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The Final Final Girl
Survival made them famous. A deranged killer wants to make them dead.
Maddie Shephard learned the hard way that true crime is no laughing matter. Not when she found herself the target of a madman. Plagued by nightmares and a worsening neurological condition, she is a far cry from the flippant podcast host she used to be.
Heather Gorney was one of the first to earn the title “Final Girl.” She had money, fame and respect. But new Final Girls have emerged. Girls who want to be like her without earning it. Girls who need to be taught a lesson. Because Heather doesn’t share the spotlight.
Nova Cabrera is a nobody. A poor Dominican girl from the inner city, a brutal assault left her broken and desperate. The legal system failed her. The media ignores her. Her suffering doesn’t matter to them. If they won’t notice, she’ll just have to make them.
Three very different woman bonded by trauma will find themselves on a collision course, not just with each other, but with a killer that has unfinished business.
James Kaine, bestselling author of The Dead Children’s Playground brings you a brutal slasher that will only end when one survivor is declared the FINAL Final Girl.
Maddie Shephard learned the hard way that true crime is no laughing matter. Not when she found herself the target of a madman. Plagued by nightmares and a worsening neurological condition, she is a far cry from the flippant podcast host she used to be.
Heather Gorney was one of the first to earn the title “Final Girl.” She had money, fame and respect. But new Final Girls have emerged. Girls who want to be like her without earning it. Girls who need to be taught a lesson. Because Heather doesn’t share the spotlight.
Nova Cabrera is a nobody. A poor Dominican girl from the inner city, a brutal assault left her broken and desperate. The legal system failed her. The media ignores her. Her suffering doesn’t matter to them. If they won’t notice, she’ll just have to make them.
Three very different woman bonded by trauma will find themselves on a collision course, not just with each other, but with a killer that has unfinished business.
James Kaine, bestselling author of The Dead Children’s Playground brings you a brutal slasher that will only end when one survivor is declared the FINAL Final Girl.
- GenresHorror
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2026
About the author
James Kaine
15 books378 followersJames Kaine is a bestselling author known for such works as MY PET WEREWOLF and THE DEAD CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND, a novel that BookLife by Publishers Weekly proclaimed, “will chill readers to the bone.” An active member of the Horror Writers Association, he is building a growing catalogue of terrifying tales that have been translated into multiple languages, won awards and garnered critical acclaim. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, children and Boston Terrier.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
September 14, 2026
Man, I love James Kaine! The Final Final Girl was a fun ass slasher and that stands out because of its uniqueness. The narrators were CHEFS KISS for this one and I loved the mix of podcast episodes and regular storytelling that was portrayed for us in the book! This was such a refreshing variation of a slasher story, which I did NOT know I needed so much. I’m telling’ you, this story hits the ground running, and lets up for no one. But as much as I LOVED this one by James, The Dead Children’s Playground will always hold such a special place in my heart 🥹 So if you haven’t already, be sure to check out James and his work because he is not one you want to miss!
Thank you so much Libro.fm and Simon Maverick for my alc of The Final Final Girl!
Thank you so much Libro.fm and Simon Maverick for my alc of The Final Final Girl!
September 25, 2026
I loved the fast-paced, gory storyline and the classic nostalgia this book offers fans of 80s and 90s slashers. The character development of the three women was phenomenal, especially Maddie, with her backstory and Tourette Syndrome representation. Thank you @wicked_house_publishing and @jameskainewrites for the gifted ebook.
September 16, 2026
This may just be my favorite from Kaine so far, and that's saying a lot because I absolutely devoured My Pet Werewolf!
September 27, 2026
Thank you Libro.fm and Simon Maverick for my ALC. All opinions are my own.
This was such a fun classic horror slasher. Perfect read to kick off spooky season. This was fast paced, a unique plot with a common final girl trope, and the dark humor was A+.
We all know about the final girl but what about the final final girl? There can only be one.
Three different trauma survivors and final girls are band together when a crazy killer targets them forcing them to decide who the final final girl will be.
This was such a fun classic horror slasher. Perfect read to kick off spooky season. This was fast paced, a unique plot with a common final girl trope, and the dark humor was A+.
We all know about the final girl but what about the final final girl? There can only be one.
Three different trauma survivors and final girls are band together when a crazy killer targets them forcing them to decide who the final final girl will be.
September 19, 2026
The Final Final Girl by James Kaine takes a slasher story to the next level. Four final girls have survived deranged killers but now another threat awaits. One that will leave The Final Final Girl to tell the tale.
This is a fast-paced horror story that evokes a 1980's slasher feel. The story comes alive, like a motion picture in your head, as you read it. The characters are all unique and yet familiar. The multiple views points mixed with the podcast adds to the tension in the story. It reminds me of Friday the 13th, Scream, and Halloween all rolled into one. I could see this being turned into it's own slasher series, where only the strongest survives.
The story starts off right in the action and the action continues through out the story. The ending seems predictable at first but you will be wrong, so, so wrong, as the ending leaves you gasping and your jaw will drop.
This is a fast-paced horror story that evokes a 1980's slasher feel. The story comes alive, like a motion picture in your head, as you read it. The characters are all unique and yet familiar. The multiple views points mixed with the podcast adds to the tension in the story. It reminds me of Friday the 13th, Scream, and Halloween all rolled into one. I could see this being turned into it's own slasher series, where only the strongest survives.
The story starts off right in the action and the action continues through out the story. The ending seems predictable at first but you will be wrong, so, so wrong, as the ending leaves you gasping and your jaw will drop.
September 22, 2026
The Final Final Girl is a blast from start to finish, a literary homage to the 90s slasher flicks like the Scream series, Urban Legend, and I Know What You Did Last Summer. Seriously, if you love those films do yourself a favor and pick this up now. Author Kaine sets things up for a sequel and I'm very much looking forward to seeing where the story goes next.
September 16, 2026
The award for worst book I've read this year goes to this one. Why are people rating this soo high? You can tell who the final final girl will be because of the names of the chapters. It was an anticlimactic book. No character was likeable. They were all annoying. Guess im a minority on this one.
September 24, 2026
Everything I needed and more for a perfect spooky season read
August 13, 2026
BLURB:
Maddie Shephard, a true-crime podcaster and trauma survivor, becomes caught in a deadly fight for survival when a killer targets women connected to the title of Final Girl.
REVIEW:
This is my first book by James Kaine, and I grabbed this one because two narrators I very much enjoy, Moniqua Plante and Christian Leatherman, narrate, and I enjoy slasher thrillers. I went in blind, which is the best way to experience it because it’s unpredictable, over-the-top, and a wild ride. And this felt more like a real slasher movie than any other slasher book I’ve read so far!
The story is told in a multi-POV with a really interesting structure. It starts with an excerpt from Final Girl Melissa Campbell’s book detailing how she survived, told in her first-person POV, before shifting into third person as she signs copies at one of New York City’s largest bookstores. She’s suddenly murdered in the opening chapter (not a spoiler), and the killer leaves a chilling message on the bathroom mirror: “Not So Final Now.” For me, thiswas such a dramatic and intriguing setup, and I needed to know where the story was headed. From there, we get the first episode of “The Killer Couple” podcast from Maddie and her boyfriend, Owen, two true-crime junkies discussing the killer Melissa originally survived. As the story unfolds, we get to know Maddie much better and discover something terrible happened to her months earlier, leaving her with physical scars and trauma. Her Tourette’s syndrome is thoughtfully incorporated into the story and becomes really interesting during podcast episodes, survival scenes, and interactions with her best friend, Lizzie. Lizzie plays a much bigger role than I initially expected, and by the end, she was one of my favorite characters!
Then there are all the other POVs, including Nova Cabrera, a young woman caught in a court battle against a rich-boy attacker she met on New Year’s Eve, and Heather Gorney, another Final Girl whose survival story is the most grotesque and unbelievable of them all. Heather’s a real standout—she’s ruthless, unpredictable, and increasingly unhinged, and I was questioning her motives immediately. As the story unfolds, most of the female characters prove to be absolute NUT BARS in one way or another, in the best possible way—so have your popcorn ready!
At the center of everything is Ray Curtis, a serial killer who feels very much like a Michael Myers-type character—relentless, terrifying, and seemingly impossible to stop. The authorities believe he perished in a fire, but his resurgence and the disturbing history of his family are revealed in some brilliantly unpredictable ways.
I will admit that during roughly the first 30%, there were a lot of POV changes, and I found myself wondering how many characters were going to be introduced. Thankfully, it settles down, and I had no trouble following everything. As you’d expect in a slasher thriller, you ABSOLUTELY need to suspend your disbelief throughout, just like watching a slasher movie. Characters make terrible decisions, ignore huge red flags, and put themselves in situations where I was yelling at them to turn around and run. As the story moves toward the climax, there are far too many convenient moments for what happens to feel at all plausible, but I went in expecting this and enjoyed the wild ride—and let me tell you, it gets WILD!!
The chapters are extremely short, with some only being a couple of minutes long on audio, and many end on mini cliffhangers that keep you hooked. The constant POV shifts work well on audiobook, and the Killer Couple podcast segments throughout add another layer to the story and elevate the audiobook production. Figuring out when the podcast episodes actually take place confused me at first, but later on, I had some major “a-ha moments,” and they helped me piece everything together.
When all the threads come crashing together in the climax, you get exactly the kind of high-stakes, over-the-top confrontation you expect in a slasher film—but in this case, the terror is amplified because multiple villains are in one place! There were some killings late in the story that really surprised me, along with some extremely satisfying moments right at the end. The epilogue left me unsettled and opens the door for what could be a very interestingsequel! I also have to say that this book would translate really well to film, and I would absolutely watch this as a movie!
Overall, this is a strong slasher thriller, and it works REALLY well on audiobook. Moniqua Plante does an impressive job giving the many female characters distinct voices and personalities, while Christian Leatherman handles the male characters and his part of the podcast segments effortlessly. If you go into this with the right expectations, are prepared to suspend your disbelief throughout, and enjoy the crazy ride, you’ll have a lot of fun with this one!! I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it!
Maddie Shephard, a true-crime podcaster and trauma survivor, becomes caught in a deadly fight for survival when a killer targets women connected to the title of Final Girl.
REVIEW:
This is my first book by James Kaine, and I grabbed this one because two narrators I very much enjoy, Moniqua Plante and Christian Leatherman, narrate, and I enjoy slasher thrillers. I went in blind, which is the best way to experience it because it’s unpredictable, over-the-top, and a wild ride. And this felt more like a real slasher movie than any other slasher book I’ve read so far!
The story is told in a multi-POV with a really interesting structure. It starts with an excerpt from Final Girl Melissa Campbell’s book detailing how she survived, told in her first-person POV, before shifting into third person as she signs copies at one of New York City’s largest bookstores. She’s suddenly murdered in the opening chapter (not a spoiler), and the killer leaves a chilling message on the bathroom mirror: “Not So Final Now.” For me, thiswas such a dramatic and intriguing setup, and I needed to know where the story was headed. From there, we get the first episode of “The Killer Couple” podcast from Maddie and her boyfriend, Owen, two true-crime junkies discussing the killer Melissa originally survived. As the story unfolds, we get to know Maddie much better and discover something terrible happened to her months earlier, leaving her with physical scars and trauma. Her Tourette’s syndrome is thoughtfully incorporated into the story and becomes really interesting during podcast episodes, survival scenes, and interactions with her best friend, Lizzie. Lizzie plays a much bigger role than I initially expected, and by the end, she was one of my favorite characters!
Then there are all the other POVs, including Nova Cabrera, a young woman caught in a court battle against a rich-boy attacker she met on New Year’s Eve, and Heather Gorney, another Final Girl whose survival story is the most grotesque and unbelievable of them all. Heather’s a real standout—she’s ruthless, unpredictable, and increasingly unhinged, and I was questioning her motives immediately. As the story unfolds, most of the female characters prove to be absolute NUT BARS in one way or another, in the best possible way—so have your popcorn ready!
At the center of everything is Ray Curtis, a serial killer who feels very much like a Michael Myers-type character—relentless, terrifying, and seemingly impossible to stop. The authorities believe he perished in a fire, but his resurgence and the disturbing history of his family are revealed in some brilliantly unpredictable ways.
I will admit that during roughly the first 30%, there were a lot of POV changes, and I found myself wondering how many characters were going to be introduced. Thankfully, it settles down, and I had no trouble following everything. As you’d expect in a slasher thriller, you ABSOLUTELY need to suspend your disbelief throughout, just like watching a slasher movie. Characters make terrible decisions, ignore huge red flags, and put themselves in situations where I was yelling at them to turn around and run. As the story moves toward the climax, there are far too many convenient moments for what happens to feel at all plausible, but I went in expecting this and enjoyed the wild ride—and let me tell you, it gets WILD!!
The chapters are extremely short, with some only being a couple of minutes long on audio, and many end on mini cliffhangers that keep you hooked. The constant POV shifts work well on audiobook, and the Killer Couple podcast segments throughout add another layer to the story and elevate the audiobook production. Figuring out when the podcast episodes actually take place confused me at first, but later on, I had some major “a-ha moments,” and they helped me piece everything together.
When all the threads come crashing together in the climax, you get exactly the kind of high-stakes, over-the-top confrontation you expect in a slasher film—but in this case, the terror is amplified because multiple villains are in one place! There were some killings late in the story that really surprised me, along with some extremely satisfying moments right at the end. The epilogue left me unsettled and opens the door for what could be a very interestingsequel! I also have to say that this book would translate really well to film, and I would absolutely watch this as a movie!
Overall, this is a strong slasher thriller, and it works REALLY well on audiobook. Moniqua Plante does an impressive job giving the many female characters distinct voices and personalities, while Christian Leatherman handles the male characters and his part of the podcast segments effortlessly. If you go into this with the right expectations, are prepared to suspend your disbelief throughout, and enjoy the crazy ride, you’ll have a lot of fun with this one!! I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Another phenomenal read from James Kaine!
This is my favorite book from this author. I know I have probably said that before, but I really do mean it. I signed up for a gory slasher and got so much more. There were so many layers to this story that truly surprised me and brought a great amount of depth to the entire genre.
The story hits the ground running with some descriptive bloody, gory action that hooks the reader from the very beginning. It really sets the tone for the entirety of the book and keeps the readers wanting more. The storyline was never lacking. There was always something going on, keeping the reader completely invested.
There are quite a bit of characters in the story and it's told from multiple points of view which is nice. I will say, it could get confusing at times trying to keep up with everybody so the story pretty much demanded my full attention in the best way. It was so refreshing to read something that actually required my brain to function. Especially coming from the horror genre. It was just unexpected to have something so mentally engaging yet a pleasant experience to read. Really scratched the brain nicely.
It was also really impressive how despite there being so many character's, they all had so much depth and personalities. Even the character's who died fairly quickly had a lot of development which was so nice because I never knew who was going to meet their demise next. None of the characters were skipped out on regardless of their duration in the story.
