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The Prettiest Girl in the Grave
From the author of international horror sensation Gone to See the River Man comes a new tale of terror that will drag you to the darkest corners of the soul.
Some girls are fearful, others are brave. One girl’s a princess, the next one, a slave. But all girls are equal, when they’re down in this cave, until just one is left standing—The Prettiest Girl in the Grave.
It’s only supposed to be a game.
When Bella, Celeste, and Rose meet with new friends at a graveyard in the woods, they soon realize they’re unprepared for what’s planned. At twenty-four, Aubrey is older than the high schoolers, and she knows of a secret game that’s been played by local girls for decades.
It starts with personal questions, but quickly moves on to a test of courage as Aubrey guides them into an underground crypt. But even Aubrey doesn’t know what they’re really getting into. Bella’s mother, Holly, may be the only one who does.
As a teen, Holly and her friends also played the game, and Holly barely survived. When she discovers her daughter has gone to the graveyard, she fears Bella will get lost in the mysterious catacombs just as she had . . . and face the same sinister forces.
As the girls search for a way out, Holly must return to the dreadful crypt she swore she’d never come back to, and finally face her own dark secrets.
“Triana’s masterful, gripping storytelling will not let go.”— Scream Magazine
Some girls are fearful, others are brave. One girl’s a princess, the next one, a slave. But all girls are equal, when they’re down in this cave, until just one is left standing—The Prettiest Girl in the Grave.
It’s only supposed to be a game.
When Bella, Celeste, and Rose meet with new friends at a graveyard in the woods, they soon realize they’re unprepared for what’s planned. At twenty-four, Aubrey is older than the high schoolers, and she knows of a secret game that’s been played by local girls for decades.
It starts with personal questions, but quickly moves on to a test of courage as Aubrey guides them into an underground crypt. But even Aubrey doesn’t know what they’re really getting into. Bella’s mother, Holly, may be the only one who does.
As a teen, Holly and her friends also played the game, and Holly barely survived. When she discovers her daughter has gone to the graveyard, she fears Bella will get lost in the mysterious catacombs just as she had . . . and face the same sinister forces.
As the girls search for a way out, Holly must return to the dreadful crypt she swore she’d never come back to, and finally face her own dark secrets.
“Triana’s masterful, gripping storytelling will not let go.”— Scream Magazine
190 pages, Paperback
First published April 28, 2023
81 people are currently reading
6948 people want to read
About the author
Kristopher Triana
67 books2,116 followersKristopher Triana is the author of Gone to See the River Man, Full Brutal, They All Died Screaming, Shepherd of the Black Sheep, Toxic Love, and more.
His fiction has appeared in countless magazines and anthologies and has been translated into multiple languages, drawing praise from Publisher's Weekly, Cemetery Dance, Rue Morgue, Scream, The Ginger Nuts of Horror and others.
Full Brutal won the Splatterpunk Award for Best Horror Novel of 2019, and Triana won the award again in 2022 for The Night Stockers, which he cowrote with Ryan Harding.
He lives in Connecticut.
His fiction has appeared in countless magazines and anthologies and has been translated into multiple languages, drawing praise from Publisher's Weekly, Cemetery Dance, Rue Morgue, Scream, The Ginger Nuts of Horror and others.
Full Brutal won the Splatterpunk Award for Best Horror Novel of 2019, and Triana won the award again in 2022 for The Night Stockers, which he cowrote with Ryan Harding.
He lives in Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
May 18, 2023
Two teenage girls are desperate to fit in with a local, older, group of goths. Bella has just started experimenting with the style, darkness on the outside with black clothing to match how she feels inwardly. Celeste is your typical emo kid, loves listening to My Chemical Romance and has thick dark makeup around her eyes. Rose is the more sporty, preppy, one who has gotten dragged into meeting up with this new group because she is a friend of Bella’s.
The ringleader of the group, Aubrey, is a 24 year old who knows about a secret game that has been played by local girls for decades. She has arranged for this group meeting in a graveyard. It starts off with her asking the girls some personal questions but quickly descends into them entering an underground crypt where their courage will be tested. The last girl standing will be proclaimed ”The Prettiest Girl In The Grave”.
