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Bleak Haven #1
Dead Fake
Welcome to Bleak The town you won't (or can't!) leave... Deep fake murders have taken over the high school, but what happens when they start to become real?
Would you Swipe to Die?
When the new craze takes over Bleak Haven High, Ava Wilson refuses to join in. As the niece of an infamous murderer, it’s the last thing she needs.
The mysterious website allows people to view their own ‘death’ – an AI generated version of their final slasher-movie-moments. But, when some of her classmates’ deepfakes are replicated in real life, Ava can either catch the killer…or be the next victim.
Would you Swipe to Die?
When the new craze takes over Bleak Haven High, Ava Wilson refuses to join in. As the niece of an infamous murderer, it’s the last thing she needs.
The mysterious website allows people to view their own ‘death’ – an AI generated version of their final slasher-movie-moments. But, when some of her classmates’ deepfakes are replicated in real life, Ava can either catch the killer…or be the next victim.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 20, 2026
51 people are currently reading
12241 people want to read
About the author
Vincent Ralph
13 books717 followersVincent Ralph is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of YA thrillers 14 Ways to Die, Lock the Doors, Secrets Never Die, and One House Left. He is an Edgar Award nominee, winner of the Southern Schools
Book Award, and the author of picture book A Boy Called Book.
The first two novels in the Bleak Haven series - Dead Fake and Night Terror - will be published in January 2026.
Book Award, and the author of picture book A Boy Called Book.
The first two novels in the Bleak Haven series - Dead Fake and Night Terror - will be published in January 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 217 reviews
January 20, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's for the pre-release copy of Dead Fake by Vincent Ralph. Below is my honest review.
I really enjoyed the first novel, Dead Fake, in Vincent Ralph's new Bleak Haven YA horror/thriller series. It had lots of twists and turns and was a lot of fun to read. I liked the whole "preview deaths by AI video" concept, as it was both creepy and disturbing. I thought the main character was developed well enough to root for, and the cast of secondary characters was pretty good too.
All in all, a solid series opener about a town plagued by violence, blood, sadness, etc. Looking forward to reading my ARC of book two, Night Terror, also releasing soon.
If you're a fan of horror and thriller genres or slashers, then you'll enjoy this foray into the YA horror space. It's also a bit of mystery, so that made for some extra fun.
Four bloody slashery stars.
I really enjoyed the first novel, Dead Fake, in Vincent Ralph's new Bleak Haven YA horror/thriller series. It had lots of twists and turns and was a lot of fun to read. I liked the whole "preview deaths by AI video" concept, as it was both creepy and disturbing. I thought the main character was developed well enough to root for, and the cast of secondary characters was pretty good too.
All in all, a solid series opener about a town plagued by violence, blood, sadness, etc. Looking forward to reading my ARC of book two, Night Terror, also releasing soon.
If you're a fan of horror and thriller genres or slashers, then you'll enjoy this foray into the YA horror space. It's also a bit of mystery, so that made for some extra fun.
Four bloody slashery stars.
February 1, 2026
A fast-paced mystery coupled with tension, scares, and a small town with a history of tragic deaths—sign me up! A new app has all the local teens answering questions about surviving a horror film, after which their deaths are generated by AI video. What begins as the latest craze accelerates into a murder that mirrors one of the deepfakes. Who created the app, and who will be next to die?
There's a sense of urgency and eeriness right from the beginning that sunk its teeth into me. The heroine of the story, Ava, has a dark past as the niece of a known killer. Her family history is well-known, and she's had to endure the gossip and unwanted attention her uncle's infamy brought her. She's confident and smart, has a strong moral code, and can rely on her immediate family and two best friends. I liked her immediately.
As different schoolmates were introduced with varying cliques and dynamics that came into play, everyone became suspicious. When the stakes increased, so did the suspense; I read this in practically one sitting. I kept guessing right up until the shocking turn of events that—in hindsight—I should have seen coming, but didn't.
DEAD FAKE is captivating, creepy and gives slasher vibes alongside a double-pronged whodunit. Vincent Ralph has created an intriguing trauma-laden town within the Bleak Haven series. Is a blend of 'Scream', 'Veronica Mars', and old-school Christopher Pike novels your jam? Then this is the book for you!
____
Thank you Wednesday Books for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
There's a sense of urgency and eeriness right from the beginning that sunk its teeth into me. The heroine of the story, Ava, has a dark past as the niece of a known killer. Her family history is well-known, and she's had to endure the gossip and unwanted attention her uncle's infamy brought her. She's confident and smart, has a strong moral code, and can rely on her immediate family and two best friends. I liked her immediately.
