This review does mention a plot point that some might consider a spoiler, so if you want to go into this one completely blind, skip to the next review using the chapters.
I am a slasher movie junkie, so when I read the synopsis of this one, I knew I had to have it. While I liked it, I didn’t love it.

The book starts out strong. I loved the idea of a full contact horror movie experience where you could go to a camp where a classic slasher movie was filmed and then relive the movie, but in a way that includes you in the narrative. Would I do it? Hell no – I love slasher movies, but I cannot do haunted houses. My friends used to love taking me to haunted houses and then watch me get scared shitless. The things I said and did when I got scared were hilarious and also a little ridiculous. I’d end up going viral and humiliated.

Would I love to sit and watch my friends experience one of these? Or work behind the scenes? Absolutely.

What amped things up a notch was the idea that during one of these faux horror sessions, a masked killer actually pops up and starts hacking away at the campers, or at least that is what I thought I was going to get, but things took a bit of a turn about halfway in and I’m not sure how I feel about it. While it added a twist to the standard slasher formula, it felt a bit convoluted and left me feeling underwhelmed. It almost felt like there were three horror tropes fighting for seniority here – the slasher, the paranormal and the secret society – and it muddied things up a bit for me. While I could have probably gotten on board with the paranormal element, the secret society really ruined it for me.

That said, the pacing of the novel is fast-paced and thrilling. The action starts from the first page and continues until the very end. As the protagonists are put in dangerous situations, there is a lot of tension and suspense that keeps readers engaged.

The writing style is effective and engaging. The characters are well-developed and the dialogue is natural and realistic. Bayron does a great job of building up the tension and suspense throughout the story, making it difficult for readers to put the book down. The plot is well-crafted and the stakes are high as the protagonists fight to stay alive.

Overall, this is an enjoyable horror novel with strong characters and a well-paced plot. While some of the added elements added an interesting twist to the classic slasher vibe, I felt that it took away from the classic horror elements of the story. Regardless, the suspense and tension kept me engaged until the very end. It was a quick read and I did like the surprise ending.