Book Review: Final Girls by Riley Sager
As a lifelong fan of suspense thrillers, I was instantly drawn to Final Girls by Riley Sager, the very title conjuring images of chilling horror flicks and adrenaline-pumping narratives. Who wouldn’t want to dive into a story about survivors of unimaginable trauma, stitched together in a gripping modern-day slasher tale? With Sager’s reputation for crafting clever, pulse-quickening plots, I was eager to see how he would weave this unsettling yet fascinating premise.
At its heart, Final Girls explores the haunting aftermath of surviving a massacre, a theme that beckons readers to ponder the nature of survival, trauma, and the often unspoken burdens that come with it. Our protagonist, Quincy Carpenter, embodies this struggle perfectly. Ten years after being the sole survivor of a brutal attack at Pine Cottage, Quincy has tried to build a life wrapped in the safety of stability—comfort food, a steady boyfriend, and a successful baking blog. Yet, beneath this seemingly picturesque veneer lies an unresolved trauma that’s about to bubble back to the surface.
From the very first chapter, I felt the weight of Quincy’s past; her recollections of the massacre—fragmented, painful memories shrouded in a dense fog—serve as a powerful reminder of how past wounds shape our present selves. Sager introduces us to a small, complex circle of survivors known as the "Final Girls": Quincy, Lisa, and Samantha. Each carries the burden of their own dark histories, and the revelation of Lisa’s apparent suicide sets the stage for a tense reunion that raises the stakes in ways I never anticipated.
One of Sager’s masterful techniques is how he seamlessly shifts between the past and present. While sometimes jarring, these transitions heighten the suspense, propelling the reader through the layers of trauma and building up to an electrifying climax. Quincy’s internal struggle is expertly portrayed through her reflections, especially when she muses, "We were, for whatever reason, the lucky ones who survived when no one else had." This sentiment struck a deep chord; it captures the guilt and confusion that often accompanies survival, turning the very act of living into a complex, emotional battlefield.
The characters of Quincy and Samantha are beautifully developed, leaving space for empathy and understanding of their quirks, fears, and the weight they carry. However, I felt some of the secondary characters could have used a bit more depth to elevate their roles within the narrative.
Ultimately, what gripped me most was the sense of dread that Sager builds so carefully. The uncertainty of whom to trust keeps readers on the edge of their seats, perfectly mirrored in Quincy’s own spiraling thoughts. The layers of deception unravel spectacularly, culminating in a twist that left me reeling.
I thoroughly enjoyed Final Girls, rating it between 4 and 4.5 stars. Riley Sager has created a story that is not only a thrilling read but also a sobering meditation on the complexities of trauma and survival. If you relish suspense novels packed with twists and a rich exploration of its characters’ psyches, this book is an absolute must-read. Just be warned—you may think twice the next time you hear about a sole survivor of a horrific incident.
Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an unbiased review—your support keeps the book-loving community alive! For more reviews and book musings, visit my blog at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.