As different schoolmates were introduced with varying cliques and dynamics that came into play, everyone became suspicious. When the stakes increased, so did the suspense; I read this in practically one sitting. I kept guessing right up until the shocking turn of events that—in hindsight—I should have seen coming, but didn't.
DEAD FAKE is captivating, creepy and gives slasher vibes alongside a double-pronged whodunit. Vincent Ralph has created an intriguing trauma-laden town within the Bleak Haven series. Is a blend of 'Scream', 'Veronica Mars', and old-school Christopher Pike novels your jam? Then this is the book for you!
____
Thank you Wednesday Books for my gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
February 15, 2026
This is a solid YA novel. I think I had expected it to be more horror than mystery, but it definitely leans hard into the mystery genre.
Our main character is Ava. She’s one of the more infamous residents of Bleak Haven, ever since her uncle Miles killed the Fairbourne family ten years ago. The newest teen craze is a Swipe-to-Die app which will make an AI horror movie death scene of you after answering a few quick questions.
Because of Ava’s history, she of course won’t participate, but when her friends and fellow classmates start dying in ways similar to the app and she discovers ties to her Uncle’s legacy she can’t help but investigate.
I thought this was a solid and comforting portrayal of teen friendships. There’s healthy portrayals of teen relationships here. I thought the mystery was compelling and the characters were interesting.
I didn’t see the ending coming. I thought I figured who it was but there were a couple good twists I didn’t guess.
I will say I think the villain was a little cartoonish and their motives didn’t make a lot of sense? But I don’t know if that matters. I think YA readers who don’t read as many thrillers as I do in a year will have a great time with it.
Would recommend. Suitable for the age group, enjoyable for anyone.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.
Our main character is Ava. She’s one of the more infamous residents of Bleak Haven, ever since her uncle Miles killed the Fairbourne family ten years ago. The newest teen craze is a Swipe-to-Die app which will make an AI horror movie death scene of you after answering a few quick questions.
Because of Ava’s history, she of course won’t participate, but when her friends and fellow classmates start dying in ways similar to the app and she discovers ties to her Uncle’s legacy she can’t help but investigate.
I thought this was a solid and comforting portrayal of teen friendships. There’s healthy portrayals of teen relationships here. I thought the mystery was compelling and the characters were interesting.
I didn’t see the ending coming. I thought I figured who it was but there were a couple good twists I didn’t guess.
I will say I think the villain was a little cartoonish and their motives didn’t make a lot of sense? But I don’t know if that matters. I think YA readers who don’t read as many thrillers as I do in a year will have a great time with it.
Would recommend. Suitable for the age group, enjoyable for anyone.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.
August 29, 2025
And he's done it again.
If you've been here a while, you might remember how much I loved 14 Ways to Die by the same author. It even made it into my top 5 of 2024, and now I get to relive the same feeling.
Dead Fake is everything I ever wanted from Fear Street. The seemingly cursed town, where tragedies are the daily reality, is haunted by a killer. Again. What started as a morbid joke and a way to get attention, has now been tainted by a real life human murderer, instead of a AI-generated Deep Fake, and Ava and her friends need to find a way to stop them before its too late.
While Ava is still haunted by her uncles untimely murder spree, it seems like he's coming back from the grave, bringing past memories she's tried to bury for almost a decade. Was it really him, who killed those people all these years ago? Or are we dealing with a set up?
Gripping and haunting, Dead Fake explores the human obsession with all things true crime and combines it with reflections on all things unregulated AI use.
I absolutely loved the writing. It takes some time to get used to, but once you do, the book becomes unputdownable. I had to know who was behind the killings. Was it the same person who created Swipe to Die? Or was it a seemingly random person?
You know how I love guessing the ending, gathering clues on who the killer is, but Dead Fake was able to trick me and the twist was INSANE. Highly recommend.
And huge thanks to Wednesday Books for sending me a free copy.
If you've been here a while, you might remember how much I loved 14 Ways to Die by the same author. It even made it into my top 5 of 2024, and now I get to relive the same feeling.
Dead Fake is everything I ever wanted from Fear Street. The seemingly cursed town, where tragedies are the daily reality, is haunted by a killer. Again. What started as a morbid joke and a way to get attention, has now been tainted by a real life human murderer, instead of a AI-generated Deep Fake, and Ava and her friends need to find a way to stop them before its too late.
While Ava is still haunted by her uncles untimely murder spree, it seems like he's coming back from the grave, bringing past memories she's tried to bury for almost a decade. Was it really him, who killed those people all these years ago? Or are we dealing with a set up?
Gripping and haunting, Dead Fake explores the human obsession with all things true crime and combines it with reflections on all things unregulated AI use.
I absolutely loved the writing. It takes some time to get used to, but once you do, the book becomes unputdownable. I had to know who was behind the killings. Was it the same person who created Swipe to Die? Or was it a seemingly random person?
