Sometimes a book surprises you, and that’s exactly what this book did. I bought it for the title alone, and then when I realized it was YA, I braced myself for the usual disconnect I feel with teen characters. That didn’t happen, though. The story is sharp, the writing tight, and the undead lore fresh enough to keep me flipping pages.

Annie Lane, a so-called “bad girl,” wakes up dead on a mountain where corpses are rumored to rise. She doesn’t know who murdered her, but she’s determined to find them and dish out revenge. That setup alone is enough to keep you interested, but Crowley pushes it further. The mystery unfolds with the right balance of twists and teases, and when the truth about Annie’s killer comes to light, it’s both surprising and satisfying. I had my guesses, but the reveal still managed to catch me off guard.

One of the best things here is Annie herself. YA heroines often get boxed into neat categories—brave, vulnerable, quirky—but Annie is messy, unapologetic, and hard to pin down. She’s angry and funny in equal measure, and you can feel the weight of her reputation driving her. Society’s quick to dismiss “unlikeable” girls, and Crowley leans into that with bite. Annie’s not interested in being palatable, and that makes her quest for justice all the more powerful.

The supporting cast adds color too. From the cheating ex to the neglectful mom, every character has a role in Annie’s world, and Crowley doesn’t waste page space on filler. Even secondary characters leave an impression. It’s impressive world-building for a novel just under 300 pages. The undead lore, in particular, grabbed me. The mountain where Annie wakes up isn’t just a backdrop, it’s part of the mythos, and it gives the whole story a haunting, slightly surreal vibe.

Despite the dark premise, the book doesn’t wallow in gloom. Crowley threads humor and bite through the narrative, which keeps the pacing brisk. It’s feminist, furious, and often pretty funny, even when Annie’s vengeance is at its most brutal. That balance makes it easy to burn through in a single sitting. I knocked it out over a weekend, but honestly, you could polish it off in one long evening if you’re so inclined.

If you’re worried YA means toned-down horror, don’t be. This one has teeth. And because the focus is more on Annie’s voice and the mystery itself, it’s accessible to both younger readers and adults who like their horror a little lighter and with a side of dark comedy.

At its heart, this is a revenge story, and it doesn’t shy away from the catharsis of watching a wronged girl take control. It’s fast, fierce, and smartly written. If you’re curating a Halloween reading list, put this one on it. It’s spooky, sharp, and addictive.