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The Blonde Dies First
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?
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 30, 2024
256 people are currently reading
15553 people want to read
About the author
Joelle Wellington
6 books913 followersJoelle Wellington is the author of Their Vicious Games. She grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where her childhood was spent wandering the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library. When she isn’t writing, she’s reading and when she’s not doing that, she’s attempting to bake bread with varying degrees of success or strengthening her encyclopedia-like pop culture knowledge. She can be found on Twitter under @joelle_welling.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 868 reviews
August 13, 2024
Okay, let's talk about those tinted eyebrows first—seriously, what was that about? All I could picture was Devon with these bizarre yellow-orange eyebrows, and it completely threw me off! I couldn't get past it, haha.
Anyway, onto the book itself. The start was so slow that I almost gave up on it. But, in true stubborn fashion, I pushed through. Things finally picked up when they busted out the Ouija board for some classic demonic fun. From that point on, the pace improved, and I started getting into it.
There were a few spooky moments, but nothing that made my heart race or gave me chills. It’s definitely targeted at the right age group. Overall, it wasn’t bad, but not amazing either—a solid 3-star read worth checking out.
Anyway, onto the book itself. The start was so slow that I almost gave up on it. But, in true stubborn fashion, I pushed through. Things finally picked up when they busted out the Ouija board for some classic demonic fun. From that point on, the pace improved, and I started getting into it.
There were a few spooky moments, but nothing that made my heart race or gave me chills. It’s definitely targeted at the right age group. Overall, it wasn’t bad, but not amazing either—a solid 3-star read worth checking out.
December 30, 2025
Devon and her brilliant twin sister, Drew, have drifted apart ever since Drew started attending a prestigious private school, as opposed to the public school Devon goes to.
Devon has made her peace with the fact that Drew is going to leave her behind. That's why when Drew announces she's graduating high school a year early, Devon's not too surprised, but she still doesn't feel great about it.
In an effort to spend some more time with Drew prior to her departure, Devon comes up with a plan: The Best Summer Ever. This includes a list of activities to do with their entire neighborhood friend group before summer ends.
One of the first items on the list is to attend a party thrown by one of the kids from Drew's private school, Avery. Devon doesn't really know anything about Drew's school life, so she's never met Avery before and she's curious.
Thus, Devon, Drew and their other close friends, including Devon's long-time crush, Yaya, head to Avery's house for a night of fun. Truth be told, it's a little uncomfortable at first, but they try to make the best of it.
Once the Ouija board comes out though, they realize it isn't going to be quite the type of party they anticipated. Avery seems to be showing off. Drew calls it his typical party trick, but it makes Devon and the rest of the crew uncomfortable.
It's after that night that The Best Summer Ever quickly devolves into the most Demonic Summer Ever. With a demon stalking them, seemingly following the rules of Horror, Devon and her friends must figure out how to defeat the beast before it kills them all.
The Blonde Dies First was an wildly-entertaining ride that kept me guessing throughout. It wasn't perfect, but there is so much I appreciate about Wellington's work.
While I feel that the Contemporary elements were the shining stars, it is still a very solid YA Horror story that I would recommend to YA Horror Readers.
As with Wellington's previous novel, Their Vicious Games, I did really like the mix of the heavier contemporary topics with the dark horror action and intrigue.
There were so many jaw-dropping events in this book that I didn't see coming and it absolutely had me guessing the whole way. I loved the friend group and how they banded together to try to figure out what was happening to them.
I also loved the way Wellington incorporated the classic rules of Horror that all Horror fans have embedded in their memories. I thought that was just such a fun little nod to the overall genre. It made me ridiculously happy to see it here.
The Contemporary elements were highly successful. The relationship between Drew and Devon was fantastic. Their friend group was lovable and believable. I also appreciated the discussion on the gentrification that was happening within their NYC neighborhood.
With this being said, I did think a lot of the scenes involving the demon, like one set at a hospital, were written very well and had great descriptions too. Also, I loved the various Horror elements incorporated like the Ouija board session, the demon itself, and the talk of horror cinema.
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this. Wellington's style definitely fits my tastes and I'm looking forward to whatever she releases next. I'll be the first one in line.
Thank you to the publisher, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This is a good one!
Devon has made her peace with the fact that Drew is going to leave her behind. That's why when Drew announces she's graduating high school a year early, Devon's not too surprised, but she still doesn't feel great about it.
In an effort to spend some more time with Drew prior to her departure, Devon comes up with a plan: The Best Summer Ever. This includes a list of activities to do with their entire neighborhood friend group before summer ends.
One of the first items on the list is to attend a party thrown by one of the kids from Drew's private school, Avery. Devon doesn't really know anything about Drew's school life, so she's never met Avery before and she's curious.
Thus, Devon, Drew and their other close friends, including Devon's long-time crush, Yaya, head to Avery's house for a night of fun. Truth be told, it's a little uncomfortable at first, but they try to make the best of it.
Once the Ouija board comes out though, they realize it isn't going to be quite the type of party they anticipated. Avery seems to be showing off. Drew calls it his typical party trick, but it makes Devon and the rest of the crew uncomfortable.
It's after that night that The Best Summer Ever quickly devolves into the most Demonic Summer Ever. With a demon stalking them, seemingly following the rules of Horror, Devon and her friends must figure out how to defeat the beast before it kills them all.
