Book

Dead Is the New Black

📖 Overview

Dead Is the New Black follows Daisy Giordano, a high school junior in the paranormal town of Nightshade, California. As the only non-psychic member of her family, Daisy navigates both typical teenage life and bizarre supernatural occurrences in her community. When popular girls at Nightshade High begin falling into mysterious comas, Daisy launches her own investigation alongside her psychic family members and her crush Ryan. The victims all have connections to the school's fashion-obsessed clique, leading Daisy to suspect there's more to these incidents than simple bad luck. Daisy must balance her amateur detective work with normal high school concerns like dating, cheerleading tryouts, and dealing with mean girls. The story combines elements of supernatural mystery with contemporary young adult themes in a fast-paced narrative. The novel explores ideas of belonging and self-acceptance through its protagonist's journey to find her place in both the normal and paranormal worlds. Its blend of light horror and teen drama creates an accessible entry point for young readers into genre fiction.

👀 Reviews

Readers describe this book as a light supernatural mystery for young teens. The story moves quickly and provides entertainment without graphic content. Readers appreciated: - The diverse cast of characters - Simple but engaging mystery elements - Quick pacing and short length - Age-appropriate content for middle school readers Common criticisms: - Plot feels predictable and shallow - Characters lack depth - Writing style is basic - Mystery elements are too easy to solve One reader noted: "Perfect for reluctant readers who want supernatural elements without horror." Another said: "The characters feel like sketches rather than real people." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (5,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (85 ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.2/5 (32 ratings) Most reviewers position it as an easy read for ages 12-14 who enjoy supernatural themes but aren't ready for more mature YA content.

📚 Similar books

Once Upon a Crime by Jennifer Seise Three teen sisters solve supernatural mysteries in their small town while managing their family's magical bakery business.

Need by Carrie Jones A high school student discovers pixies and shapeshifters in her Maine town while investigating a series of disappearances.

Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins A teen witch navigates a reform school for supernatural beings while uncovering dark secrets about her classmates' deaths.

Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender A pink-haired teenager confronts paranormal events when her younger sister becomes possessed by the spirit of a murdered girl.

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade A deceased popular girl must work with a social outcast who can communicate with spirits to solve her murder.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔮 The book is part of a paranormal mystery series set in the fictional California town of Nightshade, where supernatural occurrences are surprisingly common 👗 The plot centers around Daisy Giordano, a teenage psychic who must solve fashion-related mysteries when popular girls start turning up at school looking like the walking dead 📚 Author Marlene Perez has written over 20 books for young adults, with the "Dead Is" series being one of her most successful, spanning 9 books in total 🌟 The series combines elements of teen drama, supernatural fantasy, and mystery genres while addressing real-world issues like popularity, family relationships, and self-acceptance 🎬 The book's blend of fashion, supernatural elements, and high school drama preceded the surge of similar YA paranormal series that gained popularity in the late 2000s