Final Girls

 Tell me a story... about changing someone’s mind 

Final Girls by Mira Grant

Publication date: April 30, 2017

Date read: November 17, 2022

Narration by Jennifer Pickens

Dr. Jennifer Webb has invented proprietary virtual reality technology that purports to heal psychological wounds by running clients through scenarios straight out of horror movies and nightmares. In a carefully controlled environment, with a medical cocktail running through their veins, sisters might develop a bond they’ve been missing their whole lives—while running from the bogeyman through a simulated forest. But…can real change come so easily? Esther Hoffman doubts it. Esther has spent her entire journalism career debunking pseudoscience, after phony regression therapy ruined her father’s life. She’s determined to unearth the truth about Dr. Webb’s budding company. Dr. Webb’s willing to let her, of course, for reasons of her own. What better advertisement could she get than that of a convinced skeptic? But Esther’s not the only one curious about how this technology works. Enter real-world threats just as frightening as those created in the lab. Dr. Webb and Esther are at odds, but they may also be each other’s only hope of survival.

This was a short book - only 112 pages - but it really packed a punch in such a short number of pages. The first scene, for example, with two girls running for their lives, was legitimately scary. The book is very well-written, managing to create some real scares, as well as doing a pretty good job with characterization. I didn’t think any of the characters were super likable, but they were all interesting to follow.

I had the audiobook version, and I thought that the narrator was a good choice. I do think that this book would be just as good in written format.

Overall, this is a really good horror novella that is able to do what it sets out to do in just over 100 pages. It’s a good mix of psychological and physical horror, so any fan of the genre should enjoy this one. Definitely recommended.

Content warning: murder, manipulation of a patient under medication/therapy, bullying, death of a parent, child sexual abuse (mentioned)

Rating: 4/5 stars 

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book