Bad Girls Don’t Die by Katie Alender
Strange things are happening at Lexi’s house. Her 13-year old sister Kasey is completely obsessed with dolls and when Kasey’s friend Mimi breaks her arm at their house, rumor is that it wasn’t an accident but that Kasey broke Mimi’s arm for messing with the dolls. Of course, Lexi doesn’t believe this rumor. Sure, Kasey’s a bit crazy about her dolls, but she’s not violent, right?
Suddenly, things begin to change. Kasey is acting stranger and stranger, talking about a decision that needs to be made by midnight, losing periods of time, obsessing over the family trees of students at her school, and – oddly enough – her blue eyes seem to be flashing green. On top of all this, Lexi is having visions of strange things happening in the past. When her father is injured in a car accident where it appears that his breaks were cut, Lexi starts to become very worried.
Oh my gosh, was this ever a creepy book! I don’t tend to get too unnerved by scary books, but “Bad Girls Don’t Die” really freaked me out; it probably didn’t help that I read it during a thunder storm, either. I think that part of the reason it was so creepy is that Lexi felt very real and relateable. She was not a one-dimensional stereotype, but a real, complicated teenager who could be confused about what was happening with the guy who likes her at the same time she’s worried about the well-being of her family.
I read almost this entire book before going to bed, after getting home at 9 pm. Of course, this was only partly because it was so engaging, it was also partly because if I’m reading/watching something freaky late at night and don’t get closure on it before going to sleep I’m setting myself up for bad dreams.
I only have one real qualm about the book and be careful reading it, because it might be sort of a spoiler. I really wasn’t clear on the possessing spirit. Was she actually a witch or something similar in life as the little girls claimed she was, or did she simply die wishing her life had been different and wanting to take revenge on the little girls who basically murdered her?
Other than that one thing I was shaky on – which may have been purposefully left up for interpretation, not simply made unclear – this was an enjoyable young adult novel. You may want to read it in the daytime, thhough.
Edit: After I originally published this review in May, Katie and I talked about the book and she told me that, according to spiritual lore, ghosts are often created during violent/stressful deaths. It was not that Sarah, the possessing spirit, was necessarily evil when alive, but she had a very stressful death and the unfinished business of enacting revenge on the girls who tormented her.
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Powell’s.
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This review is part of “Debutante Ball Week” on DevourerofBooks. All this week I’m featuring reviews from the 2009 class of The Debutante Ball and spotlighting the 2010 Debs.
Great review! It makes me want to read it even more now. When I finally do get a chance to read it, I’ll be sure to take your advice and read it during the day.
~ Popin
Great review!! I immediately put it on my wish list!! Thanks!
I’ve had this one on my list anyway. Your review just makes me want to read it all the more.
Wow! Even the cover creeps me out. I like creepy though
Ti’s last blog post..Review: Cemetery Dance
This sounds awesome!!! I’m trying to decide whether to save it for the RIP challenge or just go read it now.
Eva’s last blog post..“Diary of an African Nun” by Alice Walker (thoughts)
Would you say this is a teen book or an adult book? I LOVE haunted dollhouse, or haunted dolls/ghost stories, so this one sounds perfect for me.
Nari – The Novel World’s last blog post..Every Last Cuckoo – Review
Definitely a teen book, although it is totally enjoyable for adults.
I don’t do spooky, so I’m satisfied with your review. Sounds really scary.
Beth F’s last blog post..Where Are You? / Teaser Tuesday (May 19)
I’ve been interested in this since seeing you and Swapna talking about it on Twitter. It sounds wonderfully creepy!
I love a good, spooky novel. It doesn’t sound like something my young adult should read, but then again, she likes “The Ghost Whisperer” on TV! Great review!
Sandy’s last blog post..The Help – Kathryn Stockett (Kindle)
I absolutely adore creepy books!!!
Michele’s last blog post..Review: Twilight of Avalon
As we discussed on Twitter today, I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well!
S. Krishna’s last blog post..Hello Goodbye – Emily Chenoweth
This sounds really good! Minus the creepy factor, it reminds me of a couple of books that I enjoyed when I was younger!
Kailana’s last blog post..Thirteen Movies I Have Watched Recently… A Thursday Thirteen
I have this one now but I haven’t quite decided when I’m going to read it. Looking forward to doing so though!
funny story, i picked up this book not even looking at it and buying it that day , getting home to find out the main character of the story has the same name as me! IRONIC! i have to read this book for my major assignment in english this year so this will definitly help me. i’m only on chapter 4 so im really excited to find out what happens!
I love your review. By the end of it, I was sure this is a book I should read. I especially like the portion you added after speaking with the author. Her explanation makes the book more intriguing to me!
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Book Review: Tomorrow, When the War Began =-.
This book scared the crap out of me! I had to read it late into the night to finish it, too. I liked how Lexi seemed to handle the creepiness in a realistic fashion. It’s always tricky in a book with supernatural events. If you have a character in denial for too long, (“it’s not spirits, it’s just the house settling!”) it’s tedious for the reader because WE know it’s a spook and we just want to get on with it. But it’s not realistic either for the characters to immediately go, “Oh no! The undead have come back to haunt me!” at the first creak. Katie did a great job walking that line!
I’ll have to add it to my list, but be very careful to not read it after dark!
.-= Katie´s last blog ..blog-keeping and catch-up. =-.
Wishing you the very best for the readathon.
Thanks again for this great review!
ohhh, I haven’t been scary creeped-out by a book since Rosemary’s Baby….maybe I should give this one a try.
Just read this book OMG FREAKY!! Reminds me a bit of Chucky haha:) (as far as possed dolls trying to take on children goes) It’s a bit predictable, but still very interesting, and it kept me on edge! I liked the bit of romance added in, and the whole ‘dont judge a book by its cover’ thing between Alexis and Megan! Overall good book:)
I was thinking about getting this book, but wasn’t to sure because it looked weird. After reading this review I am determined to get this book. I also recommend Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard. Fantastic series, kept me guessing the whole way.
This book is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo superb. I just could not put it down.
I just started reading it today!(: Good so far. what was the light in the beginning, though? Hmm. i’ll figure it out.
On page 14(: