Thursday, April 9, 2009

Book Review: Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

Alexis’ life has always been pretty dysfunctional. She has no real friends, gets in trouble at school, keeps her parents at arm’s reach, and has a younger sister with a very unhealthy doll obsession. When strange things start happening at home, it doesn’t take long for Alexis to suspect that her house is haunted and her sister is possessed.

I have to give this novel serious props for pulling off a tone that is hilariously snarky and yet still so tantalizingly creepy. I didn’t have to turn my nightlight on to sleep or anything, but I did have goose bumps on several occasions.

Alexis starts out as just another of these tough, sarcastic, independent minded teens that have pervaded pop culture in recent years, but she develops so much through the narrative that I really had no idea what she would do next. It’s the same with most of the supporting characters – they are introduced as stereotypes and then defy all expectations.

This is such a fun, wild ride that I was able to forgive the slightly cheesy ending. Anyone see Skeleton Key with Kate Hudson? Now there’s an awesome ending to a possession story (though I did have my nightlight on for weeks after seeing that one - so beware).

Bad Girls Don’t Die comes out in hardcover on April 21st.
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32 comments:

  1. YanApril 9, 2009 at 11:49 PM

    I must posses a copy in HB when it comes out :D

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  2. MelissaApril 10, 2009 at 12:36 AM

    I have Skeleton Key waiting in my TIVO for me.

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  3. Steph SuApril 10, 2009 at 1:21 AM

    Oooh you make this book sound really good, and it's up next for me. I can't wait!

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  4. Diana DangApril 10, 2009 at 1:33 AM

    The cover made me thought it was a boring book but I think I may look into it after all!

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  5. kalea_kaneApril 10, 2009 at 1:39 AM

    I am dying for this book. I am so glad that it is coming out soon! I have been waiting since I read my first review months ago! YAY!

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  6. CarrieApril 10, 2009 at 1:59 AM

    I'm really looking forward to this one. It looks great and thanks for the review!!

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  7. AnonymousApril 10, 2009 at 2:05 AM

    I really have to read this one. Thanks for the great review!

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  8. JenApril 10, 2009 at 2:20 AM

    I think the cover is beautiful (in a slightly creepy way though), it sounds really good!

    Great review <3

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  9. AmyApril 10, 2009 at 3:26 AM

    Skeleton Key totally freaked me out!

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  10. Katie AlenderApril 10, 2009 at 3:30 AM

    Lenore, thank you so much for reviewing Bad Girls! I love what you've said about the characters.

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  11. StaciApril 10, 2009 at 4:41 AM

    I loved Skeleton Key so I'm all over this book!!!

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  12. MariApril 10, 2009 at 5:12 AM

    I feel the need for a good creepy book!

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  13. KhyApril 10, 2009 at 6:47 AM

    I've been hearing nothing but good things about this one. Can't wait for it! :D

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  14. Christina FarleyApril 10, 2009 at 12:17 PM

    Oh! Sounds like a great creepy story to read on a cold winter night.

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  15. MarieApril 10, 2009 at 1:12 PM

    I really want to read this one and Skeleton Key was a really fun movie!

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  16. ShalondaApril 10, 2009 at 4:49 PM

    I'm so excited to read this one!

    Should be here soon!

    BTW: Splash Award for you on my blog!

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  17. KristiApril 10, 2009 at 6:03 PM

    I so want to read this one!!!

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  18. AmberApril 10, 2009 at 9:42 PM

    Thanks for giving me this one when you were done reading it :) I really enjoyed the story! It was definitely spooky, but I loved how the characters really did defy my expectations. Especially Megan.

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  19. DarleneApril 10, 2009 at 11:03 PM

    This sounds good. I love that cover!

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  20. Ladytink_534April 11, 2009 at 4:59 AM

    Skeleton Key REALLY freaked me out so I hated it lol. This does sound like a good story though and the cover is interesting too.

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  21. Joanne ♦ The Book ZombieApril 12, 2009 at 5:23 AM

    Great review! I really want to read this book and I agree Skeleton Key had a great ending :)

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  22. -.-April 12, 2009 at 9:22 PM

    This sounds really good. I'll have to add it to my wish list. Great review Lenore!

    ~ Popin

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  23. S. KrishnaApril 13, 2009 at 6:14 AM

    Ooh, I REALLY want to read this one. Thanks for the review.

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  24. SadakoApril 13, 2009 at 8:00 PM

    Looks so awesome...love the cover!!

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  25. ZibileeApril 17, 2009 at 5:33 PM

    This one sounds really good. I love it when characters show obvious growth within their stories. I will have t keep my eye out fr this one.

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  26. AnonymousApril 24, 2009 at 8:02 PM

    Snarky and creepy at the same time...sounds like a great read. I remember the Skeleton Key movie. I wasn't expecting the end.

    --Anna
    Diary of an Eccentric

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  27. Rabid FoxJune 22, 2009 at 8:38 PM

    I've read a couple of positive reviews for this book. It sounds like it's got promise. And, it has just the right amount of "creep" by the sounds of it. It's on my wish list now. :)

    #extra entry

    rabidfox(at)ymail.com
    http://waggingthefox.blogspot.com/

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  28. The Book GirlJune 23, 2009 at 6:53 PM

    I love the type of book that creeps you out just enough to make you feel something, but doesn't terrify you :-p This one sounds really interesting! Not to mention, the characters who defy expectations are always the best ones <3. Thanks for the review!

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  29. Book Sp(l)otJuly 4, 2009 at 6:12 AM

    I did see Skeleton Key... and snarky and creepy? Now I want to read this even more than I did after seeing some other reviews of it.... I hope I'm okay with the ending, though :)

    Now I want to see that movie again...Which by the way I wish was a book. I'm going to ahve to reserve this at my library.

    #extra entry

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  30. KaylynJuly 5, 2009 at 9:21 PM

    This book was freaky. The chick was possessed, literally. Duh. BUt still the happy ending was good at least [:

    #extra entry

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  31. UnknownFebruary 25, 2010 at 4:30 PM

    It's a really gooodd boook I loved it <33

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  32. Natalia euroOctober 8, 2010 at 12:20 AM

    im not done reading it but i love it! :) <3

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