The Blonde Dies First was an wildly-entertaining ride that kept me guessing throughout. It wasn't perfect, but there is so much I appreciate about Wellington's work.
While I feel that the Contemporary elements were the shining stars, it is still a very solid YA Horror story that I would recommend to YA Horror Readers.
As with Wellington's previous novel, Their Vicious Games, I did really like the mix of the heavier contemporary topics with the dark horror action and intrigue.
There were so many jaw-dropping events in this book that I didn't see coming and it absolutely had me guessing the whole way. I loved the friend group and how they banded together to try to figure out what was happening to them.
I also loved the way Wellington incorporated the classic rules of Horror that all Horror fans have embedded in their memories. I thought that was just such a fun little nod to the overall genre. It made me ridiculously happy to see it here.
The Contemporary elements were highly successful. The relationship between Drew and Devon was fantastic. Their friend group was lovable and believable. I also appreciated the discussion on the gentrification that was happening within their NYC neighborhood.
With this being said, I did think a lot of the scenes involving the demon, like one set at a hospital, were written very well and had great descriptions too. Also, I loved the various Horror elements incorporated like the Ouija board session, the demon itself, and the talk of horror cinema.
Overall, I had a lot of fun with this. Wellington's style definitely fits my tastes and I'm looking forward to whatever she releases next. I'll be the first one in line.
Thank you to the publisher, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, for providing me with a copy to read and review. This is a good one!
November 1, 2024
2 "the middle aged gent dies first if he has to finish this..."
Thank you to the author, Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley. This will be released July 2024.
I am providing an honest review.
So I am going to stop at 38 percent. Also not for 14 year olds but perhaps 16 plus!
I was hoping for something campy or funny or even scary. Not in the cards. I have a feeling that a sizable minority of people will love this...
Well written teenage angst with just some supernatural viciousness that I didn't buy and heroics that felt false.....
Now I have to run run run run......
Thank you to the author, Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley. This will be released July 2024.
I am providing an honest review.
So I am going to stop at 38 percent. Also not for 14 year olds but perhaps 16 plus!
I was hoping for something campy or funny or even scary. Not in the cards. I have a feeling that a sizable minority of people will love this...
Well written teenage angst with just some supernatural viciousness that I didn't buy and heroics that felt false.....
Now I have to run run run run......
May 23, 2024
as a blonde, I approve
August 9, 2024
4.25 Stars Rounded up to counteract the negative reviews
This is a fast-paced, thrilling, young adult novel with elements of magical realism.
This is a dynamic sophomore novel, and I look forward to more by this author.
In response to some of the less glowing reviews, your opinions are valid, but let's keep in mind:
This is written for teens, and I also find some of the teen angst grating, but I'm an adult reading a YA novel. The aspects I find grating are a good indication that the target age group will feel represented.
I say this because the young adult genre is responding to this criticism by adding adult elements to YA novels. As adult consumers, we have to be careful how we critique YA books. I want these books to exist for my grandkids, who are grade school age and younger. I do not want these YA categories to continue changing to meet the demand of adult readers.
Again, this isn't for folks who don't like this book. It's OK to not like this, but adult readers shouldn't be critiquing YA novels for teen angst.
Stop it.
This is a fast-paced, thrilling, young adult novel with elements of magical realism.
This is a dynamic sophomore novel, and I look forward to more by this author.
In response to some of the less glowing reviews, your opinions are valid, but let's keep in mind:
This is written for teens, and I also find some of the teen angst grating, but I'm an adult reading a YA novel. The aspects I find grating are a good indication that the target age group will feel represented.
I say this because the young adult genre is responding to this criticism by adding adult elements to YA novels. As adult consumers, we have to be careful how we critique YA books. I want these books to exist for my grandkids, who are grade school age and younger. I do not want these YA categories to continue changing to meet the demand of adult readers.
Again, this isn't for folks who don't like this book. It's OK to not like this, but adult readers shouldn't be critiquing YA novels for teen angst.
Stop it.
November 17, 2024
Well I for one was very entertained by this YA horror slasher
In The Blonde Dies First Devon is trying to plan The Best Summer EVER! Her genius twin sister is off to college one year earlier and Devon wants to have the best send off with her and their group of friends. But one stupid night of playing with a Ouija board turns the summer over on its head and the whole group instead of partying and having a good time are trying to avoid being murdered by a demon who likes to act accordingly to horror movie rules!
Firstly, before I begin. How gorgeous is the book cover! Like can we just admire it for a moment or two!
Right, I don’t do horror. Or more like I don’t do horror books. I find it hard to get spooked out and it never conveys well for me! The same can be said for this book as it didn’t spook me, but it was sooo comedically funny and entertaining I couldn’t put it down!
Our MFC Devon is so likeable, and her personality was so contagious I couldn’t stop reading. The whole friendship group were a hoot, and I didn’t get bored or annoyed following these panicked teens!
The plot is predictable except one twist I didn’t see coming, but after a while I wasn’t reading to find out what the twist would be. I was just genuinely enjoying following the gang and seeing how their plan will pan out to defeat the demon.
The book was fast paced and thrilling and when I switched to the audio format because I didn’t want to put the book down, I was so pleased because the narrator smashed it. She brought the energy and thrill to life!
