The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington

e-Audio, 10:41:31
Narrated by: Joniece Abbott-Pratt
Release Date: July 30, 2024
Published by: Simon & Schuster Audio
Read from: July 10-12, 2024
Stand-Alone 
Source: S&S Audio Influencer Program (I received a copy of this e-audio from Libro FM and their influencer program in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning: Racism, Violence, Stalking
For Readers Interested In: Horror, Thriller, Family Diversity (Twins), Racial/Ethnic Diversity (Black), YA, Favorite Narrators

      A group of friends fight to choose their own fates in this trope-savvy, self-referential young adult thriller from the acclaimed author of Their Vicious Games , about a demonic force that acts according to horror movie rules in the spirit of the Scream movies.
     Devon is always being left behind by her genius twin sister, Drew. At this point, it’s a fact of life. But Devon has one last plan before Drew leaves for college a whole year early—The Best Summer Ever. After committing to the bit a little too much, the twins and their chaotic circle of friends learn why you don’t ever mess with a Ouija board if you want to actually survive the Best Summer Ever, and soon find themselves being hunted down by…a demon?
     But while there’s no mistaking the creeping, venomous figure is not from around here, their method doesn’t feel very demonic at all. In fact, it’s downright human—going after them in typical slasher movie kill order. And that means Devon, the blonde, is up first and her decade-long crush, Yaya, is the Final Girl who must kill or be killed to end the cycle.
     Devon has never liked playing by anyone else’s rules though, not even a demon’s, and the longer this goes on, the more she feels Drew and Yaya slipping away from her even as she tries to help them all survive. Can they use their horror movie knowledge to flip the script and become the hunters instead of the hunted? Or will their best summer ever be their last?

*MY THOUGHTS*

I think this is the first time I’ve ever not known what to say about a book that I’ve loved. There was so much about it that I liked and so much taht I want to talk about but there’s like spoilers (because this is a horror novel) and just ugh I’m going to do my best because this was so, so good.

Ok so the main characters in this book were the only things I didn’t care for. And it was mostly the twin’s fault lol I loved Devon because she was able to admit her wrongs when it finally came down to it. But Drew was just mean and nasty the whole book. And like she was so angry that these people were trying to do these things for/with her but she got mad because no one asked. But she didn’t come out and say she knew it either. And that annoyed me. Like y’all are TWINS! I get letting go of toxic family members, but you’re like only not talking because of a miscommunication. You don’t know if she’s toxic. Ugh if you can’t tell I don’t like the miscommunication trope period.

And the way she wrote the characters as someone that you’d find in a horror novel was also pretty bad ass. Seeing her change the way she saw herself was honestly one of the best parts of this novel. And then the romance that also bloomed from that? Adorable. I liked the subtle looks they gave each other and I really liked how they gave Devon the strength and confidence she needed. The whole way she came to and realized all this WHILE THERE WAS A DEMON GOING AROUND was just bad ass.

This book was very much like another book I just read that detailed all the things you need when you’re in a horror book. And this one talks about the rules of horror, but mostly through a slasher lens. But there’s a demon in this one. But for the most part it gives the stereotype for the people in the book and then there’s rules for staying alive too. Which I find hilarious. Because they kept basing it off of a terrible movie that none of them liked lol And I LOVED the whole. Even though this is the second book I’ve read like this lately, I still say this is a hella unique and interesting book.

So because this was horror with the demonology trope, I did expect this to have a certain amount of spooky to it. But it was mostly funny. I know I’m in the minority here, but I wanted this to be a real horror book but it was more like black comedy. And I know that’s on me because I don’t read the synopsis of books by authors that I already trust lol But still, I wanted to have my heart thumping.

BUT besides that I loved everything else. Like specifically the writing style. The way the demon came, like I would have been mad at them too. Because who tf brings out a Ouija board at a party? Absolutely not. I would have left with the friend. And I loved the way she incorporated the ending. Ugh I can’t even explain what I mean because I don’t want to spoil it. If you want to know more, message me and I’ll tell you!

This book was so much fun. I wanted more scary, but I still enjoyed this. As a fan of horror, I enjoyed getting this in-depth look at the genre. I wish this was a movie. I definitely want an unnecessary sequel for this one. I hope she dissects another trope in the horror genre!

Overall, I give this,