Thanks to Simon & Schuster for gifted access via NetGalley. All opinions below are my own.

When a group of teens accidentally summons a demon using an Ouija board at a summer party, they realize they’re in a real life horror film. They argue about their roles, the death order the film would follow and what they need to do to beat the demon.

While I guessed the final twists in this one, I really enjoyed the ride despite the predictability. Like a typical horror film, you have a feeling you know how things will end but it’s the journey that matters. While this one is supernatural, slasher fun it has some serious themes beneath about race, class and gender roles. I thought all of that was laid out really well and deepened the plot without being heavy handed. I also thought for YA, the characters were really likable and without the inane drama you often get in stories like these. This is a fun read for sure!

For fans of Scream and campy slashers, this book is perfect for you! A Summerween thriller that hits all the right tropes and makes putting the book down impossible!

This was just as good as Their Vicious Games. My first suspicion was Avery, but for some reason, it became clear that it was Keith. He was just around too much and his obsession with Yaya was telling. The people who died in their places, Alexis, Not-Marco, the doctor, was tragic, but was it really though? And it doesn’t surprise me about Kendra. She was a horrible woman, but for her to do that to her son? That takes the cake. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

SN: I’m glad Devon worked up the courage to tell Yaya, and for Yaya to express the same, even though she knew. Also, Devon and Drew finally telling each other how they really felt was a sigh of relief. They’re sisters. Twins. They should be the closest, but they are a prime example of what happens when you assume.

4.25. What a fun, trope-y YA horror book with some depth! A group of friends in Brooklyn accidentally summon a demon while using a ouija board at a party. Devon and Drew are twins, but Drew has graduated early and the two have grown apart some while attending different high schools. Devon decides that this last summer together must be THE BEST SUMMER EVER, but her summer fun list didn't include a demon that kills and is stalking her and her friends. I loved the diversity in this book and in the characters--each character is well-developed while still filling a Scream-like archetype, which completely works with the plot, and the teen banter is fresh and authentic. I loved the queer representation and the slow-burn build-up of Devon's relationship with YaYa, as their friends-to-lovers arc is perfectly placed with both of them having to figure out who the true final girl is.

My only complaint was how fast the resolution came to a head. It was so quickly explained and then seemingly over, and I didn't feel like it matched the true depth of the characters and their relationships, which I was heavily invested in. Devon and Drew's self-realization at the end is carefully crafted and shows their growth and understanding of one another. Overall though, this is another great book from Wellington that horror/thriller lovers will love and fly through quickly!

Thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

*The Blonde Dies First* is a teen horror adventure that feels like being dropped into a Stephen King novel. Devon aims to make this the "best summer ever" before her twin sister Drew graduates early. The diverse group of friends, including Black, white, Latino, and queer characters, faces supernatural chaos after using a Ouija board at a party, shifting their focus to surviving the demon they unleashed. The story, reminiscent of *Scream*, blends classic horror tropes with meta-humor. While some twists are predictable, the narrative remains engaging and fun. The dynamic of the friend group, reminiscent of my own summers, feels authentic and compelling. Though I preferred the premise of Joelle Wellington's *Their Vicious Games*, I was more invested in the characters here. This is a quick, enjoyable read, and I look forward to more from Wellington.

This is the perfect summer read for anyone who enjoys horror. The teens enjoying the last magical summer before graduation, before adulthood responsibility sparks nostalgia. The closeness of the characters draws in the reader. The widening chasm between the sisters is heartbreaking. The peer pressure during the party scene is palpable. But it's not drugs, alcohol, or sex, it's a Ouija board and demon summoning.
Then, like Scream, the rules of surviving a horror movie are explained. The blonde dies first--but our hero is also the blonde. Her sister and her best friends have to overcome their roles to survive. The story plays with the rules to keep the readers guessing and the suspense high.
Anyone who likes horror like the Scream franchise, Nightmare on Elm Street, or Friday the 13th will enjoy this book.
Be sure to stay past the closing credits.
Thank you NetGalley, Joelle Wellington, and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for the ARC.

This was so good it gave final girl vibes and the mystery of Whatever came out of that board is after them

Fantastic novel for horror lovers who grew up on Scream like I did.

I'm a 90s kid who grew up watching the great teen slashers of the 90s/00 and I devoured this novel.