The queer representation was *chefs kiss* and the coming-of-age aspects melted my heart a little. I would’ve like to see more of a deep dive into Devon and Drew’s relationship. It was quite clear why the sisters were at odds at times but more chapters with solely those two would have been nice.
The book ended how I predicted it would and was very YA and camp. But I am not mad at it. This is one of those kind of books you don’t take too seriously. The final line in the book cracked me up!
If you enjoy teen drama, cliché horror tropes and love satire films like Scary Movie then I think you would really enjoy this one!
Highly, Highly recommend the audiobook!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Excuse Meeeeeee! How gorgeous is this cover!???😍
I hope the story within is just as stunning!
Lets gooooooo! 💜💛💜
In The Blonde Dies First Devon is trying to plan The Best Summer EVER! Her genius twin sister is off to college one year earlier and Devon wants to have the best send off with her and their group of friends. But one stupid night of playing with a Ouija board turns the summer over on its head and the whole group instead of partying and having a good time are trying to avoid being murdered by a demon who likes to act accordingly to horror movie rules!
Firstly, before I begin. How gorgeous is the book cover! Like can we just admire it for a moment or two!
Right, I don’t do horror. Or more like I don’t do horror books. I find it hard to get spooked out and it never conveys well for me! The same can be said for this book as it didn’t spook me, but it was sooo comedically funny and entertaining I couldn’t put it down!
Our MFC Devon is so likeable, and her personality was so contagious I couldn’t stop reading. The whole friendship group were a hoot, and I didn’t get bored or annoyed following these panicked teens!
The plot is predictable except one twist I didn’t see coming, but after a while I wasn’t reading to find out what the twist would be. I was just genuinely enjoying following the gang and seeing how their plan will pan out to defeat the demon.
The book was fast paced and thrilling and when I switched to the audio format because I didn’t want to put the book down, I was so pleased because the narrator smashed it. She brought the energy and thrill to life!
The queer representation was *chefs kiss* and the coming-of-age aspects melted my heart a little. I would’ve like to see more of a deep dive into Devon and Drew’s relationship. It was quite clear why the sisters were at odds at times but more chapters with solely those two would have been nice.
The book ended how I predicted it would and was very YA and camp. But I am not mad at it. This is one of those kind of books you don’t take too seriously. The final line in the book cracked me up!
If you enjoy teen drama, cliché horror tropes and love satire films like Scary Movie then I think you would really enjoy this one!
Highly, Highly recommend the audiobook!!!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
⋆｡°✩pre read⋆｡°✩
Excuse Meeeeeee! How gorgeous is this cover!???😍
I hope the story within is just as stunning!
Lets gooooooo! 💜💛💜
November 17, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up
I love Joelle Wellington's books! The Blonde Dies First is a fun take on a teen slasher featuring a Black girl from Brooklyn who seems to have summoned a demon by messing with a ouiji board at a party. Which, of course, messes up her plans for a perfect summer with her twin sister before she graduates early. Because Devon is determined to ignore the complicated feelings she has about her genius sister. Along with the romantic feelings she's harboring for her best friend...
This was really entertaining and campy with a sapphic romantic element and complicated family relationships and friendships, while also dealing a bit with gentrification. I enjoyed it and look forward to more books from this author!
I love Joelle Wellington's books! The Blonde Dies First is a fun take on a teen slasher featuring a Black girl from Brooklyn who seems to have summoned a demon by messing with a ouiji board at a party. Which, of course, messes up her plans for a perfect summer with her twin sister before she graduates early. Because Devon is determined to ignore the complicated feelings she has about her genius sister. Along with the romantic feelings she's harboring for her best friend...
This was really entertaining and campy with a sapphic romantic element and complicated family relationships and friendships, while also dealing a bit with gentrification. I enjoyed it and look forward to more books from this author!
August 16, 2024
I’d just like to conclude this with the very fitting quote from the book‘s end itself: „no sequels, no requels, no remakes!“ yes, please don’t.
May 1, 2025
4 stars. Written with an almost cinematic, razor sharp glee, The Blonde Dies First is a narrative study in sisterhood and the gentrification of NYC hiding underneath the mask of a summer slasher movie.
September 13, 2025
This was so silly, I think to enjoy it, you'd have to just roll with whatever the book throws your way, even if it's extremely far fetched (like the ending). And I did have a good time with it, not quite as good as with Wellington's past book though, but I'd still recommend The Blonde Dies First.
The pacing was a bit slow, I kept wondering when the slasher aspect would begin (not as soon as I would've liked), there was a lot of teen drama and not quite enough horror to compensate. It could've been so much better if it was the other way around.
The friend group was the best part of the book, but I wish all of them were a little more developed past their "roles". Still though, their problems felt very realistic, they acted like teens, I can safely say the target age group would like this book better because of that.
As for the horror...it was good at first, but as it went on it became clear that there were no real stakes, which made me go "oh...okay". Like, it became a comforting read instead of a scary one, if that makes sense. Which isn't always a bad thing, but a book like this should've had some suspense until the very end.
And yeah, the ending...to be completely honest, I haven't read one quite as ridiculous in a hot minute. The reveal happened and I had the urge to laugh, like THAT'S IT??? THAT'S what started all of this??? So so silly. And yet, still fun.
