This book was exactly what I needed. I’ve been searching for a really good slasher book reminiscent of some of my favorites from the 1980s and 1990s, and this one scratched that itch perfectly. Danielle Valentine has crafted a captivating story that expertly blends elements of horror, mystery, and time travel, resulting in a thrilling and suspenseful read.

The book begins with a bang – actually with more of a rev – when a girl is attacked by a chainsaw-wielding maniac in a corn maze. Before the night is over, our main character, Alice’s sister Claire is dead, and Alice saw who killed her. A year later, the trial is about to begin, and Alice is the key witness, but before she can testify, she runs into a girl in the bathroom who looks exactly like Neve Campbell’s character Sidney Prescott from “Scream”. The next thing she knows, she is waking up in the corn maze a year earlier, and Claire is still alive. Alice has until midnight to figure out if the dude she accused of murdering Claire really did it, and if not, then who is the killer, all while trying to keep Claire, herself, and the rest of her friends alive.

As our lead, Alice is a relatable and well-developed character. Her transformation throughout the book is realistic. Alice is a true horror movie buff and – like many tried and true horror fanatics – spends the majority of her time screaming at the characters to do something while claiming we would never do that. In theory, Alice feels she is fully prepared to be a final girl, but when she’s actually put in that role, she realizes how difficult it is to stay focused while being pursued and figure out who you can and cannot trust. Also – cardio is important because there is a lot of running involved.

The supporting cast of characters adds depth and richness to the story. From Claire’s charming boyfriend (it’s always the boyfriend! or is it?) to the mysterious Sidney Prescott look-alike, each character feels like a fully realized individual with their own motivations and secrets. It’s refreshing to see such well-rounded secondary characters who contribute meaningfully to the plot rather than merely serving as background filler.

The pacing of the book is spot-on, with moments of heart-pounding action balanced with quieter, introspective moments that allow readers just enough time to catch their breath before ratcheting up the tension again.

What sets this book apart from others in the genre is Valentine’s ability to perfectly capture the essence of slasher films from the 1980s and 1990s. A lot of times, the blurb on the book comparing it to a certain movie is a stretch, but in this case, the publisher had it spot on. This one is 100% a mashup of several horror movies – especially “Scream” with elements of “Happy Death Day” thrown in, and even though it appears on the surface to borrow heavily from these films, the author finds a way to make this her own.

The time travel aspect of the story adds an additional layer of excitement and complexity. Valentine seamlessly weaves the past and present together, creating a mind-bending plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. Literally – the very end. That twist at the end blew my mind and left me craving more. Rumor has it there is a sequel (there’s always a sequel when it comes to horror), and I can’t wait!

Overall, this is a must-read for fans of horror and thriller genres. With its nostalgic nods to classic slasher films, engaging characters, and a pulse-pounding plot, Danielle Valentine has delivered a truly captivating and satisfying read. Naturally, I had to do some digging and add everything else she has written to my TBR and found that Danielle Valentine and Danielle Vega are one and the same, and she has another series of books that sound equally as creepy. She also wrote Delicate Condition, which is what the latest season of American Horror Story will be based on. I have that one on my list of books to read this month, so barring any unforeseen circumstances, I should have a review of that one in the next week or two.