The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington Review (AD, Gifted)

Hello Readers,

Thank you, NetGalley for giving access to an eBook copy of The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington for free in exchange for an honest review. As this is a publication day review my post will be spoiler free. The eBook I received from NetGalley doesn't do the cover justice, so I am using a cover image I have found through google (Fair use under the copyright act sections 29 and 30 under use for a review).

Happy Publication Day

Title: The Blonde Dies First
Author: Joelle Wellington
Genre: Young Adult, Thriller
Pages: 336
Cover Image:

Synopsis:
Devon Harris doesn't have much planned for the summer - until her sister, Drew, invites Devon to a very exclusive private school party.

Out of her element, Devon commits to being game at everything. Even when the private school kids ask her if there are fights at her school. Even when they ask her if her box braids are her real hair. Even when those weird ass kids pull out a Ouija board.

But this seemingly harmless bit of fun has terrible consequences. Something has been released, and only a week later it's hunting Devon, Drew and their friends. Hunting them in an eerily familiar way . . .
The real-life horror movie has begun. The blonde is up first, then the asshole - right up to the Final Girl. Unless the murderous cycle can be broken, they're all going to be next.
 

Miniature Review

 
The Blond Dies First is a fast and intense thriller about a twin who creates the Best Summer Ever to do list for her close friend group and sister to complete before they go off to college. In typical horror movie fashion things go awry and soon Devon, Drew, Malachi, Leila, Yaya, and Gael have to band together to combat a demon and they must do whatever it takes to survive.
 
This book cuts right to chase and I was pulled in from the first page. The sudden start of drama was refreshing and added a level or normality to the horror genre within the book as things don’t always have this huge dramatic build up, they just happen. I think that due to me having to know if survival was possible for the group and if they'd be able to stop the demon. But this book was a quick read and I burnt through the 336 pages. I loved the humour and I even laughed out loud several times. The humour doesn’t take away from the horror element as the villain in this story is absolutely horrifying.

I think this book was a brilliant tribute to The Final Girl and Slasher tropes and a must read.

L x

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