Even though she acts like she does, Aubrey doesn’t know entirely what they will be getting themselves into… But Bella’s mother, Holly does. She played the same game as a teenager, and she and her friends only barely survived it. Holly finds out her daughter has gone to the graveyard and her worst fears are realised.
Will she be able to save her daughter as she has to re enter the crypt to face the dark forces/secrets hidden within?
What will the girls face down in the crypt?
The Prettiest Girl In The Grave is fast-paced, engaging, and full of gory details! It’s like a modern day version of The Craft, I suppose, but darker! This is more horrific than you’d initially expect.
It’s the perfect length for a story like this, around 230 pages. It reads like you’re watching a horror movie.
The legends and mythos of the town are built up really well, surrounding the women of Greenwalk and what they have to face playing this game.
If you like folklore- type stories with some solid horror moments, this one is definitely for you.
”Some girls are fearful, others are brave. One girl's a princess, the next one, a slave. But all girls are equal, when they're down in this cave, until just one is left standing the prettiest girl in the grave.”
5 stars! 🖤
The ringleader of the group, Aubrey, is a 24 year old who knows about a secret game that has been played by local girls for decades. She has arranged for this group meeting in a graveyard. It starts off with her asking the girls some personal questions but quickly descends into them entering an underground crypt where their courage will be tested. The last girl standing will be proclaimed ”The Prettiest Girl In The Grave”.
Even though she acts like she does, Aubrey doesn’t know entirely what they will be getting themselves into… But Bella’s mother, Holly does. She played the same game as a teenager, and she and her friends only barely survived it. Holly finds out her daughter has gone to the graveyard and her worst fears are realised.
Will she be able to save her daughter as she has to re enter the crypt to face the dark forces/secrets hidden within?
What will the girls face down in the crypt?
The Prettiest Girl In The Grave is fast-paced, engaging, and full of gory details! It’s like a modern day version of The Craft, I suppose, but darker! This is more horrific than you’d initially expect.
It’s the perfect length for a story like this, around 230 pages. It reads like you’re watching a horror movie.
The legends and mythos of the town are built up really well, surrounding the women of Greenwalk and what they have to face playing this game.
If you like folklore- type stories with some solid horror moments, this one is definitely for you.
”Some girls are fearful, others are brave. One girl's a princess, the next one, a slave. But all girls are equal, when they're down in this cave, until just one is left standing the prettiest girl in the grave.”
5 stars! 🖤
August 28, 2024
Survival of the Prettiest...
THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN THE GRAVE
by Kristopher Triana
No spoilers. 4 stars. Six bored teenage girls in the small town of Greenwalk were bold enough to enter an old, decrepit graveyard for kicks...
And...
They were bold enough to go all the way in...
They had hiked by moonlight up a hill to a clearing of weeds and thorns and tiny tombstones...
The area was circular with a knee-high wall of stacked river rocks surrounding it...
They were amazed that...
It was true that there was an abandoned graveyard that deep in the woods...
The town's little secret...
Among some, there was a rumor about a game girls played in the graveyard's crypt called The Prettiest Girl in the Grave...
The rules of the game:
There must be 6 girls who must answer 3 questions, and upon answering, the game commences:
What are you afraid of?
Who do you love?
What happens when you die?
Their only way out of the crypt was to prepare themselves to play the rest of the game and...
Only one girl wins...
But, if only one girl can win, what happens to the losers...
Some girls are fearful,
Others are brave
One girl's a princess
The next one a slave
But all girls are equal,
Down in this cave
Until one is left standing,
The prettiest girl in the grave...
As usual, this author came up with a very clever plot. This was a little like the reality show SURVIVOR and also a little like THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins.
GONE TO SEE THE RIVER MAN and its sequel ALONG THE RIVER OF FLESH are also excellent stories by this author.
THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN THE GRAVE
by Kristopher Triana
No spoilers. 4 stars. Six bored teenage girls in the small town of Greenwalk were bold enough to enter an old, decrepit graveyard for kicks...
