Vanessa is Not a Victim

by Gabrielle S. Clarke

Daria meets Scream with the dark humor of Heathers in this debut YA thriller novel.

Seventeen-year-old Vanessa’s life is as mundane as it gets in her sleepy, small town. The only thing that breaks up the monotony? Her obsession with corny horror movies. When a murder hits close to home, Vanessa doesn't blink—until she finds the body of a fellow student in the girls' bathroom.

Inspired by her favorite slasher films, Vanessa hatches an exciting create the perfect death and become the killer’s next victim.

However, no matter what she tries, the mysterious murderer won’t take the bait! Frustrated, she flips the script. If she can't be the victim, she'll save her clueless peers from becoming one, because in Vanessa's world, if she can't star in the horror show, no one can.

With razor-sharp wit and a rebellious spirit, Vanessa is Not a Victim delivers a wickedly fun ride through high school halls fraught with danger and dark comedy. It's a tale where the line between hunter and hunted blurs, keeping readers laughing one moment and gripping their seats the next.

Vanessa is Not the Victim is the debut novel from seventeen year-old high school senior Gabrielle S. Clarke whose previous work has appeared in the Thurber House literary journal, Flip the Page and the nonfiction bestselling anthology Black Girl, White Thriving, Surviving and No, You Can't Touch My Hair.

Genres: Young Adult, Thriller, Ebooks

244 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2024

Reviews

[LaTosha Webber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a wild, fun, and creepy ride. I’m not a horror person, I scare to easily but I’m a hard core Scream fan and this was definitely giving Scream 4 vibes. Vanessa and her dry, dark humor, and Asperger’s like personality was such an amazing character. Her development, narrated mostly through Kian’s POV was phenomenal. And just that little hint of a bond between her and Kian was an absolute delight. About halfway in this goes from scary to funny, suspenseful, and thrilling. I can’t help but hope Little Sistah Clarke makes this at least a 3 part series. I will be present and accounted for, either way. The Clarke’s have a forever loyal reader in me. This was creative, refreshing, witty, funny, and an absolute page turner. I haven’t really enjoyed YA in a long time but this has brought me back into the fold.

[Paula · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ PG 142

I loved the concept of the book but it was absolutely boring and didn’t make any sense. At one point I thought things were about to start getting interesting but it went from bad to worse.

[Mysia · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌈 Rainbow Ratings:
Representation: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Intrigue: 8
Narrative: 7
Build-up: 7
Originality: 9
Wow Factor: 7

Vanessa is Not a Victim is a wickedly sharp YA thriller that blends the deadpan wit of Daria with the slasher chaos of Scream and the dark humor of Heathers. Seventeen-year-old Vanessa is obsessed with horror movies, but when a real-life killer terrorizes her town, she refuses to play the role of helpless victim. Instead, she sets out to lure the murderer—only to find that no matter what she does, they won’t take the bait. If she can’t be the final girl, she’ll make sure no one else ends up a statistic.

I’m truly amazed that this was written by a high schooler! Fresh, fun, and uniquely thrilling, I enjoyed every moment from beginning to end. The clever subversion of horror tropes and traditional stereotypes elevated the story, making it both exciting and unpredictable. With razor-sharp twists and a protagonist who refuses to follow the rules, this debut left me eager to read more from Gabrielle S. Clarke.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I steer clear of YA because I just think I’ve aged out of that genre, but this was an enjoyable ride. While the characters are in high school they could honestly be in college and I think the story wouldn’t have changed much. I was even more impressed when I read the author’s bio and realized she’s the same age as her characters, great job!

Without giving away much, this story is a fun, suspenseful read. Our FMC Vanessa is capable, quirky, and unintentionally funny at times. I love that Kian instantly attaches himself to her. My only thing is I had a hard time really visualizing the characters except for Vanessa, so more detail would’ve been nice.

While there is clearly setup for more books in this world, following this crew, this still felt like a complete story. I will be checking on this crew for future adventures. Give this one a try!

