Bad Girls Don’t Die by Katie Alender is a spooky series centred around supernatural encounters. With everything from creepy dolls to powerful ghosts, these books have an eerie atmosphere, but their more contemporary feel makes them readable for those who aren’t horror fans. These are quick reads that kept me engaged until I turned the final page, and they are perfect for getting into the fall spirit.
Title: Bad Girls Don't DieSeries: Bad Girls Don't Die
Author: Katie Alender
Publisher: Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Genres: Contemporary, Horror, Paranormal, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: April 2009- May 2012
Rating:
Series Rating:
Alexis thought she led a typically dysfunctional high school existence. Dysfunctional like her parents' marriage; her doll-crazy twelve-year-old sister, Kasey; and even her own anti-social, anti-cheerleader attitude. When a family fight results in some tearful sisterly bonding, Alexis realizes that her life is creeping from dysfunction into danger. Kasey is acting stranger than ever: her blue eyes go green sometimes; she uses old-fashioned language; and she even loses track of chunks of time, claiming to know nothing about her strange behavior. Their old house is changing, too. Doors open and close by themselves; water boils on the unlit stove; and an unplugged air conditioner turns the house cold enough to see their breath in.
Alexis wants to think that it's all in her head, but soon, what she liked to think of as silly parlor tricks are becoming life-threatening--to her, her family, and to her budding relationship with the class president. Alexis knows she's the only person who can stop Kasey -- but what if that green-eyed girl isn't even Kasey anymore?
Series Review: Bad Girls Don’t Die by Katie Alender
Following an argument, Alexis comforts her doll-obsessed sister with a story about a girl and her doll. However, since that day, strange things start happening around the house and Kasey’s personality becomes unrecognizable. Her blue eyes turn green, and she suddenly speaks using old-fashioned language. While Alexis thinks nothing of it at first, things start to spiral out of control, and she decides to take it upon herself to help her sister, triggering a series of supernatural encounters throughout her high school years–some closer to her than she could have ever imagined.
❀ Contemporary Feel
Going into this series, I was expecting to be terrified, but I was surprised to find these books more mild, with more of a contemporary feel. While there are definitely some creepy elements throughout the books, these are never overdone as the plot deals a lot with high school life and seems to emphasize this over the more frightening aspects. Hardcore horror fans might be disappointed, but I found myself enjoying the more moderate scare factor as a contemporary lover.
❀ Many Twists
As a series, I appreciated how fresh each of these books feels. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about multiple stories in a row with this same vibe and structure, but I appreciated the way each instalment tackles a different supernatural entity. The characters’ connection to the supernatural also changes as the series progresses, and there are many twists that kept me excited to keep reading until book three.
❀ Small Scare Factor
Bad Girls Don’t Die by Katie Alender is an eerie series about the supernatural. I enjoyed the smaller scare factor than I was anticipating, and I liked the way each book introduces a different ghost. This is a great series for those looking for something with a creepy vibe that goes lighter on the nightmare fuel.
About Katie Alender
Katie Alender (rhymes with “calendar”!) grew up in South Florida. She is the third of four children (three girls and a boy) and the child of three very loving and encouraging parents.
She attended high school at the Palm Beach County School of the Arts, studying Communication Arts. From there, she went on to the Florida State University Film School, which led her to Los Angeles, where she worked in TV production and development before becoming an author.
She enjoys writing, reading, sewing (especially quilts), and hanging out with her husband, her daughters, and her dogs, Scooter and Frodo.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
I’m not huge into scary books, so this sounds perfect for me for fall – just enough creepiness!
Same! I always make an exception during spooky season and this one is perfect! 🙂
Great review, Olivia! This sounds like a perfect series for the upcoming spooky season!
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Monthly Wrap-Up: August 2022
Yes! It is perfect for a cozy fall read! 🙂
You said creepy dolls somewhere in there and I decided I couldn’t do this one. haha. There’s just something about dolls that is a no go for me. Great review! It does sound like it would be a fun fall read for people that are not me. 😉
I get that! It has a great Halloween vibe! 😉
Sounds like a real page-turner!
Yes! I really enjoyed it! 🙂
Thanks for the great review! This book sounds like an eerily wonderful read. Love the spooky cover.
It fits the bill for spooky, for sure! 🙂
I read this series as a kid and loved it! I’ve never seen anyone else ever read / review though. Glad you enjoyed them!
I have been trying to read more backlist books and I am glad that I gave this a try! 🙂
This series sounds perfect for Halloween season. Thanks for sharing!
Definitely perfect for Halloween! 🙂
That one seems perfect for the incoming spooky season!
Yes! I highly recommend it! 🙂
thanks for your review. I am so not a fan of the supernatural