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This Is Where We Die
Not yet published
Expected 1 Jul 25Eight friends went on a trip. Only six came back. Now a killer has one night to make sure the survivors pay for what they did . . . so that zero make it out alive. From the author of Perfect Little Monsters comes another incredible twisty thriller.
Sadie, Will, Isla, Anthony, Emily, and Charlie are survivors. They were the six (out of eight) to return from a ski holiday turned nightmare two years ago. Although… nobody knows exactly what happened; the details hushed up via the wealth and connections of Sadie's rich parents.
When an exclusive private island with a mansion for rent goes viral on social media, their graduating class persuades Sadie to rent it for the weekend. The six arrive first by helicopter and wait for the rest of their classmates to join them by boat the next day.
But nobody ever comes.
Cut off from the rest of the world with no cell service and no means off the island, paranoia and terror mount as they start to be picked off one by one by an unseen killer. Their past has finally caught up with them, and they'll need to figure out who is killing them before they all wind up dead.
Sadie, Will, Isla, Anthony, Emily, and Charlie are survivors. They were the six (out of eight) to return from a ski holiday turned nightmare two years ago. Although… nobody knows exactly what happened; the details hushed up via the wealth and connections of Sadie's rich parents.
When an exclusive private island with a mansion for rent goes viral on social media, their graduating class persuades Sadie to rent it for the weekend. The six arrive first by helicopter and wait for the rest of their classmates to join them by boat the next day.
But nobody ever comes.
Cut off from the rest of the world with no cell service and no means off the island, paranoia and terror mount as they start to be picked off one by one by an unseen killer. Their past has finally caught up with them, and they'll need to figure out who is killing them before they all wind up dead.
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication July 1, 2025
8,580 people want to read
About the author
Cindy R.X. He
2books253followersCindy R. X. He is the author of Perfect Little Monsters, a YA psychological thriller. It is a finalist for the 2022 Daphne du Maurier Award, and the 2022 Killer Nashville Claymore Award.
She was born and raised in multicultural Singapore, but currently resides in the French Alps with her husband, children, and rescue cat. She skis in the winter, gets dragged on hikes in the summer, and hoards books all year round.
Her second YA thriller, This Is Where We Die, is slated for publication July 1, 2025 by Sourcebooks Fire.
She was born and raised in multicultural Singapore, but currently resides in the French Alps with her husband, children, and rescue cat. She skis in the winter, gets dragged on hikes in the summer, and hoards books all year round.
Her second YA thriller, This Is Where We Die, is slated for publication July 1, 2025 by Sourcebooks Fire.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 23, 2025
This book was incredibly boring and disgusting to me. There were too many characters involved, the ending was not surprising, and I did not like the writing style. The cover of this book is what caught my attention, only to discover that this book was not what I was expecting at all. There are six point of views in this book. I give this book a 2 out of 5 stars rating! It was not my cup of tea at all. However, some people may love this book.
This book comes with tons of trigger warnings that include: death, murder, substance abuse, cannibalism, starvation, food trauma, miscarriage, anxiety, depression, and suicide.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Cindy R.X. He and Sourcebooks Fire for this digital reader’s advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This book comes with tons of trigger warnings that include: death, murder, substance abuse, cannibalism, starvation, food trauma, miscarriage, anxiety, depression, and suicide.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Cindy R.X. He and Sourcebooks Fire for this digital reader’s advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 11, 2025
ARC for review. To be published July 1, 2025.
2.5 stars.
Will, Isla (I think everyone hoped she died first,) Sadie, Ant, Emily and Charles just graduated from high school. They are the six survivors of a hellish heli-ski (ha!) vacation where two people (really three people. I don’t know why they act like the third doesn’t count. I guess because he was just staff and there to serve the fabulous likes of them? Very nice.) were killed and where the group underwent a major trauma.
To celebrate graduation billionaire Sadie rents an island for the group of six plus sixteen of their classmates. The six arrive the night before the others. The rest never show up and neither does the staff.
Then the murders start. Who is killing them, and why?
SPOILER ALERT: Don’t read any further, though they give this away pretty early, and don’t go into any detail (too bad):
I liked this better when it was called “Yj.” Does it say anything about me that I think I could do this if necessary and not look back? Overall book was fine. I have to admit that I did guess who it was, but this is YA, so, you know.
2.5 stars.
Will, Isla (I think everyone hoped she died first,) Sadie, Ant, Emily and Charles just graduated from high school. They are the six survivors of a hellish heli-ski (ha!) vacation where two people (really three people. I don’t know why they act like the third doesn’t count. I guess because he was just staff and there to serve the fabulous likes of them? Very nice.) were killed and where the group underwent a major trauma.
