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Try Not To Die #2
Try Not to Die: In Brightside: an Interactive Adventure
Telepathy is an incredible power...
...but it can't free you from prison.
You'll have to fight your way out, or die trying...
In this interactive suspense thriller, you are Becky, a telepathic teen itching to escape from a beautiful jail - a mountain enclave called Brightside. Sure, you can hear thoughts, but you don't know who's really your friend, and who secretly wants to kill you in your sleep. Worse, your brother Wendell, a fellow prisoner, chooses to stay in this god awful place.
With each page you have to make a choice - run or lie low, fight or hide, attack or go on the defense. Every decision comes with a twist in the story, and possibly your life. Only one path gets you down the mountain to safety, and it's up to you to discover the road home.
If you grew up reading Goosebumps ® or Choose Your Own Adventure ® stories, you'll love this incredible thriller! Find out why fans say, "I had a great time with the different decisions, even though I died a lot!"
Don't wait - Click the BUY button now!
...but it can't free you from prison.
You'll have to fight your way out, or die trying...
In this interactive suspense thriller, you are Becky, a telepathic teen itching to escape from a beautiful jail - a mountain enclave called Brightside. Sure, you can hear thoughts, but you don't know who's really your friend, and who secretly wants to kill you in your sleep. Worse, your brother Wendell, a fellow prisoner, chooses to stay in this god awful place.
With each page you have to make a choice - run or lie low, fight or hide, attack or go on the defense. Every decision comes with a twist in the story, and possibly your life. Only one path gets you down the mountain to safety, and it's up to you to discover the road home.
If you grew up reading Goosebumps ® or Choose Your Own Adventure ® stories, you'll love this incredible thriller! Find out why fans say, "I had a great time with the different decisions, even though I died a lot!"
Don't wait - Click the BUY button now!
203 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2020
65 people are currently reading
716 people want to read
About the author
Mark Tullius
63 books1,354 followersMy writing covers a wide range, with fiction being my favorite to create, with two dozen or so titles under my belt. There are 21 titles in my YA interactive Try Not to Die series and 30 more in the works. I also have two nonfiction titles, both inspired by a reckless lifestyle, playing Ivy League football, and battering the hell out of my brain as an unsuccessful MMA fighter and boxer. Unlocking the Cage is the largest sociological study of MMA fighters to date and TBI or CTE aims to spread awareness and hope to others that suffer with traumatic brain injury symptoms.
I live in sunny California with my wife, two kids, five cats, and one demon. Derek. He makes special appearance on my social media
You can also get your 3 free books by signing up to my newsletter. This letter is only for the brave, or at least those brave enough to deal with bad dad jokes, a crude sense of humor, and loads and loads of death.
Derek and I would love to have you join us!
Here are all my links -
Newsletter - https://subscribepage.io/TulliusNews
https://youcanfollow.me/MarkTullius
I live in sunny California with my wife, two kids, five cats, and one demon. Derek. He makes special appearance on my social media
You can also get your 3 free books by signing up to my newsletter. This letter is only for the brave, or at least those brave enough to deal with bad dad jokes, a crude sense of humor, and loads and loads of death.
Derek and I would love to have you join us!
Here are all my links -
Newsletter - https://subscribepage.io/TulliusNews
https://youcanfollow.me/MarkTullius
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
January 26, 2026
This is a Horror with super natural (Mind Reading), and this is an interactive book. I enjoyed choosing different paths on the kindle edition, and I also listening to the whole book by going to the chapter they said to listening through. The narrator was really go, and I really enjoyed it. I think it will be hard to pick where to go because I normally listen to audiobooks while driving. So, I am happy there is away to just listen to the book straight through. I did not think it was super scary. The book made me want to keep reading. The ending was so good. I do think there was not a lot of character development, but I do not think that hurt the book. This book is plot driven not character driven. I won a kindle edition of this book from a goodreads giveaway. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
September 20, 2020
Becky is planning on escaping Brightside by Mark Tullius and Dawna Gonzalez. Then, her neighbor is murdered. In this create your own adventure, you get to try to help her escape. Becky tries to investigate to find out who killed her neighbor and is still trying to escape.
