If you grew up reading Christopher Pike, RL Stine, Diane Hoh, and other teen horror novels, you are going to LOVE Birthday Party Demon.

This is both a tribute to and a spoof of 1990s YA horror novels, and it works perfectly as both. It’s incredibly hard to combine those two things successfully (kind of like a perfectly done comedy roast), but the author did a spectacular job. This is short, sweet, snappy, and does an outstanding job of goofing on the novels it also honors.

There’s all sorts of fun 90s nostalgia tossed into this too, and it’s written in a manner I would describe as deliberately stilted that perfectly mimics our favorites from this era.

This was such a creative way to pay homage, and it’s also genuinely hilarious. Oh, and if I may offer you some advice? If you’ve got any old Delia’s catalogs laying around…beware.

40/100 or 2.0 stars

I was having a hard time getting through this one, depsite the fact that this novella is only 150 pages. I didn't feel a connection to the charcters or to the world-building. The writing was not as strong as I was expecting either. I read as far as I could, but I really didn't want to spite read the rest of the book OR have to post a not so great review on Goodreads, as even though the author has a lot of books released, I didn't want to leave a negative review when I SHOULD have DNF'd, and when I don't finish a book, I do not post it anywhere outside of NetGalley since I do not rate/review books I didn't complete. Simple as that. I got until 29%

Birthday Party Demon is a fun quick read that is reminiscent of My Best Friends Exorcism meets Jennifer's Body but on a scale for a more Middle Grade audience.

It's Tina's birthday but it's no ordinary birthday it's her Sweet Sixteenth, a birthday she'll never forget after her best friend accidentally gets possessed by a demon, you know regular birthday stuff...

Whilst being a short read it manages to pack in a ton of references to the 90's, I just wish it was longer.

Can we also acknowledge how cool the cover is!

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“There is no Lacey. Only Zozo.”

Tina’s sixteenth birthday has arrived and all she wants to do is have one night of fun with her two closest friends. At least she thinks they’re still friends. As the night progresses, they decide to play darker games including talking to an ouija board and playing what they believe is an innocent game of ‘Light as a Feather.”

But when the seemingly innocent game turns out to be a real spell that lured a demon, they’ll stop at nothing to close what they had opened. Absolutely a fun demonic story full of friendship and 90s nostalgia that dragged me back to my childhood.

I am already a huge fan of Wendy and her fun YA Horror books! Another recommendation for readers looking for something with a bunch of 90s nostalgia!

Absolutely loved this and it very much reminded me of a old school goosebumps books! I would love to read more from this author!

For fans of Christopher Pike books and 90s nostalgia. As someone who grew up circling everything I wanted in delia's catalogues, this was a blast. It was definitely nostalgic for me back to when I would check out a stack of horror novels from the library.

Review to come at the end of the month on my blog/other places.

I received this book from the publisher/Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

I am becoming such a huge fan of Wendy Dalrymple's works!  And so I was excited when I saw this one on Netgalley, this is one of the books I was most hyped about in early 2025! I was even more excited when I was approved to read it, eep!

In this book we meet Tina (full name Christina) who is about to turn 16, Sweet Sixteen. She is unsure about doing anything because she and her two besties have been drifting apart, but thankfully there is mom who tells her to just invite them. I am normally not a fan of moms who push their kids like this, but I am happy she did (or well, given the rest of the book maybe not so happy haha, but before everything hits the fan I was happy) because the other two girls are actually excited and have also missed the days of doing things together. Plans are made and the girls are all excited to get ready for a wonderful fun sleepover!

And for most of the time the sleepover was just that, a sleepover. Doing nails. Watching movies. Eating popcorn. The girls are bringing up memories, talking about their friendship. Things are fun and I just loved seeing the girls together and I was so happy for Tina because she was so worried about the friendship falling apart, but Eve and Lacey are such sweet girls and I love the bond these girls had. But then one mentions doing something spooky and the Ouijaboard is there. And then a lot more happens (and kids remember not to mix things together, just like drinks, mixing up your supernatural summoning stuff is also a very big no-no) and things get increasingly scary (and I am not talking about a wild opossum in the attic). Oh no. I am talking about possession. Yup. And this demon is determined to ruin the party, hardcore. I loved what happened next and while it did sound like a dream, I knew thanks to reading more of Wendy Dalrymple's books, that things would get very WHELP in just a few. I had a few ideas on how this one would go, and I am happy with the direction it went. It was the perfect way and it definitely had me on the edge of my chair, or well, crawling deeper in my bed haha. 

I love seeing the girls band together and try to fix things, get things right again, make sure everyone is safe, but I am even more in love with the ending! That kind of ending doesn't always work with me to be honest, but in this case it was just perfect and I really liked it! 