Hopefully Wellington's next book will work better for me.
3.5
The pacing was a bit slow, I kept wondering when the slasher aspect would begin (not as soon as I would've liked), there was a lot of teen drama and not quite enough horror to compensate. It could've been so much better if it was the other way around.
The friend group was the best part of the book, but I wish all of them were a little more developed past their "roles". Still though, their problems felt very realistic, they acted like teens, I can safely say the target age group would like this book better because of that.
As for the horror...it was good at first, but as it went on it became clear that there were no real stakes, which made me go "oh...okay". Like, it became a comforting read instead of a scary one, if that makes sense. Which isn't always a bad thing, but a book like this should've had some suspense until the very end.
And yeah, the ending...to be completely honest, I haven't read one quite as ridiculous in a hot minute. The reveal happened and I had the urge to laugh, like THAT'S IT??? THAT'S what started all of this??? So so silly. And yet, still fun.
Hopefully Wellington's next book will work better for me.
3.5
June 25, 2024
queer ya horror <3
September 6, 2024
I think I went into this book with really high expectations because I absolutely loved Their Vicious Games. I wanted to love it so bad but I just couldn’t. It was really slow in the beginning and I was hoping it was going to pick up or at least have some type of plot twist that would make it more interesting. There was nothing that really made me want to keep reading besides the fact that I was already halfway through. I think it had a really good plot, but it just dragged way too much for me.
Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC copy!
Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC copy!
June 10, 2024
I wanted to love this so so much after inhaling "Their Vicious Games" but this was underwhelming for me. I feel like the pacing was off and the "demon" just didn't translate well *to me* on paper. The friend group dynamic was strong but the twins' dynamic could've been showcased more as opposed to the crush backstory. I'm loving the genre of black teen horror taking off so I'm sure YA readers may enjoy this.
September 18, 2024
Oh this was so much fun!!! Hilarious and full of life, I absolutely devoured this.
Devon and her friends unwittingly become the target of a demon after attending a party where a Ouija Board was brought out. Now, they are being hunted down in stereotypical slasher film order— the blonde, the gay, the asshole, the nerd, the independent, and the Final Girl. Making Devon, with her bleach blond eyebrows and hair, up first.
This is at its core a story about sisterhood. Devon has always felt a rift between her and her twin sister Drew. Devon feels like she is being left behind, and her fears are confirmed when Drew drops the bomb that she is graduating a whole year early. Spiraling from this news, Devon decides to organize The Best Summer Ever— their last summer together before Drew goes off the college. Obviously this entire plan is derailed as they try to survive a supernatural entity. Over the course of the book they bicker and fight and rip open old wounds. Using the pain to bridge that rift and finally have the conversations they’ve been avoiding all these years.
Devon’s entire friend group was so realistic and tangible. I loved their jokes, the way they goofed around, the love they held for each other, and their familiarity. I felt like each of our characters had depth and agency to them and weren’t merely side characters. Devon and Yaya’s romance was adorable, I love a loser girl who pines after a pretty girl. I really loved Devon’s entire style as well, the descriptions of her aesthetic, makeup, and outfits really aided in displaying her personality.
I will say that a lot of the reveals were predictable as I saw the direction the story was taking very quickly. But honestly I don’t care! I still heavily enjoyed every part of this despite the lack of surprise. It was campy and almost reminiscent of Scooby-Doo, I laughed a lot.
Devon and her friends unwittingly become the target of a demon after attending a party where a Ouija Board was brought out. Now, they are being hunted down in stereotypical slasher film order— the blonde, the gay, the asshole, the nerd, the independent, and the Final Girl. Making Devon, with her bleach blond eyebrows and hair, up first.
This is at its core a story about sisterhood. Devon has always felt a rift between her and her twin sister Drew. Devon feels like she is being left behind, and her fears are confirmed when Drew drops the bomb that she is graduating a whole year early. Spiraling from this news, Devon decides to organize The Best Summer Ever— their last summer together before Drew goes off the college. Obviously this entire plan is derailed as they try to survive a supernatural entity. Over the course of the book they bicker and fight and rip open old wounds. Using the pain to bridge that rift and finally have the conversations they’ve been avoiding all these years.
Devon’s entire friend group was so realistic and tangible. I loved their jokes, the way they goofed around, the love they held for each other, and their familiarity. I felt like each of our characters had depth and agency to them and weren’t merely side characters. Devon and Yaya’s romance was adorable, I love a loser girl who pines after a pretty girl. I really loved Devon’s entire style as well, the descriptions of her aesthetic, makeup, and outfits really aided in displaying her personality.
I will say that a lot of the reveals were predictable as I saw the direction the story was taking very quickly. But honestly I don’t care! I still heavily enjoyed every part of this despite the lack of surprise. It was campy and almost reminiscent of Scooby-Doo, I laughed a lot.
September 16, 2024
It reads as if you’re reading directly from a very unserious horror storyboard.
Imagine if you took the characters from Grown-ish, put them in Scooby Doo, add the quirkiness of the friend group in the movie, Red, and then have the demon creature as Hades from Hercules.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing a copy for an honest review.
Imagine if you took the characters from Grown-ish, put them in Scooby Doo, add the quirkiness of the friend group in the movie, Red, and then have the demon creature as Hades from Hercules.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing a copy for an honest review.