I have pretty much come to expect references to music and horror movies from James Kaine and I eat that up every time! Some of the references are on the nose but others are more subtle, providing a fun little experience to every read. I just love how the author is able to refer to these great slasher movies while maintaining the authenticity of his own work.
But, I specifically want to talk about a very particular reference. One of James Kaine's own characters from another book makes a cameo in The Final Final Girl and I swear I hollered out load and giggled like a fool. I love that if you didn't read the other book, it really wouldn't have affected your reading experience at all but as an honorary Kainiac, it was a nice little gift to the fans.
The ending was something I thought I could see coming, but was definitely completely wrong. Because holy curveball.... Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I quickly realized that I didn't at all. After everything happens and it feels like the dust is starting to settle, the rug is completely pulled out from under you in the best way.
When it comes to this author, the ending is never enough for me. I always want more because I'm addicted to the story and I'm greedy. Can't blame a girl, honestly. But I will say, I felt like everything was concluded nicely. I was left very satisfied with how everything went down and how all of the little strings were tied up.
Now, onto a serious note...
This book was so much more than just another slasher. So many important topics are delicately showcased, bringing awareness to a variety of hardships. The author covers things like grief, drug addiction, and sexual assault in a way that was not only tasteful, but also sensitive to individuals who have been affected by these unfortunate circumstances.
On top of tackling these particular topics, Tourette Syndrome plays a prominent role in this story. I unexpectedly learned a lot about the condition through this horror book which was a nice little bonus but wasn't totally surprising. The author's son suffers from Tourette Syndrome and it is very obvious the amount of attention and care that was put into Maddie's character to accurately portray the condition.
Because, yes, representation does indeed matter. And I can't think of a single book that has tackled this particular topic and given others with Tourette Syndrome a character they can relate to.
I am not the person to educate others on Tourettes but thanks to this book, I now know that it is much more than just that one condition that makes people yell out curse words.
For more information on Tourette Syndrome, visit www.tourette.org
Another phenomenal read from James Kaine!
This is my favorite book from this author. I know I have probably said that before, but I really do mean it. I signed up for a gory slasher and got so much more. There were so many layers to this story that truly surprised me and brought a great amount of depth to the entire genre.
The story hits the ground running with some descriptive bloody, gory action that hooks the reader from the very beginning. It really sets the tone for the entirety of the book and keeps the readers wanting more. The storyline was never lacking. There was always something going on, keeping the reader completely invested.
There are quite a bit of characters in the story and it's told from multiple points of view which is nice. I will say, it could get confusing at times trying to keep up with everybody so the story pretty much demanded my full attention in the best way. It was so refreshing to read something that actually required my brain to function. Especially coming from the horror genre. It was just unexpected to have something so mentally engaging yet a pleasant experience to read. Really scratched the brain nicely.
It was also really impressive how despite there being so many character's, they all had so much depth and personalities. Even the character's who died fairly quickly had a lot of development which was so nice because I never knew who was going to meet their demise next. None of the characters were skipped out on regardless of their duration in the story.
I have pretty much come to expect references to music and horror movies from James Kaine and I eat that up every time! Some of the references are on the nose but others are more subtle, providing a fun little experience to every read. I just love how the author is able to refer to these great slasher movies while maintaining the authenticity of his own work.
But, I specifically want to talk about a very particular reference. One of James Kaine's own characters from another book makes a cameo in The Final Final Girl and I swear I hollered out load and giggled like a fool. I love that if you didn't read the other book, it really wouldn't have affected your reading experience at all but as an honorary Kainiac, it was a nice little gift to the fans.
The ending was something I thought I could see coming, but was definitely completely wrong. Because holy curveball.... Just when I thought I had it all figured out, I quickly realized that I didn't at all. After everything happens and it feels like the dust is starting to settle, the rug is completely pulled out from under you in the best way.
When it comes to this author, the ending is never enough for me. I always want more because I'm addicted to the story and I'm greedy. Can't blame a girl, honestly. But I will say, I felt like everything was concluded nicely. I was left very satisfied with how everything went down and how all of the little strings were tied up.
Now, onto a serious note...
This book was so much more than just another slasher. So many important topics are delicately showcased, bringing awareness to a variety of hardships. The author covers things like grief, drug addiction, and sexual assault in a way that was not only tasteful, but also sensitive to individuals who have been affected by these unfortunate circumstances.
On top of tackling these particular topics, Tourette Syndrome plays a prominent role in this story. I unexpectedly learned a lot about the condition through this horror book which was a nice little bonus but wasn't totally surprising. The author's son suffers from Tourette Syndrome and it is very obvious the amount of attention and care that was put into Maddie's character to accurately portray the condition.
Because, yes, representation does indeed matter. And I can't think of a single book that has tackled this particular topic and given others with Tourette Syndrome a character they can relate to.
I am not the person to educate others on Tourettes but thanks to this book, I now know that it is much more than just that one condition that makes people yell out curse words.
For more information on Tourette Syndrome, visit www.tourette.org
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Final Final Girl by James Kaine Book Review
Straight to the action. A murder has happened by a Clown. A Final girl is born. A survivor but for how long?
This book highlights what it means to be a survivor, to have suffered a great deal, but like the book suggests there is no such thing as a final girl as people often endure extreme events that make them survivors and reality is that it will keep happening.
A mysterious woman. What story does she hold?
Someone is murdering Final Girls! But who? “Not so Final now…”
This book highlights Tourettes. A perfect portrayal that is informative and really heroes the character. The Father daughter relationship of them navigating the syndrome together is heartwarming.
Drug addiction is highlighted in this book. An important topic to tackle and it's impact on life and relationships.
Sexual assault is talked about. Will justice be served? So many important topics are tackled within this book. Credit to James for making that happen within these pages.
A Twist no one saw coming.
Who is the man who is ill? How does he connect to it all?
It's Heartbreaking in scenes. The emotions really land. Death and Grief. It's written so well. I felt every emotion.
“She would eventually learn she had bigger problems than navigating fraught social dynamics” The foreshadowing here is so intense, especially when the reader knows someone is after her. The Irony.
Really gruesome, and gory. It did not disappoint. James ways writes horrors that have you gruelling, in the best way.
This book highlights how men can only see women for their looks but we are so much more than that.
It's so intense.
The Irony of knowing the killers. I wanted to scream out to the characters to save them. These killers are next level.
This book is written in different tenses with different final girl stories. I loved how each story built up. So many were killed. The question remains who will be the Final Final girl?
It's sick and twisted and brilliant.
An action packed ending that will have your heart in your throat, It’s gory, heartbreaking and everything you would expect from James wrapped up into a pile of bodies. Who will survive?
This book will keep you up too late as the pages keep turning.
The ending chapter gave me shivers.
Straight to the action. A murder has happened by a Clown. A Final girl is born. A survivor but for how long?
This book highlights what it means to be a survivor, to have suffered a great deal, but like the book suggests there is no such thing as a final girl as people often endure extreme events that make them survivors and reality is that it will keep happening.
A mysterious woman. What story does she hold?
Someone is murdering Final Girls! But who? “Not so Final now…”
This book highlights Tourettes. A perfect portrayal that is informative and really heroes the character. The Father daughter relationship of them navigating the syndrome together is heartwarming.
Drug addiction is highlighted in this book. An important topic to tackle and it's impact on life and relationships.
Sexual assault is talked about. Will justice be served? So many important topics are tackled within this book. Credit to James for making that happen within these pages.