You know how I love guessing the ending, gathering clues on who the killer is, but Dead Fake was able to trick me and the twist was INSANE. Highly recommend.
And huge thanks to Wednesday Books for sending me a free copy.
September 1, 2025
Thank you netgalley for this ARC and i plan on reading the 2nd book in this series shortly after i finished this one honestly at this point vincent is an auto read author of mine i really enjoy his books and when i found out he had TWO new ones i had to read them.. This book was a great one i enjoyed the characters but mainly the storyline was really good it put an AI spin on it seeing as AI is everywhere now this novel follows our main character who is the niece of someone who is notoriously known for murder and she starts school and notices people are using an app called Swipe or Die and what it basically is on the app is the app shows students having a deep fake death scene but when people start actually getting killed the town and our main character thinks she might be getting caught up in another situation because of who are uncle is. I will say the twist at the end i wasnt expecting and i thought that was really good regarding who the killer was this was definitely a quick read and fast paced and i kept reading because i wanted to know what happened next im really excited to read the 2nd one because the synopsis sounds great too! If you like slasher books/ YA this is a great book!
December 8, 2025
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Jan. 20, 2026
“Dead Fake” is the first novel in the Bleak Haven series by YA horror author Vincent Ralph. Ralph caught my interest with his previous novels, “One House Left” and “Secrets Never Die”, so I could not pass up the oppourtunity to read book one and two, “Night Terror” (review to come) of the Bleak Haven series when it was offered.
Ava Wilson’s beloved uncle is a murderer. Or so the rumours say. Years ago, Ava’s uncle broke into a local family’s home, killing every member but one, the youngest son. Since then, Ava has lived in her uncle’s shadow and she’s used to being stared at and whispered about. But then, her longtime friend and crush, Kash, discovers a new app called “Swipe to Die”, which soon becomes their classmate’s new fascination. With the app, the teens can witness their own “death”, created with AI-generated slasher movie scenes. Until the teens who play start dying, the same way the app predicted. As one of the only few who refused to buy in to the obsession, it is up to Ava to uncover who made the app, and why her friends are dying, before she becomes the next target.
First of all, I’m a sucker for engaging covers, and the book cover for “Fake” pulled me in. Ralph’s modern, addictive writing intrigued me from our first introduction, and I am glad to see he continues to craft creative, and scary, plots with relatable characters. Although identified as belonging to the YA genre, “Fake” is the kind of novel that will appeal to larger audiences, so don’t let the YA label turn you off.
Ava is the protagonist, a young woman with a tragic past, who is dedicated to her two close friends and her beloved younger sister. She is strong and spunky and it’s easy to admire the teenager as she tries to solve the murders that seem eerily similar to those her uncle supposedly committed years ago. All of the characters in “Fake” are likable, charming and naïve, instantly building a rapport with the reader.
The mystery of who’s behind the deep fake videos and the actual murders, and whether they’re connected, is, of course, the central plot, but whether or not Ava’s uncle actually committed the murders he was accused of is lingering in the background as well. Ralph connects both storylines smoothly and brings both to a believable and realistic conclusion. There are no questions left unanswered by the time the first novel is finished, which is satisfying, but the end of the novel, of course, drops hints as to how the plot will continue in the second book of the series.
“Fake” is engaging, scary and entertaining, and I’m excited to read the second novel. Ralph has made a name for himself in the YA horror genre, and I’m all for it.
Expected publication date: Jan. 20, 2026
“Dead Fake” is the first novel in the Bleak Haven series by YA horror author Vincent Ralph. Ralph caught my interest with his previous novels, “One House Left” and “Secrets Never Die”, so I could not pass up the oppourtunity to read book one and two, “Night Terror” (review to come) of the Bleak Haven series when it was offered.
Ava Wilson’s beloved uncle is a murderer. Or so the rumours say. Years ago, Ava’s uncle broke into a local family’s home, killing every member but one, the youngest son. Since then, Ava has lived in her uncle’s shadow and she’s used to being stared at and whispered about. But then, her longtime friend and crush, Kash, discovers a new app called “Swipe to Die”, which soon becomes their classmate’s new fascination. With the app, the teens can witness their own “death”, created with AI-generated slasher movie scenes. Until the teens who play start dying, the same way the app predicted. As one of the only few who refused to buy in to the obsession, it is up to Ava to uncover who made the app, and why her friends are dying, before she becomes the next target.
First of all, I’m a sucker for engaging covers, and the book cover for “Fake” pulled me in. Ralph’s modern, addictive writing intrigued me from our first introduction, and I am glad to see he continues to craft creative, and scary, plots with relatable characters. Although identified as belonging to the YA genre, “Fake” is the kind of novel that will appeal to larger audiences, so don’t let the YA label turn you off.
