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The Nightmare Club #7
Slay Ride
Andrea wishes that Tom Markham and his jock buddies would stop tormenting her with humiliating comments and cruel pranks, and she soon gets her way when an evil Guardian Angel begins murdering the boys.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 1, 1993
About the author
Nick Baron
17 books3 followersPseudonym for author Scott Ciencin .
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 2, 2021
Don't let the cover and its trashy '90s teen horror appearance fool you; Slay Ride is an intense book about a teenage girl named Andrea who is being bullied and sexually harassed at her high school. She feels helpless and is on the brink of suicide when she begins getting messages from someone who calls themself her "guardian angel". It is then that this unknown person begins to take vengeance for Andrea. It starts out innocent enough, pranks meant to humiliate Andrea's harassers and to make them feel the way Andrea has felt for so long. This gives Andrea a restored sense of confidence, and even students who were too afraid to stick up for her before begin to rise to her defense. But as the pranks escalate and the original bullies start to lash out against Andrea, the pranks morph into murder. Soon, Andrea finds herself caught in fight that means life or death.
Slay Ride hits hard. It is dark, grim, brutal, uncomfortable, and almost serves as a cautionary tale for educators in the early '90s in regards to sexual harassment in their schools. What could happen if you ignore a student's pleas for help? Slay Ride also serves to educate students on what they can do if they are being harassed. What are your rights? Who do you talk to? What should you say if action isn't being taken? It is all here, both in the story and at the end of the book in the "Know Your Rights" section.
Overall, I feel this would have been a popular and important book of the 1990s had it not been published as the seventh book in some Fear Street knock-off series. It also would have been extremely controversial, but at least it would have made people talk about sexual harassment and assault. Even still, Slay Ride would be controversial to modern readers who are too sensitive to see the book's message. Most who read the book in today's climate would quickly DNF and discard it as being problematic, when it is merely a book about a problem. A serious problem. And it handles it in a serious way that will make you uncomfortable because it should. I would not recommend this to victims, but I would recommend this to anyone else, especially to compare how far we've come as a society since 1993 and how far we have yet to go.
Slay Ride hits hard. It is dark, grim, brutal, uncomfortable, and almost serves as a cautionary tale for educators in the early '90s in regards to sexual harassment in their schools. What could happen if you ignore a student's pleas for help? Slay Ride also serves to educate students on what they can do if they are being harassed. What are your rights? Who do you talk to? What should you say if action isn't being taken? It is all here, both in the story and at the end of the book in the "Know Your Rights" section.
Overall, I feel this would have been a popular and important book of the 1990s had it not been published as the seventh book in some Fear Street knock-off series. It also would have been extremely controversial, but at least it would have made people talk about sexual harassment and assault. Even still, Slay Ride would be controversial to modern readers who are too sensitive to see the book's message. Most who read the book in today's climate would quickly DNF and discard it as being problematic, when it is merely a book about a problem. A serious problem. And it handles it in a serious way that will make you uncomfortable because it should. I would not recommend this to victims, but I would recommend this to anyone else, especially to compare how far we've come as a society since 1993 and how far we have yet to go.
December 23, 2021
I haven’t read an old YA that’s impressed me this much before, especially one that tackles a sensitive subject in a realistic, gritty way.
Usually in these types of books, our protagonist is a two-dimensional damsel in distress, mostly helpless and being terrorized by an unseen stalker. I thought it was so interesting how this book subverts all the usual YA tropes and chooses to highlight the type of antagonist every girl or woman is (unfortunately) familiar with: everyday sexual harassers. In this case, her classmates.
It is infuriating to read about Andrea’s experiences and how her school chooses to handle (or not handle) them, but over the course of the story, we see her slowly start to become empowered and fight back.
But things escalate. The stakes get higher. And her “guardian angel” would do anything to keep her safe from her attackers.
Very well-written, tense and engaging. I was so invested in Andrea and her ongoing fight. It will make you uncomfortable. It should make you uncomfortable. And angry. Highly recommend this one.
Could prob use a TW today tbh, as it does reference sexual violence and suicide. Way more mature than other YA.
Usually in these types of books, our protagonist is a two-dimensional damsel in distress, mostly helpless and being terrorized by an unseen stalker. I thought it was so interesting how this book subverts all the usual YA tropes and chooses to highlight the type of antagonist every girl or woman is (unfortunately) familiar with: everyday sexual harassers. In this case, her classmates.
It is infuriating to read about Andrea’s experiences and how her school chooses to handle (or not handle) them, but over the course of the story, we see her slowly start to become empowered and fight back.
But things escalate. The stakes get higher. And her “guardian angel” would do anything to keep her safe from her attackers.