November 8, 2024
Predicted the twist from a mile away. Overall I was just so bored by this one but I appreciate the representation.
April 8, 2025
3.5
don’t ever pull out a ouija board when i’m around
don’t ever pull out a ouija board when i’m around
February 21, 2025
I picked up The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington was such a pleasant surprise! I picked it up mostly because of the eye-catching cover and an interesting premise, but I wasn’t expecting much—it’s a young adult horror, and those can be hit or miss. By the time I finished, though, I was genuinely impressed with how much I enjoyed it.
The story centers on a group of kids growing up on the same block, navigating that awkward but fascinating space between adolescence and adulthood. It’s not just about “coming of age” but stepping into young adulthood, where lifelong friendships are tested and deepened. The twin dynamic between the sisters was a standout for me: one feeling overshadowed by her “genius” sibling and the other quietly struggling with the pressure to live up to everyone’s expectations. It felt real and relatable, and this kind of complexity carried through the entire friend group.
Yes, the book was predictable—you can figure out who the villain is pretty quickly. But instead of being a flaw, it felt intentional. It’s satisfying to have your instincts validated while still being intrigued by the “how” and “why.” The friend group dynamics were so strong, and I especially loved the inclusion of the film-obsessed character with a horror mentor. The conversations with the mentor were hilarious and self-aware, adding a layer of humor to the tension.
One thing I really appreciated was how the kids weren’t written to be overly naïve or reckless. They made plans, thought critically, and when things went off the rails, it was because of genuine reaction or accident rather than lazy writing chalked up to “kids being kids.” That’s rare in YA horror, and it made the story so much stronger.
The villain? Just right! They were petty, vindictive, and so fun to hate. Everyone has that one “hater” in their neighborhood growing up, and it was deeply satisfying to see that person taken down. The author balanced this really well, too—capturing that fine line between trying to give someone the benefit of the doubt and recognizing when they’re a danger to you.
The supernatural elements were simple but effective. The demon figure haunting them was creepy and easy to visualize—a dark, lurking presence with an eerie history. While it could have been scarier, it worked perfectly within the YA space, maintaining that creepy factor without overwhelming the story’s other layers.
What really stood out to me was how much this book packed in: LGBTQIA+ romance, identity, facing fears, and so much more. It balanced all of this without losing the core of its story. Overall, The Blonde Dies First was an enjoyable ride. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, satisfying YA horror novel with a mix of scares, heart, and meaningful themes. It’s well worth picking up and giving a shot.
The story centers on a group of kids growing up on the same block, navigating that awkward but fascinating space between adolescence and adulthood. It’s not just about “coming of age” but stepping into young adulthood, where lifelong friendships are tested and deepened. The twin dynamic between the sisters was a standout for me: one feeling overshadowed by her “genius” sibling and the other quietly struggling with the pressure to live up to everyone’s expectations. It felt real and relatable, and this kind of complexity carried through the entire friend group.
Yes, the book was predictable—you can figure out who the villain is pretty quickly. But instead of being a flaw, it felt intentional. It’s satisfying to have your instincts validated while still being intrigued by the “how” and “why.” The friend group dynamics were so strong, and I especially loved the inclusion of the film-obsessed character with a horror mentor. The conversations with the mentor were hilarious and self-aware, adding a layer of humor to the tension.
One thing I really appreciated was how the kids weren’t written to be overly naïve or reckless. They made plans, thought critically, and when things went off the rails, it was because of genuine reaction or accident rather than lazy writing chalked up to “kids being kids.” That’s rare in YA horror, and it made the story so much stronger.
The villain? Just right! They were petty, vindictive, and so fun to hate. Everyone has that one “hater” in their neighborhood growing up, and it was deeply satisfying to see that person taken down. The author balanced this really well, too—capturing that fine line between trying to give someone the benefit of the doubt and recognizing when they’re a danger to you.
The supernatural elements were simple but effective. The demon figure haunting them was creepy and easy to visualize—a dark, lurking presence with an eerie history. While it could have been scarier, it worked perfectly within the YA space, maintaining that creepy factor without overwhelming the story’s other layers.
What really stood out to me was how much this book packed in: LGBTQIA+ romance, identity, facing fears, and so much more. It balanced all of this without losing the core of its story. Overall, The Blonde Dies First was an enjoyable ride. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a fun, satisfying YA horror novel with a mix of scares, heart, and meaningful themes. It’s well worth picking up and giving a shot.
July 10, 2024
This is the perfect book for horror nerds everywhere!🥰 I loved this sooo much! Definitely one of my fave reads of the year! My horror-loving heart is so happy!🖤🫶🏽 This is horror-comedy done perfectly!
The characters were so amazing! I loved them so much. They all had such distinct personalities. The character development was great & organic. We got to know the characters naturally through their actions & dialogue rather than just being told who they’re supposed to be.
This is the funniest book I’ve read in a long time. I laughed out loud several times. But, the horror element was incredibly distinct as well. I even enjoyed the romantic subplot, which is rare for me because I usually prefer romance-free horror. But, every piece of the story had its place and there was a perfect balance of everything. It definitely felt like a fun, trope-y horror movie in the best way!