And...
They were bold enough to go all the way in...
They had hiked by moonlight up a hill to a clearing of weeds and thorns and tiny tombstones...
The area was circular with a knee-high wall of stacked river rocks surrounding it...
They were amazed that...
It was true that there was an abandoned graveyard that deep in the woods...
The town's little secret...
Among some, there was a rumor about a game girls played in the graveyard's crypt called The Prettiest Girl in the Grave...
The rules of the game:
There must be 6 girls who must answer 3 questions, and upon answering, the game commences:
What are you afraid of?
Who do you love?
What happens when you die?
Their only way out of the crypt was to prepare themselves to play the rest of the game and...
Only one girl wins...
But, if only one girl can win, what happens to the losers...
Some girls are fearful,
Others are brave
One girl's a princess
The next one a slave
But all girls are equal,
Down in this cave
Until one is left standing,
The prettiest girl in the grave...
As usual, this author came up with a very clever plot. This was a little like the reality show SURVIVOR and also a little like THE HUNGER GAMES by Suzanne Collins.
GONE TO SEE THE RIVER MAN and its sequel ALONG THE RIVER OF FLESH are also excellent stories by this author.
October 1, 2025
" from the author of international horror sensation Gone to See the River Man comes a new tale of terror that will drag you to the darkest corners of the soul. "
yesss Kristopher Triana give us ✨nothing!!✨ if you put this on the back of your book i expect to be terrorized. i expect some top tier body horror/gore...this was extremely boring, so cringey its almost laughable.
i keep hearing Triana is like the king of extreme horror/splatterpunk & so far i'm just not seeing the hype.
yesss Kristopher Triana give us ✨nothing!!✨ if you put this on the back of your book i expect to be terrorized. i expect some top tier body horror/gore...this was extremely boring, so cringey its almost laughable.
i keep hearing Triana is like the king of extreme horror/splatterpunk & so far i'm just not seeing the hype.
June 20, 2025
Such a fun read!
Six girls go to a secret and have to play the biggest game of the life. What seems like a silly gathering at first quickly turn serious where they find themselves trapped under a graveyard wondering its caverns. As we follow these six unfortunate girls are on their adventure, their character and drama come to the surface in such a horrific but delightful way.
I shot through this book! I just couldn’t put it down. The character work was phenomenal and it made every aspect of this book that much better. I don’t see this book talked about much and I don’t know why, it is so good.
Six girls go to a secret and have to play the biggest game of the life. What seems like a silly gathering at first quickly turn serious where they find themselves trapped under a graveyard wondering its caverns. As we follow these six unfortunate girls are on their adventure, their character and drama come to the surface in such a horrific but delightful way.
I shot through this book! I just couldn’t put it down. The character work was phenomenal and it made every aspect of this book that much better. I don’t see this book talked about much and I don’t know why, it is so good.
October 21, 2023
3.5 Stars
Tombstone hand and a graveyard mind
Just 22 and I don't mind dying
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
- Bo Diddley
This was a fun, straightforward horror tale about a group of teenage girls who venture into an old abandoned cemetery in the woods and a hidden underground crypt that lurks there. Bella and her loosely connected group of friends and acquaintances decide to play the game of The Prettiest Girl in the Grave by answering three questions: what do you fear, who do you love, and what happens to us after we die? Their participation and answers enter them into a horrifying pageant where they will face a nightmarish test of their loyalty to each other and find out exactly what they're made of. In the meantime, Bella's mother Holly faces a reckoning with her past and her history with the crypt in order to save her daughter.
The horror here is in your face and not at all subtle so really not creepy or scary by any means, but there were scenes that made me squirm, particularly one involving spiders. I'm deducting a half star in my rating because the writing was occasionally clunkier and more melodramatic than I expected from the author of Gone to See the River Man, particularly the dialogue and some of the interpersonal relationship bits between the characters. I didn't feel like I could give this the same solid 4 stars I gave River Man. But I'm rounding up to 4 instead of down because when the writing focused on the gory action and descriptions of the horrors of the crypt, Triana nailed it. The ending was also very satisfying.
