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Good Girls Don’t Die
9 hours, 31 minutes
A sharp-edged, supremely twisty thriller about three women who find themselves trapped inside stories they know aren’t their own, from the author of Alice and Near the Bone.
Celia wakes up in a house that’s supposed to be hers. There’s a little girl who claims to be her daughter and a man who claims to be her husband, but Celia knows this family—and this life—is not hers…
Allie is supposed to be on a fun weekend trip—but then her friend’s boyfriend unexpectedly invites the group to a remote cabin in the woods. No one else believes Allie, but she is sure that something about this trip is very, very wrong…
Maggie just wants to be home with her daughter, but she’s in a dangerous situation and she doesn’t know who put her there or why. She’ll have to fight with everything she has to survive…
Three women. Three stories. Only one way out. This captivating novel will keep readers guessing until the very end.
A sharp-edged, supremely twisty thriller about three women who find themselves trapped inside stories they know aren’t their own, from the author of Alice and Near the Bone.
Celia wakes up in a house that’s supposed to be hers. There’s a little girl who claims to be her daughter and a man who claims to be her husband, but Celia knows this family—and this life—is not hers…
Allie is supposed to be on a fun weekend trip—but then her friend’s boyfriend unexpectedly invites the group to a remote cabin in the woods. No one else believes Allie, but she is sure that something about this trip is very, very wrong…
Maggie just wants to be home with her daughter, but she’s in a dangerous situation and she doesn’t know who put her there or why. She’ll have to fight with everything she has to survive…
Three women. Three stories. Only one way out. This captivating novel will keep readers guessing until the very end.
Audiobook
First published November 14, 2023
384 people are currently reading
42868 people want to read
About the author
Christina Henry
60 books8,479 followersChristina Henry is a horror and dark fantasy author whose works include GOOD GIRLS DON'T DIE, HORSEMAN, NEAR THE BONE, THE GHOST TREE, LOOKING GLASS, THE GIRL IN RED, THE MERMAID, LOST BOY, RED QUEEN, ALICE, and the seven book urban fantasy BLACK WINGS series.
Her short stories have been featured in the anthologies ELEMENTAL FORCES, CURSED, TWICE CURSED, GIVING THE DEVIL HIS DUE and KICKING IT.
She enjoys running long distances, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with samurai, zombies and/or subtitles in her spare time. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.
You can visit her on the web at
www.christinahenry.net
Facebook: authorChristinaHenry
Threads: authorChristinaHenry
Instagram: authorChristinaHenry
Goodreads: goodreads.com/CHenryAuthor
Her short stories have been featured in the anthologies ELEMENTAL FORCES, CURSED, TWICE CURSED, GIVING THE DEVIL HIS DUE and KICKING IT.
She enjoys running long distances, reading anything she can get her hands on and watching movies with samurai, zombies and/or subtitles in her spare time. She lives in Chicago with her husband and son.
You can visit her on the web at
www.christinahenry.net
Facebook: authorChristinaHenry
Threads: authorChristinaHenry
Instagram: authorChristinaHenry
Goodreads: goodreads.com/CHenryAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,788 reviews
September 26, 2025
Good Girls Don't Die was quite unique in both its construction and content. I had fun going on this journey and trying to figure out what in the hell was going on.
This was a 5-star read for me for the majority of the book. Unfortunately, the last portion lost me a little bit. Honestly, I found it to be a bit anti-climactic after the exciting build.
Nevertheless, I still really enjoyed it, and ended up only dropping a star due to my discontent with the ending. A 4-star read is still highly enjoyable and I would recommend it to fans of Christina Henry's quirky and creative writing.
Three women. Three stories. Only one way out. This pitch from the publisher's synopsis is a great way to sell this story and it's accurate. We love to see that.
This story is told in four parts, the first three each follow a different character: Celia, Allie and Maggie. The fourth, ties everything together.
The three women's perspectives were captivating. They each find themselves in a bit of a personal nightmare, but it's clear that they're awake. They're confused, they don't know what's going on, and are desperate to figure it out.
I found it so easy to empathize with these women. To feel their fear and desperation. In fact, I started to feel it myself. I was intrigued by the goings-on; so creepy. There seemed to be a relation to stories, as each perspective felt like a perilous journey through a different genre.
When you think about it, it was such a great example of Henry's skill as a writer. To be able to capture these different genre-feels in such a short space of time. It was really cool.
The fourth section, again, was a bit of let down for me, but it was eye-opening and interesting as to how these women were ultimately connected.
Sadly, I just felt the villain was a bit of a joke; cookie cutter. They felt like an animated movie baddie, or something of that ilk. Also, the messaging around the who and the why was a bit heavy-handed for my tastes.
Overall though, this is well worth the read. A lot of fun. A unique twist of a Thriller, impressive in its creativity. I'm glad I finally got around to picking it up.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'll continue to look forward to any book wit Henry's name on the cover!
This was a 5-star read for me for the majority of the book. Unfortunately, the last portion lost me a little bit. Honestly, I found it to be a bit anti-climactic after the exciting build.
Nevertheless, I still really enjoyed it, and ended up only dropping a star due to my discontent with the ending. A 4-star read is still highly enjoyable and I would recommend it to fans of Christina Henry's quirky and creative writing.
Three women. Three stories. Only one way out. This pitch from the publisher's synopsis is a great way to sell this story and it's accurate. We love to see that.
This story is told in four parts, the first three each follow a different character: Celia, Allie and Maggie. The fourth, ties everything together.
The three women's perspectives were captivating. They each find themselves in a bit of a personal nightmare, but it's clear that they're awake. They're confused, they don't know what's going on, and are desperate to figure it out.
I found it so easy to empathize with these women. To feel their fear and desperation. In fact, I started to feel it myself. I was intrigued by the goings-on; so creepy. There seemed to be a relation to stories, as each perspective felt like a perilous journey through a different genre.
When you think about it, it was such a great example of Henry's skill as a writer. To be able to capture these different genre-feels in such a short space of time. It was really cool.
The fourth section, again, was a bit of let down for me, but it was eye-opening and interesting as to how these women were ultimately connected.
Sadly, I just felt the villain was a bit of a joke; cookie cutter. They felt like an animated movie baddie, or something of that ilk. Also, the messaging around the who and the why was a bit heavy-handed for my tastes.
Overall though, this is well worth the read. A lot of fun. A unique twist of a Thriller, impressive in its creativity. I'm glad I finally got around to picking it up.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'll continue to look forward to any book wit Henry's name on the cover!