Ava is the protagonist, a young woman with a tragic past, who is dedicated to her two close friends and her beloved younger sister. She is strong and spunky and it’s easy to admire the teenager as she tries to solve the murders that seem eerily similar to those her uncle supposedly committed years ago. All of the characters in “Fake” are likable, charming and naïve, instantly building a rapport with the reader.
The mystery of who’s behind the deep fake videos and the actual murders, and whether they’re connected, is, of course, the central plot, but whether or not Ava’s uncle actually committed the murders he was accused of is lingering in the background as well. Ralph connects both storylines smoothly and brings both to a believable and realistic conclusion. There are no questions left unanswered by the time the first novel is finished, which is satisfying, but the end of the novel, of course, drops hints as to how the plot will continue in the second book of the series.
“Fake” is engaging, scary and entertaining, and I’m excited to read the second novel. Ralph has made a name for himself in the YA horror genre, and I’m all for it.
November 3, 2025
4.5☆ | Thank you to Netgalley & the publishers for allowing me to have a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
꩜ | Okay so I just finished this and I am 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴. Vincent Ralph you have my heart.
I truly love everything he writes so much.
No one on my friends list has read this (or put it on their want to read shelf) so I have literally no one to talk to about this.
However, I am 𝘴𝘰 glad I also got accepted for the arc for Night Terror (book 2) as well because the way this one ended?? There's another printed paper, this time though, instead of it saying '𝘴𝘸𝘪𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘦' it says '𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘮. 𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘛𝘰 𝘒𝘪𝘭𝘭'.
꩜ | This whole book just shows how scary AI really is. I mean it starts off with some flyers popping up in a high school with the words 'Are You ready to be murdered?' above a QR code. Once they answer the 5 questions on the site they're brought to, it tells them to 'Swipe To Die'.
"𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣?"
That same night a classmate is murdered. Except he isn't.. it was a deep fake, all AI. All because they Swiped To Die.
Then they find out is wasn't actually real, and everyone thinks it's all fun and games, watching their own deaths as they're posted.
All fun and games until someone recreates the murders..
What starts out as a joke, becomes real. And Ava (our fmc) and her friends have to find out who's behind the murders before it's potentially her next.
꩜ | Once I got into this one, I truly couldn't stop reading it. Sure, it takes a little bit to get used to the writing, but I love it. The book is also so fast paced so I felt like I was speeding through it. I kept wondering who was actually behind the deep fakes & murders and the twist at the end was crazy. My own guesses as to who it is was wrong.
Everything was also tied up really well to where the ending didn't feel rushed
꩜ | Overall I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves fast paced thrillers. All the twists and turns will truly keep you guessing until the very end, and even then you might not correctly guess who it is.
꩜ | Okay so I just finished this and I am 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴. Vincent Ralph you have my heart.
I truly love everything he writes so much.
No one on my friends list has read this (or put it on their want to read shelf) so I have literally no one to talk to about this.
However, I am 𝘴𝘰 glad I also got accepted for the arc for Night Terror (book 2) as well because the way this one ended?? There's another printed paper, this time though, instead of it saying '𝘴𝘸𝘪𝘱𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘪𝘦' it says '𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘮. 𝘕𝘰𝘸 𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘱 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘮𝘶𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘛𝘰 𝘒𝘪𝘭𝘭'.
꩜ | This whole book just shows how scary AI really is. I mean it starts off with some flyers popping up in a high school with the words 'Are You ready to be murdered?' above a QR code. Once they answer the 5 questions on the site they're brought to, it tells them to 'Swipe To Die'.
"𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣?"
That same night a classmate is murdered. Except he isn't.. it was a deep fake, all AI. All because they Swiped To Die.
Then they find out is wasn't actually real, and everyone thinks it's all fun and games, watching their own deaths as they're posted.
All fun and games until someone recreates the murders..
What starts out as a joke, becomes real. And Ava (our fmc) and her friends have to find out who's behind the murders before it's potentially her next.
꩜ | Once I got into this one, I truly couldn't stop reading it. Sure, it takes a little bit to get used to the writing, but I love it. The book is also so fast paced so I felt like I was speeding through it. I kept wondering who was actually behind the deep fakes & murders and the twist at the end was crazy. My own guesses as to who it is was wrong.
Everything was also tied up really well to where the ending didn't feel rushed
꩜ | Overall I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves fast paced thrillers. All the twists and turns will truly keep you guessing until the very end, and even then you might not correctly guess who it is.
