. It was all over the place any not enjoyable to read.
Overall: ⭐️4- It didn’t have as many stories I didn’t enjoy like other anthologies I’ve read so I was pleasantly surprised!

This is my adult goosebumps!!

All of these stories were absolutely wonderful. I enjoyed how different each and every story was and that you could read each one in a single sitting. My favorites were: "All Eyes on Me," "Break Through Our Skin," and "Docile Girls." It was really refreshing to read horror stories that weren't the same plot played out over and over with different characters. These each had their own culture within the story which made them unique. There were a few stories where I would love to have an extended version - like "Everything is Coming Up Roses."

The White Guy Dies First is a collection of short stories from 13 AMAZING POC authors that are equally scary and equally powerful.

Overall: I love that so many of these stories feature a horror entity that is a protector (The Golden Dragon, Gray Grove, Heaven, Break Through Our Skin, as some examples). I think it speaks to a greater shared trauma amongst POCs and a desire to imagine a different outcome. To imagine a scenario where we have the power to change our circumstances, no matter the cost.

💛🏆 ALL TIME FAVORITE: The Golden Dragon by Kendare Blake
This felt like one of the more comprehensive stories in the collection where all the characters felt realized, unique, and engaging. Although you can predict the ending, it’s still an engaging read and there is still an impact in the reveal. It speaks to not just the desire to have power when we are most vulnerable, but also to the things we carry with us after a trauma. Sadness? Yes. Trauma? Yes. But most importantly - rage.

❤️ LEFT ME WANTING MORE: Heaven by Abida Jaigirdar
Heaven was definitely the most experimental story in this collection as it had more sci-fi elements. In a short story, it’s hard to nail down comprehensive world building AND tie the story together at the end. This fell just shy of that benchmark. I felt that the world she was trying to convey was just too big for this collection and left me wanting more. I don’t want to say I didn’t like it but it was definitely one of the weaker stories for me.

🖤 WANTED TO LIKE IT: Docile Girls by Chloe Gong
It was just so on the nose, even from the title you can already anticipate what’s going to happen. It’s cool, in theory, but this story can do Well with a bit of subtlety

💚 HONORABLE MENTIONS:
1. All Eyes On Me by: Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

To any people of color that dated a white man: this is your callout post 🧍‍♀️

2. The Protégé by: Lamar Giles

LOVE the magical aspect. Now questioning every street musician I see.

3. Break Through Our Skin by: Naseem Jamnia

Now THATS what I call peak physical form (IYKYK)

4. Best Served Cold by H.E. Edgmon

Don't read this while you’re eating. Learn from my mistakes

Full review is on my YouTube channel 🤗

A powerhouse of POC authors, this collection is funny and terrifying. There are stories I adored and others that I felt were just okay but the overall pacing and cohesion of the collection was phenomenal.

This collection of short scary stories turn the tables on the usual perpetrators in traditional horror, the white guy.

This was a brilliant concept executed by a talented group of authors whose works I have read individually and loved! Bringing together these authors is genius! Not only did I see authors I have read before and enjoyed but I was introduced to new ones in the genre that I normally seek. This collection was so well thought out.

The authors have taken on the vicious stereotypes and biases that live in our society and create believable stories in the horror genre. Each story was unique and well thought out, taking the already scary things like clowns and rewriting the narrative. I felt even as a woman that by the end of each chapter I wasn't the one being scaredand haunted, but I felt powerful in seeing those who were the last ones standing. There were still the same elements of fear and anticipation that I crave from a horror book but instead of the deafete that I often feel at the end, I felt powerful with each characters ending. Each author's voice was distinct and clear throughout their writing.

I loved this book. There was equal part frustration, anger, awe, horror, relief and even humor. I would love to read more like this!.

This. Is . What. I'm Talking. About. When. I. Say. We. Need. More. Black. stories. I ate this up. Give me more more more more more more more.

A fantastic collection of stories that complement each other beautifully! Edited with intention and care by Terry J. Benton-Walker, this book presents thirteen cliche-smashing stories across a number of horror subgenres. Each piece is unique and riveting-- I loved seeing pieces from writers I already love alongside writers who I will definitely be following from now on. Lots to love here!

I reached the end of this anthology and somehow found myself wanting more.
Terry assembled an all-star cast of authors for this book, and each brought their A-game to the table.

Personal favorites:
FÀÍ’s ALL EYES ON ME
Kalynn Bayron’s HEDGE
Tiffany D. Jackson’s EVERYTHING’S COMING UP ROSES
Terry J. Benton-Walker’s GHOULFRIENDS ONLINE BLOG (I NEED this to be expanded into a full length version)
Terry J. Benton-Walker’s THE ROAD TO HELL.


the other stories were amazing, but these 5 really hit hard.

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Extra special deluxe thank yous to Terry himself for the ebook ARC. Receiving this in no way has affected my opinions/views.

I had a great time reading this collection of short stories by a stellar lineup of authors, many of whom are among my personal favorites. The title is quite catchy and very aptly sums up the main synopsis of the entire collection.
The stories shed light on various social issues, including the impact of social injustices, the problem of racism and stereotypes, and the complex dynamics of gentrification. This collection does an excellent job of weaving these themes into compelling narratives that resonate deeply.
While some stories in this collection were stronger than others, the highlight for me was "Ghoulfriends Online Blog" by Terry J. Benton-Walker and the epilogue. These parts were the most fascinating and powerful, standing out as the strongest points of the entire collection.

If you’re looking for a short YA horror read, this is for you. If you enjoyed any R.L. Stine novels as a kid, YOU WILL LOVE THIS!

Thank you, NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really liked this collection! The framing and the connective throughline of the stories was really effective for me. Having the spoiler of "the white guy dies first" offered a really neat preview of what's to come. It was also cool to see a collection of young adult work that addresses the horrors being a teenager has to offer on top of genre tropes that offer gnarly opportunities for empowerment.