To celebrate graduation billionaire Sadie rents an island for the group of six plus sixteen of their classmates. The six arrive the night before the others. The rest never show up and neither does the staff.
Then the murders start. Who is killing them, and why?
SPOILER ALERT: Don’t read any further, though they give this away pretty early, and don’t go into any detail (too bad):
I liked this better when it was called “Yj.” Does it say anything about me that I think I could do this if necessary and not look back? Overall book was fine. I have to admit that I did guess who it was, but this is YA, so, you know.
October 31, 2024
I read this book in 2 days and could NOT put it down. This is a page-turner, a modern-day YA take on And Then There Were None. Six teens with a dark secret in their past head to a graduation party on an island in the Long Island Sound. The party weekend starts, and we jump through each of their POVs as it soon devolves into a nightmare. He intersperses the current narrative with flashbacks to the incident that brought them all to be at the mercy of a killer, which ratchets up the tension as the teens start dropping, one by one, and the survivors have to figure out which one of them is killing them off before they all die. The final twist was pure perfection. Definitely not one to miss!
April 29, 2025
At its core, This is Where We Die is a chilling, locked-room mystery following a group of teens who have already survived a major crisis, only to find themselves once again trapped in a life-or-death scenario. The story explores themes of trauma, survival, and trust through multiple perspectives—six, in fact—which could have provided a rich and layered narrative. Unfortunately, the execution falls short.
The shifting points of view lack distinct voices, which made it challenging to keep track of who was narrating. I found myself repeatedly flipping back to clarify which character was speaking. While this structure aimed to give us a full view of the unfolding events and blur the lines of truth and perception, the effect was often more confusing than illuminating. Additionally, the snippets included at the ends of some chapters (possibly meant to mimic media posts or offhand remarks) added little to the plot and often restated what we already knew.
Thematically, the book is heavy—it comes with numerous trigger warnings including death, murder, cannibalism, substance abuse, mental health struggles, and more. While I appreciate transparency about difficult content, one major trigger warning served as an immediate spoiler for a key element of the plot, removing a layer of suspense that would have made the mystery more engaging.
There are moments where the present-day narrative mixes effectively with flashbacks, creating emotional depth and raising intriguing questions about memory and guilt. However, the tone of the book felt oddly light given the gravity of the subject matter, and the resolution, while complete, lacked emotional impact for me.
In short, while the premise had potential and the mystery posed interesting questions, the storytelling choices—particularly the indistinct voices and inconsistent tone—made it difficult for me to fully connect with the characters or the plot. This wasn’t quite my cup of tea, but readers who enjoy survival thrillers with complex backstories might find more to appreciate.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with this free eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.
The shifting points of view lack distinct voices, which made it challenging to keep track of who was narrating. I found myself repeatedly flipping back to clarify which character was speaking. While this structure aimed to give us a full view of the unfolding events and blur the lines of truth and perception, the effect was often more confusing than illuminating. Additionally, the snippets included at the ends of some chapters (possibly meant to mimic media posts or offhand remarks) added little to the plot and often restated what we already knew.
Thematically, the book is heavy—it comes with numerous trigger warnings including death, murder, cannibalism, substance abuse, mental health struggles, and more. While I appreciate transparency about difficult content, one major trigger warning served as an immediate spoiler for a key element of the plot, removing a layer of suspense that would have made the mystery more engaging.
There are moments where the present-day narrative mixes effectively with flashbacks, creating emotional depth and raising intriguing questions about memory and guilt. However, the tone of the book felt oddly light given the gravity of the subject matter, and the resolution, while complete, lacked emotional impact for me.
In short, while the premise had potential and the mystery posed interesting questions, the storytelling choices—particularly the indistinct voices and inconsistent tone—made it difficult for me to fully connect with the characters or the plot. This wasn’t quite my cup of tea, but readers who enjoy survival thrillers with complex backstories might find more to appreciate.
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with this free eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.
April 2, 2025
Oh. My. Goodness. This book was THE most devourable YA thriller! This book is diabolical in the best way!
Six friends plan to throw an epic graduation party on a remote island, in a house that is off the charts luxurious. The six head there the night before to prepare, but it’s very tense. The six of them, a seemingly unbreakable group, haven’t spent much time alone together since they were once a group of eight…
At the age of sixteen, their Canadian skiing trip went horribly wrong. Two of their best friends died. Now, secluded and completely alone on this island, they are in more danger than ever before. Someone is bloodthirsty and none of them are safe. What really did happen in Canada, anyway?
Ahhh!! This was incredible. This was one of the fastest paced, cuckoo bananas books I have read in so long. Every single chapter gets you closer and closer to the ultimate answer, and let’s face it… by the end, you are SO invested.