October 7, 2023
“You come on with it, come on
You don't fight fair
But that's okay, see if I care
Knock me down, it's all in vain
I get right back on my feet again
Hit me with your best shot.
Fire away"~ songwriter Edward Schwartz. Performed by Pat Benatar.
*****************************************************************************
Originality 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Suspense 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Creativity 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Ending 🌟🌟
This read is presented in three scenarios.
1. Celia wakes one morning in a house she doesn’t recognize. With a husband and daughter that she has no memory of. Deep in her subconscious she knows this is not her life. How did she get here? More importantly, how does she get her real life back!
2. Allie was set to celebrate her birthday at the beach with her two college friends. Only they decided to bring their frat-boy boyfriends. One of which hijacked the beach vacation, taking everyone to a remote cabin in the woods. Allie wakes in the dead of night to a noise outside the cabin… the stark terror begins.
3. Maggie has been kidnapped and thrown into a maze she has no choice but to complete. The men who took her also have her daughter. Maggie must complete the maze. Her daughters’ life depends on it.
Wow! The characters all simultaneously questioning their reality. And I’m asking the same thing!
At this point, putting the book down was impossible. All three stories had me spell-bound and furiously turning my digital pages! I couldn’t wait to see how the author was going to stitch this all together for an explosive ending.
Wah-Wah! Cue the screeching brakes.😩
I’m not sure I’ve ever enjoyed a book so much only to be left so thoroughly disappointed by an ending. I’ll leave it at that. I’m very curious to see what everyone else thinks! This will be one of those love it or hate it book endings. Fingers crossed it will work for you!
A buddy read with Susanne
Thank you to Berkley Publishing via NetGalley.
You don't fight fair
But that's okay, see if I care
Knock me down, it's all in vain
I get right back on my feet again
Hit me with your best shot.
Fire away"~ songwriter Edward Schwartz. Performed by Pat Benatar.
*****************************************************************************
Originality 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Suspense 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Creativity 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Ending 🌟🌟
This read is presented in three scenarios.
1. Celia wakes one morning in a house she doesn’t recognize. With a husband and daughter that she has no memory of. Deep in her subconscious she knows this is not her life. How did she get here? More importantly, how does she get her real life back!
2. Allie was set to celebrate her birthday at the beach with her two college friends. Only they decided to bring their frat-boy boyfriends. One of which hijacked the beach vacation, taking everyone to a remote cabin in the woods. Allie wakes in the dead of night to a noise outside the cabin… the stark terror begins.
3. Maggie has been kidnapped and thrown into a maze she has no choice but to complete. The men who took her also have her daughter. Maggie must complete the maze. Her daughters’ life depends on it.
Wow! The characters all simultaneously questioning their reality. And I’m asking the same thing!
At this point, putting the book down was impossible. All three stories had me spell-bound and furiously turning my digital pages! I couldn’t wait to see how the author was going to stitch this all together for an explosive ending.
Wah-Wah! Cue the screeching brakes.😩
I’m not sure I’ve ever enjoyed a book so much only to be left so thoroughly disappointed by an ending. I’ll leave it at that. I’m very curious to see what everyone else thinks! This will be one of those love it or hate it book endings. Fingers crossed it will work for you!
A buddy read with Susanne
Thank you to Berkley Publishing via NetGalley.
November 10, 2023
If you enjoy some horror with your mystery and thrills, then
Good Girls Don’t Die
by Christina Henry may be the next book you will want to read. Three women awaken to circumstances that don’t seem right. Celia wakes up in a house with a husband and child that don’t feel like hers. She can’t remember her “real” life, but the house isn’t decorated to her tastes and there are no books in the home. She knows she reads every day. Allie and her friends Cam and Madison planned a beach getaway for Allie’s twenty-first birthday. However, when they come to pick her up, their boyfriends Brad and Steve are with them. Brad takes them to a remote cabin in the woods. Allie is sure something isn’t right, but what is wrong? Maggie wants to be home with her daughter, but she wakes up in a dangerous situation that she must get out of to ensure her daughter is safe.
The story follows each woman through a significant part of their ordeal. Part four brings the story to its conclusion. I found the least character depth to be that of Celia. However, that is likely due to her confused memories. Everything she thinks she remembers about herself doesn’t fit with the life she’s living. Allie is smart, funny, and reliable. However, she tends to go along with others’ plans since she is scared to make herself vulnerable. She shows the most character growth as her story unfolds. Maggie is determined to save her daughter so she comes across as strong and a leader, from the beginning despite her fears. In part four, readers find out how each character understands the others as well as their connections. This added depth to the characters.
The online chats at the beginning of each chapter piqued my interest and the first chapter pulled me into the story. The world-building was fantastic in all four parts of the story. With a combination of mystery and horror, the book kept me on the edge of my seat. Who will survive and what is happening in each scenario? There are also some unpredictable moments and plot twists in this gripping storyline. My one quibble is that I wanted more closure on Celia’s story.
Overall, I am glad I read this novel, which was suspenseful, gritty, heartbreaking, and atmospheric with plenty of chills. This is my first novel by this author, but I am looking forward to reading others.
Berkley Publishing Group and Christina Henry provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 14, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------------
My 3.63 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
The story follows each woman through a significant part of their ordeal. Part four brings the story to its conclusion. I found the least character depth to be that of Celia. However, that is likely due to her confused memories. Everything she thinks she remembers about herself doesn’t fit with the life she’s living. Allie is smart, funny, and reliable. However, she tends to go along with others’ plans since she is scared to make herself vulnerable. She shows the most character growth as her story unfolds. Maggie is determined to save her daughter so she comes across as strong and a leader, from the beginning despite her fears. In part four, readers find out how each character understands the others as well as their connections. This added depth to the characters.
The online chats at the beginning of each chapter piqued my interest and the first chapter pulled me into the story. The world-building was fantastic in all four parts of the story. With a combination of mystery and horror, the book kept me on the edge of my seat. Who will survive and what is happening in each scenario? There are also some unpredictable moments and plot twists in this gripping storyline. My one quibble is that I wanted more closure on Celia’s story.
Overall, I am glad I read this novel, which was suspenseful, gritty, heartbreaking, and atmospheric with plenty of chills. This is my first novel by this author, but I am looking forward to reading others.
Berkley Publishing Group and Christina Henry provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 14, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
------------------------------------------
My 3.63 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
November 15, 2023
Good Girls Don’t Die tells the story of three women from different walks of life who all find themselves in impossible situations. The one thing the women do have in common is their shared love of stories. Each with their own favorite genre, they find themselves a part of a common trope that they are all too familiar with. They must use what they have learned from their favorite books to make it out alive.