This was my first choose your own adventure story. It was so fun except I kept picking the wrong choice. When you pick the wrong choice, it tells you which chapter to go back to to retry. I started randomly picking numbers instead of choosing what I thought was the best choice and did way better.
I did the choose your own adventure story and think I liked it more than I would've liked just listening to the story.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Maxine Denis. Denis did a great job narrating and her voice worked well
Thank you NetGalley and Vincere Press for this audiobook.
This was my first choose your own adventure story. It was so fun except I kept picking the wrong choice. When you pick the wrong choice, it tells you which chapter to go back to to retry. I started randomly picking numbers instead of choosing what I thought was the best choice and did way better.
I did the choose your own adventure story and think I liked it more than I would've liked just listening to the story.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Maxine Denis. Denis did a great job narrating and her voice worked well
Thank you NetGalley and Vincere Press for this audiobook.
March 6, 2020
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
This is an interactive book so you read a chapter then have to choose an answer as to what you will do next and then turn to that page.
I loved these books as a child and found this one great but could have been a little bit more to it, but since it is part of a series I am looking forward to the next part.
This is an interactive book so you read a chapter then have to choose an answer as to what you will do next and then turn to that page.
I loved these books as a child and found this one great but could have been a little bit more to it, but since it is part of a series I am looking forward to the next part.
September 4, 2020
Choose you own adventure audiobook!
I loved the choose your own adventure books as a kid and I was so happy to see an audiobook version. The story follows Becky as she tries to escape the town she's trapped in. She was sent there for being a 'though thief' aka telepathic, where the guards are as likely to kill you as keep you safe. She makes choices throughout the day that will hopefully lead to freedom. You face the guards, push other prisoners into letting you into their plans, and choose which route won't get you caught.
I had a great time with the different decisions, even though I died a lot lol. There's also a version at the end that takes you through the story with the right choices, but where's the fun in that? I'm excited for the next book and will be on the lookout!
I received this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I loved the choose your own adventure books as a kid and I was so happy to see an audiobook version. The story follows Becky as she tries to escape the town she's trapped in. She was sent there for being a 'though thief' aka telepathic, where the guards are as likely to kill you as keep you safe. She makes choices throughout the day that will hopefully lead to freedom. You face the guards, push other prisoners into letting you into their plans, and choose which route won't get you caught.
I had a great time with the different decisions, even though I died a lot lol. There's also a version at the end that takes you through the story with the right choices, but where's the fun in that? I'm excited for the next book and will be on the lookout!
I received this audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
May 1, 2020
Review for 'Try not to die:In Brightside ' by Mark Tullius and Dawna Gonzales
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Vincere press publishers
This is the first book that I have read by either of these authors. Whilst I probably wouldn't go out of my way to get more of theirs if I was to come across any I would probably pick them up.
This is the second book in the 'Try not to die' series. I think it would be best to read the first book before this one as it uses terms such as 'Boots' and 'Thought thieves' with no explanations to what it's referring to. It also mentions previous events with no explanation leaving the reader wondering what happened.
When I kind of worked out what was going on I did start enjoying reading this book and having fun deciding which option to choose and seeing what would happen either way. However, after picking a choice IN Sharon's office I was taken to a completely random place in the story very close to the end. I'm not sure if there was a link problem there as I read it on Kindle. If you want to read this I would recommend the paper version so this doesn't happen as it spoilt the storyline reading the end (hadn't realised straight away what happened although I was very confused) way too early.
THE storyline and choices are quite intense and suspenseful and the plot is action packed.
I did find in other parts of the book that even though it sent me to the correct link the storyline still seemed a bit jumpy in regards to the time line and what was going on, again causing some confusion.
I thought the survivors edition at the end was very useful and it thankfully helped me find where the link should have taken me.
I liked the fact that if you make a wrong choice it has a try again link to take you back so you don't get lost trying to find your way back around, I didn't have any problems with these links.
I read the book quite quickly and didn't really find there was enough content for me to 'bond' with any of the characters although I did quite like Tommy's character.