A Twist no one saw coming.
Who is the man who is ill? How does he connect to it all?
It's Heartbreaking in scenes. The emotions really land. Death and Grief. It's written so well. I felt every emotion.
“She would eventually learn she had bigger problems than navigating fraught social dynamics” The foreshadowing here is so intense, especially when the reader knows someone is after her. The Irony.
Really gruesome, and gory. It did not disappoint. James ways writes horrors that have you gruelling, in the best way.
This book highlights how men can only see women for their looks but we are so much more than that.
It's so intense.
The Irony of knowing the killers. I wanted to scream out to the characters to save them. These killers are next level.
This book is written in different tenses with different final girl stories. I loved how each story built up. So many were killed. The question remains who will be the Final Final girl?
It's sick and twisted and brilliant.
An action packed ending that will have your heart in your throat, It’s gory, heartbreaking and everything you would expect from James wrapped up into a pile of bodies. Who will survive?
This book will keep you up too late as the pages keep turning.
The ending chapter gave me shivers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Title: The Final Final Girl
Author: James Kaine
Release Date:9/15/26
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Any story James writes is gold. Four final girls became famous after surviving brutal attacks by serial killers. Now they are being targeted by someone who wants them dead. Maddie, a podcast host, is plagued by Tourette syndrome and nightmares. Heather, the first person to earn the title of “Final Girl” after surviving an attack from a family of cannibals, is MAD. Other Final Girls have emerged without “earning” the title, and Heather doesn’t want to share the fame. Nova, a girl from the inner city, is assaulted. With the legal system failing her, she doesn’t feel like she’s noticed. And if she cannot get others to notice her, she’ll make them notice her. Three different women, now on a collision course with each other and a killer with what could be catastrophic results.
“The Final Final Girl” is such a great book that it’s hard to know where to begin praising it. To begin, James is taking a very familiar slasher horror trope, the “final girl” concept, and breathing originality and creativity into the story. Final girl novels are a dime a dozen in the horror community. This one raises the bar considerably. The story is creative, brutal, and suspenseful and the characters are developed perfectly. Each character, whether “good” or “bad”, develops a quick emotional connection with the reader. As well, I do appreciate how James incorporates some of his personal life into one of the characters (Maddie). The characters are so vivid, it feels like they are standing there in front of you rather than just a name on paper. Character development is very important and plays a significant role in how memorable a story is to me. James made the story unforgettable and continued the streak of killer, kick ass books that I’ve recently read (for the other recent authors, you know who you are, and thank you so much for everything you do)!
Checking out this book is not a recommendation, it’s an absolute must. Thank you James for the ARC opportunity!
Author: James Kaine
Release Date:9/15/26
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Any story James writes is gold. Four final girls became famous after surviving brutal attacks by serial killers. Now they are being targeted by someone who wants them dead. Maddie, a podcast host, is plagued by Tourette syndrome and nightmares. Heather, the first person to earn the title of “Final Girl” after surviving an attack from a family of cannibals, is MAD. Other Final Girls have emerged without “earning” the title, and Heather doesn’t want to share the fame. Nova, a girl from the inner city, is assaulted. With the legal system failing her, she doesn’t feel like she’s noticed. And if she cannot get others to notice her, she’ll make them notice her. Three different women, now on a collision course with each other and a killer with what could be catastrophic results.
“The Final Final Girl” is such a great book that it’s hard to know where to begin praising it. To begin, James is taking a very familiar slasher horror trope, the “final girl” concept, and breathing originality and creativity into the story. Final girl novels are a dime a dozen in the horror community. This one raises the bar considerably. The story is creative, brutal, and suspenseful and the characters are developed perfectly. Each character, whether “good” or “bad”, develops a quick emotional connection with the reader. As well, I do appreciate how James incorporates some of his personal life into one of the characters (Maddie). The characters are so vivid, it feels like they are standing there in front of you rather than just a name on paper. Character development is very important and plays a significant role in how memorable a story is to me. James made the story unforgettable and continued the streak of killer, kick ass books that I’ve recently read (for the other recent authors, you know who you are, and thank you so much for everything you do)!
Checking out this book is not a recommendation, it’s an absolute must. Thank you James for the ARC opportunity!
Review of advance copy received from Author
**ARC Review**
Author: James Kaine
Book: The Final Final Girl
Book Rating: 5 Stars
Genre: Horror
“Every face represented a loss to the world—children that would never be born, careers that would never be realized, a world that they would never get the chance to change.”
The Final Final Girl by James Kaine is, in my opinion, the perfect slasher story. It is an open love letter to the genre and delivers on every promise. It opens in a bloody fashion and is practically non-stop throughout the entire book.
The final girl is the character in a slasher horror movie who survives until the very end. You have Laurie Strode from Halloween, Sidney Prescott from Scream, Nancy Thompson from A Nightmare on Elm Street, and so many others. What happens after the final girl survives the killer? How do they go on with their lives? What happens when someone starts killing off the final girls? Madeline Shephard, a college girl who suffers from Tourette’s syndrome, survived the killer known as Nobody. She is left haunted by what happened and is just trying to move on with her life. When she goes back to her former college to close some doors on her past, her past comes back to haunt her.
There are so many cultural references to other slasher movies in this story, but it never feels like it is trying to be them; this story stands on its own. In a way, Madeline might be my all-time favorite final girl now. The story was unique. In a genre that constantly falls back on old and clichéd tropes, this one goes above and beyond. It shows the utmost respect for the genre and delivers a powerful plot that kept me guessing about what would happen next.
James Kaine is a powerhouse of an author who keeps writing hit after hit. He shows the genre with the greatest respect and knows how to scare his audience. He is a master at playing with your emotions and ripping the rug out from under you, and The Final Final Girl is no exception. Make sure you preorder this book and pick it up on September 15th.
Author: James Kaine
Book: The Final Final Girl
Book Rating: 5 Stars
Genre: Horror
“Every face represented a loss to the world—children that would never be born, careers that would never be realized, a world that they would never get the chance to change.”
The Final Final Girl by James Kaine is, in my opinion, the perfect slasher story. It is an open love letter to the genre and delivers on every promise. It opens in a bloody fashion and is practically non-stop throughout the entire book.
The final girl is the character in a slasher horror movie who survives until the very end. You have Laurie Strode from Halloween, Sidney Prescott from Scream, Nancy Thompson from A Nightmare on Elm Street, and so many others. What happens after the final girl survives the killer? How do they go on with their lives? What happens when someone starts killing off the final girls? Madeline Shephard, a college girl who suffers from Tourette’s syndrome, survived the killer known as Nobody. She is left haunted by what happened and is just trying to move on with her life. When she goes back to her former college to close some doors on her past, her past comes back to haunt her.
There are so many cultural references to other slasher movies in this story, but it never feels like it is trying to be them; this story stands on its own. In a way, Madeline might be my all-time favorite final girl now. The story was unique. In a genre that constantly falls back on old and clichéd tropes, this one goes above and beyond. It shows the utmost respect for the genre and delivers a powerful plot that kept me guessing about what would happen next.
James Kaine is a powerhouse of an author who keeps writing hit after hit. He shows the genre with the greatest respect and knows how to scare his audience. He is a master at playing with your emotions and ripping the rug out from under you, and The Final Final Girl is no exception. Make sure you preorder this book and pick it up on September 15th.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 stars
If you enjoy classic horror slashers, you need to read this book ASAP! Three final girls are dealing with the aftermath of their horrifying experiences. Now someone is killing final girls, and they must fight for their lives yet again.