Even though the story follows the horror movie formula, the book wasn’t predictable in any way. This would make a great movie! It gave Scream vibes in several ways! (the original movie, not the awful sequels) I do feel like the explanation of everything at the end was slightly confusing, but not enough to dampen my enjoyment! I’m a poly-reader, I’m always reading multiple books at a time, but when I was reading this I didn’t pick up anything else! I was ADDICTED! Lemme hurry up and read Their Vicious Games by this author because after reading this, I want to read all her books!
Thank you Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc! All opinion are my own.
CW: gentrification, classicism, adult/minor interactions, micro-aggressions, drug use
The characters were so amazing! I loved them so much. They all had such distinct personalities. The character development was great & organic. We got to know the characters naturally through their actions & dialogue rather than just being told who they’re supposed to be.
This is the funniest book I’ve read in a long time. I laughed out loud several times. But, the horror element was incredibly distinct as well. I even enjoyed the romantic subplot, which is rare for me because I usually prefer romance-free horror. But, every piece of the story had its place and there was a perfect balance of everything. It definitely felt like a fun, trope-y horror movie in the best way!
Even though the story follows the horror movie formula, the book wasn’t predictable in any way. This would make a great movie! It gave Scream vibes in several ways! (the original movie, not the awful sequels) I do feel like the explanation of everything at the end was slightly confusing, but not enough to dampen my enjoyment! I’m a poly-reader, I’m always reading multiple books at a time, but when I was reading this I didn’t pick up anything else! I was ADDICTED! Lemme hurry up and read Their Vicious Games by this author because after reading this, I want to read all her books!
Thank you Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for this arc! All opinion are my own.
CW: gentrification, classicism, adult/minor interactions, micro-aggressions, drug use
August 13, 2024
Joelle Wellington is officially an auto buy author for me! Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!
This book made me feel like my cousins, my childhood friends, and I were all dropped into a Stephen King book. The Blonde Dies First is a teen horror adventure that throws a group of childhood friends into a summer of supernatural chaos. Devon is on a mission to make this the "best summer ever" since her twin sister Drew is graduating early, making this their last true summer together. The crew is a mix of personalities and backgrounds—Black, white, and Latino, with queer representation.
Things take an eerie turn when they use a Ouija board at a party and those plans are ruined. Their only focus now, is to survive the demon the game unleashed the story plays out like a love letter to classic horror film, reminiscent of Scream with its trope-heavy, meta-approach. Readers should keep in mind that this means some "twists" are intentionally predicable but there are still plenty of twists that make this a really fun read.
I love the dynamic of the friend group it reminds me of my summers with my cousins in Chicago and feels very authentic. In general, I liked Their Vicious Games by the same author, Joelle Wellington more (that book is really good/a tough act to follow). I found that story premise to be more up my alley but I will say, I found myself more invested in the characters in this story. There's a surprising depth to the main cast that really pulled me in. This is a quick fun read, and I can't wait to see more from Joelle Wellington.
This book made me feel like my cousins, my childhood friends, and I were all dropped into a Stephen King book. The Blonde Dies First is a teen horror adventure that throws a group of childhood friends into a summer of supernatural chaos. Devon is on a mission to make this the "best summer ever" since her twin sister Drew is graduating early, making this their last true summer together. The crew is a mix of personalities and backgrounds—Black, white, and Latino, with queer representation.
Things take an eerie turn when they use a Ouija board at a party and those plans are ruined. Their only focus now, is to survive the demon the game unleashed the story plays out like a love letter to classic horror film, reminiscent of Scream with its trope-heavy, meta-approach. Readers should keep in mind that this means some "twists" are intentionally predicable but there are still plenty of twists that make this a really fun read.
I love the dynamic of the friend group it reminds me of my summers with my cousins in Chicago and feels very authentic. In general, I liked Their Vicious Games by the same author, Joelle Wellington more (that book is really good/a tough act to follow). I found that story premise to be more up my alley but I will say, I found myself more invested in the characters in this story. There's a surprising depth to the main cast that really pulled me in. This is a quick fun read, and I can't wait to see more from Joelle Wellington.
October 24, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ Drew's genius twin sister is graduating high school one year early and headed to college. She wants to have a "best summer ever" before the two are separated and embark on their next steps apart. They attend a party and summon a demon using a ouija board. From there, the terror begins and they are all fighting for their lives.
Last year I read Joelle's first novel, Their Vicious Games, and loved it! It was fresh, original, fun, plus thrilling! Here she is again with The Blonde... and she's still packing a fresh, and mighty punch!
In The Blonde, I found that even though both books are YA, with teen characters, this one felt more teen-ish. These were young kids dealing with young kid issues and being..young kids. It felt very youthful at times. Kinda like a monster hiding under the bed story for teens.
I needed a little bit more fear factor, slow painful suffering suspense happening! What can I say? I’m a menace!
It took a minute for the story to pick up, but once it did, I was all in. I liked when the "demon" came into play and the kids worked together to try to trace some horror and slasher movies to predict the "demon’s" next move!
This wasn’t the creepy, spine tingly story that I was hoping for, but it was still good once the action kicked in, about 2 hours into the audiobook. I could see myself retelling this story to my 12 yo nephew to scare him a bit… serves him right, he’s always pranking me! (Insert evil grin here 😈)
Last year I read Joelle's first novel, Their Vicious Games, and loved it! It was fresh, original, fun, plus thrilling! Here she is again with The Blonde... and she's still packing a fresh, and mighty punch!