First we meet Celia. Celia wakes up in a strange house with a man who claims to be her husband and a child who claims to be her daughter. With no memory of her past, the whole town insists that she’s married with a child but deep inside Celia knows they are all lying.
Next we are introduced to Allie. Allie is heading on a weekend trip with friends to celebrate her birthday. When they arrive at an isolated cabin, things start going awry. Allie feels that something is way off but none of her friends believe her.
Lastly, we meet Maggie. Maggie just woke up in a nightmarish situation. She is forced to survive a dangerous enigma in order to be reunited with her daughter. Maggie can’t understand how she got there or why someone would put her there.
Good Girls Dont Die is a fast paced, action packed, high stakes thriller. The plot is completely original and highly entertaining. Initially, it reads like a series of three short stories but the end brings all of these stories together in a shocking twist. Without giving anything away, I will say that the book is a mix of The Truman Show, Michael Myers, and The Hunger Games. I had so much fun reading this one and I found it impossible to put it down. I highly recommend it!
Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry will be available on November 14. A massive thanks to Berkley Pub for the gifted copy!!
First we meet Celia. Celia wakes up in a strange house with a man who claims to be her husband and a child who claims to be her daughter. With no memory of her past, the whole town insists that she’s married with a child but deep inside Celia knows they are all lying.
Next we are introduced to Allie. Allie is heading on a weekend trip with friends to celebrate her birthday. When they arrive at an isolated cabin, things start going awry. Allie feels that something is way off but none of her friends believe her.
Lastly, we meet Maggie. Maggie just woke up in a nightmarish situation. She is forced to survive a dangerous enigma in order to be reunited with her daughter. Maggie can’t understand how she got there or why someone would put her there.
Good Girls Dont Die is a fast paced, action packed, high stakes thriller. The plot is completely original and highly entertaining. Initially, it reads like a series of three short stories but the end brings all of these stories together in a shocking twist. Without giving anything away, I will say that the book is a mix of The Truman Show, Michael Myers, and The Hunger Games. I had so much fun reading this one and I found it impossible to put it down. I highly recommend it!
Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry will be available on November 14. A massive thanks to Berkley Pub for the gifted copy!!
February 20, 2024
This book takes readers on a thrilling and captivating journey through its gripping plot lines, weaving together the stories of three remarkable women who find themselves in dire circumstances. Each storyline brings a unique flavor to the narrative, evoking different movie genres and paying homage to iconic films.
From the moment I delved into the pages, I was immediately intrigued by Celia's storyline, which combines elements of Stepford Wives and Truman Show. It transported me into a suburban wife's life filled with echoes of a forgotten identity. The parallels to Olivia Wilde's "Don't Worry Darling" added an extra layer of excitement, although I couldn't help but imagine Celia in the role played by Florence Pugh.
As Celia's tale intensified, the author skillfully shifted the focus to Allie, a young and skeptical woman thrust into a terrifying situation with her mismatched group of friends in a secluded cabin. The nods to movies like Cabin in the Woods and Friday the 13th injected an extra dose of tension and nostalgia, keeping me on the edge of my seat as I wondered who would survive the night.
But the surprises didn't end there. Just as I thought I had unraveled the mysteries within the cabin, the narrative took another thrilling turn, plunging me into Maggie's harrowing journey. Kidnapped and forced to partake in a deadly game, Maggie's experiences echoed the intensity and survival themes found in popular dystopian tales like The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner. The moral dilemmas she faced added depth to her character, showcasing the complexity of human nature even in dire circumstances.
Eventually, these interconnected storylines converged, creating a tapestry of suspense and intrigue. However, while the book built tension masterfully, the revelations and conclusion left me wanting more. The ending felt slightly rushed, leaving a desire for a more satisfying resolution. An epilogue could have provided additional closure and tied up loose ends.
Despite the somewhat underwhelming conclusion, the book excelled in executing its multiple storylines, and the characters were brilliantly portrayed, particularly with a focus on feminist empowerment. The strength and resilience displayed by the three women left a lasting impression.
As an avid reader and a fan of Christina Henry's works, I eagerly anticipate diving into more of her controversial and Alice in Wonderland-inspired creations in the near future. I extend my heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for granting me the opportunity to embark on this action-packed journey through a digital reviewer copy, in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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From the moment I delved into the pages, I was immediately intrigued by Celia's storyline, which combines elements of Stepford Wives and Truman Show. It transported me into a suburban wife's life filled with echoes of a forgotten identity. The parallels to Olivia Wilde's "Don't Worry Darling" added an extra layer of excitement, although I couldn't help but imagine Celia in the role played by Florence Pugh.
As Celia's tale intensified, the author skillfully shifted the focus to Allie, a young and skeptical woman thrust into a terrifying situation with her mismatched group of friends in a secluded cabin. The nods to movies like Cabin in the Woods and Friday the 13th injected an extra dose of tension and nostalgia, keeping me on the edge of my seat as I wondered who would survive the night.
But the surprises didn't end there. Just as I thought I had unraveled the mysteries within the cabin, the narrative took another thrilling turn, plunging me into Maggie's harrowing journey. Kidnapped and forced to partake in a deadly game, Maggie's experiences echoed the intensity and survival themes found in popular dystopian tales like The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner. The moral dilemmas she faced added depth to her character, showcasing the complexity of human nature even in dire circumstances.
Eventually, these interconnected storylines converged, creating a tapestry of suspense and intrigue. However, while the book built tension masterfully, the revelations and conclusion left me wanting more. The ending felt slightly rushed, leaving a desire for a more satisfying resolution. An epilogue could have provided additional closure and tied up loose ends.
Despite the somewhat underwhelming conclusion, the book excelled in executing its multiple storylines, and the characters were brilliantly portrayed, particularly with a focus on feminist empowerment. The strength and resilience displayed by the three women left a lasting impression.
As an avid reader and a fan of Christina Henry's works, I eagerly anticipate diving into more of her controversial and Alice in Wonderland-inspired creations in the near future. I extend my heartfelt thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for granting me the opportunity to embark on this action-packed journey through a digital reviewer copy, in exchange for my honest thoughts.
medium.com
November 16, 2023
WOWZA! I was on the edge of my seat while reading this book! I was instantly invested in the book from the very beginning and was turning those pages and huffing and puffing when life got in the way of my reading this gripping and shocking book! Christina Henry has knocked it out of the ballpark with this riveting book. Color me impressed!