Night was dark but the sky was blue
Down the alley the ice wagon flew
Hit a bump and somebody screamed
You should of heard just what I seen.
Who do you love?
Tombstone hand and a graveyard mind
Just 22 and I don't mind dying
Who do you love?
Who do you love?
- Bo Diddley
This was a fun, straightforward horror tale about a group of teenage girls who venture into an old abandoned cemetery in the woods and a hidden underground crypt that lurks there. Bella and her loosely connected group of friends and acquaintances decide to play the game of The Prettiest Girl in the Grave by answering three questions: what do you fear, who do you love, and what happens to us after we die? Their participation and answers enter them into a horrifying pageant where they will face a nightmarish test of their loyalty to each other and find out exactly what they're made of. In the meantime, Bella's mother Holly faces a reckoning with her past and her history with the crypt in order to save her daughter.
The horror here is in your face and not at all subtle so really not creepy or scary by any means, but there were scenes that made me squirm, particularly one involving spiders. I'm deducting a half star in my rating because the writing was occasionally clunkier and more melodramatic than I expected from the author of Gone to See the River Man, particularly the dialogue and some of the interpersonal relationship bits between the characters. I didn't feel like I could give this the same solid 4 stars I gave River Man. But I'm rounding up to 4 instead of down because when the writing focused on the gory action and descriptions of the horrors of the crypt, Triana nailed it. The ending was also very satisfying.
Night was dark but the sky was blue
Down the alley the ice wagon flew
Hit a bump and somebody screamed
You should of heard just what I seen.
Who do you love?
October 26, 2023
Some girls are fearful, others are brave. One girl's a princess, the next one, a slave. But all girls are equal, when they're down in this cave, until just one is left standing — The Prettiest Girl in the Grave.
Okay, I totally get the Triana hype now. This was so much fun!
While I can see the extreme horror influence here, I'm guessing this might be a little tame for this author because the gore was a lot lighter than I expected it to be (not a bad thing, I just wanted to mention it in case anyone has been wanting to read this author's works but is put off by extreme gore!).
I really love horror stories revolving around urban legends and paranormal "games" like this. It's like a campfire story fleshed out into a full book and it was great! I enjoyed all of the characters and grew attached enough to some of them that it hurt to see them in peril and I couldn't help but root for their survival.
Also, not to be "that person" here but it's pretty rare that I find a guy writing horror who can write teen girls this well, and the plot was just an absolute blast. The setting was super creepy and I know I'm gonna be thinking about this one for a while to come. I definitely recommend it!
✨ Content warnings for:
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April 19, 2023
Fans of Triana’s trangressive horror, rejoice! The Prettiest Girl in the Grave delivers a supernatural punch filled with all sorts of nasty little surprises. He has deftly crafted his own folklore and surrounding urban legend for the town of Greenwalk – think Bloody Mary, but amp it up to eleven. As the reader, more and more of the history is revealed to us as it is told through Bella’s point-of-view and in flashbacks from her mother, Holly. I couldn’t put this one down and blew through it in one day and I think you will too!
It’s worth a mention that if you’re a fan of Triana’s more extreme horror, you won’t find it here. While there is a good amount of violence and blood in this novel, it’s far more subtle compared to some of his other novels, like Body Art or Full Brutal. If you’re looking for a good place to start reading Triana, or to turn a new reader onto his work, The Prettiest Girl in the Grave is an excellent place to start.
Full Review: https://tatteredandbroken.com/2023/04...
It’s worth a mention that if you’re a fan of Triana’s more extreme horror, you won’t find it here. While there is a good amount of violence and blood in this novel, it’s far more subtle compared to some of his other novels, like Body Art or Full Brutal. If you’re looking for a good place to start reading Triana, or to turn a new reader onto his work, The Prettiest Girl in the Grave is an excellent place to start.
Full Review: https://tatteredandbroken.com/2023/04...