In The Blonde, I found that even though both books are YA, with teen characters, this one felt more teen-ish. These were young kids dealing with young kid issues and being..young kids. It felt very youthful at times. Kinda like a monster hiding under the bed story for teens.
I needed a little bit more fear factor, slow painful suffering suspense happening! What can I say? I’m a menace!
It took a minute for the story to pick up, but once it did, I was all in. I liked when the "demon" came into play and the kids worked together to try to trace some horror and slasher movies to predict the "demon’s" next move!
This wasn’t the creepy, spine tingly story that I was hoping for, but it was still good once the action kicked in, about 2 hours into the audiobook. I could see myself retelling this story to my 12 yo nephew to scare him a bit… serves him right, he’s always pranking me! (Insert evil grin here 😈)
October 26, 2024
These kids had so much going on, my head was on a swivel trying to figure out who the demon was. When the reveal came out, color me shocked but also cracking up at the reasoning. This was an entertaining book, the narrator for the audiobook did her thing, per usual. 💅
Want to read
October 28, 2023I’m digging this cover!! Can’t wait to read!!
August 29, 2024
Devon ha planeado el mejor verano de su vida, antes de que su hermana gemela Drew se gradúe antes para ir a la universidad.
Pero cuando en una fiesta asistan a una sesión de ouija, y empiecen a ser perseguidos por un demonio que quiere matarles, se ven atrapados en una película de terror.
Con referencias a Scream, y las reglas para sobrevivir en una película de terror, se darán cuenta que estas reglas son diferentes, no es lo mismo estar en una película slasher, que en una de Paranormal Activity.
Ahora tienen que saber quién es cada protagonista, la primera rubia en morir, el genio, el nerd y la imprescindible final girl.
Pero cuando en una fiesta asistan a una sesión de ouija, y empiecen a ser perseguidos por un demonio que quiere matarles, se ven atrapados en una película de terror.
Con referencias a Scream, y las reglas para sobrevivir en una película de terror, se darán cuenta que estas reglas son diferentes, no es lo mismo estar en una película slasher, que en una de Paranormal Activity.
Ahora tienen que saber quién es cada protagonista, la primera rubia en morir, el genio, el nerd y la imprescindible final girl.
September 30, 2024
2.5 ⭐ rounded down because of how frustrated I got.
I don't know man... this had so much potential. I loved the MC, I loved the friend group... but good Lord the pacing and drama was something.
I'd say 80% of this book is just drama, and only the other 20% is horror. 5% of that, the reveal at the end, is just... are we sure this is YA and not middle grade? I can't decide if I think the ending was camp or just bad.
I hated Drew. She was such an unpleasant person for 90% of the book, and her excuses were paper thin—it felt like the author forgot what she'd actually written her to be like. When she projected herself onto Yaya just to lecture Devon, I completely tuned out. No. That's embarrassing, that's the sort of terrible writing people mock in terrible manga for being comically on-the-nose self-insert-y.
Thematically, the struggle between Devon and Drew was entirely irrelevant. I wish we'd gotten more time with the friends instead of them. You could write Drew out of this book and very little would change, premise aside. I thought the way the lore came together was unsatisfying.
It's almost a decent tribute to horror movie tropes, but it doesn't do anything with that. I hate lampshading in fiction; just because you're pointing something out doesn't mean you're saying anything about it.
I understand that this book is for people half my age, I do, but that's why I'm not bothered by most of the drama. It's just that when you have one character suck so hard, but the story tries to convince you they don't, that's a very difficult pill for me to swallow, and I think that's a terrible thing to be telling impressionable teenagers. Sometimes people suck! That can include your own family and even your own twin sister! The reality is that none of Drew's excuses made any sense, but Devon was constantly treated like she was in the wrong.
When you pull away from people, ignore them, constantly belittle them—of course they're gonna think you're not interested in them and that you're a condescending snob! Because you are! No amount of crying about 'high expectations' will change the fact that you suck. Take some accountability for your actions, damn. Devon points out that Drew never apologises and... yep, she still doesn't by the end of the book. Great.
I'm so damn tired of books aimed at teens having scenes in them where the MC is rightfully upset, but somehow the entire world thinks they're at fault. Do better by your young audience.
I don't know man... this had so much potential. I loved the MC, I loved the friend group... but good Lord the pacing and drama was something.
I'd say 80% of this book is just drama, and only the other 20% is horror. 5% of that, the reveal at the end, is just... are we sure this is YA and not middle grade? I can't decide if I think the ending was camp or just bad.
I hated Drew. She was such an unpleasant person for 90% of the book, and her excuses were paper thin—it felt like the author forgot what she'd actually written her to be like. When she projected herself onto Yaya just to lecture Devon, I completely tuned out. No. That's embarrassing, that's the sort of terrible writing people mock in terrible manga for being comically on-the-nose self-insert-y.
Thematically, the struggle between Devon and Drew was entirely irrelevant. I wish we'd gotten more time with the friends instead of them. You could write Drew out of this book and very little would change, premise aside. I thought the way the lore came together was unsatisfying.
