Thank you Bloomsbury and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. Y’all this book is so good! CJ was eleven when she survived a serial killer. Unfortunately her dad didn’t make it. For him, that was the second time the Wolf Man had come after him. When he was in high school the original Wolf Man killed a bunch of camp counselors, three survived. Years later the Wolf Man struck again set on finishing off the original survivors and their families. He managed it with all the families but CJ’s. Their dad stopped him but lost his life doing so. Now CJ’s family spends their days doing practice drills to escape a killer. They carry knives and pepper spray and other essentials at all times. While their family does that the town throws Slasherfest every year, it’s supposed to be in memory of those who died, but really honors the Wolf Man. CJ hates it, and Moon Satter, who wrote the books on the killings. When CJ receives a book that tells the story new killings they believes it’s a prank but then events begin happening as the book tells it. Only when CJ interferes and saves Nadia, the first kill, the book gets rewritten. Now CJ is in the protagonist role, will they survive? With the help of Nadia and Sebas, Nadia’s attractive and adorable cousin, CJ will track a killer down. Who is next on the killers list? Can CJ protect their family and friends? I loved every aspect of this! CJ is a dynamic character who I absolutely loved! I loved the deep emotions of losing their fathers, the fierce protectiveness of their family, and the development of their non-binary gender and bisexual orientation! The story had me on the edge of my seat! Loved the twists and the romantic connection between CJ and Sebas! Gripping, pulse pounding, and will have you consuming it! Highly recommend!

This book was just ok.

The obvious comparisons to Scream are there but I think it was trying too hard to be Scream without fully recognizing what made it so great. For instance, the meta satirization and commentary was really weak and didn’t end up working for me most of the time. While slashers are generally pretty unrealistic, this story took it a bit too far. It came across as way too farfetched instead of camp.

It should’ve leaned into the wackiness of the plot instead of trying to incorporate realism. Because of this flip flopping tone, it was very difficult to uphold my suspension of disbelief, especially during the ending.

I also did not particularly like any of the characters (except for the mom who’s a baddie) as I felt like they were very hastily developed and relationships felt rushed. I did enjoy the nonbinary and queer rep though and I think that many readers will appreciate it as well.

I’d recommend this book to fans of the Scream series who are perhaps on the younger side of the ya spectrum.

When I saw this I had to have it, Thank you netgalley and to the publisher. I was captivated by the authors writing and the plot of the story. From the very beginning I was taken in. I found the pacing to be mid-level and it was perfect. This had a twist I didn’t see coming. I can’t wait to see what else the author writes.

I think Justine Pucella Winans is just not for me, because this is the third book of hers that I have read and whole I liked it the most, I still think it has a lot of problems. I do think it has a lot of really good representation, especially around gender identity, and it has some interesting takes on horror tropes. However, I find a lot of her writing to be kind of cringe (lots of shit-focused content and the Warrior Cats DMs stand out). I also knew who the killer was from the moment he was introduced, which made the book very un-suspenseful for me. Readers that like her writing might enjoy this, but I think there are better similar YA horror books out there.

nonbinary MC and horror ideas that kept me guessing throughout. would reocmmend. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“How to Survive a Slasher” by Justine Pucella Winans is a wildly entertaining, horror-comedy twist on the classic slasher genre, complete with meta commentary, a uniquely queer perspective, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the bloody end. CJ, a genderfluid teen whose family has been haunted by a series of slasher-style killings, finds themself at the center of a new spree that uncannily mirrors past tragedies—except this time, they’re seemingly cast as the “Final Girl.” If you are a fan of this author’s “Bianca Torres Is Afraid of Everything,” then you will definitely love this book.

CJ's character is beautifully developed, providing humor and vulnerability as they grapple with trauma and the absurdity of being forced into a Final Girl role they’d rather avoid. CJ's nonbinary and genderfluid identity is handled with nuance, making them relatable and refreshing. Supporting them are an eclectic cast of friends, including Sebas, a sweet love interest with a background distinct from the usual “book boyfriend” mold, and their fiercely loyal friend, Nadia. Their family dynamic also stands out, showing a close-knit unit that hilariously trains in “murder chase readiness” due to their violent history. CJ’s emotional support cat, Chekov's Gun, wearing a pink harness and serving as an unexpected plot clue, adds a quirky touch. I absolutely loved Chekov; he was my favorite character and based on the acknowledgements at the end of this book, it sounds like Winans will continue having cats in future books, which I am incredibly excited about.