Calista - wakes up in a home that she does not recognize with a little girl calling her mom and a husband she has never seen before. She has a job and responsibilities, but nothing feels right. She knows that this is not her real life but can't figure out what or how to get back to where she belongs. She knows something isn't right, she is unsettled and fearful. How did this happen to her?
Allie - has a birthday weekend trip planned with her friends and was shocked when her friend's boyfriends show up. To make matters worse, the driver did not take them to a beach house as planned but to a remote cabin in the woods. Nothing feels right about this cabin or location at all!
Maggie - wakes up in a strange location where she is told she must follow the rules and complete a maze. If she does not, harm will come to her daughter. She is not wearing her own clothing and does not know any of the women she is with. Something is seriously wrong!
Holy Moly! I was so engrossed in this book. I was on the edge of my seat, feeling all kinds of emotion ranging from anger, anxiety, concern, outrage, and hope. This book was like being on a never-ending roller coaster. The women are all different, they are all in different situations, and they are all facing danger.
I love suspense, mysteries and horror and this one was the perfect combination of all three. The pacing was fast as there is a lot on the line for the women in this book. I loved not knowing what was truly happening. As well as the female characters in this book, I had questions - a lot of them! Plus, this book reminded me of several movies such as The Cabin in the Woods, The Hunger Games, and The Stepford Wives to name a few.
This book was gripping, shocking, tense, and hard to put down! There is a lot of misogyny in this book, and I loved that the women were strong, intelligent, and not willing to back down!
The descriptions are vivid and there are some scary and gory scenes, not to mention a ton of spiders. ACK! There is also a lot of suspense, thrilling and shocking moments which will get the heart rate elevated and the pages flying!
I had so much fun reading this book and look forward to what Christina Henry writes next!
Well written, shocking, gripping, and hard to put down!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Titan Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Calista - wakes up in a home that she does not recognize with a little girl calling her mom and a husband she has never seen before. She has a job and responsibilities, but nothing feels right. She knows that this is not her real life but can't figure out what or how to get back to where she belongs. She knows something isn't right, she is unsettled and fearful. How did this happen to her?
Allie - has a birthday weekend trip planned with her friends and was shocked when her friend's boyfriends show up. To make matters worse, the driver did not take them to a beach house as planned but to a remote cabin in the woods. Nothing feels right about this cabin or location at all!
Maggie - wakes up in a strange location where she is told she must follow the rules and complete a maze. If she does not, harm will come to her daughter. She is not wearing her own clothing and does not know any of the women she is with. Something is seriously wrong!
Holy Moly! I was so engrossed in this book. I was on the edge of my seat, feeling all kinds of emotion ranging from anger, anxiety, concern, outrage, and hope. This book was like being on a never-ending roller coaster. The women are all different, they are all in different situations, and they are all facing danger.
I love suspense, mysteries and horror and this one was the perfect combination of all three. The pacing was fast as there is a lot on the line for the women in this book. I loved not knowing what was truly happening. As well as the female characters in this book, I had questions - a lot of them! Plus, this book reminded me of several movies such as The Cabin in the Woods, The Hunger Games, and The Stepford Wives to name a few.
This book was gripping, shocking, tense, and hard to put down! There is a lot of misogyny in this book, and I loved that the women were strong, intelligent, and not willing to back down!
The descriptions are vivid and there are some scary and gory scenes, not to mention a ton of spiders. ACK! There is also a lot of suspense, thrilling and shocking moments which will get the heart rate elevated and the pages flying!
I had so much fun reading this book and look forward to what Christina Henry writes next!
Well written, shocking, gripping, and hard to put down!
4.5 stars
Thank you to Titan Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
December 11, 2023
don’t worry darling + friday the 13th + the maze runner. it shouldn’t work but it does
January 2, 2024
i genuinely can't believe what i've just read. this actually started out pretty exciting, despite the obvious issues with the juvenile writing style. however, the entire thing ended up being a ridiculous mess. the book's take on misogyny and violence against women, while being correct, was delivered in an excruciatingly bad manner. all the men were caricatures, every single social message was beyond heavy-handed, and the ending wasn't satisfying (actually, it made every issue in the book even worse). i don't like it when books treat their readers like they are babies and throwing in some horror elements didn't make it a story for grown-ups. the writing style wasn't good. the constant italics thrown in the narration started to piss me off very early on. all of this is a huge shame because i liked the concept and found the book amusing at first. off to a wonderful start in 2024.
November 27, 2023
A surreally intriguing book!
Imagine waking up, not knowing where you are, not recognizing your own daughter. One thing is for sure, this is not where you live; this is not your home, your husband, your daughter.
That’s what happens to Celia.
Imagine reluctantly going to a cabin in the woods with your friends to celebrate your birthday. Imagine someone is out there, lurking in the woods, ready to kill.
That’s what happens to Allie.
Imagine waking up on a set resembling The Hunger Games. You have to complete a maze or a loved one would die.
That’s what happens to Maggie.
But what is happening to these three women? And why does everything feel staged and choreographed?
Imagine waking up, not knowing where you are, not recognizing your own daughter. One thing is for sure, this is not where you live; this is not your home, your husband, your daughter.
That’s what happens to Celia.
Imagine reluctantly going to a cabin in the woods with your friends to celebrate your birthday. Imagine someone is out there, lurking in the woods, ready to kill.
That’s what happens to Allie.
Imagine waking up on a set resembling The Hunger Games. You have to complete a maze or a loved one would die.
That’s what happens to Maggie.
But what is happening to these three women? And why does everything feel staged and choreographed?
September 1, 2024
A unique horror book with lots of action (read: no real character development). Are we supposed to care about the characters in horror stories? I think we should — otherwise, why get invested? So, here’s my “not very invested” 3-star review: an average horror story, with a unique gimmick, given that every victim is living inside a cozy mystery, cabin in the woods, or apocalyptic killing-game novel. Clean writing that’s easy to read. Not exceptionally detailed; the characters are basic at best. Would have been a 5-star read had the characters, atmosphere, and plot been more fleshed out.
January 21, 2024
I love Christina Henry but this book was a miss for me. There was too much repetitive inner dialogue slowing the pace down, and the theme was a bit too heavy handed. The character were more caricatures with insane dialogue at times. I get what the author was going for but it just wasn't as enjoyable as it should have been.
January 14, 2024
I got to say it, this was fantastic!
I know some readers didn't like the ending and I kind of agree with it but I loved the book so much and would love to see it as a movie.
Three women's destinies can be cut short unless they can survive what is coming for them.