September 3, 2025
Ava has always been known as the niece of a serial killer, so when a new craze called Swipe to Die takes over Bleak Haven High, Ava refuses to join in. Soon, AI-generated versions of students will be murdered in their own slasher movie moments. Everyone thinks it's fun and games until deep fakes are being replicated in real life. When Ava finds connections between the deep fakes and the murders her uncle committed, Ava is determined to find out who the killer is.
Dead Fake gives me all the Fear Street vibes with a town that seems to be plagued by serial killers in its history. I loved the implementation of new technology, such as AI, in a thriller, and I can definitely see the Swipe to Die website being popular in High Schools. Who doesn’t want to see how they would fare in a slasher movie? This book kept me guessing, and the twist at the end was a surprise. I am excited to dig into the next book in this series. Dead Fake is the perfect book for YA thriller fans or readers just starting to get into the genre.
Dead Fake is out January 20th, 2026.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review Dead Fake. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Dead Fake gives me all the Fear Street vibes with a town that seems to be plagued by serial killers in its history. I loved the implementation of new technology, such as AI, in a thriller, and I can definitely see the Swipe to Die website being popular in High Schools. Who doesn’t want to see how they would fare in a slasher movie? This book kept me guessing, and the twist at the end was a surprise. I am excited to dig into the next book in this series. Dead Fake is the perfect book for YA thriller fans or readers just starting to get into the genre.
Dead Fake is out January 20th, 2026.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review Dead Fake. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 23, 2025
3.5/5
This was an interesting read! It validated my fears of AI and the negative aspects of it. Dead Fake gave me “Scream” vibes - small town that’s haunted by a tragedy that occurred years ago. It definitely had me pointing fingers at who did what.
Thank you so much to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early!
This was an interesting read! It validated my fears of AI and the negative aspects of it. Dead Fake gave me “Scream” vibes - small town that’s haunted by a tragedy that occurred years ago. It definitely had me pointing fingers at who did what.
Thank you so much to the author, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early!
Want to read
November 18, 2025ARC received! Thank you, Wednesday Books. I love this cover. This is giving me like Point Horror vibes and I'm all about it. I can't wait to dive into Bleak Haven!!
October 16, 2025
Deep Fake by Vincent Ralph completely pulled me in. The mix of mystery, technology, and small-town secrets made it impossible to put down. I loved how the story explored the idea of deep fakes in such a creepy and believable way, and tackled the effects of AI head on. Our main character was excellent flawed but strong, and I really felt her fear and determination as everything started to spiral. I love realistic characters and appreciated her complex feelings towards her late Uncle.The pacing stayed tight from the first chapter to the end, and I was constantly second-guessing who to trust.
The ending surprised me in the best way and tied everything together without feeling rushed. I really thought I had guessed the twist early in, and was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong. Vincent Ralph did a great job blending tension, heart, and just the right amount of horror. It’s clever, fast-paced, and unsettling in all the right ways, I’m looking forward to more in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
The ending surprised me in the best way and tied everything together without feeling rushed. I really thought I had guessed the twist early in, and was pleasantly surprised that I was wrong. Vincent Ralph did a great job blending tension, heart, and just the right amount of horror. It’s clever, fast-paced, and unsettling in all the right ways, I’m looking forward to more in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
May 31, 2025
More of a 4.5-star read but this was really good. Definitely Fear Street inspired/vibes but that's even better with the revival of that brand. Imagine growing up in a town where you have a higher chance of being murdered than of graduating. Why do these people live here? Good grief.
January 21, 2026
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ebook.
📝 Short Summary
Dead Fake is a creepy, fast paced start to a series built around one terrifying idea, being able to view your own death. It’s tense, addictive, and gives that classic teen horror energy that feels nostalgic while still pulling you in hard.
Review
This book hooked me right away because the concept alone is enough to make my skin crawl. The idea of seeing your own death is one of those things that would absolutely break my brain, so I was right there with Ava Wilson the entire time. I would have reacted exactly like her, stressed, panicked, trying to make sense of what it means, and wondering if it can be changed. That kind of fear feels personal, because it is not just danger around you, it is your own ending staring back at you.
The story also gave me major Fear Street vibes again, in the best way. It has that fast, easy to read style that keeps the pages turning, but it still has enough tension and mystery to keep you invested. It is the kind of book that makes you say one more chapter and then suddenly you are way further than you meant to be.
Ava was a big reason this worked for me. She felt real. She was not written like some fearless main character who never breaks, she actually felt like someone trying to survive something that would mess anyone up. I liked being in her head, and I liked watching her try to stay steady even when everything around her was spiraling. That made the stakes feel heavier because I cared what happened to her.
What I also loved is that this feels like a strong book one. It sets up the world and the tone in a way that makes you want to keep going, and I already know I will be reading the rest of the series. I am also definitely going to check out this author’s other books because I liked the writing style and the overall vibe that much.
✅ Would I Recommend It?