These chicks are NUT. BARS! Heather is my favorite and the dark humor had me laughing. The over-the-top unhinged insanity was deliciously deranged; there's no way to predict the craziness. The vibes are flawless with an ode to Michael Myers of 'Halloween', featuring a "masked" villain of superhuman strength who just. keeps. coming! There's another significant reason for the comparison, but you'll have to find that out for yourself.
There is zero camp, only brutal kills—I actually lost count. There is never a dull moment—twists and turns abound. And that ending? Perfection. I need a sequel immediately for the ensuing mayhem of the maniacal conclusion!
As for the narrators? Moniqua Plante KILLS—pun intended—her performance as so many unique and disturbed final girls! The emotions, the personalities, and the Tourette syndrome vocal tics were done immaculately. James Kaine's skillful writing realistically depicts the neurological condition—beyond the stereotypical understanding of someone blurting out profanities—though there is excessive language. Christian Leatherman gives an equally powerhouse performance as multiple characters, one of whom gave me the creeps. Both narrators shine in the true-crime podcast scenes. I recommend the cinematic audiobook—you'll think you're watching a movie in your head!
My verdict: this is the best slasher I've read to date. THE FINAL, FINAL GIRL is a must-read for fans of high-intensity, fast-paced horror that includes disability representation, vigilante justice, and feminine rage!
____
Thank you to Simon Maverick for the free copy. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.
If you enjoy classic horror slashers, you need to read this book ASAP! Three final girls are dealing with the aftermath of their horrifying experiences. Now someone is killing final girls, and they must fight for their lives yet again.
These chicks are NUT. BARS! Heather is my favorite and the dark humor had me laughing. The over-the-top unhinged insanity was deliciously deranged; there's no way to predict the craziness. The vibes are flawless with an ode to Michael Myers of 'Halloween', featuring a "masked" villain of superhuman strength who just. keeps. coming! There's another significant reason for the comparison, but you'll have to find that out for yourself.
There is zero camp, only brutal kills—I actually lost count. There is never a dull moment—twists and turns abound. And that ending? Perfection. I need a sequel immediately for the ensuing mayhem of the maniacal conclusion!
As for the narrators? Moniqua Plante KILLS—pun intended—her performance as so many unique and disturbed final girls! The emotions, the personalities, and the Tourette syndrome vocal tics were done immaculately. James Kaine's skillful writing realistically depicts the neurological condition—beyond the stereotypical understanding of someone blurting out profanities—though there is excessive language. Christian Leatherman gives an equally powerhouse performance as multiple characters, one of whom gave me the creeps. Both narrators shine in the true-crime podcast scenes. I recommend the cinematic audiobook—you'll think you're watching a movie in your head!
My verdict: this is the best slasher I've read to date. THE FINAL, FINAL GIRL is a must-read for fans of high-intensity, fast-paced horror that includes disability representation, vigilante justice, and feminine rage!
____
Thank you to Simon Maverick for the free copy. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5 ⭐️ 𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 𝗣𝗘𝗘𝗞
Someone is hunting women famously known as Final Girls after surviving brutal attacks by maniacal killers. At the heart of it, true-crime podcaster Maddie Shephard finds herself caught in a deadly fight for survival.
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
Moniqua Plante is one impressive narrator. She reads all the Final Girls and gave each of them a distinct voice.
I’m a big fan of podcasts being incorporated into audiobooks. This time the banter felt a little awkward - possibly because of the pauses between lines which you don’t get in a real podcast - it just felt a bit stilted.
Maddie has Tourette’s, which manifests as intermittent throat clearing during the podcast. It didn’t bother me, but it may affect some listeners.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
The vibe is dark, unapologetic, 80s slasher. There’s a lot of cursing and a ton of murders. I’m new to the slasher genre, but I didn’t find it unpalatable. Yes, people’s faces being cut off is yucky, but somehow the violence felt contained within this very stylized, 80s-slasher world.
I loved the multiple POVs, and it’s not just Final Girls. There’s a bunch of people, some killed off and some making it to the final. I loved that we didn’t really know who was going to make it.
The pace is fast and there’s a lot of action, but there’s heart and layers, and we get to know many of the characters, so when they do die (or not), we care.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This was my first real dive into the genre, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It’s dark, bloody and unapologetically slasher, but I really enjoyed getting to know the Final Girls and seeing how their past experiences shaped who they became.
Thank you Simon Maverick and Libro.fm for this gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Christian Leatherman and Monica Plante
📖 Release 09•15•26 | 356 pages | 8h 43m
Someone is hunting women famously known as Final Girls after surviving brutal attacks by maniacal killers. At the heart of it, true-crime podcaster Maddie Shephard finds herself caught in a deadly fight for survival.
𝗔𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗢 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
Moniqua Plante is one impressive narrator. She reads all the Final Girls and gave each of them a distinct voice.
I’m a big fan of podcasts being incorporated into audiobooks. This time the banter felt a little awkward - possibly because of the pauses between lines which you don’t get in a real podcast - it just felt a bit stilted.
Maddie has Tourette’s, which manifests as intermittent throat clearing during the podcast. It didn’t bother me, but it may affect some listeners.
𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗬 𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘
The vibe is dark, unapologetic, 80s slasher. There’s a lot of cursing and a ton of murders. I’m new to the slasher genre, but I didn’t find it unpalatable. Yes, people’s faces being cut off is yucky, but somehow the violence felt contained within this very stylized, 80s-slasher world.
I loved the multiple POVs, and it’s not just Final Girls. There’s a bunch of people, some killed off and some making it to the final. I loved that we didn’t really know who was going to make it.
The pace is fast and there’s a lot of action, but there’s heart and layers, and we get to know many of the characters, so when they do die (or not), we care.
𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗?
This was my first real dive into the genre, and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. It’s dark, bloody and unapologetically slasher, but I really enjoyed getting to know the Final Girls and seeing how their past experiences shaped who they became.
Thank you Simon Maverick and Libro.fm for this gifted ARC.
🎧 Narrated by Christian Leatherman and Monica Plante
📖 Release 09•15•26 | 356 pages | 8h 43m
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another page-turner from James Kaine! This time he gives us his extraordinary take on the "final girl" horror trope - the movie-inspired concept of the girl who not only survives in a slasher movie, but also manages to kill the serial killer (or so we are led to believe!). Kaine's book is as good as anything recently written on the same idea, either by Hendrix or Graham Jones; and (dare I say it?), at times I thought it might be even better! The pacing is relentless, the twists original, the storytelling genius, but it's the characters that really make a difference: I binged their stories in a couple of sittings, eager to see how the world would treat slasher survivors if they were real - and how they themselves would respond to this nasty encounter with evil!
The premise is compelling: someone is killing final girls, and the action starts immediately! Through several smartly placed flashbacks (and the transcripts of a true crime podcast), the whole picture arises bit by bit. The cast is large, and the four major players are introduced right as the story is developping (a young woman who faced down a demented clown, another who got hurt by her own brother, a third hunted by that same brother later on, and an older woman who survived an attack by cannibals, and now left forgotten by the public). By the time we have a good grasp of the issues tormenting each one, the story has reached full speed, and remains in high gear right to the explosive, bloody, and gory ending! And even then, the twists keep coming!
It's impossible not to love such a superbly plotted and emotionally intense book. Although it doesn't end on a cliffhanger, it's easy to see how it might lead to a sequel. A great, intelligent, gruesome read!