The first woman we are introduced to is Celia. She wakes up one morning in a house she doesn't recognize, with a daughter she doesn't remember giving birth to and a husband with whom she doesn't feel any connection at all. The only thing that seems to bring a spark of recognition, is the restaurant she is working at. Cooking relaxes her and she knows how to do it. Her life makes no sense to her and she is pretty sure that this is NOT her life. Why can't she remember her past?
The second woman is Allie. She is in her twenties. She is supposed to spend her birthday at the beach with her two best friends. However, the two friends's boyfriends have decided to show up too. Worse while the girls were sleeping instead of going to the beach, they woke up in a remote cabin. Why are they there? And who is out there stalking them?
Third but not least is Maggie. She is abducted from her home. She finds herself in a container with other women who have been abducted as well. Men come in and the women are told that they need to enter a maze and survive it if they want to live and see their loved ones again. Maggie can only think about her child. She must survive at all costs.
You can feel the tension while reading Good Girls Don't Die. The sense that time was running out and their lives were at stake. I liked all three women. They were survivors and despite their horrible circumstances, they were going to fight until the end for their freedom.
Cliffhanger: No
4.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
I know some readers didn't like the ending and I kind of agree with it but I loved the book so much and would love to see it as a movie.
Three women's destinies can be cut short unless they can survive what is coming for them.
The first woman we are introduced to is Celia. She wakes up one morning in a house she doesn't recognize, with a daughter she doesn't remember giving birth to and a husband with whom she doesn't feel any connection at all. The only thing that seems to bring a spark of recognition, is the restaurant she is working at. Cooking relaxes her and she knows how to do it. Her life makes no sense to her and she is pretty sure that this is NOT her life. Why can't she remember her past?
The second woman is Allie. She is in her twenties. She is supposed to spend her birthday at the beach with her two best friends. However, the two friends's boyfriends have decided to show up too. Worse while the girls were sleeping instead of going to the beach, they woke up in a remote cabin. Why are they there? And who is out there stalking them?
Third but not least is Maggie. She is abducted from her home. She finds herself in a container with other women who have been abducted as well. Men come in and the women are told that they need to enter a maze and survive it if they want to live and see their loved ones again. Maggie can only think about her child. She must survive at all costs.
You can feel the tension while reading Good Girls Don't Die. The sense that time was running out and their lives were at stake. I liked all three women. They were survivors and despite their horrible circumstances, they were going to fight until the end for their freedom.
Cliffhanger: No
4.5/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Berkley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
November 7, 2023
Well, that was a wild ride! Good Girls Don't Die is a twisty and mind-bending read that will keep you reading long into the night. It's kind of The Most Dangerous Game meets Halloween meets The Hunger Games meets a cozy mystery novel meets some kick-ass feminism? I realize that probably doesn't exactly help a whole lot, but let's just say that it's an unconventional mismash of genres that makes for one crazy and entertaining story.
This novel is really three separate tales that converge at the end. I enjoyed the first two storylines the most since I'm a huge fan of both horror and murder mysteries. The third delves into the realm of dystopian fiction which isn't one of my usual genres, but I still found it to be an exciting read that was definitely the most action-packed of the three.
The protagonists are all women, and they're strong women – there are no passive victims here. They're all intelligent and resourceful and determined to get to the bottom of their respective mysteries. And when they all get together? The bad guys better watch out!
I did find the ending to be a bit lacking in action as compared to the rest of the book, but it was still so much fun. I would have loved to have known what happened after the book ended, perhaps through newspaper articles or an epilogue of sorts?
Overall, I found this book to be a thrilling, twisty, and delightful read. Final rating: 4.25 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
This novel is really three separate tales that converge at the end. I enjoyed the first two storylines the most since I'm a huge fan of both horror and murder mysteries. The third delves into the realm of dystopian fiction which isn't one of my usual genres, but I still found it to be an exciting read that was definitely the most action-packed of the three.
The protagonists are all women, and they're strong women – there are no passive victims here. They're all intelligent and resourceful and determined to get to the bottom of their respective mysteries. And when they all get together? The bad guys better watch out!
I did find the ending to be a bit lacking in action as compared to the rest of the book, but it was still so much fun. I would have loved to have known what happened after the book ended, perhaps through newspaper articles or an epilogue of sorts?
Overall, I found this book to be a thrilling, twisty, and delightful read. Final rating: 4.25 stars, rounded down.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
May 29, 2024
Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry is really a suspenseful thriller novel that does have a side of horror to it. The story in Good Girls Don’t Die is one that does change the point of view between the three main characters. The book also has a unique format in almost feeling as if reading three individual novellas that eventually intertwine together for the final chapters.
Celia awakens one day with the sense that things just aren’t right around her and her memory is foggy at best. What Celia does feel is that the house she’s in and the man calling himself her husband aren’t really familiar at all. Then there’s the little girl supposed to be her daughter, she’d remember a daughter wouldn’t she?
Allie is supposed to be going on a fun trip with a few close friends when her friend’s boyfriend decides to invite more people and turn it into a remote camping weekend at a cabin in the woods. Allie is definitely out of her comfort zone but when she falls asleep while driving having no clue how they got to the cabin she can’t help but feel things aren’t right.
Maggie wakes up to being hostage along with a group of other women around her and is told that her daughter is in danger. Willing to do anything to get home safe to her daughter Maggie goes along with what is being requested of her until things start going a little too far and those around her begin dying.
Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry to me was a book that once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. The story begins following the first character to a certain cliffhanger then jumps to the next and by the time I’ve been introduced to all three women and there situations I was completely in a trance trying to figure out the end. This is probably one that most folks need to suspend a little disbelief but I found it all to be an exciting page turner from start to finish.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Celia awakens one day with the sense that things just aren’t right around her and her memory is foggy at best. What Celia does feel is that the house she’s in and the man calling himself her husband aren’t really familiar at all. Then there’s the little girl supposed to be her daughter, she’d remember a daughter wouldn’t she?
Allie is supposed to be going on a fun trip with a few close friends when her friend’s boyfriend decides to invite more people and turn it into a remote camping weekend at a cabin in the woods. Allie is definitely out of her comfort zone but when she falls asleep while driving having no clue how they got to the cabin she can’t help but feel things aren’t right.
Maggie wakes up to being hostage along with a group of other women around her and is told that her daughter is in danger. Willing to do anything to get home safe to her daughter Maggie goes along with what is being requested of her until things start going a little too far and those around her begin dying.
Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry to me was a book that once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. The story begins following the first character to a certain cliffhanger then jumps to the next and by the time I’ve been introduced to all three women and there situations I was completely in a trance trying to figure out the end. This is probably one that most folks need to suspend a little disbelief but I found it all to be an exciting page turner from start to finish.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
November 6, 2023
Hot dang, Christina Henry is on fire in this sizzling and snapping good read! She takes well-known tropes and spins them into scorching, thrilling twists in this innovative sci-fi feminist thriller.