THE cover related well with the book and makes it intriguing if someone was to see it in a bookshop.
If I was going to recommend this book it would be to fans of action, suspense and 'pick your destiny' books if they have read the first book and preferably in paper version.
242 pages
Free to to purchase on kindle unlimited or £2.30. I think this is a good price for this book.
Rated 3/5 ( It was OK) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Co.uk and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook. If I had read the first book before this one and didn't have the problems with the links I would have probably rated it 4/5
Feel free to add me on Goodreads for more reviews
#TryNotToDieInBrightside #MarkTullius #DawnaGonzales #VincerePress #NetGalley #BookReview
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Vincere press publishers
This is the first book that I have read by either of these authors. Whilst I probably wouldn't go out of my way to get more of theirs if I was to come across any I would probably pick them up.
This is the second book in the 'Try not to die' series. I think it would be best to read the first book before this one as it uses terms such as 'Boots' and 'Thought thieves' with no explanations to what it's referring to. It also mentions previous events with no explanation leaving the reader wondering what happened.
When I kind of worked out what was going on I did start enjoying reading this book and having fun deciding which option to choose and seeing what would happen either way. However, after picking a choice IN Sharon's office I was taken to a completely random place in the story very close to the end. I'm not sure if there was a link problem there as I read it on Kindle. If you want to read this I would recommend the paper version so this doesn't happen as it spoilt the storyline reading the end (hadn't realised straight away what happened although I was very confused) way too early.
THE storyline and choices are quite intense and suspenseful and the plot is action packed.
I did find in other parts of the book that even though it sent me to the correct link the storyline still seemed a bit jumpy in regards to the time line and what was going on, again causing some confusion.
I thought the survivors edition at the end was very useful and it thankfully helped me find where the link should have taken me.
I liked the fact that if you make a wrong choice it has a try again link to take you back so you don't get lost trying to find your way back around, I didn't have any problems with these links.
I read the book quite quickly and didn't really find there was enough content for me to 'bond' with any of the characters although I did quite like Tommy's character.
THE cover related well with the book and makes it intriguing if someone was to see it in a bookshop.
If I was going to recommend this book it would be to fans of action, suspense and 'pick your destiny' books if they have read the first book and preferably in paper version.
242 pages
Free to to purchase on kindle unlimited or £2.30. I think this is a good price for this book.
Rated 3/5 ( It was OK) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Co.uk and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook. If I had read the first book before this one and didn't have the problems with the links I would have probably rated it 4/5
Feel free to add me on Goodreads for more reviews
#TryNotToDieInBrightside #MarkTullius #DawnaGonzales #VincerePress #NetGalley #BookReview
https://m.facebook.com/Bookworm1986/?...
September 12, 2020
Brightside is a beautiful mountain town. It is also a prison. Special people are sent here and held. They are treated just fine if they work and proceed as they are supposed to. But those that don't are sent to the lodge and come back with their spirit broken. Becky has only been here for 10 days and already hates it. But she hears there might be an escape attempt and she must join in.
I haven't read a choose your adventure story like this in forever. I wasn't sure how it would work with the audiobook, but it was super easy. At the end of the chapter, the narrator tells you that you must make a decision. You then skip to whichever chapter you choose to learn your fate. I died way more times than I shall admit, but it was fun. The audiobook also gives the option to skip ahead if you just wanted to listen to the story, which I appreciated.
I will say that while I did not read the previous book, I had no problem following along. Probably would've been better if I had, but the action started so fast, you just learned to go with the flow. Overall, I thought this was fun.
*I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley and the publisher. This is it.
I haven't read a choose your adventure story like this in forever. I wasn't sure how it would work with the audiobook, but it was super easy. At the end of the chapter, the narrator tells you that you must make a decision. You then skip to whichever chapter you choose to learn your fate. I died way more times than I shall admit, but it was fun. The audiobook also gives the option to skip ahead if you just wanted to listen to the story, which I appreciated.
I will say that while I did not read the previous book, I had no problem following along. Probably would've been better if I had, but the action started so fast, you just learned to go with the flow. Overall, I thought this was fun.