May 11, 2025
I have yet to read a book by Kristopher Triana that I do not like. The Prettiest Girl in the Grave was a joy to read. My gore-loving deprived squirrel brain was properly entertained the whole way through. I ate this book up in just a couple of hours.
The only qualms I have is that it was a little short. At some points it felt a little rushed and I would have liked just a few more chapters to really explore the whole lore behind it. This is the only reason why I didn’t rate it 5 stars.
The only qualms I have is that it was a little short. At some points it felt a little rushed and I would have liked just a few more chapters to really explore the whole lore behind it. This is the only reason why I didn’t rate it 5 stars.
August 13, 2023
honestly, overall, this book was really solid but there were some moments where i knew this book was written by a man. by that i mean, at one point, a character falls and hurts themselves and says that their breasts hurt. there was no reason to specify breasts. chest would have done just as well. breasts kind of made no sense. but yknow. overall, really solid and a good, quick read !!
April 4, 2023
"Some girls are fearful, others are brave. One girl’s a princess, the next one, a slave. But all girls are equal, when they’re down in this cave, until just one is left standing—The Prettiest Girl in the Grave."
I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this from Mr. Triana himself, and let me tell y'all, it's a banger. A bit different from his usual work, the violence in this story, while still present, takes a backseat to the spooky, supernatural vibe. Think of the spooky games you used to play as a teenager, but Amp it up. I devoured this book in two sittings, and I know many of you will love it.
I was lucky enough to get an advance copy of this from Mr. Triana himself, and let me tell y'all, it's a banger. A bit different from his usual work, the violence in this story, while still present, takes a backseat to the spooky, supernatural vibe. Think of the spooky games you used to play as a teenager, but Amp it up. I devoured this book in two sittings, and I know many of you will love it.
June 3, 2025
This book started out spooky and ominous. I loved the claustrophobic setting. As I read on, it did start to feel a little silly, especially the beauty pageant bit. It stopped being creepy and became borderline ridiculous. The characters were awful, but I didn't mind that too much. What I did mind was the unrealistic ending. They left so many people dead, and somehow they got away with it, not once but twice. It lacked reality for me. It would have made more sense for everyone to perish in the tomb. Sigh, that sucks because I really wanted to like this one. However, the ending ruined it for me. I don't have anything else to say. ☹️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2023
Bit melodramatic at times, but also brutal, gory and bloody entertaining. Loved the ending!
Not as awesome as Gone To See The River Man but still an enjoyable read.
Not as awesome as Gone To See The River Man but still an enjoyable read.
March 9, 2025
this was a creepy concept, and i mostly enjoyed. it took me a bit to get through it, it somehow felt super long but also rushed if that makes sense? not my fav ending either, but lots of gore and supernatural happenings. it was just meh for me
December 5, 2024
Absolutely loved it! This is perhaps more of a "conventional" occult horror story, as opposed to the splatterpunk and extreme horror that Kristopher Triana is more known for? By all means, there's a fair amount of gore and violence here, but nowhere near the amount of carnage you might expect. There is also none of the excessive cruelty and sadism found in, say, "Full Brutal" - making this a slightly more accessible read for the mainstream public. It still packs a mean punch, and the atmosphere is delightfully creepy and claustrophobic throughout, with plenty of great twists and surprises. Also, the ending was perfect!
February 24, 2024
I've been dying to read this book for quite some time, and I was expecting anything from it, but not to be so boriiiiing! 😭
I DNF'ed it at 20 percent and maybe all the excitement happens after 21%. However, that initial 20% felt like I was reading a basic script for a copy-pasted Netflix teen series.
I am utterly disappointed 😡
I DNF'ed it at 20 percent and maybe all the excitement happens after 21%. However, that initial 20% felt like I was reading a basic script for a copy-pasted Netflix teen series.
I am utterly disappointed 😡
August 13, 2023
Good beginning, good ending, somewhat boring middle.
March 2, 2025
"The Prettiest Girl in the Grave" by Kristopher Triana is a chilling horror novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Six teenage girls, lured by a local legend, venture into a hidden graveyard and stumble upon an ancient, underground tomb. What starts as a midnight adventure quickly turns into a terrifying game of survival. Trapped in a labyrinthine maze, they're forced to confront their deepest fears and participate in a gruesome, century-old ritual: to become "the prettiest girl in the grave."
