This was a great mix of horror stories from a lot of different backgrounds. I loved the overarching story of a missing director who left behind 13 movie posters for 13 movies that had never been released being the reason behind the compilation. And it was refreshing to see that the white guy doesn't always win.

Overall: 4⭐️

All Eyes on Me- Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé; 3.5⭐️
I hate clowns, but this was a great way to show a girl being set free from her oppressive boyfriend and to fulfill her dreams

Hedge-Kalynn Bayron-4⭐️
I'd love to read a full book on the hedge maze and the missing people related to it

The Golden Dragon-Kendare Blake 4.5⭐️
The spirit in the Japanese garden was a real girls girl and I loved it.

Best Served Cold-H.E. Edgmon 3⭐️
Cannibalism. I don't have much more to say than tha.

The Protege- Lamar Giles 3.5⭐️
Interesting premise but got a bit convoluted and the pacing was slow

Docile Girls- Chloe Gong 5⭐️
Felt like an '80s-'90s slasher flick with a great twist

Gray Grove- Alexis Henderson 4.5⭐️
Love a podcast, love even more with the privileged people get their come comeuppance

Everything's Coming Up Roses-Tiffany D. Jackson 5⭐️
The journal entries were so unsettling and I loved it.

Heaven- Adiba Jaigirdar 3⭐️
An interesting take on class and privilege but it feels like it's missing something.

Break Through Our Skin- Naseem Jamnia 3⭐️
Mansplaining and deadnaming at a school named 'The Oriental Institute'. What else could go wrong? A lot.

Wasps-Mark Oshiro 3.5⭐️
A skeezy landlord tricking an old lady into signing over her home and then trying the gentrify it was a lot and I'm not sure he got enough punishment

Hells is Other Demons- Karen Strong 3⭐️
A second chance on life to get the demon that killed you is an interesting premise but the execution wasn't quite there.

The Road to Hell- Terry J. Benton-Walker 5⭐️
A sentient house being obsessed with it's residents was so unsettling and a perfect final story.

Thank you Netgalley and Tor Teen for providing this ARC to me!

TWDF wasn't for me. It came off more juvenile than I expected, but this is for budding teens, so it serves its purpose. I experienced this novel via audio with a multicast lineup. While some of the narrators did sound robotic (like I can tell you are reading from the paper instead of regaling me in a story), there were a couple that deserved a Grammy for their performances!

Here are my standouts!

1. The Golden Dragon by Kendare Drake: This story is about two Korean-American sisters who take back their justice from a prestigious white boy who only sees Asians as "quiet" and an oriental checklist. The story gives off The Grudge vibes and has a satisfying ending.

2. The Protégé by Lamar Giles: This story is about a young boy looking after a package for his magician neighbor, which doesn't turn out great for him. I understand not many people like Giles's writing, but I read this as if it was part of the Now You See Me franchise that went super dark.

3. Everything Coming Up Roses by Tiffany D. Jackson: This story is about a girl who writes in her journal about her garden and problems at her job. All I can say is this Bih was crazy.

4. Hell is Other Demons by Karen Strong: This story is about an exorcist gone wrong. I like how this story was told. It's not so much about getting into heaven or hell but the work you do outside. One of my "Needs to watch out for" narrators, Angel Pean, performed this story. I loved her work on The American Queen.

5. Heaven by Adiba Jaigirdal: This story is about living in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by creatures called the Sunken, and things aren't what they seem. I'm going to be honest; this was one of my least favorite stories, but the only reason I'm listing it is because the narrator, Kausar Mohammed, blew me away with her emotions. I need to make a backlist of her work.

Overall the work was ehh. Anthologies are either a hit or miss and this was a miss for me.

As someone who isn't typically drawn to anthologies, 'The White Guy Dies First,' edited by Terry J. Benton-Walker, pleasantly surprised me with its diverse and chilling tales. Featuring 13 scary stories by a lineup of bestselling, award-winning, and up-and-coming BIPOC authors, this anthology promises a fresh perspective on horror where BIPOC characters take center stage and break the genre's traditional tropes. From killer clowns to haunted houses and beyond, each story delivers its own brand of terror with a twist — this time, the white guy really does die first.

