You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight

Instant New York Times bestseller!

At Camp Mirror Lake, terror is the name of the game . . . but can you survive the night?


This heart-pounding slasher by New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is perfect for fans of Fear Street.

Charity has the summer job of her dreams, playing the “final girl” at Camp Mirror Lake. Guests pay to be scared in this full-contact terror game, as Charity and her summer crew recreate scenes from a classic slasher film, The Curse of Camp Mirror Lake. The more realistic the fear, the better for business.

But the last weekend of the season, Charity's co-workers begin disappearing. And when one ends up dead, Charity's role as the final girl suddenly becomes all too real. If Charity and her girlfriend Bezi hope to survive the night, they'll need figure out what this killer is after. As they unravel the bloody history of the real Mirror Lake, Charity discovers that there may be more to the story than she ever suspected . . .

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Published Jun 20, 2023

240 pages

Average rating: 6.61

64 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Cyn's Workshop
Aug 20, 2025
8/10 stars
Originally reviewed on Cyn's Workshop

Thrilling and suspenseful, You’re Not Supposed To Die Tonight is a perfect horror for slasher and Friday the 13th fans.


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You’re Not Supposed To Die Tonight was such an excellent novel. A Sunshine State Award winner, this novel is short, sweet, and thrilling from beginning to end.

Storytelling

You’re Not Supposed To Die Tonight follows Charity, who plays the “Final Girl” role at Camp Mirror Lake, recreating scenes from the cult classic film Curse of Camp Mirror Lake. Charity is a little like Sydney Prescott, knowing the rules of the horror films that allow her to live through every show.

But when Charity’s coworkers begin to go missing before turning up dead, Charity discovers that the cult classic film is based on some fact, and her role as “Final Girl” is no longer a role.

The novel is absolutely thrilling and perfect for someone who loves slasher movies. The pacing is on point, going effortlessly from one moment to the next while continuously adding to the rising tension.

It’s relentless, like a good horror movie, keeping you hooked and addicted to the plot and sequence of events.

As readers, we pity her, but more importantly, we understand her. We, unfortunately, live in a world where people are marginalized for a variety of reasons, the biggest being their skin color.

And just like any good slasher, you must be somewhat invested in some characters, especially the “Final Girl.”

Charity is a great character. Using the knowledge she has gained from playing a final girl in the camp production, she aims to keep herself and her girlfriend, Bezi, alive.

Charity is clever, and she’s willful. She reminds me a lot of Sydney Prescott. She’s not just trying to stay alive; she’s also trying to solve the mystery. Who is this killer? What is their motivation?

And you, the reader, become invested in her survival and that of her girlfriend, Bezi, because they aren’t just characters but relatable.

Final Thoughts

A ‘Sunshine State Award Winner,’ You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight, is a quick and easy read that keeps you hooked from beginning to jaw-drooping ending. Remember, they always come back for one last scare…

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Paukku
Apr 27, 2025
6/10 stars
This is campy horror—pun absolutely intended. A solid entry into the "final girl" trope, it’s a fun, fast-paced read that doesn’t try to reinvent the genre but embraces its cheesy, over-the-top roots. As an homage to 80s slasher films, it delivers exactly what you’d expect: cliched characters (in a good way), trashy adult figures, and splattery thrills. The twists and turns are predictable but still enjoyable. If you love classic horror tropes and don’t mind a bit of camp, this one is worth picking up.
Jordan Coley
Jan 09, 2025
6/10 stars
Seriously. Someone please explain the ending to me. Like literally the last few sentences. I don’t understand.
itskaybro
Dec 17, 2024
7/10 stars
It read like they watched the first Friday the 13th and then decided that what it was lacking was a secret society, owls and magic (?)/rituals I guess
ST4R_L1GHTT
Dec 17, 2024
9/10 stars
SOOOS SCARY, LOVE ITTT

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