Triana masterfully blends gruesome events, suspenseful challenges, and mind-bending psychological twists, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural. The story delves into themes of fear, survival, and the dark corners of the human psyche, exploring how far people will go when pushed to their limits.
Adding to the tension, Bella's mother, Holly, who barely escaped the same deadly game as a teenager, races against time to save her daughter from a horrifying fate. This gripping narrative weaves together family secrets, ghostly encounters, and psychological manipulation, solidifying Triana's reputation as a powerful voice in modern horror. If you enjoy stories that explore the darkest depths of fear and the desperate fight for survival, "The Prettiest Girl in the Grave" is a must-read.
Triana masterfully blends gruesome events, suspenseful challenges, and mind-bending psychological twists, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural. The story delves into themes of fear, survival, and the dark corners of the human psyche, exploring how far people will go when pushed to their limits.
Adding to the tension, Bella's mother, Holly, who barely escaped the same deadly game as a teenager, races against time to save her daughter from a horrifying fate. This gripping narrative weaves together family secrets, ghostly encounters, and psychological manipulation, solidifying Triana's reputation as a powerful voice in modern horror. If you enjoy stories that explore the darkest depths of fear and the desperate fight for survival, "The Prettiest Girl in the Grave" is a must-read.
October 9, 2023
In this book you follow a group of teenage girls, that seek out an old graveyard with a grim history.
Some are skeptic, while some are along for the adventure!
6 girls to form a pentagram
6 girls to admit their deepest secrets
6 girls to unlock the gate to the crypt
What they come to discover is that once you’re in the game- you can’t turn back.
The crypt holds more secrets than what meets the eye- a labyrinth that will test the girls one by one.. until there’s The Prettiest Girl in the Grave.
I absolutely loved this book, and was blown away! Such a unique concept, that kept you on your feet! Great pacing, & had you constantly guessing what would happen next! I wasn’t expecting to love this one as much as I did honestly. This was the first book I’ve ever read by this author, and hope to read more of their stuff! Came off 1st like a cult horror, then progressed into body horror, paranormal.. This book checked all the boxes! Great combination of supernatural, with intense imagery (gore,violence), dash of romance, suspense (survival of the fittest vibes). Such a great book! Would definitely recommend!
Some are skeptic, while some are along for the adventure!
6 girls to form a pentagram
6 girls to admit their deepest secrets
6 girls to unlock the gate to the crypt
What they come to discover is that once you’re in the game- you can’t turn back.
The crypt holds more secrets than what meets the eye- a labyrinth that will test the girls one by one.. until there’s The Prettiest Girl in the Grave.
I absolutely loved this book, and was blown away! Such a unique concept, that kept you on your feet! Great pacing, & had you constantly guessing what would happen next! I wasn’t expecting to love this one as much as I did honestly. This was the first book I’ve ever read by this author, and hope to read more of their stuff! Came off 1st like a cult horror, then progressed into body horror, paranormal.. This book checked all the boxes! Great combination of supernatural, with intense imagery (gore,violence), dash of romance, suspense (survival of the fittest vibes). Such a great book! Would definitely recommend!
May 30, 2023
Another fantastic book by Triana!
November 3, 2023
3.5 stars
May 5, 2023
In the small town of Greenwalk lies an abandoned cemetery. A group of six girls agree to meet up here to play a game unique to the crypt of Madeline Goldman, who is said to have suffered a horrible death. To begin, they must answer a series of questions truthfully before descending into the crypt. Whoever makes it to the end of the crypt and back first, wins the game of “The Prettiest Girl In The Grave.” But little do they know that what started off as a harmless seance, will turn into a night of violence as friendships are tested and deep fears are manifested…
I want to keep this as spoiler-free as possible but wow! What a delightfully dark and macabre horror novel this was to devour. It reminded me of an episode of “Are You Afraid Of The Dark?” with a hint of cheese but with high amounts of violence and grisly imagery that was beautifully written. Here’s a passage I fell in love with:
“𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘨𝘢𝘸𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨.”