Very well-written, tense and engaging. I was so invested in Andrea and her ongoing fight. It will make you uncomfortable. It should make you uncomfortable. And angry. Highly recommend this one.
Could prob use a TW today tbh, as it does reference sexual violence and suicide. Way more mature than other YA.
December 30, 2023
“Andrea was a slender 5’4 with smallish hips, not much of a rear and acceptable legs. People called her cute but nothing Rod Stewart would write a song about.” 🤣🤣🤣
So begins the sad saga of Andrea Wanamaker (or “Onnnnn-drea Wanna Make Her”, as the bullies so crudely call her). Our poor protag gets straight up sexually harassed at school by a gang of a$$hole jock bullies and when she tries to talk to the principal about it, he merely tells her “boys will be boys” wtf!? She gets chased down, harassed and stalked to the point where you just wish the bullies a painful death already…and that’s when her “guardian angel” steps in, leaving her notes telling her he’s watching out for her and that he won’t allow harm to come her way again. And that’s when the fun starts 😈
This book was most definitely on the ‘edgier’ side of YA. For one, Eddie Murphy’s SNL sketch is referenced (how cool is that!) with the lines, “Is you a ho? I is a Ho!” And when the Guardian Angel leaves stacks of facsimile newspapers at school, the headlines read: “Tom Markham denied penis transplant! Tom is the owner of the worlds smallest peen” or something to that effect 🤣🤣🤣 On all seriousness though, this book does go hard for a YA, and most definitely would’ve come with a trigger warning today for suicide ideations and the threat of sexual violence and constant and unrelenting sexual harassment.
Meanwhile this book hits all the pop culture references you can shake a stick at, and I gleefully lapped it all up. I MEAN. Silence of the Lambs, Faces of Death, Jaws, Alien, and a convo about tangible horror ALL ON THE SAME PAGE?? A dream 😆😍
And the kills are GNARLY and the body count is HIGH. Once the Angel started killing off the bullies one by one, I was fully on team Angel, and I’m pretty sure you will be too 🙌🤣👼
Buckle up for a wild [Slay] ride and enjoy the scenery resplendent with dripping blood and guts! 🤢
So begins the sad saga of Andrea Wanamaker (or “Onnnnn-drea Wanna Make Her”, as the bullies so crudely call her). Our poor protag gets straight up sexually harassed at school by a gang of a$$hole jock bullies and when she tries to talk to the principal about it, he merely tells her “boys will be boys” wtf!? She gets chased down, harassed and stalked to the point where you just wish the bullies a painful death already…and that’s when her “guardian angel” steps in, leaving her notes telling her he’s watching out for her and that he won’t allow harm to come her way again. And that’s when the fun starts 😈
This book was most definitely on the ‘edgier’ side of YA. For one, Eddie Murphy’s SNL sketch is referenced (how cool is that!) with the lines, “Is you a ho? I is a Ho!” And when the Guardian Angel leaves stacks of facsimile newspapers at school, the headlines read: “Tom Markham denied penis transplant! Tom is the owner of the worlds smallest peen” or something to that effect 🤣🤣🤣 On all seriousness though, this book does go hard for a YA, and most definitely would’ve come with a trigger warning today for suicide ideations and the threat of sexual violence and constant and unrelenting sexual harassment.
Meanwhile this book hits all the pop culture references you can shake a stick at, and I gleefully lapped it all up. I MEAN. Silence of the Lambs, Faces of Death, Jaws, Alien, and a convo about tangible horror ALL ON THE SAME PAGE?? A dream 😆😍
And the kills are GNARLY and the body count is HIGH. Once the Angel started killing off the bullies one by one, I was fully on team Angel, and I’m pretty sure you will be too 🙌🤣👼
Buckle up for a wild [Slay] ride and enjoy the scenery resplendent with dripping blood and guts! 🤢
December 7, 2022
Not quite sure what to think of this. It was overall good but still left an unpleasant taste in my mouth.
I wanted a seasonal revenge story, but it's a lot more triggering than that. For anyone interested in reading: TWs for suicidal talk, depression, sexual harassment, and attempted rape. I'd say 60-70% of the book is just really awful harassment, detailed pretty horrifically.
It's a lot.
I also expected it to be a bit more Christmas-y, but it didn't have all that much to do with the holiday until the very end.
I wanted a seasonal revenge story, but it's a lot more triggering than that. For anyone interested in reading: TWs for suicidal talk, depression, sexual harassment, and attempted rape. I'd say 60-70% of the book is just really awful harassment, detailed pretty horrifically.
It's a lot.
I also expected it to be a bit more Christmas-y, but it didn't have all that much to do with the holiday until the very end.
December 15, 2021
Misleading cover and title but a pretty solid story.