*I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley and the publisher. This is it.
October 18, 2020
In this audiobook we are placed in the shoes of our main character, Becky, taking on the decisions she is faced with as she tries to successfully escape Brightside. As someone who devoured the Choose Your Own Adventure series as a child, this was something I was looking forward to - though as an audiobook it was quite a strange experience.
First of all, as someone who had not read Brightside (which ties in with this) I did feel somewhat at a disadvantage. It was evident Becky wanted to escape this town, but I knew nothing about it, the people who lived there/policed it or the reasons for Becky being there in the first place. Had I known this background information, some things might have made a little more sense.
As it was, the decisions come thick and fast early on. I admit, without shame, that pretty much every choice I made early on (going off intuition alone) resulted in me dying in various grisly and gruesome ways. Suffice to say, Brightside is not a place that sounds welcoming at all...and I can fully understand why you'd want to leave it if you could.
Once events were underway, and we were following Becky on the course she was meant to be following, the story introduced us to a number of characters and yet I always felt there was something missing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this, and I am intrigued enough to look at Brightside if I can get my hands on a copy.
First of all, as someone who had not read Brightside (which ties in with this) I did feel somewhat at a disadvantage. It was evident Becky wanted to escape this town, but I knew nothing about it, the people who lived there/policed it or the reasons for Becky being there in the first place. Had I known this background information, some things might have made a little more sense.
As it was, the decisions come thick and fast early on. I admit, without shame, that pretty much every choice I made early on (going off intuition alone) resulted in me dying in various grisly and gruesome ways. Suffice to say, Brightside is not a place that sounds welcoming at all...and I can fully understand why you'd want to leave it if you could.
Once events were underway, and we were following Becky on the course she was meant to be following, the story introduced us to a number of characters and yet I always felt there was something missing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this, and I am intrigued enough to look at Brightside if I can get my hands on a copy.
October 23, 2020
This reminded me of paperbacks from my childhood where you could choose your own adventure. It was so much easier with the paperbacks because you could turn to a page. In the Kindle version,you click a link. A couple times, I felt like the story jumped around and I double checked to make sure it sent me to the correct place. Either I messed up and my fat fingers clicked wrong, or the story was choppy.
I regret that I didn't reading the first book of the series before I did this. The story itself, mindreaders, the strict town rules, and trying to escape is a very interesting storyline. When I lost my place ( I think by accidentally not clicking the link but instead turning a page), I resorted to reading the Survivor edition which was the full story at the end of not having to click links
I regret that I didn't reading the first book of the series before I did this. The story itself, mindreaders, the strict town rules, and trying to escape is a very interesting storyline. When I lost my place ( I think by accidentally not clicking the link but instead turning a page), I resorted to reading the Survivor edition which was the full story at the end of not having to click links
September 4, 2020
I LOVED the premise having never tried an interactive book/ audiobook before!
This was really clever but quite difficult to follow. I listen to audiobooks while multi tasking which I would not recommend with this one!
The narrator was great and she really engaged me with the role and the decisions I had to make.
I feel the plot could have been stronger and there was more time to decide before it immediately started the next chapter.
This was really clever but quite difficult to follow. I listen to audiobooks while multi tasking which I would not recommend with this one!
The narrator was great and she really engaged me with the role and the decisions I had to make.
I feel the plot could have been stronger and there was more time to decide before it immediately started the next chapter.
September 23, 2020
I love the choose your own adventure books and was super excited to see how entertaining it would be as an audiobook. This was a lot of fun and well narrated. You can choose your own version and/or choose the straight through version. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this audiobook.
March 17, 2022
The main story is psychics or mind readers in particular are rounded up and put into their own town called Brightside. But it really is more of a containment town where there are high fences surrounding it and they are not allowed to leave.
The story follows Rebecca who is 16 and hears about a breakout and is undecided whether to join them or not. In the meantime, there is a serial killer loose who tells her she is next.
This is told in an interactive follow your own adventure method where you choose what path to follow. I was doing an audio of the book and this made it a little difficult because I like to just listen to the story. I found out when it ended that I could have avoided the choices and just started at chapter 55 to follow it straight. The book didn't give that choice in the beginning. I would have preferred to do this for an audio book.
