Who's All Going (to Die)? by Lisa Springer
ISBN: 059390057X
Genres: Horror, Psychological thriller, Suspense
Format: Young Adult
Source: MSL Book Review
Goodreads

Who’s All Going (to Die) is a YA novel about a group racially diverse largely affluent teens who have been invited to “The Dream,” a new luxury wellness resort on a private island off of Bermuda. There are multiple red flags starting upon the teens’ arrival to the resort, such as being encouraged to drink and engage in drug use during an island-wide party the first night. The situation escalates in danger upon the teens’ meeting guru Juniper Moon, the face of the wellness resort. Moon doses the teens with psychedelic mushrooms without their knowledge or informed consent, performs shock treatments, and encourages the teens to offer up their possessions to her under the guise of uncluttering their lives.

Two-thirds of the way through the novel there is a drastic increase is deadly “accidents” leading up to a Lord of the Flies-esc escalation in violence, mob mentality, and gore. This sudden shift from the slow pacing and lack of suspense featured throughout most of the book is jarring for the reader. Who’s All Going (to Die)? also could have benefited from a more succinct beginning.

The book is an optional purchase for libraries looking to expand their collection of YA novels featuring influence culture or horror. Recommended for youth in 8th grade and up.

Reviewed by Sarah Hartje, Lewiston Public Library, Lewiston