The book also explores the horror genre itself, defying and deconstructing typical slasher tropes while playing with elements like the "Final Girl" and ominous "Big Bad Wolf" killer. Winans infuses the plot with self-aware humor and spot-on pop culture references, making it a perfect read for fans of meta-horror like “Scream.” In the “Bianca Torres” book, there were a lot of anime references (which I loved), and this book had a lot of webtoon/webcomics references, which I also loved. There were many different nerdy references that I found to be relatable and made the book even more enjoyable for me. There was even a reference to the Warrior Cats series, and I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that referenced that series before. Overall, I absolutely love Winans’s writing!

The story is fast-paced with escalating tension and gore—perfect for horror lovers without being overwhelming. The setting—a town that treats its violent past as a local legend and holds festivals around the murders—adds a darkly comedic undertone and enhances the meta feel of the story. As CJ navigates the bloody mystery, the town’s indifference to the danger gives the story a surreal edge, amplifying both the satire and suspense. Despite some predictable twists, Winans keeps you on your toes with layers of mystery and horror conventions turned on their heads.

Overall, “How to Survive a Slasher” is an engaging, smart, and emotionally resonant story that reinvents horror with inclusive representation, meta-humor, and heartfelt themes of family and identity. It’s a thrilling, quick read, especially fitting for Halloween and anyone who enjoys a good laugh in the face of fear.

This was a masterpiece. Any slasher movie lover will love this, all the Scream TV show vibes. Breaking the third wall and inserting slasher movie knowledge to survive. The characters were cute, Non-binary Bisexual MC (who explains their gender identity throughout the book when it’s necessary without being over the top) Latina Lesbian BFF and cute Latino love interest. The small town setting with obsessive cult like tendencies, the child of survivor/victim of a slasher. So many elements without loosing depth or getting boring. Highly recommend.

Scream Meets Stranger than Fiction with a dash of I Know What You Did Last Summer!!

Justine Pucella Winans is surely a horror author to watch! How to Survive a Slasher is a novel full of family, heart, and gruesome slayings. The story follows CJ a young human who is coming to terms with who they want to be as they get older. However, they are haunted by a terrible tragedy that has followed their family. The Big Bad Wolf is set to make a return and it’s going to be a bloodbath.

The family parts of this story are really something to note here. It’s just a really nice story that does invert some aspects of a “slasher.” In the classic slasher family is usually a plot driver but it’s abandoned as the bodies start to pile up. However, Justine gives us a totally different perspective and I don’t want to spoil how that goes, but it’s fun and well worth the read!

Additionally, this story isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s gory. However the mystery elements and the “whodunnit” keep everything moving at a nice pace without just slaying everything in sight. I think that’s truly something that readers are going to enjoy. The layers of this mystery unfold like that of Only Murders in the Building. It’s reveal into twist into more reveals and twists and I know readers are going to love this!

Don’t miss out on this latest slasher - you’re going to love it!

If you like the Scream movies, this is the book for you. Non-binary lead, the main characters/love interest actually communicate, and so funny. Also hallelujah the cat lives! And so does the lesbian!

That’s all you get. Read this book right now or I’m coming to your house and flushing all your socks.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Scream meets You're Next with a splash of Happy Death Day in this ya horror novel that'll have you howlin' in fear!

Horror is my favorite genre; it's my go-to for comfort. When I saw the cover of this book, I screamed with delight—it immediately caught my attention and reminded me of one of my favorite horror movies, "Creep." We all know what I'm talking about, so it was a no-brainer for me to get my hands on a copy.

The story began in typical slasher fashion, featuring a great backstory, a terrifying villain, and an even better climax. However, I was disappointed with the big reveal(s). Who was behind those tell-all books? And who was the person wearing the big, scary wolf mask? I guessed the answers as soon as that character appeared. When everything was finally revealed, I shouted, "I told you!" Unfortunately, no one knew what I was talking about, and I was shushed in my own library. Ugh!

Although I figured out the plot early on, I still found enjoyment in the elements that unfolded along the way. It was a lot of fun and quite gory—who doesn't appreciate a bit of gore on a rainy fall day? The intense atmosphere really contributes to the appeal of this story, making it likely that readers will fall in love with it.

"How to Survive a Slasher" was an enjoyable read, although I felt a bit let down by the ending. Figuring out who was behind the events was somewhat disheartening, but I still found myself enjoying the rest of the story. I believe horror fans will appreciate this book for what it has to offer.