What struck me most about this collection is its ability to cater to a wide range of horror tastes. Some stories gripped me from the first page with their eerie atmospheres and unexpected twists, while others left me pondering their deeper themes long after I finished reading. The anthology not only celebrates diversity through its characters but also proudly showcases queer and trans identities, adding layers of complexity and authenticity to the narratives. There's a palpable sense of excitement and creativity in every story, ensuring there's something to unsettle and enthrall every horror enthusiast.

'The White Guy Dies First' is not just a collection of scary stories; it's a testament to the richness and breadth of BIPOC voices in speculative fiction. Each author brings their own unique flair to the anthology, making it a compelling read from start to finish. Whether you're seeking spine-chilling thrills, thought-provoking twists, or simply a diverse array of characters that defy stereotypes, this anthology delivers on all fronts. It's a must-read for anyone looking to explore horror through a refreshingly inclusive lens, and I, for one, am eagerly anticipating the conversations these stories will spark.

I found the premise of this collection of horror stories - what if women and people weren’t the default first victims, what if, in fact, the white guy died first - a fascinating jumping off point, particularly because each author took it in a different direction. In some stories, the BIPOC characters were able to enact vengeance on those who had wronged them; in others, they also fell victim to the malevolent forces of the world. My favorite was Heaven, by Adiba Jaigirdar, which tells the story of Earth submerged in water and the last outpost of humanity…that might not be as beautiful as it appears. Some of these stories get very intense (Best Served Cold by H. E. Edgmon and Break Through Our Skin by Naseem Jamnia both featured body horror that was so well-written I personally struggled to read it), and not every story will work for every reader, but that is one of the joys of a collection like this. Highly recommend to any horror fan, especially one who enjoys having their preconceptions challenged.

Wow! !I absolutely loved reading these stories! Of the 13 stories, I'd say I enjoyed 11.5 of them and would highly recommend this book to any horror/mystery/thriller lovers!

Some of the stories were downright terrifying and others were completely insane (in a good way!) but they each had in common that the white guy ALWAYS died first!

The only critique I'd give is that the introduction and closing were not necessary for me, although I can see what TJBW was going for.

“13 scary stories. 13 authors of colour. 13 times we survived…the first kill 🔪” - @torteen

I’m going to get right to it, this horror anthology is OUTSTANDING. Every single one of these stories is an absolute punch to the gut. Sometimes in collections like these you’ll inevitably have stories that feel a little out of place or like they’re filler in between some of the “bigger” tales. This isn’t the case with this collection. Every story belongs here and the jump from one to the next is seamless, despite the differences in content, characters and plot.

The underlying theme of “the white guy dies first” is oddly comforting. When things start going south for some of our characters you remind yourself of the title of this collection, breathe a little sigh of relief and charge forward to find out exactly how grisly this fate is going to be. Spoiler: very.

The White Guy Dies First is advertised as a YA Horror Anthology which I found a little alarming based on how graphic some of these stories were. BUT if you do enjoy that, it is done to perfection. PERFECTION. (In case I needed to clarify.)

This collection did have some solid stand outs for me and I was completely blown away by these stories specifically:

The Golden Dragon by Kendare Blake (@kendareblake )
Best Served Cold by H. E. Edgmon (@heedgmon )
The Protege by Lamar Giles (@lamargiles )
Docile Girls by Chloe Gong (@thechloegong )
Everything’s Coming Up Roses by Tiffany D. Jackson (@writeinbk )
Break Through Our Skin by Naseem Jamnia (@jamsternazzy )

The White Guy Dies First edited by Terry J. Benton-Walker (@icecreamvicelord ) comes out tomorrow (July 16th) and was an easy 5⭐️. Go order a copy right now!

Thank you to @netgalley @tordotcompub and @torteen for making this ARC available to me in exchange for an honest review.

a HUGE thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me this copy.

i had so much fun with this and i’m going to be recommending to people nonstop!

all 13 stories were so different but so good and i’m honestly so sad it’s over. i loved the entire idea behind this collection and all the authors who contributed truly brought it to life. i honestly can’t pick a favourite because so many of these stories were 5 stars for me. definitely something i’ll pick up and flip through at least once a week.

3.5
A collection of short horror stories, probably aimed at a more young adult audience. I appreciate short story collections as an excellent opportunity to explore brand new authors. For me, this collection had several average stories and only a few standouts. Standouts were: The Golden Dragon by Kendare Blake and Everything’s Coming Up Roses by Tiffany D. Jackson, Hell and Other Demons by Karen Strong, and the Road to hell by terry J. Benton. For all of the standouts I would happily read full length versions. In the standouts, the writing/plot was tight and compelling. There was also the right mixture of horror and intrigue. In the rest of the short stories the writing meandered and the plot was not compelling which ruins a short story. None of these were over the top scary though

Looking to break out of a reading slump? This collection will do it!

I've delved into many short story collections this year, and they've been hit or miss, but "The White Guy Dies First" surprised me in all the right ways. Each story stands out with its unique tale, woven together in a way that connects them while still allowing each to shine individually. I was lucky enough to experience both the digital ARC and audiobook versions, and I can say some stories truly come alive through narration. Having the opportunity to experience both formats was a treat. One in which you can fully appreciate the effort that went into providing such a uniquely diverse voice and delivery.

From start to finish, the book sets a clear tone, self-aware and deliciously eerie, explaining its premise effectively. The book presents a unique forward that sets the stage for what’s to come and wraps it all up neatly at the end. This was a delight that I rarely see explored in short story collections, and I found myself wishing more books took this approach. What I love most about this book is its willingness to explore every corner of the horror genre. Whether it’s the unhinged characters, eerie atmospheres, or dark twists reminiscent of classic 80s slasher films and sci-fi horror, there’s something here for everyone. The variety ensures that different readers will find different stories to love, as evidenced by the diverse reviews I’ve seen.

While some stories burn slower than others, most kept me engrossed, especially with the added auditory experience. The collection tackles heavy topics like gentrification, assault, racism, sexuality, coming of age, and societal perceptions. It's unsettling, at times darkly humorous, and occasionally downright chilling. Some stories focus less on blood and gore, instead highlighting the horrors of living silenced lives. It's not afraid to make readers uncomfortable, and that's precisely why I found it successful.

One interesting critique I've encountered is disappointment from those expecting more senseless horror, typical of films where people of color often meet senseless ends at the hands of a white antagonist. However, this collection flips that script, reminding us that existing as a person of color is not a senseless act, but a lived truth with its own complexities and fears. Every death in these stories serves a purpose, contributing to the overarching theme of "scary stories of fear and power." Each character's demise, survival, or motive speaks to deeper societal truths, whether it's the fear of losing oneself, the fear of invisibility, power imbalance, or the struggle against oppressive forces.

Overall, "The White Guy Dies First" is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will leave you intrigued and introspective. While not every story may resonate equally, you'll certainly find new favorites and plenty to discuss.

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing an immersive reading experience and allowing me to share my honest thoughts.

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0 stars

I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

A YA horror anthology by BIPOC Authors and featuring BIPOC characters. Many, but not all, also have lgbtqia content. Like most anthologies, this one is a bit of a mixed bag, with some stories working better for me than others. By order in the book:

“All Eyes on Me” - ⭐️⭐️⭐️. I wanted to love this one, but it didn’t really work for me.

“Hedge” -⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 - Creepy and effective.

“The Golden Dragon” - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Revenge with an unexpected twist.

“Best Served Cold” - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Equal parts scary and gross. Chef’s kiss.

“The Protege” - ⭐️⭐️⭐️. A magician’s apprentice gets in over his head. Meh.

“Docile Girls” - ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2. Possibly suffered a bit by coming after The Golden Dragon and covering similar themes. Solid, slasher based story.

“Grey Grove” - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Ghosthunter style podcasters explore a haunted mansion. Kinda predictable.

“Everything’s Coming up Roses” - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 - told by journal entries, it starts seeming fairly normal and gradually becomes more creepy. Really worked for me.

“Heaven” - ⭐️⭐️⭐️. A post-apocalyptic tale about who the real monsters are. It went on a bit too long and didn’t really land for me.

“Break Through Our Skin” - ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 - A non-binary youth struggles with being accepted, encounters ancient powerful spirit. Features body horror (not my fave) and destruction.

“Wasps” - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - A girl taps into eldrich power to defend her home.

“Hell Is Other Demons” - ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Demon summoning and ghostly possession.

“The Road to Hell” - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 - A haunted house story told from the POV of the house.

I read "The White Guy Dies First" because the title is irresistibly silly and perfectly captures my sense of humor. As a lover of anthologies, I appreciate how they allow me to dip in and out of different stories at my own pace, making them the perfect companion for my busy life. This particular collection piqued my interest further because of the phenomenal roster of authors contributing to it.

What I found was a diverse array of horror stories, each bringing something unique and engaging. From ancient terrors to modern villains, the range of themes and styles kept me captivated. Every story stands out, showcasing the remarkable talent of each author. The anthology's format made it easy to read a story here and there, yet I found myself often unable to put it down.

Overall, "The White Guy Dies First" exceeded my expectations. It’s an exciting, creative collection filled with cultural depth. If you love horror and anthologies, this is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the authors for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This YA horror anthology features short stories by several horror/thriller authors that I really like! Each story has one main theme in common: they all feature a smug white guy that dies first. I loved that each story was completely different from another. Some featured sea monsters, haunted houses, vengeful spirits, post-apocalyptic settings, etc. Not only were the authors diverse but the characters in their stories were also diverse!

If I had to pick my favorite short stories from the collection, I would have to pick Terry J Benton-Walker, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, and Kendare Blake's. But just because these were my favorites, doesn't change the impact and strength all of the other stories had!

Great anthology, definitely recommend!

I had a good time. Of course there were some short stories I liked better than others. I think this bind up is a great introduction to each author if you haven’t read them before to get a taste of what their writing style is like.

First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the publishers, the authors, and NetGalley for giving me the honour to read this ARC copy of The White Guy Dies First.

I was initially drawn to this anthology because of Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, who is one of my favorite authors. I also have a passion for horror and anthologies, so this collection was the perfect match for me. I often struggle to find truly good and eerie horror writing, but The White Guy Dies First exceeded all my expectations.

The anthology includes thirteen scary stories by all-star contributors, and this time, the white guy dies first. Each story is unique and filled with ancient terrors and modern villains, offering a diverse range of horror experiences. From killer clowns to friendly cannibals, and impossible slashers to the dead who don’t stay dead, this book has it all.

Here's my breakdown of each story with their individual star ratings:

Ghoulfriends Online Blog by Terry J. Benton-Walker - 4.5 stars
All Eyes on Me by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé - 5 stars
Hedge by Kalynn Bayron - 3.5 stars
The Golden Dragon by Kendare Blake - 4 stars
Best Served Cold by H.E. Edgmon - 3.5 stars
The Protégé by Lamar Giles - 3 stars
Docile Girls by Chloe Gong - 3.5 stars
Gray Grove by Alexis Henderson - 4 stars
Everything's Coming Up Roses by Tiffany D. Jackson - 4 stars
Heaven by Adiba Jaigirdar - 3.5 stars
Break Through Our Skin by Naseem Jamnia - 4 stars
Wasps by Mark Oshiro - 3.5 stars
Hell is Other Demons by Karen Strong - 4.5 stars
The Road to Hell by Terry J. Benton-Walker - 5 stars
Epilogue by Terry J. Benton-Walker - 3.5 stars

I loved how the first story set the stage for the rest of the anthology—it was such a genius move! Overall, what a wild ride. I found myself gasping, cackling, giggling, cheering, and experiencing every emotion in between. This anthology exemplifies what creative literature is all about—a triumph of a book.