All in all, I can only recommend this book a lot to everyone who loves the 80s/90s and loves horror + demons doing demon stuff.

Birthday Party Demon is the perfect love letter to all of those kids who grew up reading Fear Street and watching Are You Afraid of the Dark?.

Tina's sixteenth birthday is approaching, and she decides to have a slumber party with her two childhood best friends, who Tina feels have been slowly drifting away. When Eve suggests to try the game "Light as a feather, stiff as a board" (who hasn't, though?) it works a little too well and an uninvited demon joins the girls' sleepover.

This book is steep in nostalgia, everything from the trips to the mall, dELiA*s catalogs, and video rental stores. It brings the reader such a comfy feeling that couples great with the R.L. Stine-esque horror. The story moves quickly, but never leaves the reader behind. BIRTHDAY PARTY DEMON has such a tightly written plot and can be read in one sitting. It's easy to get caught up in the girls' adventures, especially when things take a weird twist.

Wendy Dalrymple is an impeccable voice in pink horror, and BIRTHDAY PARTY DEMON is a prime example of the love she has for the genre. The story is centered around Tina and her friendships and we get to see each girl for who they are. While the three girls may have drifted apart socially, their friendship and love they have for each other really shines through all parts of the story.

BIRTRHDAY PARTY DEMON is reminiscent of films like Clueless, The Craft, and Jennifer's Body, each building on girlhood. This would be an excellent story for anyone who grew up in the 90s or a young reader who is wanting to read more horror. It would be an excellent book for a middle grade reader who is starting to branch out into new genres.

So much fun! It was almost like the parties I had when I grew up in the 90s. It is a creepy read, almost like Goosebumps. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to review a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A super fast and super fun read. Crammed with tons of 90s nostalgia, this book hearted book tells the story of a 16th birthday sleepover gone very very wrong. This definitely reads as YA Goosebumps or Point Horror and it’s such a blast with a truly killer ending!

Wendy Dalrymple’s Birthday Party Demon is a delightfully quirky and thrilling ride that perfectly balances humor, suspense, and supernatural chaos. The story follows best friends Tina, Eve, and Lacey, whose Sweet 16 slumber party takes an unexpected—and rather demonic—turn. What begins as a typical night of fun and friendship quickly escalates when the trio accidentally summons a powerful demon, leading to Lacey becoming possessed and her friends trapped in a surreal, high-fashion world straight out of a glossy magazine.

Dalrymple has a knack for creating a vivid, imaginative atmosphere that draws readers into this bizarre, fashion-forward realm where every page feels like a new adventure. The concept of the girls being trapped inside a fashion catalog is both original and hilarious, adding a unique twist to the typical possession story. The entire "fashion catalog" setting is beautifully realized, with vibrant, stylish imagery that contrasts sharply with the sinister threat looming over the girls.

The characters are a joy to follow. Tina and Eve’s quick thinking and deep bond make them a dynamic duo you can’t help but root for as they race against time to save their friend and escape the increasingly dangerous, fabulous world they’ve found themselves in. The friendship between the three girls is heartwarming, and their individual personalities shine through, making their interactions both entertaining and relatable. Dalrymple excels in capturing the humor and drama that comes with being a teenager while blending it seamlessly with supernatural elements.

Lacey, while possessed, adds an interesting dynamic to the story, and her transformation is both chilling and captivating. Dalrymple doesn’t shy away from the darker elements of possession, but the lighthearted moments and witty dialogue keep the story fun and accessible. The plot unfolds at a brisk pace, with plenty of twists and unexpected moments that keep the tension high, all while maintaining a strong sense of fun.

Birthday Party Demon is a wonderful, fast-paced romp filled with magic, mystery, and friendship. Wendy Dalrymple’s sharp writing and playful take on the supernatural genre will have readers laughing, gasping, and cheering for Tina, Eve, and Lacey every step of the way. Whether you’re a fan of paranormal tales or just looking for an entertaining read, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a little bit of spooky fun mixed with a whole lot of heart.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

This book is so much fun! It's campy, cute and totally retro!

Take me back please. I adored the setting of this book. I love all of the details about Lisa Frank and magazines and just 90s fashion and decor. I can picture myself sitting in my bubble chair with my butterfly clips and lip smacker lip gloss flipping through YM magazine.

This book delivers the frights as well giving Goosebumps vibes but not for children.

This was so much fun and incredibly nostalgic. Birthday Party Demon was like if R.L. Stine and Grady Hendrix had a book baby. All the 90’s elements were so perfectly done. The pacing was really great. It got a little slow about halfway through but picked right up. You can read this in a day and have the best time.