This is fantastic because it demonstrates the animalistic nature of humans, but they are just teenagers, on the cusp of life… I loved and hated all of them.
This is definitely in the running for top 5 of the year. I can’t explain it. It was just a great time.
Six friends plan to throw an epic graduation party on a remote island, in a house that is off the charts luxurious. The six head there the night before to prepare, but it’s very tense. The six of them, a seemingly unbreakable group, haven’t spent much time alone together since they were once a group of eight…
At the age of sixteen, their Canadian skiing trip went horribly wrong. Two of their best friends died. Now, secluded and completely alone on this island, they are in more danger than ever before. Someone is bloodthirsty and none of them are safe. What really did happen in Canada, anyway?
Ahhh!! This was incredible. This was one of the fastest paced, cuckoo bananas books I have read in so long. Every single chapter gets you closer and closer to the ultimate answer, and let’s face it… by the end, you are SO invested.
This is fantastic because it demonstrates the animalistic nature of humans, but they are just teenagers, on the cusp of life… I loved and hated all of them.
This is definitely in the running for top 5 of the year. I can’t explain it. It was just a great time.
April 22, 2025
This is a fun "locked-room" mystery as the students were once trapped in the snow and now they've been invited to Christies Island which includes 10 bedrooms, a private chef, and a bar. But each of them have secrets--some that others know--and some they keep to themselves And a mysterious painting on the wall continues to have a big red X marking them out one by one! Who will survive, who will die...and why???
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
April 25, 2025
This book had me hooked from the start. I actually had meant to up load it so it was ready for after I finished my other book and randomly started reading and next thing I knew.. I had abandoned the other book to binge this one. The writing and pacing were spot on and while not perfect, it kept me engaged and wanted to keep flipping pages until the end.
Now was it fairly predictable? Yes. Did I care? No. It was a fun read where it was more about the process than the who-dun-it. It did have some “Yellow Jacket” vibes in the survival part of the story so for fans of the TV series this may be a great read for you. It also reminded me of Pretty Little Island by Rhea Ryan- but without the spice and much more stream lined.
I think this book could have been a touch longer where some of the emotions of surviving a tragedy could have been explored a bit more as it had the beginnings of going a bit deeper but that’s just a personal preference. I think the biggest reason I love YA is young adults and teens make choices that they wouldn’t after their brains are fully developed. It opens up the possibilities of being way more twisted than if you used older characters.
This thriller comes out July 1st 2025 from SourceFire Books!
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from SourceFire through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
Now was it fairly predictable? Yes. Did I care? No. It was a fun read where it was more about the process than the who-dun-it. It did have some “Yellow Jacket” vibes in the survival part of the story so for fans of the TV series this may be a great read for you. It also reminded me of Pretty Little Island by Rhea Ryan- but without the spice and much more stream lined.
I think this book could have been a touch longer where some of the emotions of surviving a tragedy could have been explored a bit more as it had the beginnings of going a bit deeper but that’s just a personal preference. I think the biggest reason I love YA is young adults and teens make choices that they wouldn’t after their brains are fully developed. It opens up the possibilities of being way more twisted than if you used older characters.
This thriller comes out July 1st 2025 from SourceFire Books!
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from SourceFire through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars
⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again
April 8, 2025
Unfortunately, this wasn’t for me. A locked room mystery has to really be stand out to work. I liked the premise, but had too many issues. The tone is very blithe for the subject matter and the six points of view have no distinction at all. I kept clicking back to the start of the chapter to see the point of view which made the story confusing overall. The little snippets at the end of some chapters (snatches of conversations? Social media comments? Unclear) didn’t offer any information and seemed to only recap what we already knew. There was a lot telling instead of showing. Each character plainly told us their motivation. Check the trigger warnings, but know that they will give spoilers.
Thank you for NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy and a chance to read this early. All opinions are my own.
Thank you for NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy and a chance to read this early. All opinions are my own.
March 24, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Cindy R.X. He delivers a tense, fast-paced thriller in “This Is Where We Die,” a story of secrets, survival, and revenge. Blending elements of a locked-room mystery with psychological horror, this story follows six friends haunted by a dark past as they find themselves trapped on an isolated island with a killer determined to make them pay. Before going into the book, there are content warnings provided at the beginning (one is a spoiler for a major secret that is still kinda obvious in the story). Be especially cautious with this book if you are sensitive to food-related trauma.
Two years ago, eight friends went on a ski trip—only six made it back. What really happened during those three weeks trapped in a deadly blizzard has remained a closely guarded secret, hidden behind wealth, privilege, and silence. But now, as Sadie, Will, Isla, Anthony, Emily, and Charlie celebrate their graduation on a remote island, their past finally catches up with them.