Overall, I'm giving The White Guy Dies First a 4.5-star rating. It was incredible, and I need more of this kind of horror anthology in my life. If you're a fan of horror and looking for a refreshing, diverse, and thrilling read, this is the book for you.

Thank you to Tor Publishing and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoyed this short story anthology, which included 13 short horror stories with POC at the forefront of the narration. I enjoyed reading content from many YA authors that I have enjoyed in the past, and found that most of the stories packed punch in a small amount of pages. The stories felt cohesive even though each author had its own individual voice. Covering race, gender, and sexuality, I enjoyed that each story highlighted a different group and their experience with majority groups. I love a fantastic revenge read, where the bad guy gets it in the book like they never seem to in real life, and that really satisfied this for me. Would definitely recommend for fans of YA horror!

All Eyes On Me by Faridah Abike-Iyimide - 4

Hedge by Kalynn Bayron - 3.5

The Golden Dragon by Kendare Blake - 3.5

Best Served Cold by HE Edgmon - 2

The Protege by Lamar Giles - 4

Docile Girls by Chloe Gong - 5

Gray Grove by Alexis Henderson - 3

Everything's Coming Up Roses by Tiffany D Jackson - 2.5

Heaven by Adiba Jaigirdar - 2

Break Through Our Skin by Naseem Jamnia- 1.5

Wasps by Mark Oshiro - 4

Hell Is Other Demons by Karen Strong - 3

The Road to Hell by Terry J Benton-Walker - 3


While reading, I thought this would probably be my favorite anthology, but a couple of the stories in the middle really brought down the average rating. Most of the stories were regular old horror, but Adiba Jaigirdar's story was climate fiction, which didn't seem like it fit with the other twelve stories. A couple of the stories had protagonists who were younger teenagers, which isn't common and nice to see.

CW: murder, clowns, mention of pet death, abusive parents, death of a parent, bullying, underage drinking, blood, dismemberment, body horror, drug use, racism, attempted rape, car accident, cannibalism, gore, stalking, cancer, fire

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

This is a great YA horror anthology centering BIPOC authors and voices, with a wide spectrum of tones (from the cathartic to the truly horrifying). I can't wait for it to become a bestseller.

The White Guy Dies First, a young adult horror anthology, where the cisgender white guy always dies first was edited by Terry J. Benton-Walker and written by 13 authors of color. It’s a strong collection of creepy short stories about body horror, cannibalism, demonic possession, found media, haunted houses, killer clowns, the occult, the paranormal, slashers and more. Each story is thought-provoking and unique. My favorites are “Best Served Cold” by H.E. Edgmon, “Hedge” by Kaylynn Bayron and “Wasps” by Mark Oshiro. Recommended for fans of Jordan Peele, Stephen Graham Jones and Tananarive Due. ARC was provided by Tor Teen via NetGalley. I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, from the prologue to the very end!
The White Guy Dies First is a collection of 13 short horror stories in which, as the title suggests, the white guy dies first.
All of the stories are based around a central themes of gender identity, racism, misogyny, colonization and gentrification. I love stories which are entertaining and also touch on important, lesser discussed, social issues.
Some stories that stuck out to me were “The Golden Dragon” by Kendare Blake, “Best Served Cold” by H. E. Edgmon, and “Gray Grove” by Alexis Henderson.
These stories were funny, gory, sometimes cheesy, real, and ultimately extremely satisfying.
There were some stories that left me wanting more! Like, I could read a 400 page novel of “The Protégé” by Lamar Giles, and “Hell Is Other Demons” by Karen Strong.
I came across this anthology because I followed Alexis Henderson after reading her novel “The Year of the Witching” and I’m so glad I did! It lead me to find 12 more amazing horror authors and I can’t wait to read more of their work!
*Thank you NetGalley and Tor Teen for the free eARC in exchange for my honest review!*

this fell a little flat for me, the stories were good but there wasn’t enough cohesion as the opener may have made a reader think. i wish the opening section had been omitted as i would have expected the stories to feel less connected.

thank you netgalley for an arc of this in exchange for my honest review!