Introduction
At the start of October I had the seemingly “brillant” idea to read slashers for a week so I could talk about the experience in an article. As I dove into the first-blood soaked novel, I was quickly reminded: I have never read a slasher before. Not only that, but I don’t particularly like horror as a general genre. Knowing I’d likely made a mistake, but determined to press onwards and endure my self-inflicted week of terror, I proceeded to binge 3 novels all following the general plotline of the teen slasher genre. Each highlighted all the classic tropes: masked killers, gory deaths, and final girls. What followed was a week of being constantly jumpy, barely sleeping and completely convincing myself that I was about to get “Here’s Johnny!”-ed from my second story bedroom window. Here’s what I read, and my thoughts on each of the books that contributed to my week of torment.
You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kaylynn Bayron – This was honestly super fun and fast-paced. Not the best writing or storyline, but I was on the edge of my seat and the summer-camp-themed haunted house where this story took place had a spooky vibe and really fulfilled that “classic slasher” itch. This was an entertaining sapphic teen slasher, following Charity Curtis as she attempts to live out the real-life version of something she has been acting out all summer long: surviving a slasher attack and becoming the Final Girl.
3/5 stars
There’s Somebody Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins – This was a fun atmospheric back-to-school slasher novel, and while none of the characters are likable, you do find yourself screaming at them to check behind the damn door, or better yet just leave the house and get into a damn group. The book concludes at a Halloween Fair, running around corn mazes and swimming through a corn kernel pit, which is definitely an atmospheric and dramatic conclusion. Everything felt pretty stupid, including who the killer turns out to be, but I was entertained and definitely scared out of my mind from this novel.
3.25/5 stars
Clowns in a Cornfield by Adam Cesare – After the last two slashers, my nerves were shot and I wasn’t sure I could take much more. I decided to push through and pick up Clowns in a Cornfield and was greeted with the first half of the novel that felt like a warm scarf on a crisp day. The first half of this novel reminded me a bit of the movie Halloween, where the scene is set in a small suburban town, kids are going to school, leaves are changing colors and the fall vibes are immaculate. And then there’s a killer clown. This slasher felt like the perfect balance between atmospheric cozy vibes and horror/slasher. Without any spoilers, the plot took a turn and as the thriller aspect picked up and the climax came to a head, things got pretty crazy in a way I didn’t love. Overall, still one of my favorite slashers I’ve picked up, and I would absolutely recommend it for anyone looking for a classic Halloween-style book this season.
4/5 stars
Conclusion
Overall, my week of slashers was chaotic, creepy, and surprisingly fun. I might not be turning into a horror fan anytime soon, but there’s something entertaining about how wild and over-the-top these stories get. If you’re looking to get into the Halloween spirit without totally wrecking your nerves, these reads are a killer place to start.
Image from our lovely graphic designer Dialma Quiroz!
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