Otherwise the story was interesting but I kept getting taken out of the world when choosing a path.
The story follows Rebecca who is 16 and hears about a breakout and is undecided whether to join them or not. In the meantime, there is a serial killer loose who tells her she is next.
This is told in an interactive follow your own adventure method where you choose what path to follow. I was doing an audio of the book and this made it a little difficult because I like to just listen to the story. I found out when it ended that I could have avoided the choices and just started at chapter 55 to follow it straight. The book didn't give that choice in the beginning. I would have preferred to do this for an audio book.
Otherwise the story was interesting but I kept getting taken out of the world when choosing a path.
September 7, 2020
I did not read Brightside and I believe in this novella's case, you really should read that book first. You are not going to get much world building or much character building. So this may have been more a three star read for me, but that is mostly because I didn't read Brightside and I don't feel like the book deserves a lower rating because I didn't read that. Anyways, it was interesting and I did get wrapped up in the story. And it was so neat how the narrator did the mind to mind voices even though it totally creeped me out at times. The characters were diverse and interesting. I was listening to this at work so I chose to listen to the read straight through without making decisions option. I guarantee I wouldn't have made the right decisions to keep me alive. And this really made me wish I had read Brightside so I guess I will have to remedy that now.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to and review the audiobook.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to and review the audiobook.
September 20, 2020
MORE THAN TWO DOZEN WAYS TO DIE...
Guess who found almost every single one?!
I found this scrolling through the Horror section on AudioBooksUnleashed. I already know that I like Mark Tullius, so that part is a no brainer. I saw the word 'Interactive' and my eyes lit up, my ears twitched...then I saw 'Choose -Your-Own-Adventure..'' I made a weird little 'eiieeee!!! ::clapclapclap::' sound, and I was redeeming my code before I could even figure out what the Hell that weird noise that just came out of my mouth was.
I had already started the book when I realized that I missed the part where this is BOOK TWO.in the series! Oh well, it's good so far, let's keep on truckin'.
I don't think that the fact I died seven times by chapter twelve had anything to do with me skipping Book One. By the time I finished trying not to die In Brightside, I had died twenty times. I gotta chalk that up to poor impulse control, and bad decision making.
I'm hooked now though. I'm trying to decide if I should go back and read Book 1 now, or search the earth to see if Book Three is available because I'm starting to develop an eye twitch trying to figure out what is going to happen next!
It's narrated by Maxine Denis. I don't think I've listened to anything else she has narrated, but I think she did a great job here. An audio book can die from it's narrator - I've shelved quite a few. This was really good, and I hope she stays throughout the series.
Guess who found almost every single one?!
I found this scrolling through the Horror section on AudioBooksUnleashed. I already know that I like Mark Tullius, so that part is a no brainer. I saw the word 'Interactive' and my eyes lit up, my ears twitched...then I saw 'Choose -Your-Own-Adventure..'' I made a weird little 'eiieeee!!! ::clapclapclap::' sound, and I was redeeming my code before I could even figure out what the Hell that weird noise that just came out of my mouth was.
I had already started the book when I realized that I missed the part where this is BOOK TWO.in the series! Oh well, it's good so far, let's keep on truckin'.
I don't think that the fact I died seven times by chapter twelve had anything to do with me skipping Book One. By the time I finished trying not to die In Brightside, I had died twenty times. I gotta chalk that up to poor impulse control, and bad decision making.
I'm hooked now though. I'm trying to decide if I should go back and read Book 1 now, or search the earth to see if Book Three is available because I'm starting to develop an eye twitch trying to figure out what is going to happen next!
It's narrated by Maxine Denis. I don't think I've listened to anything else she has narrated, but I think she did a great job here. An audio book can die from it's narrator - I've shelved quite a few. This was really good, and I hope she stays throughout the series.