Yes. If you want a creepy, nostalgic, Fear Street style read with a premise that will freak you out and keep you hooked, this is a great pick.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ebook.
📝 Short Summary
Dead Fake is a creepy, fast paced start to a series built around one terrifying idea, being able to view your own death. It’s tense, addictive, and gives that classic teen horror energy that feels nostalgic while still pulling you in hard.
Review
This book hooked me right away because the concept alone is enough to make my skin crawl. The idea of seeing your own death is one of those things that would absolutely break my brain, so I was right there with Ava Wilson the entire time. I would have reacted exactly like her, stressed, panicked, trying to make sense of what it means, and wondering if it can be changed. That kind of fear feels personal, because it is not just danger around you, it is your own ending staring back at you.
The story also gave me major Fear Street vibes again, in the best way. It has that fast, easy to read style that keeps the pages turning, but it still has enough tension and mystery to keep you invested. It is the kind of book that makes you say one more chapter and then suddenly you are way further than you meant to be.
Ava was a big reason this worked for me. She felt real. She was not written like some fearless main character who never breaks, she actually felt like someone trying to survive something that would mess anyone up. I liked being in her head, and I liked watching her try to stay steady even when everything around her was spiraling. That made the stakes feel heavier because I cared what happened to her.
What I also loved is that this feels like a strong book one. It sets up the world and the tone in a way that makes you want to keep going, and I already know I will be reading the rest of the series. I am also definitely going to check out this author’s other books because I liked the writing style and the overall vibe that much.
✅ Would I Recommend It?
Yes. If you want a creepy, nostalgic, Fear Street style read with a premise that will freak you out and keep you hooked, this is a great pick.
December 20, 2025
Dead Fake is the first novel in the bleak Haven series by Vincent Ralph, Bleak Haven is a town with a plethora of past horrors but it seems the one that Ava is attached to is the most popular. Her uncle was found guilty for killing a family and it seems Ava is the poster girl for that Catastrophe. she feels like an outcast but definitely has the support of her best friend Willow and neighbor Mason and she’s also close to her aunt Kaylee mom and of course her little sister Harper. it’s been 10 years since her uncle Joey went to jail and things are status quo and Ava‘s life until the day her lifelong crush and fellow newspaper editor cash tells her about the new Swipe To Die game that’s going around the school. although Ava does her best to steer clear of this game especially when they start putting fake murders online but in the end she will be the only one left to investigate and will find answers to questions she didn’t know needed to be asked. I love Vincent Ralphs books and I wish I could do a much better job reviewing because I feel I am doing it a disservice I was so into this book and cannot wait to start the next one I love his Books but about this one. Ava is definitely someone you want to root for the twist at the end of this book was absolutely mind boggling I was so dumbstruck when I found out who the perpetrator/perpetrators were. What a stellar read not to mention there’s more than one mystery such as who started the game who’s making these fake murders and who’s committing the real ones and are they the same person? I do want to say in my opinion these are really teenage horror stories but they’re well done by one of the best horror riders in my opinion. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #VincentRalph, #DeadFake,
November 16, 2025
Special thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review
This review started at 4 stars, but as I was writing out my thoughts, I realized I needed to lower it down to 3 because Ava just drove me absolutely crazy.
If generative AI has no haters, then that means I am dead. It is ruining art, writing, critical thinking, and out planet in general. I've gotten into many arguments with people about it. So I'm really happy to see a story geared towards the young adult demographic that's really focusing on the fact that there are consequences to using it. Sure, murder might be a bit excessive, but the message is well and truly there. Everybody thought it was all fun and games (which was incredibly frustrating) until they eventually realized that it actually isn't something to be taken so lightly.
The plot around the dead fakes and the mystery around the things that happened in the town were really great! The thing bringing the story down for me was Ava. I found all of her choices incredibly frustrating.
This review started at 4 stars, but as I was writing out my thoughts, I realized I needed to lower it down to 3 because Ava just drove me absolutely crazy.
If generative AI has no haters, then that means I am dead. It is ruining art, writing, critical thinking, and out planet in general. I've gotten into many arguments with people about it. So I'm really happy to see a story geared towards the young adult demographic that's really focusing on the fact that there are consequences to using it. Sure, murder might be a bit excessive, but the message is well and truly there. Everybody thought it was all fun and games (which was incredibly frustrating) until they eventually realized that it actually isn't something to be taken so lightly.
The plot around the dead fakes and the mystery around the things that happened in the town were really great! The thing bringing the story down for me was Ava. I found all of her choices incredibly frustrating.
October 20, 2025
This is the only way I want to see AI in my books, used as part of the storyline. Loved Ava and her curious self. I tried to put all the pieces together as I went and was completely wrong in the end. That alone gets this book five stars for me. Not predictable, characters you love, and just enough to make you want to continue the journey in Bleak Haven.