This is a fun callback to the kiddie horror of days gone by. The retro feel was strong and I was particularly fond of the play on the cool clothing magazine we all wanted to shop from as kids.

You'll be able to get through this in an afternoon. It'll provide a few laughs and a freaky fun demonic invasion. Give this a go if you liked Christopher Pike and RL Stein as kids (or if you're a kid who loves them today).

If you’re looking for a short, fun, and nostalgia-soaked read, this one is exactly what you need. My birthday was just two weeks ago, and this book sent me straight back to my own ‘90s teenage sleepovers—the ones filled with junk food, prank calls, and staying up way too late whispering about the supernatural.

Set at a sleepover with three 16-year-old best friends, this story blends the body glitter fun of the ‘90s with a darker, supernatural twist. Think *Are You Afraid of the Dark?* meets *Clueless*—a quirky mix of creepiness and fashion that feels just right. The book’s shorter length works perfectly. I never felt like it dragged or was missing anything. While the protagonists weren’t super deeply developed, they felt real enough to enjoy, especially since this is more of a plot-driven story. And as a plot-based reader, I was fully satisfied. There’s enough suspense, humor, and a twist at the end to leave you grinning.

The nostalgic details were what made this book shine for me. Little things like drawing on your backpack with whiteout - or the carefree vibe of hanging out with your friends, totally unbothered by the outside world, hit home in the best way.

If you grew up in the ‘90s, this book will absolutely hit you in the feels. It’s not trying to be highbrow or overly complicated—it’s just good, spooky fun with a big dose of nostalgia. Whether you’re a fan of retro sleepover vibes, quick reads, or stories with a touch of the supernatural, I highly recommend this. It’s the perfect throwback escape.

This was such a fun novella- It was my first dip into "Pink Horror" and what can I say- I get it, I love it, I want more of it. The amount of 90's detail and nostalgia that Dalrymple was able to squeeze into every page unlocked so many fun childhood memories. Reading this was like a peek into an old photo album or journal- you know, minus the whole accidental demon summoning...probably.

I really liked the characters and the story, but with such a short page count I feel like this one was incomplete. There were a few things that I wish had been expanded upon and fleshed out some, but all in all a great read that I binged in one sitting.

This was such a fun read ! Full of 90s nostalgia. Gave me the heebie geebies. Gives goosebumps/are you afraid of the dark vibes.
Teenage girls messing with a Ouija board at a sleepover what could possible go wrong.

Thank you to netgalley for the chance to read this as an Arc.

Birthday Party Demon is a quick, campy, and fun read that takes slumber-party chaos to supernatural levels.

The story follows best friends Tina, Eve, and Lacey as they gather for a Sweet 16 celebration that goes wildly wrong when an accidental summoning leads to Lacey’s possession. Things take a quirky twist as Tina and Eve find themselves trapped in a fashion catalog straight out of the ’90s. As the duo navigates this fabulous but dangerous world, they must hurry to save Lacey before the demon takes over completely.

Packed with ’90s nostalgia—think video rental stores, beepers, and clothing catalogs bursting with throwback trends—the book will delight readers who enjoy a blast from the past. However, the frequent pop culture references can feel a bit heavy-handed at times, detracting from the story’s overall voice.

While marketed as YA, Birthday Party Demon leans more toward a middle-grade audience in tone and execution. The premise is clever and entertaining, but the story would’ve benefited from being a full-length novel, giving more room for character development and heightening the emotional impact of the ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this nostalgic, supernatural romp! Fans of campy horror and throwback vibes will find plenty to enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This is a very cool book - I missed out on the vibe of this book generationally just by a little, but it was definitely something that summoned up a lot of nostalgia for a bygone era nonetheless! I perhaps expected the ending to be a bit nastier, but I think it took a good direction, and more than anything, it surprised me.

The whole vibe of the characters was great (I was particularly fond of Eve) and there was a dedication to building the atmosphere and world here that you don't often see in these kinds of shorter stories. I do wish that this was a fuller length novel in that the ending felt a little bit rushed, but all in all it was very solidly done. This is the kind of book that I could have seen myself reading along with Goosebumps and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark as a pre-teen (along with some Stephen King I should not have been reading at that age) but with a bit more edge.

I will say that I thought as well the end could have been fleshed out a little better, but the dream sequence in particular really did lift this story up and made the whole thing a trip well worth going on. Looking forward to reading more in the same vein!

This had everything that I was looking for from a tribute to 90s horror, it had that campy element that I was looking for and was engaged with what was going on. It had that horror element that I wanted and brought me back to the 90s. It was wonderfully done and was hooked from the first page. Wendy Dalrymple has a strong writing style and am excited for more.