The dark labyrinth of the crypt full of corpses and unknown dangers lurking in the shadows is what gave this novel an undeniable spooky and claustrophobic aura that I very much enjoyed. The characters are well fleshed out with their own set of flaws and dark secrets that were eventually forced to surface and brought on new levels of tension and suspense. There was already boiling tension between the main character Bella and her best friend Rose who doesn’t understand the Goth lifestyle Bella chose to embrace. So when the girls have to work together to survive, things only get worse when they start hearing whispers and having hallucinations of things that aren’t really there.
Triana really came up with an original premise that got my imagination going and kept me captivated throughout. If you love tales of survival full of skeletons, ghosts, violence, gore and goth girls at a cemetery, you should pick this up. Do you have what it takes to be The Prettiest Girl In The Grave? Read it and find out!
⚠️CW: Arachnophobia, Violence, Gore.
I want to keep this as spoiler-free as possible but wow! What a delightfully dark and macabre horror novel this was to devour. It reminded me of an episode of “Are You Afraid Of The Dark?” with a hint of cheese but with high amounts of violence and grisly imagery that was beautifully written. Here’s a passage I fell in love with:
“𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘨𝘢𝘸𝘬𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨.”
The dark labyrinth of the crypt full of corpses and unknown dangers lurking in the shadows is what gave this novel an undeniable spooky and claustrophobic aura that I very much enjoyed. The characters are well fleshed out with their own set of flaws and dark secrets that were eventually forced to surface and brought on new levels of tension and suspense. There was already boiling tension between the main character Bella and her best friend Rose who doesn’t understand the Goth lifestyle Bella chose to embrace. So when the girls have to work together to survive, things only get worse when they start hearing whispers and having hallucinations of things that aren’t really there.
Triana really came up with an original premise that got my imagination going and kept me captivated throughout. If you love tales of survival full of skeletons, ghosts, violence, gore and goth girls at a cemetery, you should pick this up. Do you have what it takes to be The Prettiest Girl In The Grave? Read it and find out!
⚠️CW: Arachnophobia, Violence, Gore.
September 10, 2023
The Prettiest Girl in the Grave is a horror novel from Kristopher Triana who wrote the fan favorite Gone to See the River Man (which was INTENSE and Dark). This one wasn’t as dark as I was expecting but I still enjoyed it. One of the reasons I picked up a copy was because I heard it was creepy from a few tiktokers. And while I didn’t necessarily find it creepy, I enjoyed the claustrophobic feelings it gave me. These girls are, after all, trapped beneath a graveyard! The “ghostly” things were a little silly, I feel it would have been more effective if we didn’t know what was behind the things that were happening, but I had fun while reading it.
If you’re looking for something spooky for the season, then this book and his others would be great choices.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you’re looking for something spooky for the season, then this book and his others would be great choices.
𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 23, 2023
Review to come
June 29, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
June 26, 2025
Can't say I enjoyed this book...not a fan of spatterpunk in general i guess.
Interesting characters....I couldn't see the ending coming....
For me...dragged toward the ending, but, as I said...not a fan of spatterpunk...
Jeff McIntosh
Interesting characters....I couldn't see the ending coming....
For me...dragged toward the ending, but, as I said...not a fan of spatterpunk...
Jeff McIntosh
May 13, 2023
My fourth @kristopher_triana and just might be my favorite.
“Some girls are fearful, others are brave. One girl’s a princess, the next one, a slave. But all girls are equal, when they’re down in this cave, until just one is left standing, The Prettiest Girl in the Grave.”
Games in a graveyard rarely yield great results… but I suppose that’s all in the eye of the beholder.. and whose eye you’re holding. 😏 Triana does what Triana does and that is pure horrific entertainment with gruesome scenes and a fast paced story. Kept me turning those pages so fast I almost cut myself and gave this book some blood of my very own. Let’s not even go into the spider/tongue scene that’s not even close to what you’re probably imagining. 😉.