At first, the island seems like the perfect getaway—lavish accommodations, no distractions, and the promise of an unforgettable party. But when one of them turns up dead, paranoia sets in. Is there someone else on the island hunting them down? Or is one of their own picking them off, one by one? As the night progresses, alliances shift, trust shatters, and the group realizes that survival might not be possible for all of them.
The book maintains a relentless pace, keeping the tension high with each new revelation. Told through multiple perspectives, the story masterfully builds suspense by slowly unraveling the truth of what happened on the ski trip through flashbacks, while also keeping readers guessing about the present-day killer. The inclusion of rumors and speculation at the end of some chapters adds an extra layer of intrigue, reinforcing the idea that the truth is never as simple as it seems.
While the characters are largely unlikable—immature, selfish, and morally gray—they feel realistic for a group of traumatized teenagers struggling to cope with their past. The dynamics between them, full of resentment, fear, and guilt, make for a compelling read. Their descent into paranoia and desperation is chillingly believable.
The final twist, revealing the killer’s identity and motive, is shocking yet satisfying. While you may predict aspects of it early on (I guessed the killer pretty quickly), the full explanation adds depth to the story, even if it could have been developed further. The book wraps up all loose ends while still leaving an eerie, lingering sense that the trauma of the past will never truly disappear. More flashbacks detailing the immediate aftermath of their survival could have added even more tension and depth to the story. Additionally, while the story excels at keeping readers engaged, some moments require a suspension of disbelief, especially in how the characters react to their predicament. Certain plot elements, such as the logistics of the island setting, could have been explored with more detail to enhance the realism.
Overall, “This Is Where We Die” is a gripping, fast-paced thriller that blends survival horror with a deadly game of revenge. With strong tension, a compelling mystery, and a shocking final twist, it’s a book that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Though not without its flaws, it delivers a chilling story about the weight of secrets, the cost of survival, and the inescapable pull of the past.
Cindy R.X. He delivers a tense, fast-paced thriller in “This Is Where We Die,” a story of secrets, survival, and revenge. Blending elements of a locked-room mystery with psychological horror, this story follows six friends haunted by a dark past as they find themselves trapped on an isolated island with a killer determined to make them pay. Before going into the book, there are content warnings provided at the beginning (one is a spoiler for a major secret that is still kinda obvious in the story). Be especially cautious with this book if you are sensitive to food-related trauma.
Two years ago, eight friends went on a ski trip—only six made it back. What really happened during those three weeks trapped in a deadly blizzard has remained a closely guarded secret, hidden behind wealth, privilege, and silence. But now, as Sadie, Will, Isla, Anthony, Emily, and Charlie celebrate their graduation on a remote island, their past finally catches up with them.
At first, the island seems like the perfect getaway—lavish accommodations, no distractions, and the promise of an unforgettable party. But when one of them turns up dead, paranoia sets in. Is there someone else on the island hunting them down? Or is one of their own picking them off, one by one? As the night progresses, alliances shift, trust shatters, and the group realizes that survival might not be possible for all of them.
The book maintains a relentless pace, keeping the tension high with each new revelation. Told through multiple perspectives, the story masterfully builds suspense by slowly unraveling the truth of what happened on the ski trip through flashbacks, while also keeping readers guessing about the present-day killer. The inclusion of rumors and speculation at the end of some chapters adds an extra layer of intrigue, reinforcing the idea that the truth is never as simple as it seems.
While the characters are largely unlikable—immature, selfish, and morally gray—they feel realistic for a group of traumatized teenagers struggling to cope with their past. The dynamics between them, full of resentment, fear, and guilt, make for a compelling read. Their descent into paranoia and desperation is chillingly believable.
The final twist, revealing the killer’s identity and motive, is shocking yet satisfying. While you may predict aspects of it early on (I guessed the killer pretty quickly), the full explanation adds depth to the story, even if it could have been developed further. The book wraps up all loose ends while still leaving an eerie, lingering sense that the trauma of the past will never truly disappear. More flashbacks detailing the immediate aftermath of their survival could have added even more tension and depth to the story. Additionally, while the story excels at keeping readers engaged, some moments require a suspension of disbelief, especially in how the characters react to their predicament. Certain plot elements, such as the logistics of the island setting, could have been explored with more detail to enhance the realism.
Overall, “This Is Where We Die” is a gripping, fast-paced thriller that blends survival horror with a deadly game of revenge. With strong tension, a compelling mystery, and a shocking final twist, it’s a book that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Though not without its flaws, it delivers a chilling story about the weight of secrets, the cost of survival, and the inescapable pull of the past.