Its a fun, spooky, and entertaining book with vibrant and interesting characters who you actually root for and hope they survive! It follows the "formula" but with flair! Looking forward to reading more of Joelles work

Talk to Me-esque teen horror featuring complicated sisters, a summer that was meant to be perfect, and a demon hunting down a friend group. Devon and Drew are twin sisters, yet they couldn't be more different, from the way they have different styles to their opposing personalities... and the fact that Devon is the artsy wild child and Drew is the academic genius. Devon is determined to have one last great summer with Drew before Drew goes off to college.. but the more Devon tries to force it the less Drew wants to be a part of it.... yet everything goes wrong when Drew invites Devon and their friend group to meet Drew's friends at a party that ends with them using a ouija board and summoning a demon... that just happens to start hunting them down. Now Devon has to find a way to get rid of the demon chasing her, save her friends, save her relationship with her sister, and finally confess her feelings to the girl she's in love with. The story follows a complicated sister relationship and has a touch of Talk to Me, when a group of friends unknowingly summon a demon at a party and must find way to banish it before it gets them. This one was a bit of a miss for me unfortunately, I really wish I did like it more as its a sapphic horror story but I found myself not at all that interested in the story and I didn't really like Devon that much as a protagonist. When it comes to horror final girls its always hit or miss and this one unfortunately was a miss for me. I do think however that if you liked Talk to Me then you will like this one.

Release Date: July 30,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing | Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Sadly I’m going to have to DNF this one 35% in. The writing style is not working for me. It feels like the author rambles too much at times. I did really enjoy the characters though. I would love to give this author another shot in the future.

Thank you to publisher and Netgalley for sending me an arc copy in exchange for my honest review.

As a YA book, this is cool - horror tropes, the plot building around the knowledge of these tropes, the inclusivity and the engaging writing.
It is quite well-paced as well.

Thank you, so much to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the arc!

I have mixed feelings on this one. On one hand, I am a sucker for the cheesy thrillers like Scream. But on the other, at least the characters in Scream I liked. But I guess that’s also the point. They’re supposed to flawed teenagers. And, they were. So, yeah, the author nailed it. And it did make me laugh!

I do think this book is going to be a smash with the YA thriller readers out there. I may have to get this for my niece for her Summerween gift!

The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington tells the story of a group of friends who summoned a demon and are now fighting for their lives while trying to outsmart the demon. The demon is going after them following slasher movies kill order lists. The book follows Devon who's twin sister, Drew, will be going to college the following months and this summer is Devon's attempt to give Drew "The Best Summer Ever" in order to make sure Drew will want to come back home the following summer.

What I liked about this book was the kill order list, I am not a big fan of horror but I love slasher movies like Scream and the book gave me a bit of a Scream vibes with the group of friends following the horror movie rules and trying to see which stereotypical character would fit with each one of them so they could find out who would be the next target.

I thought some scenes were action packed and made it a fast read for me, however I did not connect with the characters as much and to be honest kept waiting for a bigger kill to make me connect better. Overall, this was a good ya horror read and I loved that there was representation of queer characters, but I did think we were missing a twist to turn it more into final girl slasher movie.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for this ARC the above review is of my own thoughts.

I went into this book blind and was immediately drawn into the characters and the easy banter, the familiar dynamics. This book is unapologetically queer and black by an own-voice author, which is so refreshing to see. I’ve read some of Joelle’s other books but this one takes the cake for sure.
I loved the scream references and the demonic elements of it, and the killer twists were definitely enjoyable (the predictably varies depending on how well you know horror movie tropes but nevertheless still great.)

I always enjoy Wellington and how this is the second time that I get to! I really enjoyed her first book a lot and she doesn’t disappoint with this one. I love her takes on the final girl and scream queen within horror and I feel like she adds a fresh new twist.

Calling all horror nerds. You're going to love this YA slasher-esque story with nods to the horror movie formula. It's funny, scary, and a romantic subplot that was actually super sweet (I don't care for romance usually). It's trop-y yet unpredictable and a group of characters you definitely want to root for, so if you love a combo of demonic forces and slasher behavior you're going to enjoy this one. The ending is one you won't see coming.

I really enjoyed this book! It definitely took a good 30% in to get good but once I was in,. I couldn’t put it down.

Shoutout to blockbuster!

I’ve been on a bit of a slasher kick lately so I was pretty excited for this one, unfortunately I don’t think this book is for me.

I was intrigued by the premise but struggled to get invested into the story. The twins relationship didn’t feel like normal twins especially considering Devon wanted this “Best Summer Ever” for her sister. I really didn’t care for either of them, I don’t mind YA and was fully aware of that in this book before going in but I wasn’t a huge fan of the dialogue in this one. It all felt a bit forced to me.

It’s trope-y and I did enjoy the groups friends and LGBTQ rep. I think it would be enjoyable for teen readers or those who enjoy a YA thriller.

This was such a fun and good action pack thriller I definitely enjoyed it. The ending definitely took me by surprise and let’s not forget how the cover of this beauty EATS!!!! Thank you so much NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for this ARC!!!

I wanted to like this book. I did. I thought it would be like the book Indian Lake or Heads Will Roll, Queer horror with a twist. It's not. The first chapters drag on, the horror is unrealistic, and all over it is just meh. I don't think this book is bad per se, but it didn't scare me. I think it tried to hard to be a critic of horror that it ended up cringe.