The Last Girls Standing by Jennifer Dugan
In this queer YA psychological thriller from the author of Some Girls Do, perfect for fans of One of Us Is Lying and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, the sole surviving counselors of a summer camp massacre search to uncover the truth of what happened that fateful night, but what they find out might just get them killed.
Sloan and Cherry. Cherry and Sloan. They met only a few days before masked men with machetes attacked the summer camp where they worked, a massacre that left the rest of their fellow counselors dead. Now, months later, the two are inseparable, their traumatic experience bonding them in ways no one else can understand.
But as new evidence comes to light and Sloan learns more about the motives behind the ritual killing that brought them together, she begins to suspect that her girlfriend may be more than just a survivor—she may actually have been a part of it. Cherry tries to reassure her, but Sloan only becomes more distraught. Is this gaslighting or reality? Is Cherry a victim or a perpetrator? Is Sloan confused, or is she seeing things clearly for the very first time? Against all odds, Sloan survived that hot summer night. But will she survive what comes next?
Review:
If you’ve followed this podcast for any length of time, or if you know me personally, then you know that I am a sucker for a summer camp slasher. It should come as no surprise that I jumped on this book as soon as I saw it. The book is described as a queer YA psychological thriller that delves deep into the aftermath of a horrifying summer camp massacre. The story follows Sloan and Cherry, the sole surviving counselors, as they navigate the dark and twisted secrets that unravel after the attack.
All Sloan remembers from that night is hearing screams and then looking out her window and seeing people in animal masks hacking at her fellow counselors. She remembers hiding in her cabin, and then the next things she remembers is she was hiding under a canoe with Cherry covered in blood, but how she got from the cabin to the canoe remains a mystery. Cherry has filled her in on the blank spots, but as she goes through therapy and tries to unlock the door trapping her memories, she begins to wonder if maybe Cherry was part of the cult that attacked the camp. Is she still in danger?
From the very beginning, the concept of The Last Girls Standing intrigued me. The idea of a summer camp massacre and then exploring the aftermath of such a traumatic event captivated my interest. I wanted to find out what happened that night, and I wanted to see how the characters would cope with the aftermath and unravel the mystery surrounding the what and why of that bloody night. It sounded terrifying, but I must admit that I did not find the book to be as scary or creepy as I initially anticipated. The horror element seemed to take a backseat to the mystery, which ended up being more of a focus throughout the novel.
One aspect that left me wanting more was the lack of detail regarding the actual night the masked strangers attacked the summer camp. While the book does provide flashbacks and glimpses into that night, I wanted a more in-depth exploration of the events that transpired. To me, it felt like the flashbacks only scratched the surface of what occurred, and I felt that there was much left unexplored. I realize that the mystery of what really happened was necessary to the overall mystery, especially for the ending, but I still wanted to know what exactly happened.
Despite this, the character development in The Last Girls Standing was top-notch. Cherry and Sloan’s bond forged through their shared trauma, was palpable, and their romantic relationship was believable. Dugan did an exceptional job showcasing the complexities of their relationship, as both Sloan and the readers questioned Cherry’s innocence. The dynamic between the two was filled with tension, leaving me constantly guessing. Was Cherry really involved, or did the entire ordeal push Sloan past her breaking point?
The mystery aspect of the book was the main focus; I will admit, it’s a strong mystery. The plot unfolded at a steady pace, with hidden revelations and clues gradually emerging, but are they really clues or simply misinterpretations? We see things through Sloan’s eyes, so it’s hard to know if what we’re led to believe is really the truth. Dugan expertly crafted a suspenseful narrative that keeps the reader on edge.
I have seen several complaints about the ambiguous ending, but to me, that was one of the strongest points of the book. I, personally, enjoy an “Oh, shit” moment, and the ending of this book definitely provides exactly that. It’s shocking, and we’re left with unanswered questions, allowing room for interpretation. I appreciate when an author trusts their readers to draw their own conclusions, and this added depth to the overall reading experience. It is this ending that ultimately earned the book an extra half-star rating from me.
While the horror element may not have been as prominent as expected, the book is engaging. Would I read it again? Probably not, but I did enjoy it, even if it wasn’t as scary as I’d hoped. If you are looking for a book that combines queer representation, budding romance, and a dark mystery, or if you like a lighter scary read, then give this one a shot.