March 20, 2025
Thank you Cindy R.X. He, Sourcebooks Fire, Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. This book is so good I finished it in less then a day! Eight friends when on a ski trip. Sadie, Will, Ant, Charlie, Isla, and Emily returned. There’s been a lot of cover up of what happened on that trip and the remaining six are haunted by what they did, some more then others. Now they’ve just graduated and plan to go to a remote island for their graduation party. The island, presumed to be owned by a rich celebrity, had a large house, valet services, and a chef. They are so excited and they need this. Other students are joining them on Saturday but the first night will just be them. They haven’t been alone together since the ski trip. And when they arrive they are shocked to find themselves alone, no cell service and no WiFi. It’s ok the others will arrive soon. Then the unthinkable happens and one of them dies. It was just an accident right? But as more people fall they’ll realize that either they aren’t alone in the island or one of them is a killer. And when it becomes clear that this is about the ski trip they might just turn in one another. Can any of them make it off the island alive? What really happened when they went skiing? First of all if I were these six I would never go anywhere alone with these people again! And definitely would stay away from anything remote! Fast paced and intriguing! There are a few of the characters that I liked and some that I could not stand! They are all shades of gray none of them innocent, but I definitely rooted for some more then others! A mystery all about revenge and justice! I flew through the pages so if your into mysteries that keep you hooked and have you devouring them, I’d recommend Cindy R.X. He’s This Is Where We Die!
April 6, 2025
This is Where We Die follows a group of friends two years after they went from eight to six on a ski trip. They’ve never told anyone what really happened on the trip. When an exclusive private island with a mansion equip with staff and luxuries, goes viral on social media, they persuade Sadie to rent it for the graduating class for the weekend. The six friends arrive the day before everyone else only to find the island empty. Matters are made worse when one of them dies and it starts to seem like their past is finally catching up with them.
This was a really fun, modern take on And Then There Were None! I really enjoyed the isolated setting—it’s one of my favourite mystery/thriller tropes. The plot was really gripping, and I loved that there was dual timeline. The reveal of what happened on the ski trip was done so well and I loved the twist at the end. I was hoping the killer would be who I thought it was so I’m very happy about that. Really great tension and intrigue!
I really enjoyed that there were multiple perspectives. I think it really added a lot of drama and depth to the story. Sadie was definitely my favourite, but they all felt very real and made believable choices. And the dynamic between them all was really interesting.
Overall, if you liked your mystery thrillers with an isolated setting and lots of twists, I’d definitely recommend trying this one!
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the arc.
This was a really fun, modern take on And Then There Were None! I really enjoyed the isolated setting—it’s one of my favourite mystery/thriller tropes. The plot was really gripping, and I loved that there was dual timeline. The reveal of what happened on the ski trip was done so well and I loved the twist at the end. I was hoping the killer would be who I thought it was so I’m very happy about that. Really great tension and intrigue!
I really enjoyed that there were multiple perspectives. I think it really added a lot of drama and depth to the story. Sadie was definitely my favourite, but they all felt very real and made believable choices. And the dynamic between them all was really interesting.
Overall, if you liked your mystery thrillers with an isolated setting and lots of twists, I’d definitely recommend trying this one!
Thank you to Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the arc.
March 31, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
THIS IS WHERE WE DIE by Cindy R.X. He
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the earc (Jul 1)
When 8 friends go on a trip, only 6 return. Two years later, they've graduated. When an exclusive island is up for rent, they rent it, ready for a party of a lifetime. Which is what they get. When no one else arrives, it's just the six of them on the island as they began to be picked off pne by one.
What a thrilling read.
I actually really liked this book. It was über fast-paced and wickedly disastrous and the "accidents" started happening. Honestly, I was all over the place. Like other, I assumed what happened during the first trip bc of the trigger warnings, but that wasn't even the most shocking. It was that final reveal coupled with the lead up to it all. From PERFECT LITTLE MONSTERS, I knew Cindy could write something so utterly shocking, but THIS IS WHERE WE DIE really put that into perspective.
From page one, it was like the monster sank its claws into me, holding me hostage until I devoured every part of this book. Literally, I read this over the span of two days, but hour wise it was probably just a couple of hours. It held my attention, and I haven't read a murder-mystery/thriller like this in a hot minute.
THIS IS WHERE WE DIE by Cindy R.X. He
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the earc (Jul 1)
When 8 friends go on a trip, only 6 return. Two years later, they've graduated. When an exclusive island is up for rent, they rent it, ready for a party of a lifetime. Which is what they get. When no one else arrives, it's just the six of them on the island as they began to be picked off pne by one.
What a thrilling read.
I actually really liked this book. It was über fast-paced and wickedly disastrous and the "accidents" started happening. Honestly, I was all over the place. Like other, I assumed what happened during the first trip bc of the trigger warnings, but that wasn't even the most shocking. It was that final reveal coupled with the lead up to it all. From PERFECT LITTLE MONSTERS, I knew Cindy could write something so utterly shocking, but THIS IS WHERE WE DIE really put that into perspective.
From page one, it was like the monster sank its claws into me, holding me hostage until I devoured every part of this book. Literally, I read this over the span of two days, but hour wise it was probably just a couple of hours. It held my attention, and I haven't read a murder-mystery/thriller like this in a hot minute.
April 16, 2025
Thank you to Harper and NetGalley for the ARC!
This was a great popcorn, quick, engaging thriller. It is YA so it has some elements that give “middle school scary movie night” (ie, a little implausible or foolish) but I didn’t find the writing to be immature— actually I think He has improved a bit in her style since Perfect Little Monsters.
I am a massive locked room mystery fan and this riff on And Then There Were None delivered the chills thst I associate with them. I was very lucky to read this on a 7 hour bus ride— I didn’t have to put it down, which was great because I couldn’t. I would definitely recommend this quick read for the summer or for anyone looking to just pick up something that hooks them but doesn’t require a huge emotional or intellectual investment to get going. Perfect popcorn.
My biggest complaint?
If you have ever seen the Clue Movie (with Tim Curry) you’ll know there’s a moment when the characters have seen so much death, they start to barely react every time they discover a dead body. That happens in this book, but unfortunately it happens with the very first death and it just took a level of intensity out of those scenes.
All in all 3.5 stars rounded up.
This was a great popcorn, quick, engaging thriller. It is YA so it has some elements that give “middle school scary movie night” (ie, a little implausible or foolish) but I didn’t find the writing to be immature— actually I think He has improved a bit in her style since Perfect Little Monsters.
I am a massive locked room mystery fan and this riff on And Then There Were None delivered the chills thst I associate with them. I was very lucky to read this on a 7 hour bus ride— I didn’t have to put it down, which was great because I couldn’t. I would definitely recommend this quick read for the summer or for anyone looking to just pick up something that hooks them but doesn’t require a huge emotional or intellectual investment to get going. Perfect popcorn.
My biggest complaint?
If you have ever seen the Clue Movie (with Tim Curry) you’ll know there’s a moment when the characters have seen so much death, they start to barely react every time they discover a dead body. That happens in this book, but unfortunately it happens with the very first death and it just took a level of intensity out of those scenes.
All in all 3.5 stars rounded up.
April 21, 2025
Two years ago, Sadie, Will, Isla, Anthony, Emily, and Charlie survived a ski trip that ended in bloodshed. Six returned. Two did not. What really happened has never been revealed—buried under the weight of trauma, silence, and Sadie’s powerful, well-connected family.
Now, with graduation looming, their class convinces Sadie to celebrate on a viral dream destination: a remote private island, complete with a mansion and no neighbors for miles. The six survivors arrive first by helicopter, expecting the rest of their classmates to follow by boat the next day.
But no one ever shows up.
Trapped on the island with no cell service and no way to leave, the reunion turns into a nightmare as someone begins hunting them down—one by one. As the body count rises, it becomes terrifyingly clear: the past isn’t done with them yet. And this time, not everyone will make it out alive.
A mix of One of Us is Lying and And Then There Were None. Told from multiple POV, this book had me reading non-stop. Just when I thought I figured it out, whoops! I was wrong. I liked how at the end of each chapter the author included speculation comments from other students, written as if they were social media posts. This is another one that will fly off the shelves!!
Now, with graduation looming, their class convinces Sadie to celebrate on a viral dream destination: a remote private island, complete with a mansion and no neighbors for miles. The six survivors arrive first by helicopter, expecting the rest of their classmates to follow by boat the next day.
But no one ever shows up.
Trapped on the island with no cell service and no way to leave, the reunion turns into a nightmare as someone begins hunting them down—one by one. As the body count rises, it becomes terrifyingly clear: the past isn’t done with them yet. And this time, not everyone will make it out alive.
A mix of One of Us is Lying and And Then There Were None. Told from multiple POV, this book had me reading non-stop. Just when I thought I figured it out, whoops! I was wrong. I liked how at the end of each chapter the author included speculation comments from other students, written as if they were social media posts. This is another one that will fly off the shelves!!
March 21, 2025
Chilling and thrilling story about a group of friends who already survived a crisis once, only to find themselves in a situation with no exit again.
A little problem of the plot was that one of the trigger warnings became a huuuge immediate spoiler that left no mystery of what happened in the past.
We are given a perfect view into the evens provided by pows of all the characters being alive in the moment. It raises questions of trust, confuses the tracks, and hides the truth despite the clear view of everyone.
It was interesting to try to solve the mystery, the ending didn't fully satisfy me, but it had all the answers. I loved how the present story mixed with memories and that side conversation discussing what happened.
