As Dead as it Gets by Katie Alender-ADVISABLE

Alender, Katie, As Dead As It Gets. Hyperion, 2012. Pgs. 442. Language: G, Violence: PG-13, Sexual Content: PG

Ever since Lydia Small’s death, Alexis Warren has been able to see dead people. Lydia Small, in particular, has come back as a ghost who seems to want Alexis dead. Thinking she’s a murderer, most people at her school have shunned her. Although she has friends, her only bright side outside of school is her boyfriend, Jared. When girls who she associated with with Lydia Small start showing up dead, Alexis can’t help but worry that Lydia is trying to get her revenge not just on Alexis, but several other girls as well. Still her gut says that even Lydia, even now, isn’t capable of such violence. Soon, her  new best friend, Elliot, from yearbook jumps to her death right in front of Alexis and her sister, Kasey disappears a few nights later and everyone thinks she is the murderer. Can Alexis solve the  mysterious deaths of the girls in time to save her sister and clear her own name?

An intense, scary novel for hard-core horror fans. The characters are likable, even Lydia the ghost. The plot is well-developed and nail-biting. Not to be read after dark, readers will have a hard time putting this book down. It’s recommended, however, that readers read the first book, Bad Girls Don’t Die first. MS, HS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Librarian, WHI Public Library.