[AJ McClain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazingly Well written.

What an interesting concept! This was so good. I'm very interested to see what happens next. This has the makings of being a Percy Jackson ish series. Only, instead of Greek mythology, it alludes to horror films or other genres of film. So excited to see where this goes.

[Eel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spunky

Very good for a debut novel! This is the 110th book I’ve read this year and it’s refreshing. This book is a sassy commentary on horror movies and storytelling in general.

Not very immersive with the constant monologuing, but I enjoyed the plot twists in the second half when it became spooky. I just wish the ending was less open//

[Janet S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halfway through this book. Must say for a debut book written in the age group of the author. It is amazing. Phenomenal plot twist I never saw coming; would describe it in the pretense of a Stephen King world. I will not release spoilers. I haven't placed the book down since beginning it tonight. It started with a dark romance vibe where the female wants death to become the one who solved it. 61% complete currently, and I plan to complete tonight or tomorrow morning. 👏 It's marvelous! Anyone who hasn't read it, should go grab it. Definitely is different, and I enjoy the switching.

[Vicki | Read and Tell Stories · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Being brave doesn’t mean you aren’t scared. All it means is that you push through, regardless."

This is definitely a book that grabs you by the collar and doesn't let go! I’m giving this a solid 4 stars because the premise is just so cool. It kept me hooked from page one, and I finished it way faster than I expected because the writing just flows.

Let’s talk about Vanessa. She is a total badass, but also a bit of a handful! There were definitely moments where I wanted to shake her and say, "Girl, why are you being like this to people?!" Her approach to others was pretty annoying at times, but her character arc was very satisfying. Watching her go from this guarded, solo force of nature to actually accepting friendships and realizing she cares about them was so rewarding! The supporting cast was super interesting too, and they really helped round out the story.

My only real negative feedback is that I think this needed one more round of edits. I’m usually the last person to notice a typo, but there were enough grammatical errors and simple mistakes in this one that it actually pulled me out of the story a few times. It’s such a fun, high-energy book that I just wanted it to have that final bit of professional polish to match how great the story is!

Overall, if you can look past some editing mistakes, you’re in for a fun ride! I’m crossing my fingers that we get to see more about this story soon!

[Jay Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this at the Columbus Book Festival directly from. Gabrielle. I was drawn in by the description of the plot line. I actually could see this being a great Netflix teen comical horror movie. I enjoyed her writing style. Vanessa is socially awkward with no friends and lives with an aunt who is emotionally neglectful. So when murders happen in her town she decides she would love to be the next victim. It would cure her of her boredom and she can go out in style. I enjoyed the supporting characters as they navigate what is happening to them and Vanessa's off beat and apparent detached behavior. I would love to know some back story or origin story and the ending leaves it open for a second book.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very creative, a character who breaks the 4th wall

This book gives off Stranger Than Fiction vibes and takes risk that you'll rarely see in traditional publishing. Vanessa the main character discovers she's in a story and yes she can hear the mysterious clicking sounds going off on the set. Early on, she high jacks a side character shifting them into a first person because why tell a story by yourself? They set off through a journey to discover who is behind this messy plot and she evens pauses to acknowledge the reader for a small chat as they try to figure out why are they trapped inside.

[VelvetReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 🖤 rounded up.

This is a YA story and it absolutely reads that way. However, that is definitely not a bad thing! This is a fun and fast paced slasher that does not take itself too seriously. The plot was kinda giving Lifetime movie, but it was so addicting. It’s packed with dark humor, lovable characters, and was so deliciously camp. Vanessa trying to become killer’s next victim and THEN deciding that no one could be killed if she couldn’t be sent me into outer space. We love an accidental hero. Definitely recommend this one for when you need something light and a good chuckle.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: "Vanessa Is Not a Victim" by Gabrielle S. Clarke

A unique spin on horror tropes! This book is twisty, and you can't help but enjoy Vanessa. She's not your typical YA heroine, and her goals are anything but ordinary. Vanessa is the kind of character who keeps surprising you, and you love her for it.