While playing with distinct scenarios reminiscent of cozy mysteries, horror films, and dystopian young adult novels, Christina Henry creates a razor-sharp, mind-bending journey for three women who suddenly find themselves trapped within stories they know don't belong to them. She cleverly entwines these genres, crafting narratives that are both playfully inventive and relentlessly intense, and I was turning the pages so fast sparks were coming off them.
What set this story apart for me was the fresh and unapologetically feminist perspective. Christina Henry fearlessly grapples with misogyny and spotlights resolute, empowering female characters who defy underestimation. These are women you'll want to root for as they navigate the challenges and men they encounter. However, this is a thriller. Christina Henry heavily dishes out an exhilarating, fast-paced, over-the-top story with the most awful men you will encounter while still offering plenty of depth.
Beneath its moments of high drama, the story delves into profound themes, ensuring a captivating and thought-provoking empowering reading experience for the unapologetically feminist reader. This was the dynamic, entertaining, intriguing, feminist-driven thriller that boldly subverts expectations I didn’t know I was looking for and I loved every minute of it!!
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley!!
While playing with distinct scenarios reminiscent of cozy mysteries, horror films, and dystopian young adult novels, Christina Henry creates a razor-sharp, mind-bending journey for three women who suddenly find themselves trapped within stories they know don't belong to them. She cleverly entwines these genres, crafting narratives that are both playfully inventive and relentlessly intense, and I was turning the pages so fast sparks were coming off them.
What set this story apart for me was the fresh and unapologetically feminist perspective. Christina Henry fearlessly grapples with misogyny and spotlights resolute, empowering female characters who defy underestimation. These are women you'll want to root for as they navigate the challenges and men they encounter. However, this is a thriller. Christina Henry heavily dishes out an exhilarating, fast-paced, over-the-top story with the most awful men you will encounter while still offering plenty of depth.
Beneath its moments of high drama, the story delves into profound themes, ensuring a captivating and thought-provoking empowering reading experience for the unapologetically feminist reader. This was the dynamic, entertaining, intriguing, feminist-driven thriller that boldly subverts expectations I didn’t know I was looking for and I loved every minute of it!!
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley!!
June 22, 2024
the truman show x friday the 13th x the maze runner
Celia wakes up in a house she doesn’t recognize with a husband and daughter she doesn’t know. Allie goes camping to a cabin in the woods with her friends, only to get stalked by a man lurking outside their door. Maggie will do anything to get her daughter Paige back and in this case that means completing a deadly maze obstacle course. i thought the execution of this thriller was both unique and entertaining. Celia, Allie and Maggie situations are all different but they do share one thing in common .. that strong feeling that something is just a little bit off.
“People are never what you see on the surface. There’s always a secret heart with a fortress around it, a hideout for their smallest and truest selves, the piece that they never show anybody else.”
this book is the definition of a popcorn thriller and i mean that as a compliment. i loved having each perspective and i was desperate to know what or who was behind these strange scenarios. the ending and reveals were kinda over the top but i was honestly living for it. i will always champion a “good for her” narrative and i had the best time listening to the audio.
Celia wakes up in a house she doesn’t recognize with a husband and daughter she doesn’t know. Allie goes camping to a cabin in the woods with her friends, only to get stalked by a man lurking outside their door. Maggie will do anything to get her daughter Paige back and in this case that means completing a deadly maze obstacle course. i thought the execution of this thriller was both unique and entertaining. Celia, Allie and Maggie situations are all different but they do share one thing in common .. that strong feeling that something is just a little bit off.
“People are never what you see on the surface. There’s always a secret heart with a fortress around it, a hideout for their smallest and truest selves, the piece that they never show anybody else.”
this book is the definition of a popcorn thriller and i mean that as a compliment. i loved having each perspective and i was desperate to know what or who was behind these strange scenarios. the ending and reveals were kinda over the top but i was honestly living for it. i will always champion a “good for her” narrative and i had the best time listening to the audio.
November 28, 2023
This story started out promising. It was very intriguing when Celia woke up to a life she didn't remember. Yes, it did sound a bit like "The Truman Show" as she mentioned herself. I think her story could have been turned into a believable novel.
But a multi-bazillionaire-woman-hater creating not one but multiple elaborate scenes hiring enough "actors" to carry out murderous deeds wanting revenge on these women he's never met in person and only chatted with on a mystery reading fan forum is as hard to read as this run-on sentence!
Meh... This book wasn't for me, but others seemed to enjoy it. So judge for yourself. :-)
But a multi-bazillionaire-woman-hater creating not one but multiple elaborate scenes hiring enough "actors" to carry out murderous deeds wanting revenge on these women he's never met in person and only chatted with on a mystery reading fan forum is as hard to read as this run-on sentence!
Meh... This book wasn't for me, but others seemed to enjoy it. So judge for yourself. :-)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 14, 2023
In Christina Henry's latest thriller, three different women find themselves precariously trapped and living inside their favorite genres — mystery, horror & dystopian — but how, and by whom? I enjoyed this original and exciting twist on the thriller novel. I went into this book not knowing much about the plot, and that's the best way to enjoy it.
I greatly admired the bravery and smarts of the heroines. I would have been freaking out had I been in any one of their situations, but they showed great resolve. I was on pins and needles waiting to see how their stories fit together. My one complaint had to do with the ending. I felt like it was abrupt and didn't answer nearly enough questions about the wildness I had just experienced! An epilogue would have been a nice addition. Still, I found this thriller to be refreshingly original and well written.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Thoughts are my own.
Excerpt from GOOD GIRLS DON'T DIE on my blog HERE.
I greatly admired the bravery and smarts of the heroines. I would have been freaking out had I been in any one of their situations, but they showed great resolve. I was on pins and needles waiting to see how their stories fit together. My one complaint had to do with the ending. I felt like it was abrupt and didn't answer nearly enough questions about the wildness I had just experienced! An epilogue would have been a nice addition. Still, I found this thriller to be refreshingly original and well written.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Thoughts are my own.
Excerpt from GOOD GIRLS DON'T DIE on my blog HERE.
October 1, 2023
3.5 Stars
As I have said before, Christina Henry is a talented storyteller. She demonstrates her abilities again in her latest novel. While not a personal favourite of hers, this was still a fairly entertaining read.