November 11, 2025
Well, this was a blast of a YA slasher novel!
Trying to figure out the who and why of everything was such fun! I did figure it out a bit before the reveal, but not too much before.
I liked our main character and her friends and was highly intrigued by this little down - it's a highly murderous place.
The book is fast-paced and keeps interested until the very last page.
Fun read!
* ARC via Publisher
Trying to figure out the who and why of everything was such fun! I did figure it out a bit before the reveal, but not too much before.
I liked our main character and her friends and was highly intrigued by this little down - it's a highly murderous place.
The book is fast-paced and keeps interested until the very last page.
Fun read!
* ARC via Publisher
September 12, 2025
This one was really good! It’s a fast read, as well as the suspense build up was really good! I definitely was not expecting who the suspect was! I can’t wait to read the next book!
February 4, 2026
I loved the Christopher pike and fear street type vibes of this book! if you wanting to read something with those vibes, r.l stone type vibes then try out Vincent Ralph for sure!
This book really played on the deep fakes of AI and it’s actually pretty scary to think about! I really liked the creepiness of this book and how the author used this modern issue to really sell the horror aspects! The twist at the end wasn’t easily guessable so that’s a plus! a cool fun fast read!
This book really played on the deep fakes of AI and it’s actually pretty scary to think about! I really liked the creepiness of this book and how the author used this modern issue to really sell the horror aspects! The twist at the end wasn’t easily guessable so that’s a plus! a cool fun fast read!
August 31, 2025
I’m definitely here for the Fear Street vibes. This was a really entertaining story and I liked all the characters. I pegged the killer, but I thought it was a good twist. All in all, a solid thriller. And I’m interested in reading the rest of the series.
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this ARC. This will be out in January of 2026.
Thanks to NetGalley for the copy of this ARC. This will be out in January of 2026.
January 31, 2026
“If you kill in this town, the only way out is down.”
Dead Fake is a very interesting look into how AI and deepfake videos can be used to facilitate fear in both fictional and actual murders, and how we deal with grief when the person at its core has been vilified.
Ralph brings up a thought provoking topic that I hadn’t actually considered before; AI being used to create nude deepfake photos or videos of young women to be posted online.
While sharing intimate photos on the web was thankfully not an issue when I was in high school (I’m pre-internet old), it definitely is now and it’s obviously problematic. However, as technology advances and artificial intelligence grows in more terrifying ways, it also advances the seedy and criminal aspects that unfortunately are ever present online. It’s really frightening to think about.
AI concerns aside, Dead Fake does well with the horror aspect as Ralph doesn’t shy away from the slash and gore despite this being a YA book. Was the twist at the end a total shock? Not really, but it didn’t take away from this being an enjoyable read.
I received an ARC copy courtesy of
St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley, however my review is my own unbiased personal opinion, left of my own volition.
Dead Fake is a very interesting look into how AI and deepfake videos can be used to facilitate fear in both fictional and actual murders, and how we deal with grief when the person at its core has been vilified.
Ralph brings up a thought provoking topic that I hadn’t actually considered before; AI being used to create nude deepfake photos or videos of young women to be posted online.
While sharing intimate photos on the web was thankfully not an issue when I was in high school (I’m pre-internet old), it definitely is now and it’s obviously problematic. However, as technology advances and artificial intelligence grows in more terrifying ways, it also advances the seedy and criminal aspects that unfortunately are ever present online. It’s really frightening to think about.
AI concerns aside, Dead Fake does well with the horror aspect as Ralph doesn’t shy away from the slash and gore despite this being a YA book. Was the twist at the end a total shock? Not really, but it didn’t take away from this being an enjoyable read.
I received an ARC copy courtesy of
St. Martin's Press | Wednesday Books and NetGalley, however my review is my own unbiased personal opinion, left of my own volition.
December 26, 2025
A YA thriller can be tough to execute. It often becomes less spooky/eerie and gives off more of a mystery vibe (still entertaining, but not always what you’re looking for). But this author did a great job of incorporating a slasher vibe to the story, giving it an ominous feel.
I also liked the idea of the murders possibly being linked to a viral trend - in this case, teens would answer a few questions and “swipe to die”, leading to AI generated videos of them being killed.
The fact that so many people participated in something like this was both shocking and all too real (or have we forgotten when teens used to eat Tide pods?).
And then there was the ending, where a new trend pops up and the reader is left on a chilling cliffhanger. I loved it! Can’t wait to read the next book.
Thank you to Wednesday Books for my gifted copy!
I also liked the idea of the murders possibly being linked to a viral trend - in this case, teens would answer a few questions and “swipe to die”, leading to AI generated videos of them being killed.