Full review coming in a later publication but until then consider this your push to add this to your TBR ASAP! 👑
“Some girls are fearful, others are brave. One girl’s a princess, the next one, a slave. But all girls are equal, when they’re down in this cave, until just one is left standing, The Prettiest Girl in the Grave.”
Games in a graveyard rarely yield great results… but I suppose that’s all in the eye of the beholder.. and whose eye you’re holding. 😏 Triana does what Triana does and that is pure horrific entertainment with gruesome scenes and a fast paced story. Kept me turning those pages so fast I almost cut myself and gave this book some blood of my very own. Let’s not even go into the spider/tongue scene that’s not even close to what you’re probably imagining. 😉.
Full review coming in a later publication but until then consider this your push to add this to your TBR ASAP! 👑
September 1, 2023
This book was cringey. I’m disappointed because I loved Gone to See The River Man by the same author. There was some corniness I just couldn’t get past as well as the sexualization of the teenage characters (in such a way that made it clear a man wrote this book). Sprinkle that in with the overuse of the term “goth” and confusing plot points and sadly this book fell flat for me.
August 13, 2023
read it in a one sitting, gave me whiplash
June 16, 2024
I picked this one up after forcing myself through a book that just wasn't for me, leaving me reluctant to touch my Kindle for a while. Choosing "Prettiest Girl in the Grave" was definitely the right decision—it lifted me out of my slump.
As always, Triana's way with words had me hooked from the start. His characters are richly fleshed out and complex, each one unique yet intertwined with the plot and each other in captivating ways. I always find myself entranced by how he conveys his profound understanding of his characters, whether it's a lonely, desperate mother in her 40s or a teenage girl striving to fit in. His occasional nods to pop culture shine through naturally, never feeling forced.
Triana has become my favorite author, and with each book, my expectations soar. Yet, he never disappoints!
"Prettiest Girl in the Grave" boasts an intriguing plot and superb execution. The atmosphere felt claustrophobic and eerie throughout, even if it wasn't as terrifying and shocking as some of Triana's other works. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed "Prettiest Girl in the Grave" and wholeheartedly recommend it! With Triana, you can never go wrong.
As always, Triana's way with words had me hooked from the start. His characters are richly fleshed out and complex, each one unique yet intertwined with the plot and each other in captivating ways. I always find myself entranced by how he conveys his profound understanding of his characters, whether it's a lonely, desperate mother in her 40s or a teenage girl striving to fit in. His occasional nods to pop culture shine through naturally, never feeling forced.
Triana has become my favorite author, and with each book, my expectations soar. Yet, he never disappoints!
"Prettiest Girl in the Grave" boasts an intriguing plot and superb execution. The atmosphere felt claustrophobic and eerie throughout, even if it wasn't as terrifying and shocking as some of Triana's other works. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed "Prettiest Girl in the Grave" and wholeheartedly recommend it! With Triana, you can never go wrong.
April 24, 2025
The game to die for! An excellent gory thriller with great characters to top it off. So much spooky vibes coming from this, such a fun read all throughout that shows off and compliments Triana’s creativity and writing.
Tense, dark, and creepy. Triana was in top form! The story revolved around six girls, who go to a lonely remote cemetery to play a game: “Prettiest Girl in the Grave” Triana’s character and setting descriptions had my mind in a chokehold. Such an eerie read that makes you think of those autumn nights.
Can’t say enough great things about this story. The tension that build in this leading up to gruesome events, really had me on the edge of my seat. So unsettling and filled with plenty of gore.
4.5 ⭐️ for me. 🪦🪦🪦
Tense, dark, and creepy. Triana was in top form! The story revolved around six girls, who go to a lonely remote cemetery to play a game: “Prettiest Girl in the Grave” Triana’s character and setting descriptions had my mind in a chokehold. Such an eerie read that makes you think of those autumn nights.
Can’t say enough great things about this story. The tension that build in this leading up to gruesome events, really had me on the edge of my seat. So unsettling and filled with plenty of gore.
4.5 ⭐️ for me. 🪦🪦🪦
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