I really loved the setup at the beginning. I liked trying to figure out what I would do in Cecila's position. As the story continued, I found the narrative and the reveals a little underwhelming. I'm not quite sure what I wanted but the mystery was better than the actual story.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
As I have said before, Christina Henry is a talented storyteller. She demonstrates her abilities again in her latest novel. While not a personal favourite of hers, this was still a fairly entertaining read.
I really loved the setup at the beginning. I liked trying to figure out what I would do in Cecila's position. As the story continued, I found the narrative and the reveals a little underwhelming. I'm not quite sure what I wanted but the mystery was better than the actual story.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
November 23, 2023
Disliked the tiresome twist, disliked the pedestrian writing, disliked the slightly chirpy narrator. Can hardly believe the same author wrote the brilliantly subversive Chronicles of Alice.
It’s competently executed for the most part, so the rating reflects my disappointment because I know what the author is capable of, as well as my not enjoying any specific single character, sentence, or plot line. (I admittedly really dislike this type of story, which is very similar to Will Dean’s The Last One.)
It’s competently executed for the most part, so the rating reflects my disappointment because I know what the author is capable of, as well as my not enjoying any specific single character, sentence, or plot line. (I admittedly really dislike this type of story, which is very similar to Will Dean’s The Last One.)
December 7, 2023
This book had so much potential. I absolutely loved the idea. But it was poorly executed. Every time I started getting a feeling for the story, it switched. Very disjointed. The ending was just humiliating. All the different ways this author could have gone and they decided to go with all white men are bad just because they are white men. Hopefully, a white man never tries to read this book. Rip. 1.5/5
December 4, 2024
Heavy-handed, but once in a while I need a good "fuck patriarchy" type of book as a palate cleanser in between my dark romances and misogynistic fantasy novels.
January 14, 2024
okay, umm...now i understand why this book has a 3.5 rating on Goodreads...lol.
this book is separated into 4 sections. i won't say too much in case you like to go into books blind like i do, but the first section intrigued me the most. i would have read an entire book that was just the first section. then, the second section is sort of like the first section, but a little different. i was still intrigued because i wanted to know what was really going on and how it tied into the first story. i'll be honest, i feel like the third section could have been cut completely. It felt like it was there to reinforce the author's message (which i'll get into in a bit) and to add women of color in the book. It also felt like a SUPER heavy-handed metaphor, and had way too much dialogue (on multiple occasions, instead of moving their butts because they’re being timed to complete challenges, the characters are standing around talking about names or sandwiches. I wish i were kidding. Imagine if Katniss and Rue decided to have a whole-ass conversation about tomatoes while the district tributes were on their trail). I skimmed most of the third section and wasn’t enjoying it that much. I think the structure of this book is definitely interesting, and it keeps you reading just to find out what’s really going on. However, i found the execution lacking since the story started to become repetitive after a bit. The ending also left me underwhelmed and felt unrealistic. Each section is basically men being sexist and women being put in tough situations because of it.
Which leads me to the commentary in this book. HOLY MOLY. did you know that men suck?? Did you know that some men enjoy hurting women?? Well, if you didn’t already know that, you will know it ten times over after reading this book!! I’m not kidding when i say that this message is on every. other. page. in the first section, it was pretty bearable. But once we got to the second part, it became way too much for me. It’s honestly such a cliche to have the villains being straight white men and the heroes (or heroines, i guess) being strong, smart, independent women. I noticed this a little before the halfway mark, but was trying to keep an open mind and hoped that maybe these tropes would be turned on their heads. Alas, they weren’t. Now, i’m not here to discuss whether or not i agree with Henry’s messages, but rather to discuss how they were executed. In my opinion, the messages were executed so poorly because of their repetitiveness and lack of subtlety. It became tiresome and i rolled my eyes so many times. It’s a huge pet peeve of mine for the author to hit the readers over their heads with the themes, because they don’t trust the reader to draw their own conclusion. Now, if there’s a character conveying the author’s viewpoint once or twice—whatever, fine. But almost every page?? It’s too much. That was done a LOT in this book. This book read like a YA book with the amount of times we got the same commentary. not to mention that the commentary wasn't anything i hadn't heard before.
As for the characters, i did like how the women’s internal monologues were weaved into the story. This was done in italics, and reminded me a bit of Misery in the first section. I think overall, the author did a good job balancing the internal monologues with dialogue and action (except part 3—wayyyyy too much dialogue for my liking). i enjoyed how the internal monologues revealed the characters and their flaws. The main characters in this book aren’t super fleshed out or memorable, and the villains were caricatures (which was kind of ironic since the book makes some self-aware commentary about how much people can or can’t be caricatures). Of course, every man in this book is a villain (maybe except one) and again, that’s such a stereotype. Just playing Devil’s Advocate here, but i don’t think a book would be published in 2023 in which every single woman is a horrible person with zero other qualities. So why it okay to write men that way? I feel like maybe the author was trying to write female characters in a way she thought would be nuanced, but people (women, too) have literally been writing female characters with depth for hundreds of years. Or maybe the author just has a lot of built up misandry, idk.
TLDR: don’t recommend this book. i didn’t totally dislike my experience reading this— structure was interesting and it was a fast-paced read, but a LOT of things bugged me in this book and my eyes hurt from rolling them so much. After DNFing Near the Bone and not enjoying this one, i’m not sure if i’ll pick up more from this author even though i’m interested in her Peter Pan retelling. Go read Pretty Girls (check TWs for this one PLEASE) or Gone Girl for a well-done thriller with social commentary on how women are treated. Thank you for reading this essay if you made it to the end.
this book is separated into 4 sections. i won't say too much in case you like to go into books blind like i do, but the first section intrigued me the most. i would have read an entire book that was just the first section. then, the second section is sort of like the first section, but a little different. i was still intrigued because i wanted to know what was really going on and how it tied into the first story. i'll be honest, i feel like the third section could have been cut completely. It felt like it was there to reinforce the author's message (which i'll get into in a bit) and to add women of color in the book. It also felt like a SUPER heavy-handed metaphor, and had way too much dialogue (on multiple occasions, instead of moving their butts because they’re being timed to complete challenges, the characters are standing around talking about names or sandwiches. I wish i were kidding. Imagine if Katniss and Rue decided to have a whole-ass conversation about tomatoes while the district tributes were on their trail). I skimmed most of the third section and wasn’t enjoying it that much. I think the structure of this book is definitely interesting, and it keeps you reading just to find out what’s really going on. However, i found the execution lacking since the story started to become repetitive after a bit. The ending also left me underwhelmed and felt unrealistic. Each section is basically men being sexist and women being put in tough situations because of it.