September 9, 2025
Try Not to Die In Brightside is a fast-paced interactive dystopian horror novel perfect for fans of locked-room thrillers and escape room adventures. The audiobook format offers two reading modes: an interactive experience (choose-your-own-path) and a linear “survivor” option. This is the 2nd installment in the popular Try Not To Die franchise series, and this book has a sequel titled Beyond Brightside. Both this book and the sequel are available on Kindle, in paperback format, and on audio!
This story steps readers into the shoes of Rebecca (Becky), a telepathic teenager trapped in Brightside, a mountaintop prison town designed to contain individuals with the ability to read minds, known as “Thought Thieves.” The government claims it’s a sanctuary, but in reality, it’s a gilded cage where residents are monitored and controlled. As Becky, readers navigate the oppressive environment of Brightside while trying to learn more about a planned escape being organized by other residents. Becky interacts with her brother and several of the town’s residents, making risky alliances in order to be included in the escape.
In the physical book or audio “Interactive” mode, readers will navigate 54 chapters with branching choices at the end of each chapter. A wrong choice leads to a sudden, often gory death, while correct choices edge the reader closer to escaping the dystopian prison town of Brightside and finding what lies outside its borders. Only one path leads to freedom, which is revealed in the "survival" mode of the audiobook—it’s recommended to listen only after successfully completing the story via the interactive mode. No matter which route you take, the narrative is fast-paced, filled with interesting characters, and adrenaline-driven from start to finish. When making choices, it’s important to pay close attention to how the choices are worded and the small details—in some chapters hints of bad outcomes are given, while in others detours are designed to fool you!
The isolated prison town of Brightside is the perfect backdrop for a dystopian survival horror—the contrast between its idyllic surface appearance and its hidden reality is central to the tension in this book. As readers navigate the town as Becky, residents appear polite and cooperative, and the town’s public areas—the park, the deli where Rebecca works, and other shops—evoke a false sense of normalcy. In reality, the residents are constantly on edge and suspicious, and betrayal can happen in a heartbeat! The surveillance cameras, armed officers named “The Boots,” and the residents’ telepathic abilities create an environment where every thought and movement can be detected. Any deviation from the established norms is deemed suspicious and threatening—and every decision readers make as Rebecca carries life-or-death consequences! Brightside being described as an idyllic setting only further amplifies the sense of entrapment and paranoia and makes the reading experience psychologically unsettling! The apartment complex where Rebecca resides is full of dangerous characters, including one who threatens to end her life. A home is meant to be someone’s safe haven—instead there’s “no safe haven” at home or elsewhere for Rebecca—and escaping the town is felt with an urgency as death seems unavoidable otherwise!
Rebecca is a relatively new arrival at Brightside but is already aware of the town’s stringent rules and regulations when the story begins. Having heard whispers of a planned escape, Rebecca is determined to be included. Unfortunately, knowing who to trust and who to open her thoughts to is a daunting challenge—she’s even hesitant when interacting with her own brother, Wendell! There are so many interesting characters that readers, as Rebecca, interact with—from rebel teenager Tommy to police enforcers to the town’s veterinarian to shopkeepers—and each either has something insightful to say or is a potential threat to Rebecca’s escape plan!
For such a fast-paced short novel, the narrative delves into some very thought-provoking themes, including control, identity, and the ethical implications of surveillance. Rebecca’s internal struggles are mirrored by the external challenges she faces, creating a subplot of self-discovery! The writing style is fresh and sharp, and the picturesque town is described with vivid imagery as Rebecca navigates around. Death scenes are often vivid and grotesque—and if you’ve already made a wrong choice and experienced a death, every subsequent page turn will then feel like a risk, keeping readers hyper-vigilant and almost paranoid—mirroring the mental state of the characters trapped in Brightside!
Compared to some of the other novels in the Try Not To Die series, this story is more complex—ultimately leading to a higher likelihood of making a wrong choice and experiencing a death. The good news is that replayability is excellent—after a death scene, readers are taken back to the last branching choice to choose again, maintaining flow and excitement. This book is perfectly designed to be read multiple times, encouraging readers to take different paths and discover hidden storylines and characters! With each attempt, readers will get to a bigger picture of Brightside’s dark lore and the nightmarish psychological hold its dystopian society has on its residents!