The premise is compelling: someone is killing final girls, and the action starts immediately! Through several smartly placed flashbacks (and the transcripts of a true crime podcast), the whole picture arises bit by bit. The cast is large, and the four major players are introduced right as the story is developping (a young woman who faced down a demented clown, another who got hurt by her own brother, a third hunted by that same brother later on, and an older woman who survived an attack by cannibals, and now left forgotten by the public). By the time we have a good grasp of the issues tormenting each one, the story has reached full speed, and remains in high gear right to the explosive, bloody, and gory ending! And even then, the twists keep coming!
It's impossible not to love such a superbly plotted and emotionally intense book. Although it doesn't end on a cliffhanger, it's easy to see how it might lead to a sequel. A great, intelligent, gruesome read!
September 19, 2026
James Kaine Doesn’t Mess Around with Final Girls!
The Final Final Girl is exactly the kind of slasher that feels like it was written by someone who genuinely loves the genre. James Kaine takes the a standard Final Girl trope, multiplies it rapidly in succession and then built a brutal story out of it. It’s vivid, fresh, and exactly what you should be reading if you love Final Girls as much as I do. Maddie, a true crime podcaster still haunted by her own survival story, finds herself caught in a deadly game alongside other women whose lives have been defined by the horrors they escaped. The idea of multiple final girls colliding with one another while a killer with unfinished business stalks them is such a fun setup, and Kaine squeezes every ounce of tension, chaos, and bloodshed out of it.
There are a lot of things that make this book unique. This book is obsessed with what happens after survival. These women aren't just slasher stereotypes, they're messy, traumatized, angry, complicated survivors trying to navigate lives that will forever be defined by one horrific event. It’s got this really well thought out angle of psychology that true crime fanatics will love. But don’t worry, Kaine throws these survivors right back into the fire. The kills are savage, the pacing is wicked fast. With chapters that feel short and perspectives usually changing per chapter, this book flew by. And even the twists kept catching me off guard. Every time I thought I knew where the story was headed, it veered somewhere even wilder. Equal parts love letter to classic slashers and fresh take on the final girl mythology, The Final Final Girl is the kind of book that horror fans are going to devour in a single sitting.
The Final Final Girl is exactly the kind of slasher that feels like it was written by someone who genuinely loves the genre. James Kaine takes the a standard Final Girl trope, multiplies it rapidly in succession and then built a brutal story out of it. It’s vivid, fresh, and exactly what you should be reading if you love Final Girls as much as I do. Maddie, a true crime podcaster still haunted by her own survival story, finds herself caught in a deadly game alongside other women whose lives have been defined by the horrors they escaped. The idea of multiple final girls colliding with one another while a killer with unfinished business stalks them is such a fun setup, and Kaine squeezes every ounce of tension, chaos, and bloodshed out of it.
There are a lot of things that make this book unique. This book is obsessed with what happens after survival. These women aren't just slasher stereotypes, they're messy, traumatized, angry, complicated survivors trying to navigate lives that will forever be defined by one horrific event. It’s got this really well thought out angle of psychology that true crime fanatics will love. But don’t worry, Kaine throws these survivors right back into the fire. The kills are savage, the pacing is wicked fast. With chapters that feel short and perspectives usually changing per chapter, this book flew by. And even the twists kept catching me off guard. Every time I thought I knew where the story was headed, it veered somewhere even wilder. Equal parts love letter to classic slashers and fresh take on the final girl mythology, The Final Final Girl is the kind of book that horror fans are going to devour in a single sitting.
September 19, 2026
It's been a while since I've read a great slasher, but The Final Final Girl by James Kaine scratched that itch. I had been waiting for this one for a while since it was revealed. Boy was it ever worth the wait. All I can say is sometimes being the Final Girl isn't worth it at all. The story is told in the point of view of three different women from different backgrounds and have differing personalities. I was very impressed on how James pulled that off as many different characters in one story can be tough to pull off. Yet, these girls are bonded by one similar thing and that was surviving a serial killer.
However, once you get to the middle you start to see how far one will go just so they can be the 'Final Girl'. Boy does this story take quite the turn and the ending is not what I expected. Best of all, once you get through the slow burn in the beginning, the story doesn't let up and you'll be turning the pages waiting to see who actually survives. James, I hate you because you pulled the rug from under me upon reaching the end, but I mean that is a good way, hehe.
This is more than just another slasher, it focuses on trauma, discrimination, a broken justice system, and I appreciated James including a character who has Tourette's. It was a learning experience for me to see what Tourette's Syndrome really was instead of what it was portrayed in popular media. Overall, this was a fun book and I can't wait for the sequel!
However, once you get to the middle you start to see how far one will go just so they can be the 'Final Girl'. Boy does this story take quite the turn and the ending is not what I expected. Best of all, once you get through the slow burn in the beginning, the story doesn't let up and you'll be turning the pages waiting to see who actually survives. James, I hate you because you pulled the rug from under me upon reaching the end, but I mean that is a good way, hehe.
This is more than just another slasher, it focuses on trauma, discrimination, a broken justice system, and I appreciated James including a character who has Tourette's. It was a learning experience for me to see what Tourette's Syndrome really was instead of what it was portrayed in popular media. Overall, this was a fun book and I can't wait for the sequel!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I always eagerly devour James Kaine’s books so when I heard he had one coming out about slashers and final girls (my fav trope!) and it was compared to Heathers (my fav movie) I leapt at the opportunity to read it early.
And it’s just as intense and bloody as I hoped it would be.
Final girls are a movie concept where one lone surviving girl beats the psycho who put her in that situation. Except final girls exist in the real world too like Melissa, Heather, Rose, and Maddie. They’ve all suffered horrible things. But when one of their own is murdered, they come to the horrific realization that there’s a new enemy at fault, and they’re hunting final girls.
There were so many things I loved about this book that I don’t know where to begin.
The inclusivity was fantastic. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that had Tourette’s syndrome so well represented. It really made Maddie feel like a real person to me. But honestly all the characters were written in ways that brought them to life. Even the ones I hated. Understanding their choices made the book so much more tense because I genuinely couldn’t tell if the bad guys would win this time or not.
And that ending? Chills!
If you’re a fan of slashers and want to see a new twist on the trope, don’t miss this one!
And it’s just as intense and bloody as I hoped it would be.
Final girls are a movie concept where one lone surviving girl beats the psycho who put her in that situation. Except final girls exist in the real world too like Melissa, Heather, Rose, and Maddie. They’ve all suffered horrible things. But when one of their own is murdered, they come to the horrific realization that there’s a new enemy at fault, and they’re hunting final girls.
There were so many things I loved about this book that I don’t know where to begin.
The inclusivity was fantastic. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that had Tourette’s syndrome so well represented. It really made Maddie feel like a real person to me. But honestly all the characters were written in ways that brought them to life. Even the ones I hated. Understanding their choices made the book so much more tense because I genuinely couldn’t tell if the bad guys would win this time or not.
And that ending? Chills!
If you’re a fan of slashers and want to see a new twist on the trope, don’t miss this one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author and the publisher or publishers for all your hard work! I'm leaving this review voluntarily and happily! Take a look!
I do not like how long it took me to finish this book. I think at the time when I started it I had so many books I had to catch up i was burnt out and I just couldn't get into anything during that time. It was such a struggle. I had to take a break. Im so glad that i did because wow this book was amazing. There are some twists in this book you will not see coming and its definitely dark, twisted, atmospheric and will have you biting your nails till the very end. I absolutely love each of the characters and their stories. They are all unique and different and definitely interesting. Some chapters might be long but its definitely worth it.
This isent just about one girl there are multiple girls involved and you get to learn each of their stories as the book goes on. There is death, blood and slight gore. If your looking for something darkly brutal this isent the book for you.
Im so glad that i took that break and came back. It made it to where I was able to enjoy this book in full and what can I say, I will always be a big fan of this authors work. Hes never let me down.
I do not like how long it took me to finish this book. I think at the time when I started it I had so many books I had to catch up i was burnt out and I just couldn't get into anything during that time. It was such a struggle. I had to take a break. Im so glad that i did because wow this book was amazing. There are some twists in this book you will not see coming and its definitely dark, twisted, atmospheric and will have you biting your nails till the very end. I absolutely love each of the characters and their stories. They are all unique and different and definitely interesting. Some chapters might be long but its definitely worth it.
This isent just about one girl there are multiple girls involved and you get to learn each of their stories as the book goes on. There is death, blood and slight gore. If your looking for something darkly brutal this isent the book for you.
Im so glad that i took that break and came back. It made it to where I was able to enjoy this book in full and what can I say, I will always be a big fan of this authors work. Hes never let me down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
James Kaine is one of my automatic go‑to authors—if he publishes a book, I’m grabbing it. In The Final Final Girl, he dives into one of my all‑time favorite horror tropes: the final girl. But instead of retreading the usual ground, he explores what happens after these girls survive. What does life look like once the dust settles? How do they carry their trauma? Are there others out there just like them?
The story follows five survivors—Melissa, Heather, Rose, Maddie, and Nova—as someone starts hunting them down one by one. The pacing is fast, the kills are gory, and the twists genuinely surprised me. It was one of those books I kept telling myself I’d put down “after one more chapter,” and then suddenly I was done. I can’t recommend it enough.
One character, Maddie, has Tourette’s syndrome, and Kaine handles her portrayal with honesty and care. He pushes back against common misconceptions—like the idea that people with Tourette’s randomly shout curse words, which is actually quite rare. As someone who lives with a person who has Tourette’s, I really appreciated how accurate and compassionate his depiction was. It felt real and respectfully done.
Please go buy this book now! You won’t regret it.
The story follows five survivors—Melissa, Heather, Rose, Maddie, and Nova—as someone starts hunting them down one by one. The pacing is fast, the kills are gory, and the twists genuinely surprised me. It was one of those books I kept telling myself I’d put down “after one more chapter,” and then suddenly I was done. I can’t recommend it enough.
One character, Maddie, has Tourette’s syndrome, and Kaine handles her portrayal with honesty and care. He pushes back against common misconceptions—like the idea that people with Tourette’s randomly shout curse words, which is actually quite rare. As someone who lives with a person who has Tourette’s, I really appreciated how accurate and compassionate his depiction was. It felt real and respectfully done.
Please go buy this book now! You won’t regret it.
September 24, 2026
This club these ladies belong to is not one that I want to join. Each woman had experienced a terrible trauma, barely escaped with their life and may or may not have got justice. When one of the women loses her sanity due to the trauma she endured; no one is prepared for what will happen next. I, as the reader, could not have been prepared for this tense, outright insane of a story. Bad enough these women were trying to survive the aftermath of being a ‘final girl’; they were also being hunted down. This was one wild ride of a story! I found my eyes glued to the pages as I read each horrifying situation after another. Just when I thought things were looking up for Maddie; something else would occur making me wonder how much more she could handle. There were a multitude of nightmare situations occurring yet the author wrote the story in such a way that I was never confused or lost track of the players. As a matter of fact, I was so engulfed within the story that I got nothing done until I finished the last page. The twists and turns in this book were enough for me to need a chiropractor….lol. If you get a chance to read this phenomenal book; go do it! Just be prepared for a story not told before now.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Everyone loves a final girl! But have you ever stopped to think about what it actually feels like to be a final girl? Or what it means to be associated with other women who have survived the same kind of nightmare? And, perhaps most importantly, what exactly makes someone a final girl?
This story dives headfirst into those questions, and the answers may surprise you! What starts as a slasher-type nightmare quickly becomes something much more twisted, as nothing is quite what it seems and absolutely nobody can be trusted.
This was a fast-paced thrill ride filled with suspense, uncertainty, and that constant feeling that something is lurking just around the corner. I loved the way the story played with the idea of the final girl and made me look at the trope in a completely different way.
And that ending?! Pure perfection! It tied everything together in a way I absolutely loved. If you’re a fan of slashers, final girls, and stories that keep you guessing until the very end, this one is definitely worth picking up!
This story dives headfirst into those questions, and the answers may surprise you! What starts as a slasher-type nightmare quickly becomes something much more twisted, as nothing is quite what it seems and absolutely nobody can be trusted.
This was a fast-paced thrill ride filled with suspense, uncertainty, and that constant feeling that something is lurking just around the corner. I loved the way the story played with the idea of the final girl and made me look at the trope in a completely different way.
And that ending?! Pure perfection! It tied everything together in a way I absolutely loved. If you’re a fan of slashers, final girls, and stories that keep you guessing until the very end, this one is definitely worth picking up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
James Kaine is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me, so the second I heard he was writing a slasher, I already knew I was going to love it.
Four women. Four Final Girls. Four lives permanently destroyed by the horrors they survived. But someone is hunting them down because surviving isn’t enough anymore. Somebody wants the ultimate title: the Final Final Girl.
What I loved most about this was seeing the aftermath. Slashers usually end once the killer is dead, but this shows what happens after the credits roll. The trauma. The obsession. The fame. The damage. Some cling to the title, some hide from it, and some become something far darker.
Fast-paced, brutal, and impossible to put down. The twists kept coming, the kills did not hold back, and trust me - do NOT get attached to anyone. I finished this desperately hoping there was another chapter waiting for me because I needed more. And now I need a sequel because I need to know what happened with Nova and Nobody immediately.
Four women. Four Final Girls. Four lives permanently destroyed by the horrors they survived. But someone is hunting them down because surviving isn’t enough anymore. Somebody wants the ultimate title: the Final Final Girl.
What I loved most about this was seeing the aftermath. Slashers usually end once the killer is dead, but this shows what happens after the credits roll. The trauma. The obsession. The fame. The damage. Some cling to the title, some hide from it, and some become something far darker.
Fast-paced, brutal, and impossible to put down. The twists kept coming, the kills did not hold back, and trust me - do NOT get attached to anyone. I finished this desperately hoping there was another chapter waiting for me because I needed more. And now I need a sequel because I need to know what happened with Nova and Nobody immediately.
May 24, 2026
Once again, I had the pleasure of being a part of James’ ARC Team…and again, another incredible story by James Kaine.
This story hits close to home for James. Maddie, our main character suffers from Tourette’s Syndrome. James’ son also has Tourette’s, so it is portrayed accurately in this book and was incredibly well written.
Maddie is a final girl, she survived here encounter with Ray Curtis, a serial killer that goes by the name of “nobody.” After a year and a half…Maddie is doing her best. She is in therapy and learning to deal with her trauma. Maddie decides to confront her past, not only does that mean dealing with her ex boyfriend, Owen..but going back to where her trauma began.
There is only one problem, someone is hunting down final girls. After a final girl named Melissa is brutally murdered during a book signing event, all final girls are put on notice. Will Maddie be the “final final girl” and continue to be a survivor…or will Maddie become a just another headline?
This story hits close to home for James. Maddie, our main character suffers from Tourette’s Syndrome. James’ son also has Tourette’s, so it is portrayed accurately in this book and was incredibly well written.