December 25, 2022
WHOA. What a ride this one was! Andrea has had enough of being sexually harassed by her feral classmates. Once she learns that her Guardian Angel is looking out for her, does she grow the strength to defend herself. This was one of the most boldest books for teens that I've read. Published in 1993, the language and situations are rated 'R'. I couldn't help but think that this would totally would be a kickass movie.
January 6, 2022
Are all The Nightmare Club books this good???
December 18, 2022
This was more mature than I was expecting, especially for a series that felt like it was modeled off of the Fear Street books. It makes me want to read more just to see if they are all as serious as this one was. I was expecting more of a Christmas feel, especially given the title and cover, but it really just kind of takes place around Christmas break.
The story is still fairly solid and the characters are fleshed out pretty well for a book in a teen horror series. I’m always up for horror that is about revenge and this book definitely did not disappoint in that department. Those who have experienced sexual harassment or attempted rape may need to take caution as this book doesn’t shy away from either. The way the sexual harassment and the reactions to it are portrayed felt realistic.
I thought the romance was adorable and enjoyed seeing how the actions of the main character’s “guardian angel” helped the main character find some of the confidence she’d lost over the bullying. Despite guessing the identity of the guardian angel, I still enjoyed the big reveal. I also appreciate that the last few pages go over things victims of harassment should do. Even though this book was written in the 90s, the tips are still somewhat helpful. It’s a shame this book didn’t get more attention. It would make a fantastic adaptation.
4.5 stars!
The story is still fairly solid and the characters are fleshed out pretty well for a book in a teen horror series. I’m always up for horror that is about revenge and this book definitely did not disappoint in that department. Those who have experienced sexual harassment or attempted rape may need to take caution as this book doesn’t shy away from either. The way the sexual harassment and the reactions to it are portrayed felt realistic.
I thought the romance was adorable and enjoyed seeing how the actions of the main character’s “guardian angel” helped the main character find some of the confidence she’d lost over the bullying. Despite guessing the identity of the guardian angel, I still enjoyed the big reveal. I also appreciate that the last few pages go over things victims of harassment should do. Even though this book was written in the 90s, the tips are still somewhat helpful. It’s a shame this book didn’t get more attention. It would make a fantastic adaptation.
4.5 stars!
January 23, 2024
While this book is tackles a very hard subject of sexual assault and is a pretty triggering read, I will say for the most part I enjoyed the way the story unfolded. For the most part the main character was very sympathetic and you wanted all the nasty stuff that was happening to her to stop. I also enjoyed that there was no real mystical force or creature helping her out. Even though they kind of talk about it and how her necklace holds the power to protect her. I also enjoyed that not everything was wrapped up in a pretty little bow at the end. Now there was a certain homophobic word the main character used so nonchalantly that literally took me out of the book. And I will be honest made me not like her as a character. Now don’t get me wrong I feel all the sexual assault was uncalled for and I’m glad that her tormentors were punished. The line was not needed and if it wasn’t in the book I’d probably rate it a 4. I know this is a book from the 90’s but really not an excuse. Overall the book left a bad taste in my mouth.
December 9, 2022
This was quite shocking if you're only used to more comparatively sanitary YA horrors from the same era. It also hits differently now in a time when sexual harassment is talked about more in the public eye. The copy I have has several typos, so Kensington must not have proofread this one as closely as they could have. The writing also wasn't anywhere as deep as something penned by Pike, but there's a lot of colorful descriptive language and effective instances of internal dialogue. If you can find it, read it. Also be aware, it's not a lighthearted whodunit. This teen-slasher gets rather dark, gruesome and depraved.
November 24, 2025
Andrea is relentlessly sexually harassed and assaulted by her classmates. The adults in her life fail to help her so her Guardian Angel decides to intervene and he’s out for blood. Solid plot and character development. This one was absolutely brutal. 4.5 stars.
November 1, 2012
I love this book i had a copy and have lost it and im now looking for somewhere to buy a xopy from. Im only13 and love this book so muchmy fave part is when she meets jimmy barnes xxxxx
I recomend this book for manly teens cos it is based on yeens in a school xxxx
I recomend this book for manly teens cos it is based on yeens in a school xxxx
December 7, 2010
I really did not enjoy this book. It brought back to many memories of some of the bull I had to put up with in high school.. SO I would have to give it a D.
April 11, 2016
missing
November 27, 2017
This was an intense book. Andrea is bullied and harassed at school on a daily basis. Nobody does anything to help her until one day she receives a note from her Guardian Angel. Suddenly the tables are turned but will the harassment end?
I had mixed feelings about this book. The people in this book are horrible but there is a necessary message about harassment and bulling that goes on and unnoticed.
I had mixed feelings about this book. The people in this book are horrible but there is a necessary message about harassment and bulling that goes on and unnoticed.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews