Thank you Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Rory Power’s “Kill Creatures” is a tense, twisty thriller that grips you from the very first page and doesn’t let go. With its compelling mystery, chilling atmosphere, and deeply unreliable narrator, this YA book will keep you questioning everything until the very last twist. There are content warnings provided at the beginning as this book does involve some blood/gore. Unlike Power’s previous books, “Kill Creatures” is very straightforward but is still one of the most interesting books I’ve read from Power.

The story follows 17-year-old Nan, the sole survivor of a nightmarish trip to Devil’s Eye Canyon a year ago, when her three closest friends—Luce, Edie, and Jane—disappeared. But Nan holds a terrible secret: she knows what happened that night because she killed them. Or so she believes. The story alternates between two timelines—“Then,” where the friendships and events leading up to the tragedy unfold, and “Now,” as Nan’s carefully constructed version of events begins to unravel when Luce suddenly returns, alive and claiming to remember nothing.

Nan is an unreliable narrator in every sense of the word. Her fragmented perceptions of reality, obsessive attachment to her friends, and increasingly desperate attempts to conceal her secret create a psychological depth that is both fascinating and unsettling. As the story progresses, Power masterfully peels back layers of Nan’s perspective, revealing a shocking truth that completely reframes the narrative.

The book’s pacing is pitch-perfect, with short chapters that make it nearly impossible to put down. Power keeps you guessing with a blend of secrets, drama, and twists that grow increasingly wild. While the initial “twist” may seem straightforward, the story’s revelations become more intricate, culminating in an epilogue that delivers a final gut punch.

Thematically, “Kill Creatures” explores obsession, guilt, and the fragile nature of memory. Nan’s distorted view of her friendships—especially her role as the odd one out in the group—adds an emotional layer that resonates, even as her actions remain morally ambiguous. The LGBTQ+ representation, with Nan’s identity as a lesbian woven into her character, feels natural and significant without overshadowing the main plot.

For readers who enjoy fast-paced mysteries, “Kill Creatures” is a must-read. It balances gripping suspense with nuanced character development, all wrapped in Power’s sharp, atmospheric prose. Whether you’re a longtime fan of her work or discovering her for the first time, this book is a thrilling, shocking ride that you won’t forget. Highly recommended for fans of dark, psychological YA mysteries!

Oh. My. LORD. This was such a rollercoaster. You flip between two timelines (before the accident and after it) and with an unreliable narrator, that twist was something I did NOT expect. WOW. 10/10, chefs kiss. This might be Ms. Power's best book so far. I read it in two sittings (not by my choice, I would have read it in one if work didn't get in the way) and I wish I could reread for the first time all over again. HIGHLY recommend to all of my thriller lovers!!! Be careful of who you call your friends!

I absolutely inhaled this because it is the exact kind of weird and deranged I love. It's about familial trauma, and about girls being horrible people. It's incredible.

Book:
KILL CREATURE by Rory Powers
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the Earc(Jun3)

Review:
5⭐
KILL CREATURES is a twisted story that follows Nan across two timelines. A year ago, her friends went missing, but she knows they're dead because she's the one who killed them. When one of her friends resurfaces, alive, Nan begins to wonder if that night happened---if the other girls will come back too.
KILL CREATURES basically read itself. From page one, I was hooked, reading it in just under day---that's how easily devourable this was. As the story progressed, with short chapters that I appreciated, I found myself questioning everything. What happened that night? Did it actually happen. I swear, I was on the edge-of-my-seat. With this book, there was never a need for a whodunit, because that was already solved, or was it???
This book delivered. Secrets, drama, and twists. Oh the twists. When the first was revealed, I was okay, this is crazy. But the twist kept twisting until there was all this stuff that blindsided me: repeatedly. Then came the epilogue and that revelation shocked me more than anything.
KILL CREATURES was everything I wanted and more. It was gripping and wild, twisty and unbelievable. 10/10 would recommend.

Wow, when I opened up this book I didn’t expect to fly through it in less than 6 hours. I just could not stop reading. It’s so fast paced and engaging that it’s impossible to put down.

This is a gripping, twisty young adult mystery that you’ll devour in one sitting! The plot is thoroughly intriguing, keeping you hooked from start to finish. Rory Power is a brilliant author, and her previous works, especially Wilder Girls, are also exceptional—ones I highly enjoyed and recommend to any thriller enthusiast!

The story revolves around 17-year-old Nan, who recently lost her three best friends. A year ago, she joined Luce, Edie, and Jane on a night boat tour that ended in Devil’s Eye Canyon. Nan was the only one who returned. No one knows what happened to the other three girls—except Nan. She knows because she killed them.

On the one-year anniversary of the tragedy, the residents of Saltcedar, including the families of the missing girls, gather for a vigil. But during the ceremony, something unexpected happens: Luce returns. Nan suspects the girl claiming to be Luce is an impostor because Nan is certain she killed her, smashing her head with a rock. Luce wasn’t breathing when Nan left her. But now, she’s alive and claims to remember nothing.

Could it be true? How did she survive the head trauma, and where has she been hiding for the past year? Why has she returned now? Is she planning revenge? Meanwhile, someone knows what Nan did. Someone has found the keepsakes Nan secretly took from the dead girls. But who? Nan must act quickly to protect her secret—but what if there are even darker truths waiting to be uncovered?

Overall, the twisty ending was masterfully executed. While I predicted a few elements, I didn’t see the full picture coming. It’s a short, fast-paced, surprising, and well-developed thriller with a fantastic ending. I highly recommend it to anyone seeking something gripping, smart, and quick to read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press for providing this addictive YA thriller’s digital review copy in exchange for my honest opinions.