Maddie is a final girl, she survived here encounter with Ray Curtis, a serial killer that goes by the name of “nobody.” After a year and a half…Maddie is doing her best. She is in therapy and learning to deal with her trauma. Maddie decides to confront her past, not only does that mean dealing with her ex boyfriend, Owen..but going back to where her trauma began.
There is only one problem, someone is hunting down final girls. After a final girl named Melissa is brutally murdered during a book signing event, all final girls are put on notice. Will Maddie be the “final final girl” and continue to be a survivor…or will Maddie become a just another headline?
Review of advance copy received from Author
I cannot get tired of James Kaine's stories. Each and every single one of them is original, full of dread and tension and able to make you feel all the feels.
The Final Final Girl doesn't, in any way, lower the high bar of quality horror that James Kaine has gotten us addicted to.
I loved every moment and I enjoyed seeing how horrifying experiences can shape people in different way, making them either victims, fighters for survival, or psychotic killers.
A state of the art horror slasher story that will bring out all the deepest fears and feelings, with just a bit of humour to spice things up. Now, for real: "Sweaty pork tits!", will live rent free forever in my brain.
As a bonus, loved finding out more about the Tourette syndrom and how the affected people have to deal with the stigma of a silly media image made to disguise the reality of the situation.
The Final Final Girl doesn't, in any way, lower the high bar of quality horror that James Kaine has gotten us addicted to.
I loved every moment and I enjoyed seeing how horrifying experiences can shape people in different way, making them either victims, fighters for survival, or psychotic killers.
A state of the art horror slasher story that will bring out all the deepest fears and feelings, with just a bit of humour to spice things up. Now, for real: "Sweaty pork tits!", will live rent free forever in my brain.
As a bonus, loved finding out more about the Tourette syndrom and how the affected people have to deal with the stigma of a silly media image made to disguise the reality of the situation.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Final Final Girl by James Kaine
Narrated by: Christian Leatherman & Moniqua Plante
Out: 9-15-26 with Simon Maverick
The podcast vibes were SO well done, and I’m actually glad they went duet instead of full cast!! Moniqua Plante had a whole lineup of women to portray and absolutely crushed it. Heather’s first podcast with that completely unhinged voice was fricken HILARIOUS. But Maddie’s tics, anxiety and the way she processes everything really showed off Moniqua’s range, especially during that INTENSE final hour. Christian was great as Owen, particularly during the emotional conversations about Maddie’s attack, but his detective voice was the standout, deep and gravelly WITHOUT going Batman, woohooo!! As the investigation escalated, so did his performance, and his scenes were SUPER suspenseful.
LOVE A SLASHER AND A FINAL GIRL, so naturally I was hype! From the opening chapter, you’re basically dumped straight into the slashing and things POP OFF. We get POVs from multiple final girls, a detective, and from…no one #iykyk. Add in a serial killer podcast, someone literally slashing FINAL GIRLS, and the Buffalo Bills mention courtesy of “generational trauma” LOL
This is definitely one where you need to let a slasher be a slasher. If you’re too busy questioning whether every insane thing could realistically happen, you might not enjoy this, but if you can sit back and enjoy a wild plot youll LOVE it!
Narrated by: Christian Leatherman & Moniqua Plante
Out: 9-15-26 with Simon Maverick
The podcast vibes were SO well done, and I’m actually glad they went duet instead of full cast!! Moniqua Plante had a whole lineup of women to portray and absolutely crushed it. Heather’s first podcast with that completely unhinged voice was fricken HILARIOUS. But Maddie’s tics, anxiety and the way she processes everything really showed off Moniqua’s range, especially during that INTENSE final hour. Christian was great as Owen, particularly during the emotional conversations about Maddie’s attack, but his detective voice was the standout, deep and gravelly WITHOUT going Batman, woohooo!! As the investigation escalated, so did his performance, and his scenes were SUPER suspenseful.
LOVE A SLASHER AND A FINAL GIRL, so naturally I was hype! From the opening chapter, you’re basically dumped straight into the slashing and things POP OFF. We get POVs from multiple final girls, a detective, and from…no one #iykyk. Add in a serial killer podcast, someone literally slashing FINAL GIRLS, and the Buffalo Bills mention courtesy of “generational trauma” LOL
This is definitely one where you need to let a slasher be a slasher. If you’re too busy questioning whether every insane thing could realistically happen, you might not enjoy this, but if you can sit back and enjoy a wild plot youll LOVE it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
“Mourning is for survivors.”
I just finished The Final Final Girl by James Kaine.
This slasher follows multiple final girls as they fight to survive and figure out who is hunting them. You’ll walk along side them through their trauma, fear and ultimately, their true final girl moments.
James managed to do something truly special with this novel. Somehow, he managed to stay true to the sub genre, paying homage to the classic slashers that came before while simultaneously breathing fresh life into it. To fans of the genre, this will feel familiar and completely new.
Also the ending?
That’s how you end a book.
I recommend preordering this one today and bumping it to the top of your reading list when it releases on 9/15/26
I just finished The Final Final Girl by James Kaine.
This slasher follows multiple final girls as they fight to survive and figure out who is hunting them. You’ll walk along side them through their trauma, fear and ultimately, their true final girl moments.
James managed to do something truly special with this novel. Somehow, he managed to stay true to the sub genre, paying homage to the classic slashers that came before while simultaneously breathing fresh life into it. To fans of the genre, this will feel familiar and completely new.
Also the ending?
That’s how you end a book.
I recommend preordering this one today and bumping it to the top of your reading list when it releases on 9/15/26
September 16, 2026
The Final Final Girl by James Kaine
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is an intense slasher- horror story!!
The title of final girl isn’t always a positive title. Heather has earned her final girl status, but she’s not the only one with this title. Three other girls are final girls too, but Heather wants to be the only one with the title.
This story is deeper than most typical slasher stories. There’s a lot of entertainment throughout, and it is a fast paced read. There’s also good character development as we get to know everyone. I enjoyed the multiple POV’s that kept the story extra interesting!
I was lucky to get an arc of this thrilling book!
James Kaine is a must read author for me! I’ve read almost all of his books and they never disappoint!!
**This book is out now and is a must read!!**
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is an intense slasher- horror story!!
The title of final girl isn’t always a positive title. Heather has earned her final girl status, but she’s not the only one with this title. Three other girls are final girls too, but Heather wants to be the only one with the title.
This story is deeper than most typical slasher stories. There’s a lot of entertainment throughout, and it is a fast paced read. There’s also good character development as we get to know everyone. I enjoyed the multiple POV’s that kept the story extra interesting!
I was lucky to get an arc of this thrilling book!
James Kaine is a must read author for me! I’ve read almost all of his books and they never disappoint!!
**This book is out now and is a must read!!**
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really liked this one. It's the perfect mix of monster and slasher in my humble option, and the fast pace will keep the pages turning.
I really liked seeing a main character that wasn't typical. Maddie is nothing if not resourceful despite a neurological disorder that's honestly not seen much in any fiction, let alone horror.
Despite the modern technology, this really has that good ole 80's slasher nostalgia feel to it and I was absolutely here for it.
I honestly hope a sequel for this is made. This story isn't finished and I think I'll be upset if I never get to see how it all really turns out.
I really liked seeing a main character that wasn't typical. Maddie is nothing if not resourceful despite a neurological disorder that's honestly not seen much in any fiction, let alone horror.
Despite the modern technology, this really has that good ole 80's slasher nostalgia feel to it and I was absolutely here for it.
I honestly hope a sequel for this is made. This story isn't finished and I think I'll be upset if I never get to see how it all really turns out.
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