Friday, May 15, 2009

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender


Synopsis:

Alexis thought she led a typically dysfunctional high school existence. Dysfunctional like her parents' marriage; her doll-crazy twelve-year-old sister, Kasey; and even her own anti-social, anti-cheerleader attitude.
When a family fight results in some tearful sisterly bonding, Alexis realizes that her life is creeping from dysfunction into danger. Kasey is acting stranger than ever: her blue eyes go green sometimes; she uses old-fashioned language; and she even loses track of chunks of time, claiming to know nothing about her strange behavior. Their old house is changing, too. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough to see their breath in.

Alexis wants to think that it's all in her head, but soon, what she liked to think of as silly parlor tricks are becoming life-threatening--to her, her family, and to her budding relationship with the class president. Alexis knows she's the only person who can stop Kasey -- but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore?


This book was creepy, super-creepy. I loved it!! It's hard to find a good old-fashioned thriller these day and this book definitely delivers. Alexis is a great character from her love of photography to her hatred of cheerleaders. I liked this girl from page one.

Her sister Kasey on the other hand has some serious issues. An uber-creepy doll collection for one and a tendency to spontaneously change eye color. Not to mention, strange accidents keep happening around her. This girl totally freaked me out.

There are some truly scary moments in this book, which is great. I don't think there's nearly enough ghost stories in YA. There are some, but these days it's mostly the supernatural creatures that star in YA novels. We need a little Shirley Jackson (Haunting of Hill House) up in here and Katie Alender might just be it.

She's got a very cinematic writing style, which by the way, I'd love to see a movie version of this book. It's screaming to be made into a movie. It's a fast-paced read which makes you race right through to the exciting conclusion. I just really enjoyed reading this one. It kept me up into the wee small hours and not just because I was a wee bit scared either. Check this one out, I think you'll be glad you did. And watch out for that Kasey, she tends to show up in the unlikeliest of places. Creeeepy!!

9 comments:

  1. I hope to read this novel soon!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I've been wanting to read this one - she graduated from FSU, so I have to! I love ghost stories and to hear you compare it to Shirley Jackson is so promising.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This one is in my tbr. Cannot wait to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  4. The moment I saw the book trailer, I wanted to read this one. Even the cover creeps me out!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This book sounds amazing. Great review.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Cinematic writing style is so right!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have this book, but I'm afraid to read it because it creeps me out a little! I'm such a giant giant wimp.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I want this book!!!!!

    ReplyDelete