Overall, Try Not to Die In Brightside is an immersive and highly addictive horror gamebook. Its high replayability, unpredictable and original storyline, and large cast of interesting characters make it a standout in the Try Not To Die series. The companion audiobook is a great reading option, and its “survivor” mode will appeal to readers who’d rather enjoy the story without the pressure of choices! Readers who enjoy high-stakes, interactive dystopian horror and stories about oppressive, tightly controlled societies—in the same vein as 1984 or The Hunger Games—will absolutely love this book and be excited to read the sequel, Beyond Brightside, immediately afterwards! If you haven’t read any books in The Try Not To Die franchise, this story will get you hooked on the format—and with over 20 books offered in the series, with so many different settings and fears—prisons, amusement parks, deserts, haunted roads, and more—there’s a taste of horror for everyone to enjoy!
🎙️Narrator Performance 🎙️
The audiobook of Try Not to Die In Brightside is a thrilling, immersive listen narrated by actress Maxine Denis. The audiobook offers an interactive branching experience of 54 chapters and linear “survivor” tracks where listeners can follow the story without stressful decision-making.
Denis uses a clear, engaging voice to narrate this audiobook, infused with a constant sense of unease in her tone to convey protagonist Becky’s paranoia over whom to trust and how to stay out of danger. Becky has interactions with a lot of characters throughout the story, and each encounter is narrated uniquely and authentically—making Becky’s inner thought processing and dialogue very immersive. Denis also does a great job giving each character a unique voice and emotional range, making the story come alive and feel more like a movie in your mind as opposed to a standard audiobook.
The most intense scenes come in the second half, when the escape plan is fully underway and Becky finds herself with some very difficult decisions to make—these are expertly executed with increased pacing and more tension and a greater sense of urgency in Denis’ voice, perfectly mirroring the “do or die” situation that’s unfolding. In the climactic scenes towards the end, several of the characters have emotional outbursts—and each scene is narrated with convincing emotional intensity that will keep readers gripped and hanging onto every word!
By the end of the story, the found family trope is heavily pronounced, and Denis makes the camaraderie and mutual respect between the characters tangible and believable—making readers more emotionally invested in their outcomes. The book ends in a cliffhanger, and the final lines of dialogue are perfectly narrated with a balance of hope and trepidation—leaving listeners breathless and eager to know what happens in the sequel, Beyond Brightside, which is now available in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook formats!
Overall, Maxine Denis elevates the reading experience of Try Not to Die In Brightside with her engaging, immersive performance, good pacing, and entertaining character voices. This audiobook is a must-listen for those who enjoy dystopian horror, highly immersive stories, and interactive gamebooks! If you haven’t listened to any books in the Try Not To Die franchise, this audiobook is the perfect introduction to its entertaining and highly addictive interactive format. There’s a high probability that you won’t make it through the book without multiple deaths, but Maxine Denis’ fantastic narration makes even the death scenes exciting—and readers will be eager to see all the possible outcomes as they replay this one over and over!
This story steps readers into the shoes of Rebecca (Becky), a telepathic teenager trapped in Brightside, a mountaintop prison town designed to contain individuals with the ability to read minds, known as “Thought Thieves.” The government claims it’s a sanctuary, but in reality, it’s a gilded cage where residents are monitored and controlled. As Becky, readers navigate the oppressive environment of Brightside while trying to learn more about a planned escape being organized by other residents. Becky interacts with her brother and several of the town’s residents, making risky alliances in order to be included in the escape.
In the physical book or audio “Interactive” mode, readers will navigate 54 chapters with branching choices at the end of each chapter. A wrong choice leads to a sudden, often gory death, while correct choices edge the reader closer to escaping the dystopian prison town of Brightside and finding what lies outside its borders. Only one path leads to freedom, which is revealed in the "survival" mode of the audiobook—it’s recommended to listen only after successfully completing the story via the interactive mode. No matter which route you take, the narrative is fast-paced, filled with interesting characters, and adrenaline-driven from start to finish. When making choices, it’s important to pay close attention to how the choices are worded and the small details—in some chapters hints of bad outcomes are given, while in others detours are designed to fool you!