- - -
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with this free eARC in exchange for my honest review!
A little problem of the plot was that one of the trigger warnings became a huuuge immediate spoiler that left no mystery of what happened in the past.
We are given a perfect view into the evens provided by pows of all the characters being alive in the moment. It raises questions of trust, confuses the tracks, and hides the truth despite the clear view of everyone.
It was interesting to try to solve the mystery, the ending didn't fully satisfy me, but it had all the answers. I loved how the present story mixed with memories and that side conversation discussing what happened.
- - -
Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing me with this free eARC in exchange for my honest review!
April 22, 2025
This Is Where We Die follows six friends who rent a house on a remote island to celebrate their graduation. There used to be eight people in the friend group but when they went on a ski trip only the six friends made it out alive. Someone is wanting the friend group to pay for what happened during the ski trip.
I wished that the book didn't have the names for the chapters. I understand why she wrote it the way she did to get everyone's point of view. I think this book was well wrote and keep the readers guessing what was going to happen. The characters will have flashbacks to ski trip and what happened to present. There were numerous times I tried to guess the ending but was not successful how it was going to end.
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC copy for an honest review.
I wished that the book didn't have the names for the chapters. I understand why she wrote it the way she did to get everyone's point of view. I think this book was well wrote and keep the readers guessing what was going to happen. The characters will have flashbacks to ski trip and what happened to present. There were numerous times I tried to guess the ending but was not successful how it was going to end.
Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC copy for an honest review.
March 27, 2025
The story starts slow, but the tension builds until the final page. I found the characters appropriately written for their age and circumstances, and the story did keep me engaged throughout.
I was both grateful and bummed by the content warnings at the beginning. I probably wouldn't have requested this book if I'd known of these subjects, but in the end, they weren't as prominent as I'd feared they could have been. Unfortunately, some were also spoilers for the story twists ahead, especially as people were eliminated, but some of those plot points hadn't come up yet, so it made the ending more predictable.
In the end, it's a better read than anticipated, but it's still not the perfect book for me.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the ARC for my early review.
I was both grateful and bummed by the content warnings at the beginning. I probably wouldn't have requested this book if I'd known of these subjects, but in the end, they weren't as prominent as I'd feared they could have been. Unfortunately, some were also spoilers for the story twists ahead, especially as people were eliminated, but some of those plot points hadn't come up yet, so it made the ending more predictable.
In the end, it's a better read than anticipated, but it's still not the perfect book for me.
Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the ARC for my early review.
April 3, 2025
Eight friends went on a trip. Only six made it out alive. Now a killer has one night to make sure the survivors pay for what they did . . . so that zero make it out alive. The remaining six high school friends go to an exclusive private island and wait for their other classmates to arrive….but they never do. Cut off from everything they, too, are picked off one by one. Will any of them survive?
I am usually not into YA stories, but this one definitely kept me interested with all the twists throughout the entire book. It had me invested with each chapter unraveling not only what happened in the horrible snowstorm that took the first two friends the year before, but the unveiling of what was happening to the other six on the island and who was behind it! A great thriller!
I am usually not into YA stories, but this one definitely kept me interested with all the twists throughout the entire book. It had me invested with each chapter unraveling not only what happened in the horrible snowstorm that took the first two friends the year before, but the unveiling of what was happening to the other six on the island and who was behind it! A great thriller!
February 3, 2025
I read this book in one sitting, without breaks, because I NEEDED to know what happens that badly, and then I immediately wanted to go back to the beginning. It's just so good.
Official blurb: "This Is Where We Die is a delightfully twisty and deliciously twisted take on a locked room mystery that feels both timeless and totally fresh. He has carved out a space in the thriller genre all her own, with breathtaking pacing, high-stakes drama, and dark humor that made me laugh out loud even when I still had the chills from a gruesome reveal the page before. I’m already itching to read this again.”
Official blurb: "This Is Where We Die is a delightfully twisty and deliciously twisted take on a locked room mystery that feels both timeless and totally fresh. He has carved out a space in the thriller genre all her own, with breathtaking pacing, high-stakes drama, and dark humor that made me laugh out loud even when I still had the chills from a gruesome reveal the page before. I’m already itching to read this again.”
March 26, 2025
I literally feel out of breathe as I finish this book! What a run!! Six “friends” who all survived a tragic ski adventure are determined to spend their graduation weekend together. They rent a fancy house on a private island and go out early before the rest of their classmates. They travel light except for the memories of their two friends who died on the ski trip. However, it becomes painfully (and increasingly gory) to them that someone is determined to see them all die for what they have done. They hypothesize as quickly and as often as you the reader does but the surprise at the end is epic!
