Review: There's No Way I'd Die First by Lisa Springer

Rating: 3 out of 5

The focal point of this novel is to challenge the notion that Black characters are one of the first to be killed off or never survive to the end of horror stories. Pop culture references, name drops, and themes from classic horror flicks littered throughout this novel makes it even more compelling to the reader. Despite it being told from one perspective the short chapters, fast pace, blood and gore keeps the reader engaged throughout the novel. 

Having a black female lead in a horror story intrigued me as I am sure it will and has others and didn't completely disappoint. As more horror/thriller stories arise this can easily be added to Netflix's list of movie adaptations that horror teenage fans would enjoy. The diversity of race, sexuality, and identity within the characters was something that stuck out to me and in contrast to these differences they all shared the same social and economic status.

The monologues from characters threatened to take the reader out of even the most thrilling moments in the novel. The constant cat and mouse for almost a hundred pages teased boredom with the not-so-smart and oblivious choices of the characters making the ending as anticlimactic as possible. The rating I give this book is 3 stars and I recommend this as a short, slightly disturbing read if you're looking for something different.