The end is a bit of a cliffhanger, and the novel’s overall vibe reminds me of "Scary Movie." It's fun, clever, and will leave you itching for the second book.

[Annait L.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Final Girl Empire

Crazy, scary, spooky, hilarious

This was definitely binge worthy. I read it all in one day for my book club and I absolutely love Vanessa and the dual POV. I guessed a lot of the plot points right and that was the goal of the story considering how it all ended. I’m interested in the background lore that leads up to the next novel, specifically around Tyler and his parents.

The author did an amazing job and I’m excited for the next addition.

[Kourtney Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanessa is my Spirit Animal

I started with thoughts of how incredibly annoying Vanessa was. Then something happened. She became a badass.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and if you're reading this review prior to giving it a go, know you will too. Excellently written. And extremely developed characters. I hope there is a part 2 but a part of me doesn't need one. Great story. 🙂

[Boula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could say a grillion things about Gabrielle Clarke, but I don’t want to bore you, so I’ll be brief.

I am not a reader (something Gabby knows) but I finished this book in 24 hours. Between the complex characters, witty repartee, and crazy twists, I never wanted to put this book down. I never skimmed the page or felt bored, each scene felt complete and well written. I cried when it was over. I’m so insanely proud of Gabby and I can’t wait to see everything she achieves.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I’m going to have to let this one sit with me and see if I feel different once it’s settled. I absolutely LOVED the concept, there were parts where I was absolutely biting at the bit turning the pages, and then there were other bits where I was just bored. I can’t tell if it’s me or the book, I’m on a book hangover from my last read and maybe whatever came next was going to struggle. But it’s definitely still worth your time.

[Makaylia Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not a horror/thriller girly by far! However I can say I quite enjoyed the suspense and lore of this story. The personalities, character growth, and overall plot development was done amazingly. At times it did feel kind of rushed but you could not tell me Gabrielle Clark does not have TALENT! Very much ready for the next book and excited to see what else comes from this young woman’s mind 🤭

[Daisy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried to finish this book.I wanted a different read while waiting for Xo by Jahquel J to drop. I had to stop at 84%. I just couldn't continue the back and forth with Nessa. I understand this is a horror book written like Scream but please get to the point. If Nessa wants to die then let her. At 84% of the book she needs to go ahead and let them folks know about Tyler. Now back to Jahquel J.

[Elizabeth Reyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vanessa is smart, determined, and relatable. It’s teen drama wrapped up in a slasher film, so the story doesn’t take itself too seriously. There are a few plot holes, particularly concerning Vanessa’s past, and the ending was a little weird. I still enjoyed the premise, and look forward to seeing where this goes.

[Rachel Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so clever and engaging and entertaining. I was floored when I found out this was written by a high schooler, but I suppose true talent doesn't have an age limit. The book broke the show dont tell rule of writing at the end, but I could argue it is necessary. I hope there's a sequel!

[Antoinette Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about high schoolers but can easily keep an adults attention

Although rated for YA. This was a really good read in my opinion. It held the suspense that it needed and although it is about high schoolers it easily kept my attention.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t get into this book at first, but I’m glad I stuck with it because it was cute and creative.
This is a Goodreads giveaway.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didnt wrap up the story well, not enough explanation but yet alot of details ended weird.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting concept. Her mind is so creative. Really enjoyed this read!

[J.D. Southwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hooked!

I started this book over the weekend and I couldn’t stop reading! This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I can’t wait to see what happens next

[Devan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun read. I loved the cheesy horror movie tropes and the characters.

[ReadinWithMikaB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book to start the new year! For the first time I couldn’t fully guess who done it and why. I love the twist and turns that came with the story. Can’t wait for part two!

[Samiria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what the doctor ordered

This was just the pallet cleanser I needed! The perfect light, funny, and entertaining teen horrors that we all loved in the 90s and early 2000s! Kuddos Gabrielle!