It's almost a decent tribute to horror movie tropes, but it doesn't do anything with that. I hate lampshading in fiction; just because you're pointing something out doesn't mean you're saying anything about it.
I understand that this book is for people half my age, I do, but that's why I'm not bothered by most of the drama. It's just that when you have one character suck so hard, but the story tries to convince you they don't, that's a very difficult pill for me to swallow, and I think that's a terrible thing to be telling impressionable teenagers. Sometimes people suck! That can include your own family and even your own twin sister! The reality is that none of Drew's excuses made any sense, but Devon was constantly treated like she was in the wrong.
When you pull away from people, ignore them, constantly belittle them—of course they're gonna think you're not interested in them and that you're a condescending snob! Because you are! No amount of crying about 'high expectations' will change the fact that you suck. Take some accountability for your actions, damn. Devon points out that Drew never apologises and... yep, she still doesn't by the end of the book. Great.
I'm so damn tired of books aimed at teens having scenes in them where the MC is rightfully upset, but somehow the entire world thinks they're at fault. Do better by your young audience.
August 8, 2024
3.75 the story was fun and cool to me. I read the book via audio and i think the narrator did a good job. This was told from Devon’s pov. However, i do wish we could have gotten her twin sister’s, Drew, pov since Devon wanted this to be the best summer ever. Nonetheless, i wasn’t scared but i did enjoyed the “slasher” essence of it and how the kids were trying to get the demon.
Now this diverse friend group i really loved. This was one of the best parts of the story. They really been rocking for years and truly loved and respected each other. Their parents were dope as hell. We also have queer rep and love interest that is heavily represented in the story. Not only for the main character either. The big stand out to me was the conversation between the sisters. Liked how the author touched on how their relationship went downhill and they both had a hand in doing so. This also gave coming of age vibes.
Lastly, the twist was a nice touch. I kind of guessed it but even with that i still rock with the story. Not to bad for my first read by this author. Now i need to read her first book.
Now this diverse friend group i really loved. This was one of the best parts of the story. They really been rocking for years and truly loved and respected each other. Their parents were dope as hell. We also have queer rep and love interest that is heavily represented in the story. Not only for the main character either. The big stand out to me was the conversation between the sisters. Liked how the author touched on how their relationship went downhill and they both had a hand in doing so. This also gave coming of age vibes.
Lastly, the twist was a nice touch. I kind of guessed it but even with that i still rock with the story. Not to bad for my first read by this author. Now i need to read her first book.
August 3, 2024
The Blonde Dies First is a queer thriller that is centered around a core group a friends. Our story begins with Devon who is coming to terms with her gifted twin sister heading off to college early. She and her twin, Drew, have a strained relationship, but with this new change, Devon wants to do everything in her power to make their last summer together, the best summer ever.
Between her fear of being left behind by her twin and her growing feelings for her best friend, Yaya, our main heroine has her hands full. But things go from strained to terrifying when a demonic presence begins to pursue the group and shows no signs of slowing down. Can Devon and her friends work together to stop the demon and salvage their “best summer ever” or will they fall before this seemingly unstoppable force?
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
I really enjoyed Their Vicious Games so I was foaming at the mouth for a chance to read this one. This has some of the classic thriller and slasher aspects that I love and explores the dynamic of the friend group so well. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC 🫶🏾.
Between her fear of being left behind by her twin and her growing feelings for her best friend, Yaya, our main heroine has her hands full. But things go from strained to terrifying when a demonic presence begins to pursue the group and shows no signs of slowing down. Can Devon and her friends work together to stop the demon and salvage their “best summer ever” or will they fall before this seemingly unstoppable force?
🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
I really enjoyed Their Vicious Games so I was foaming at the mouth for a chance to read this one. This has some of the classic thriller and slasher aspects that I love and explores the dynamic of the friend group so well. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC 🫶🏾.
August 1, 2025
2,5⭐️
I mainly picked this because of the cover 😗
I mainly picked this because of the cover 😗
October 10, 2024
i loved that this was a supernatural horror but the demon was following the slasher rules of horror and so it was like a cross between scream and it follows with this demon creature following them around new york. amazing group of characters, with their own distinct personalities and interests so you’re truly rooting for the whole group to survive until the end. the only thing that let it down for me was that the beginning was too slow to get going and then the ending i found disappointing also. the twist is obvious from the start but the way the ending plays out felt rushed and random. overall a good ya horror
September 15, 2024
Better late than never……
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, and Joelle Wellington for the eARC.
The Blond Dies First is a YA thriller about a group of friends set out to have the Best Summer Ever but instead ends up running around Brooklyn being chased by a demonic figure. Initially a slow start for me but then it became a page turner. Some humor with a few twists but based on the “rules” of a horror film. A big twist was that they thought they summoned the demon but little did they know the demon was around before the party and Ouija board. Loved the dynamics of the friend group and evolvements of the some of the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, and Joelle Wellington for the eARC.
The Blond Dies First is a YA thriller about a group of friends set out to have the Best Summer Ever but instead ends up running around Brooklyn being chased by a demonic figure. Initially a slow start for me but then it became a page turner. Some humor with a few twists but based on the “rules” of a horror film. A big twist was that they thought they summoned the demon but little did they know the demon was around before the party and Ouija board. Loved the dynamics of the friend group and evolvements of the some of the characters.
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