An interesting novel that is exciting and easy to read. Follow a group of inner city kids that have a major problem to solve.

The Blonde Dies First is a queer thriller that is centered around a core group a friends. Our story begins with Devon who is coming to terms with her gifted twin sister heading off to college early. She and her twin, Drew, have a strained relationship, but with this new change, Devon wants to do everything in her power to make their last summer together, the best summer ever.

Between her fear of being left behind by her twin and her growing feelings for her best friend, Yaya, our main heroine has her hands full. But things go from strained to terrifying when a demonic presence begins to pursue the group and shows no signs of slowing down. Can Devon and her friends work together to stop the demon and salvage their “best summer ever” or will they fall before this seemingly unstoppable force?

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

I really enjoyed Their Vicious Games so I was foaming at the mouth for a chance to read this one. This has some of the classic thriller and slasher aspects that I love and explores the dynamic of the friend group so well. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC 🫶🏾.

I wanted so badly to enjoy this one as much as I enjoyed Joelle Wellington's previous novel. I had loved it, so was very excited to read this (and thank you to the author/publisher for my copy)! Unfortunately, I was taken aback by how different of a reading experience it was, considering it was by the same author. Personally, I found it difficult to finish reading (but kept going in hopes that it would somehow turn around). While I appreciated the diversity/representation and some of the more powerful themes (sibling dynamics, social status, racism/prejudice, etc), I did not enjoy the overall plot or flow of the story. I really, really struggled to stay engaged. I absolutely loved her previous novel, but this one was a miss for me personally.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Blonde Dies First and its metamodernist approach to the supernatural slasher tropes and themes.

I love horror, movies, books, novellas, podcasts, bring it! First of all The Blonde Dies First is YA and I am not. But, I loved it!
It is more than a horror story; it’s a story of friends, family, unconditional love and tenacity! It follows the typical horror trope (group of friends stalked by a demon unintentionally unleashed during a fateful Ouija board escapade at a really pretentious party) but it’s much more! Rich, quirky, relatable characters, an atmospheric setting and a well crafted plot keep the reader captivated. I’d love to see this adapted into a Netflix series!

Okay first have you seen this cover? I mean wow right! Even the title made me giggle because I mean yes in horror films the dumb blonde always dies first have you seen Scream? The start of this book was a bit slow I was already thinking of putting it on DNF but something told me to keep going and man am I glad I did!! You will not be disappointed keep going! The characters the plot the whole vibe of this book brought me back to the classic horror films that I love!! Definitely an amazing book! I can't wait to check out some of her other books!

Read if you like books with:
🔪 Horror Movies
🩸 Slashers
🏃🏼‍♀️ Horror Tropes
🖤 BIPOC characters
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ Rep
📚 YA Books

From someone who does not watch horror movies but kinda knows a bit about them I feel like this book was everything it was meant to be, but also, that’s coming from someone who doesn’t watch horror or slashers so take my opinions with a grain of salt.

I was so excited to read this one after seeing all the hype the authors previous book received, but for me, I think it didn’t work quite as well because of what I said above, horror just isn’t my thing in this sense.

That said, I loved the bipoc rep, the lgbtq rep, and that the YA in this made it a good foot in the door to this type of horror read for me!

Thank you to the publisher for my ARC and my ALC in exchange for my honest review!

This was insane. omg. I went in very blind to what the actual plot of this was, and it kinda added to the shock value of everything that happens. The cast of characters is very diverse, but not in a way that made any of the characters feel like a token. This book as a whole made me feel like it should be October, not July just from the overall vibe of it.

I had such a great time once the plot of the book picked up. My biggest complaints were that the beginning of the book drug a little bit, just as the characters were established, since it is a slightly large group of main characters. There were some points where everything did feel a little repetitive, but it wasn't so bad to the point where I wasn't enjoying the book. I also did guess the twist, which is not something I can usually do, so there's that too. Overall though, had fun.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the advanced copy of the book!

I did make it 50% through this book but it seemed pretty predictable and I didn't feel I needed to continue on.

I did somewhat like the characters and the story line is a fun teenage friend group haunted by a demon they accidently released via a Quija board.

ARC Review: The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington

Rating: ★★★★☆

Joelle Wellington’s The Blonde Dies First is a clever and engaging young adult thriller that pays homage to the slasher genre with a fresh twist. With a premise steeped in horror movie tropes and a touch of self-referential humor, this novel is a delightful ride for fans of both classic and modern horror.

The story revolves around Devon, who is perpetually in the shadow of her twin sister Drew, and their group of friends as they try to make the most of their summer before Drew heads off to college early. Their plans for a perfect summer take a sinister turn after a Ouija board session unleashes a demon that follows the slasher movie kill order—starting with the blonde, Devon. The narrative twists and turns as Devon, along with her crush Yaya and the rest of their circle, attempts to outsmart their supernatural adversary.

What makes The Blonde Dies First stand out is its meta approach to horror. The characters are acutely aware of slasher movie conventions, which they use to their advantage as they navigate the chaos. This self-awareness adds a layer of humor and depth, allowing Wellington to explore and subvert typical genre expectations. The demon's methodical, slasher-style approach is both a nod to classic horror and a unique twist that keeps the reader guessing.

The dynamics between Devon, Drew, and Yaya are well-developed, providing a strong emotional core amidst the tension. Devon's struggle to assert her own identity and significance, especially in the shadow of her sister and the looming threat, adds a relatable dimension to the narrative. Yaya’s role as the “Final Girl” provides an interesting dynamic, as she must confront her own fears and potentially sacrifice her humanity to save others.

The pacing of the novel is brisk, and the suspense is well-maintained throughout. However, some readers might find certain elements predictable if they are well-versed in horror tropes. While the book’s meta approach is refreshing, it occasionally leans heavily into genre conventions without pushing the boundaries as far as it could.

Overall, The Blonde Dies First is a satisfying and entertaining thriller that successfully combines classic horror elements with a contemporary twist. It’s a fun, fast-paced read with a clever narrative that horror enthusiasts will appreciate. The novel’s exploration of sibling rivalry, unrequited crushes, and survival against supernatural odds offers both thrills and emotional depth, making it a solid addition to the young adult thriller genre.

If you enjoy a good slasher flick with a touch of humor and self-awareness, Joelle Wellington’s latest is definitely worth your time.

I LOVED their vicious games. It’s a favorite ya book from last year.

The Blonde Dies First tackles movie horror tropes, friend/family/sibling relationships, growing up, and gentrification.

Wellington writes a dynamic friend and sibling group, a robust neighborhood full of shared history, and a great creepy killer. Playing with movie tropes Wellington crafts a compelling read that left me satisfied. I think young adult readers will love this, and if they’re unfamiliar with the movie tropes it will be an education! Adult readers who love the trope-y tails of their youth will also love the new take on some nostalgic favorites.

Side note:
I love books that include caring parents. I think too often parents are left out of a story to make it easier on the plot, but I love books that include loving parents who are paying attention to their kids. As a parent of almost teens, it especially warms my heart.

What a wonderful, wild ride!

I loved "Their Vicious Games," and just knew that I had to get my hands on a copy of "The Blonde Dies First."

The Blonde Dies First started off a bit slow in terms of plot, but that allowed me to get to know the cast of characters a bit better. When the slasher started, though- the action didn't slow down!  I loved that all the cheesy slasher aspects were included but were also flipped, and nothing was ever exactly as I expected. Overall a perfect addition to my summerween reading!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for an ARC of this book. Thank you Joelle Wellington for coming up with such brilliant plots and characters, I can't wait to see what you write next!

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

Happy release day!

This book was so much fun! Really fast paced and engaging YA horror that focused not only on tackling some of the major tropes of the horror genre but on self discovery, embracing change, and relationships dynamics. I really enjoyed the plot and thought this was a very unique approach to horror that I have not seen done before. I really enjoyed all 6 characters in the friend group and enjoyed that the focus was on their relationships and struggles. Overall, really fun!

The Blonde Dies First was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and I *ate it up.* I love a good tropey horror/slasher movie, and this book plays into the genre perfectly. While traditional horror plot points play a role, this book was never overly predictable. I loved the six-member friend group, and felt a real connection to each character. This book had so much heart, and was such a fun, exciting and funny read. Pick it up if you love Scream.

Happy release day to The Blonde Dies First! What were the chances that I finished this book on the exact day it comes out?

Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington is one of my all time favorite books so I knew I had to give this book a chance even if it was outside of what I typically read and enjoy.

This book follows a group of friends as they deal with a demon that appears after a party with an ouija board. This book was outside of my typical genre as I tend to lean more towards thriller and mysteries and away from horror and supernatural stories but I really enjoyed it and it has inspired me to try some more horrors. I think that the way this book was written really made it easy to understand and connect with the story even if this isn’t your typical type of read.

This book took me a minute to get into. The first about 20% of the book I was kind of struggling to feel any investment in the characters and it was struggling to see where the book would go. However, after the beginning the book was fast paced and easier to read. Once things started happening, I was hooked until the end and just waiting to see what would happen next. I did want just a little bit more from the ending of this book though. It just felt like it was missing a little something. I was still surprised by the ending but I just needed a little bit more of a bang.

This book also had a plot that wasn’t super predictable and that really helped me to feel invested throughout the whole book. I liked that it followed the typical horror movie plot line but strayed from it just enough as to where I didn’t see what was coming next. It also wasn’t too long or drawn out and was the perfect length.

I also really liked the friend group in this story. You could tell how close they all were and I loved seeing their characters show through throughout the book. I also loved the little romance subplot and wish we got a little more from that at the end. And I loved all of the diversity in the friend group and their experiences.

I would definitely try another horror book from this author. What other horror books would you recommend to someone new to the genre?

I probably would have been more into this if I'd watched any of the Scream movies, but alas, I went into this sheerly on my enjoyment of Wellington's Their Vicious Games. But to be fair, I went in expecting a slasher-esque book but instead got a supernatural twist? I honestly want to revisit this in the fall, because I expect I'll be more mentally in the mood for this type of story!

A group of teens have their summer plans compromised when they release a demon from an Ouija board. The entire book was filled with teen angst, twin sister rivalry, and a trope heavy plot. This was a really unique take on a slasher film thriller. Unfortunately, for me the plot didn’t really work, though I did find the characters fun to follow. I think this may be a bit better suited for someone who is heavily into thrasher films and tropes as a lot of this (while explained in the book) was a bit out of my realm. Overall, it was still a pretty quick and fun read.

Joelle Wellington created one of my favorite books of 2023 (Their Vicious Games), so I was BEYOND EXCITED for this book. I planned on reading this before I saw it on NetGalley, but when I got approved, I squealed like a child on a Christmas morning. First, there was tentative worry that I wouldn’t love this as much as “Their Vicious Games” but this author has solidified herself as an auto-buy author from me. This book was just as good as her debut, and I know I will read every book she ever writes. Even if she writes a story about paint drying on a wall, I’ll be fully invested.

My favorite horror/slasher movie franchise is Scream, and this book did my favorite movie such justice. It stands on its own as a separate, enticing entity, but it plays homage to the “kill process” while making sure I fall in love with every single character...well, almost every character. Gael reminded me so much of Scream’s Randy in the best ways, but there’s more layers to him than his film counterpart.

However, it is the differences from Scream that I love the most. This friend group is so well written, and I truly feel their connections. Malachi is a great calm to Devon’s storm, and vise versa, while Gael’s rare moments of vulnerability when he tries to take the blame about the drugs or shows his true feelings for Leila.

And don’t get me started on Devon and Yaya! I normally am not a fan of friends-to-lovers, but this one was done so well. I kept wanting to yell at Devon that Yaya has feelings for her, then yelled at both of them to just admit it already. The angst was definitely there, and I was here for it. Also, I enjoyed the relationship between Gael and Leila. The only person I didn’t care for was Drew, but I loved that her asshole behavior was one of the twists of the book. It made me feel validated by how much I disliked her haha. Admittedly, I saw the twist behind the demon & final girl coming, but I did NOT guess Kendra’s role at all!

Regardless of guessing most of the ending right, it was still such a fun & wild ride. Joelle Wellington is such a talented author, and I can’t wait to read what she writes next.

***TRIGGER WARNINGS: Mention of Suicide and drug use**

The Blonde Dies First follows Devon and Drew who are twins. Drew is smart and is graduating early and leaving for college in the fall. So Devon is determined to make this summer the best. They attend a party where a Oujia board is brought out. After the party, they find that they are being haunted by a demon. They have to figure out how to stop it and survive. 

I really YA horror books so I was very excited to read this one. I thought this book was just okay. The characters felt a bit childish and this book was repetitive at times. But I did think that the story was entertaining. I didn't really feel scared while reading this which I do expect with a horror book. I also felt like this book was trying to hard to make the characters seem cool. But I did think the last 50 pages of this book were pretty wild. This is the first book I have read by this author and I do think I will read more of her books. 

Thank you Joelle Wellington, Simon & Schuster, and Netgalley for the ARC of this book.