March 27, 2025
*I received this ARC via NetGalley & Publisher for early review*
“This Is Where We Die” was a cute YA, thriller, but definitely wasn’t without its issues. The *trigger warnings* gave away a large “secret” in the plot and kind of takes you out of the story. Secondly, the dialogue didn’t seem to match the time/age of the kids in the book. They talk about TikTok and other uber modern conveniences, but then say things like, “he’s a dirty dog”, and it just doesn’t seem to flow or feel natural. I still had an alright time reading this one, but I don’t think I’d pick it up again. Definitely reads as a YA novel, so I probably wouldn’t recommend to an older audience!
“This Is Where We Die” was a cute YA, thriller, but definitely wasn’t without its issues. The *trigger warnings* gave away a large “secret” in the plot and kind of takes you out of the story. Secondly, the dialogue didn’t seem to match the time/age of the kids in the book. They talk about TikTok and other uber modern conveniences, but then say things like, “he’s a dirty dog”, and it just doesn’t seem to flow or feel natural. I still had an alright time reading this one, but I don’t think I’d pick it up again. Definitely reads as a YA novel, so I probably wouldn’t recommend to an older audience!
March 30, 2025
Thank you, SOURCEBOOKS Fire for providing the copy of This Is Where We Die, by Cindy R. X. He. I loved He’s debut, Perfect Little Monsters, so I was excited to read this book. He avoids the ‘sophomore slump’ by delivering another breathtaking thriller that kept me guessing until the end. The tension never let up, and I loved the combination of past and present timelines, and speculations of people learning about the weekend trip. If you love a well-written, fast-paced book with an interesting cast of characters, you will enjoy this locked room mystery. I can’t wait for the next book by this talented author. 5 stars.
March 27, 2025
I received this ARC from Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book I've read by Cindy R.X He, and just like the first one, I couldn't put it down. I loved the different POVs, and I think it really helped build the suspense. It was incredibly fast-paced, never boring, and slightly creepy. My official rating is 4.5. The ending did surprise me, but I kind of wish it went in a different direction. I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to see what she comes out with next!
This is the second book I've read by Cindy R.X He, and just like the first one, I couldn't put it down. I loved the different POVs, and I think it really helped build the suspense. It was incredibly fast-paced, never boring, and slightly creepy. My official rating is 4.5. The ending did surprise me, but I kind of wish it went in a different direction. I really enjoyed this story and can't wait to see what she comes out with next!
October 31, 2024
My blurb for Cindy's wonderful book:
"I inhaled this dark, chilling, and incredibly suspenseful read in one sitting. With tension radiating off the page, distinct perspectives, and clever twists, This is Where We Die is a stunningly fresh and modern twist on the locked room murder mystery that will leave readers reeling in the best way. Absolutely impossible to put down!"
"I inhaled this dark, chilling, and incredibly suspenseful read in one sitting. With tension radiating off the page, distinct perspectives, and clever twists, This is Where We Die is a stunningly fresh and modern twist on the locked room murder mystery that will leave readers reeling in the best way. Absolutely impossible to put down!"
March 26, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, for this arc.
3.75⭐️
Overall, I found this to be a fast paced, easy read. With so many characters, though, I kept getting confused on whose POV I was reading. But, I did enjoy this book. I had some guesses on the who, but did not figure it out (which I love when I am surprised).
This is an easy, fast paced read that kept my attention the whole time.
3.75⭐️
Overall, I found this to be a fast paced, easy read. With so many characters, though, I kept getting confused on whose POV I was reading. But, I did enjoy this book. I had some guesses on the who, but did not figure it out (which I love when I am surprised).
This is an easy, fast paced read that kept my attention the whole time.
October 31, 2024
THIS IS HOW WE DIE is such a page-turner! It's a locked room thriller at its finest. This twisted slasher tale of revenge gone wrong—or right, depending on how you look at it—had me questioning absolutely everything and everyone.
May 5, 2025
What A great book! Starts off slow so you can get the full story as you are dealing with two different time lines. But stick with it as you see things through different POV as more to the story comes out and you keep guessing who is behind the craziness happening in the present! Love this book!
May 6, 2025
I wanted to love this so much! This has a wonderful premise, but the multiple POVs blended together too much for the read to be enjoyable. I DNFed it around 60% in.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read the ARC.
Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read the ARC.
November 29, 2024
Hi! I wrote this book. I might be biased, but I think it's pretty good. I hope you'll enjoy it!
Want to read
March 16, 2025Pre-Read
I loved Perfect little monsters!
This looks just as good.
So you can put it into my little hands please.
🫣🤲❤
I loved Perfect little monsters!
This looks just as good.
So you can put it into my little hands please.
🫣🤲❤
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