Which leads me to the commentary in this book. HOLY MOLY. did you know that men suck?? Did you know that some men enjoy hurting women?? Well, if you didn’t already know that, you will know it ten times over after reading this book!! I’m not kidding when i say that this message is on every. other. page. in the first section, it was pretty bearable. But once we got to the second part, it became way too much for me. It’s honestly such a cliche to have the villains being straight white men and the heroes (or heroines, i guess) being strong, smart, independent women. I noticed this a little before the halfway mark, but was trying to keep an open mind and hoped that maybe these tropes would be turned on their heads. Alas, they weren’t. Now, i’m not here to discuss whether or not i agree with Henry’s messages, but rather to discuss how they were executed. In my opinion, the messages were executed so poorly because of their repetitiveness and lack of subtlety. It became tiresome and i rolled my eyes so many times. It’s a huge pet peeve of mine for the author to hit the readers over their heads with the themes, because they don’t trust the reader to draw their own conclusion. Now, if there’s a character conveying the author’s viewpoint once or twice—whatever, fine. But almost every page?? It’s too much. That was done a LOT in this book. This book read like a YA book with the amount of times we got the same commentary. not to mention that the commentary wasn't anything i hadn't heard before.
As for the characters, i did like how the women’s internal monologues were weaved into the story. This was done in italics, and reminded me a bit of Misery in the first section. I think overall, the author did a good job balancing the internal monologues with dialogue and action (except part 3—wayyyyy too much dialogue for my liking). i enjoyed how the internal monologues revealed the characters and their flaws. The main characters in this book aren’t super fleshed out or memorable, and the villains were caricatures (which was kind of ironic since the book makes some self-aware commentary about how much people can or can’t be caricatures). Of course, every man in this book is a villain (maybe except one) and again, that’s such a stereotype. Just playing Devil’s Advocate here, but i don’t think a book would be published in 2023 in which every single woman is a horrible person with zero other qualities. So why it okay to write men that way? I feel like maybe the author was trying to write female characters in a way she thought would be nuanced, but people (women, too) have literally been writing female characters with depth for hundreds of years. Or maybe the author just has a lot of built up misandry, idk.
TLDR: don’t recommend this book. i didn’t totally dislike my experience reading this— structure was interesting and it was a fast-paced read, but a LOT of things bugged me in this book and my eyes hurt from rolling them so much. After DNFing Near the Bone and not enjoying this one, i’m not sure if i’ll pick up more from this author even though i’m interested in her Peter Pan retelling. Go read Pretty Girls (check TWs for this one PLEASE) or Gone Girl for a well-done thriller with social commentary on how women are treated. Thank you for reading this essay if you made it to the end.
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November 15, 2023In-conversation with Christina Henry this Friday! My book is all tabbed-up!! Review soon
January 23, 2024
A little subtlety never hurt anyone.
December 5, 2023
3.25
This was an interesting book which had a unique concept. I enjoyed each individual woman's story but I was sort of disappointed when the women joined together to confront their enemy.
This was an interesting book which had a unique concept. I enjoyed each individual woman's story but I was sort of disappointed when the women joined together to confront their enemy.
August 17, 2025
This was my second book from Christina Henry, and I gotta say, my opinion is similar to the previous one. Really entertaining right up until the end, where it was a bit underwhelming.
I found the structure of this book quite interesting, we follow three women, Celia, Allie and Maggie (who was actually my favourite 🤭) on three completely different scenarios.
Celia wakes up in a house and family she doesn't know, forced to solve a small town cozy mystery; Allie is going on a weekend trip with her girl-friends, but her friend's boyfriend ends up changing the plans and invites them to a remote cabin in the woods; and Maggie wakes up in a shipping container with twelve other women who are all forced to survive The Maze, a deadly obstacle course.
The individual stories were fun and interesting, some more than others, but overall I quite liked them. The ending though, was quite underwhelming. I liked how everything tied together and made sense, but I needed a bit more.
I found the structure of this book quite interesting, we follow three women, Celia, Allie and Maggie (who was actually my favourite 🤭) on three completely different scenarios.
Celia wakes up in a house and family she doesn't know, forced to solve a small town cozy mystery; Allie is going on a weekend trip with her girl-friends, but her friend's boyfriend ends up changing the plans and invites them to a remote cabin in the woods; and Maggie wakes up in a shipping container with twelve other women who are all forced to survive The Maze, a deadly obstacle course.
The individual stories were fun and interesting, some more than others, but overall I quite liked them. The ending though, was quite underwhelming. I liked how everything tied together and made sense, but I needed a bit more.
November 28, 2023
from cozy mysteries to
psychological horror, plus
slasher and survival games:
ms. henry has mixed creative
skills to affront old misogyny. ♡
psychological horror, plus
slasher and survival games:
ms. henry has mixed creative
skills to affront old misogyny. ♡
October 5, 2024
This was some black mirror shit and I am here for it!
3 women, three individual stories - all somehow connected.
Celia doesn’t feel like her life is her own. Her husband and daughter don’t feel like hers, people tell her things she likes but they don’t feel true. Whenever she gets a flash of something relating to her true self she gets a searing pain in her head. Someone has done something to her, but how, and why?
Allie is off on a weekend away with her two best friends, but it goes sideways when they both want to bring their boyfriends. Especially Brad, the creepy misogynistic asshole. When their log cabin is attacked, she and her friends must get to the bottom of what is happening.
Maggie wakes up in a strange place with no idea how she got there. With 12 other women they are forced to compete in an obstacle course- Hunger Games/Maze Runner style.
Who is doing this and why? The ending came a bit upbruptly, but I thoroughly enjoyed this wild ride.
3 women, three individual stories - all somehow connected.
Celia doesn’t feel like her life is her own. Her husband and daughter don’t feel like hers, people tell her things she likes but they don’t feel true. Whenever she gets a flash of something relating to her true self she gets a searing pain in her head. Someone has done something to her, but how, and why?
Allie is off on a weekend away with her two best friends, but it goes sideways when they both want to bring their boyfriends. Especially Brad, the creepy misogynistic asshole. When their log cabin is attacked, she and her friends must get to the bottom of what is happening.
Maggie wakes up in a strange place with no idea how she got there. With 12 other women they are forced to compete in an obstacle course- Hunger Games/Maze Runner style.
Who is doing this and why? The ending came a bit upbruptly, but I thoroughly enjoyed this wild ride.
December 5, 2023
The world's most heavy-handed messaging I've come across recently and very implausible explanation, but extremely entertaining and creepy with no slow moments. This thriller was thrilling! Still recommend even with the eye-rolls at the end.
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