31 Reads of Terror: 'The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die' by April Henry

I'm scratching my head, pondering the curious decision that led me to pick up a battered ex-school library copy of The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die by April Henry. Perhaps it was the siren call of a ten-cent book too tempting to resist? Or maybe I was oblivious to the fact that it was a YA novel? Whatever the reason, here I am, ready to share my thoughts as part of today's 31 Reads of Terror. So, without further ado, let’s talk about this chaotic mess.

Here's the plot:

"Take her out back and finish her off."

That’s all our protagonist knows as she awakens in a ransacked cabin, disoriented and terrified. She doesn’t remember who she is or how she got there, just that two shadowy figures are debating her fate—fight or flight, life or death. Naturally, she opts to run.

In a whirlwind of tension and intrigue, April Henry serves up a thriller that explores the complexities of murder, identity theft, and even a hint of biological warfare. The story follows Cady and Ty—her unexpected rescuer-turned-ally—as they navigate a precarious race against time to evade their lurking threats.

Now, reading The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die feels akin to watching a B-movie late at night, the kind you find on a forgotten channel, oozing with melodrama and clichés. Hold on—a book can't be compared to a flick, can it? But if it could, this one is a popcorn thriller that would flop flatter than a two-day-old soda. This book marks my introduction to April Henry, and while she’s a New York Times bestselling author, I can't help but wonder if she’s written better material elsewhere—because this? This was a bit of a train wreck.

The plot faltered under its own weight, with twists and turns that felt more like a roller coaster operated by a blindfolded carnie. Seriously, there were so many plot shifts, I lost count. It dragged on and felt longer than my last family road trip to nowhere. The pacing? Let’s just say it moved at a speed akin to molasses in winter. As I trudged through its scant 200 pages, it felt like I was wrestling with a tome twice that size.

And don’t get me started on the characters. They weren’t so much fleshed out as they were drawn with a crayon stuck in a sentimental smudge. I couldn’t muster a hint of sympathy for any of them. I found myself forcing the words down my throat like bad medicine, all just to fill the void of this review slot.

Now, is there anything positive to say? Well, the cover does resemble a thrilling '90s movie poster, and that’s where the compliments stop.

In conclusion, I can’t sugarcoat it: I dreaded reading The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die. It’s a strong contender for the worst book I've encountered in quite some time. Spare yourself the agony—stay away. Or, if you’re feeling rebellious, read it anyway. Your choice. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you. ╌✰✰✰✰✰

〜B.J. Burgess