Day’s YA: THE BLACK GIRL SURVIVES IN THIS ONE

THE BLACK GIRL SURVIVES IN THIS ONE: Horror Stories by Desiree S. Evans and Saraciea J. Fennell
9781250871657
4/2/2024
Flatiron Books
Ages 12-18

E-galley available on Edelweiss and NetGalley

Since the creation of the horror genre, Black girls have been among the first to die. The casualties to make way for the white characters who get to last until the end. Not anymore. The girls in these stories fight all manners of monsters, from zombies to werewolves to a murderous MLM group, but they all survive to the end. Each story in this collection is terrifying in its own way, but these are a few of my personal favorites:

“Harvesters” by L. L. McKinney: The anthology opens with an eerie story of haunted corn fields, and a cliffhanger ending that gave me goosebumps.

“The Brides of Devil’s Bayou” by Desiree S. Evans is a haunting tale of family folklore and generational curses set in the bayous of Louisiana, about a demon who has been promised five generations of brides, and has come to collect his final one.

“Black Pride” by Justina Ireland is set in the 1970s at a lake near Baltimore where white kids are being attacked by a mysterious creature. When Sheryl goes for a weekend away with her friends, she learns the truth about the attacks.

“Queeniums for Greenium” by Brittney Morris: An MLM retreat takes a dangerous turn when the members try to force their “cure-all” smoothie product on a girl with severe allergies.

In “Black Girl Nature Group” by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite, a nature group that claims to prioritize Black girls is actually something else entirely. Something dark and sinister.

“Cemetery Dance Party” by Saraciea J. Fennell: A senior party at a cemetery turns deadly when the residents of the cemetery begin to vacate their graves and attack the high schoolers.

And closing out the anthology is “Foxhunt” by Charlotte Nicole Davis. When Flex is chosen by her new classmates to be the “fox” in an annual game, she must make it through the local woods without being caught by the “hounds.” What appears at first to be an innocent game of chase is actually something much more evil.

The stories in this anthology are a welcome addition to the genre, each offering a fresh take and centering Black girls who are fighting for their lives. Filled with chilling tales that are sure to keep you up at night, this collection is perfect for fans of classic horror like SCARY STORIES TO TELL IN THE DARK by Alvin Schwartz and FEAR STREET by R.L. Stine, as well as newer horror stories like Jordan Peele’s films and YOU’RE NOT SUPPOSED TO DIE TONIGHT by Kalynn Bayron.

“An engaging volume that breathes necessary life into the horror genre, showcasing the best of what goes bump in the night.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Happy reading!
<3 Emily

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