The fact that so many people participated in something like this was both shocking and all too real (or have we forgotten when teens used to eat Tide pods?).
And then there was the ending, where a new trend pops up and the reader is left on a chilling cliffhanger. I loved it! Can’t wait to read the next book.
Thank you to Wednesday Books for my gifted copy!
September 26, 2025
Have you ever discovered a new app and couldn't wait to try it out? I couldn't put this one down! Once I was in, I was in it for the long haul! This is a story about a teen whose uncle did bad things. The entire town is convinced of this, but this teen doesn't believe it for a minute. Is she love blind? Does she not want to see what he really did? Read this and find out for yourselves! You won't be disappointed! This is a harrowing story of a teen who goes looking for answers about her past, while also trying to protect her friends and family from pure evil that seems to find her in this town.
I can't wait for more from this author! I think he's a great writer! This is wonderfully written.
I can't wait for more from this author! I think he's a great writer! This is wonderfully written.
September 29, 2025
This was fun! I am too big a 'fraidy cat to watch most horror movies, but do enjoy reading horror - especially slightly younger (middle grade or YA) horror. I like the creepy back-of-the-neck-hairs feeling, and this one had that in spades. I wasn't familiar with the author before this one, but between this and the sequel (set in a 1980s mall!), I'm thinking the Bleak Haven series will be a hit for me. I love this horrifying town and its spunky kids!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
January 27, 2026
Wow, this was probably my first horror book in a very long time, and it definitely was terrifying to think that this could actually happen nowadays with AI-generated videos popping up all over the place. Now the who the killer was, honestly, was a big shock to me, and I never saw that coming, which is amazing, because I can almost always figure out who the killer is. I'm definitely going to be looking into Vincent Ralph's books more often.
October 17, 2025
Great, fast paced and delightfully spooky. I love a good teenage crime/horror thriller and this one was absolutely addictive. A town with a trouble past is once again in the middle of a murder mystery and Ava is bound to find the killer and hopefully clear up some of her own families tragic past. Will she be able to overcome her own pain to help stop someone from destroying even more lives??
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
In this new thriller, the town of Bleak Haven revisits its long history with murder.
First, there is a teen girl trying to overcome the fact that her favorite uncle was a murderer.
Second, you have a new social media trend, called Swipe to Die, that all of her friends blindly swipe into.
How do the two themes connect? Initially, they don't. But things have a funny way of changing course.
This story had a lot of potential, especially with the Swipe to Die theme. Would the people who swiped into the app eventually die? It started to seem that way. Until an unexpected victim is involved. What didn't make sense to me was the truth about who was behind the app and why. Seemed like a lame twist. Even more surprising was what connected the app to the old murders. It was a twist, yes, but not one that matched with the character's behaviors.
So yes, in parts, this story was very intriguing. I just wasn't a fan of how it all came together.
*An ARC was received via NetGalley for an honest review.
First, there is a teen girl trying to overcome the fact that her favorite uncle was a murderer.
Second, you have a new social media trend, called Swipe to Die, that all of her friends blindly swipe into.
How do the two themes connect? Initially, they don't. But things have a funny way of changing course.
This story had a lot of potential, especially with the Swipe to Die theme. Would the people who swiped into the app eventually die? It started to seem that way. Until an unexpected victim is involved. What didn't make sense to me was the truth about who was behind the app and why. Seemed like a lame twist. Even more surprising was what connected the app to the old murders. It was a twist, yes, but not one that matched with the character's behaviors.
So yes, in parts, this story was very intriguing. I just wasn't a fan of how it all came together.
*An ARC was received via NetGalley for an honest review.
January 12, 2026
This is a great start to a fun new YA horror series!! A town with a deadly past, and a new app involving AI deep fake murders that scarily become true! Such a fun read! 🔪
Looking forward to the next installments in the Bleak Haven series!!! 🙌
Thank you to partner Wednesday Books for the gifted advance reader copies in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
Looking forward to the next installments in the Bleak Haven series!!! 🙌
Thank you to partner Wednesday Books for the gifted advance reader copies in exchange for my honest review! ❤️
February 4, 2026
Dead Fake was a quick, fun horror read about family secrets, AI, and high school kids trying to be detectives. I'm excited to dive into more tales from Bleak Haven and see what the seemingly cursed town has in store for us all. A perfect pick if you want something quick and easy to digest while still giving you enough thrill to keep engaged.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC!
November 20, 2025
I thought this book sounded really interesting and the cover was really neat, however the book was boring and never picked up for me. The twist didn’t surprise me, I had a hunch earlier in the book who did it. Just wasn’t for me, wish there was more action was a little slow. #GoodreadsGiveaway
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