The isolated prison town of Brightside is the perfect backdrop for a dystopian survival horror—the contrast between its idyllic surface appearance and its hidden reality is central to the tension in this book. As readers navigate the town as Becky, residents appear polite and cooperative, and the town’s public areas—the park, the deli where Rebecca works, and other shops—evoke a false sense of normalcy. In reality, the residents are constantly on edge and suspicious, and betrayal can happen in a heartbeat! The surveillance cameras, armed officers named “The Boots,” and the residents’ telepathic abilities create an environment where every thought and movement can be detected. Any deviation from the established norms is deemed suspicious and threatening—and every decision readers make as Rebecca carries life-or-death consequences! Brightside being described as an idyllic setting only further amplifies the sense of entrapment and paranoia and makes the reading experience psychologically unsettling! The apartment complex where Rebecca resides is full of dangerous characters, including one who threatens to end her life. A home is meant to be someone’s safe haven—instead there’s “no safe haven” at home or elsewhere for Rebecca—and escaping the town is felt with an urgency as death seems unavoidable otherwise!
Rebecca is a relatively new arrival at Brightside but is already aware of the town’s stringent rules and regulations when the story begins. Having heard whispers of a planned escape, Rebecca is determined to be included. Unfortunately, knowing who to trust and who to open her thoughts to is a daunting challenge—she’s even hesitant when interacting with her own brother, Wendell! There are so many interesting characters that readers, as Rebecca, interact with—from rebel teenager Tommy to police enforcers to the town’s veterinarian to shopkeepers—and each either has something insightful to say or is a potential threat to Rebecca’s escape plan!
For such a fast-paced short novel, the narrative delves into some very thought-provoking themes, including control, identity, and the ethical implications of surveillance. Rebecca’s internal struggles are mirrored by the external challenges she faces, creating a subplot of self-discovery! The writing style is fresh and sharp, and the picturesque town is described with vivid imagery as Rebecca navigates around. Death scenes are often vivid and grotesque—and if you’ve already made a wrong choice and experienced a death, every subsequent page turn will then feel like a risk, keeping readers hyper-vigilant and almost paranoid—mirroring the mental state of the characters trapped in Brightside!
Compared to some of the other novels in the Try Not To Die series, this story is more complex—ultimately leading to a higher likelihood of making a wrong choice and experiencing a death. The good news is that replayability is excellent—after a death scene, readers are taken back to the last branching choice to choose again, maintaining flow and excitement. This book is perfectly designed to be read multiple times, encouraging readers to take different paths and discover hidden storylines and characters! With each attempt, readers will get to a bigger picture of Brightside’s dark lore and the nightmarish psychological hold its dystopian society has on its residents!
Overall, Try Not to Die In Brightside is an immersive and highly addictive horror gamebook. Its high replayability, unpredictable and original storyline, and large cast of interesting characters make it a standout in the Try Not To Die series. The companion audiobook is a great reading option, and its “survivor” mode will appeal to readers who’d rather enjoy the story without the pressure of choices! Readers who enjoy high-stakes, interactive dystopian horror and stories about oppressive, tightly controlled societies—in the same vein as 1984 or The Hunger Games—will absolutely love this book and be excited to read the sequel, Beyond Brightside, immediately afterwards! If you haven’t read any books in The Try Not To Die franchise, this story will get you hooked on the format—and with over 20 books offered in the series, with so many different settings and fears—prisons, amusement parks, deserts, haunted roads, and more—there’s a taste of horror for everyone to enjoy!
🎙️Narrator Performance 🎙️
The audiobook of Try Not to Die In Brightside is a thrilling, immersive listen narrated by actress Maxine Denis. The audiobook offers an interactive branching experience of 54 chapters and linear “survivor” tracks where listeners can follow the story without stressful decision-making.
Denis uses a clear, engaging voice to narrate this audiobook, infused with a constant sense of unease in her tone to convey protagonist Becky’s paranoia over whom to trust and how to stay out of danger. Becky has interactions with a lot of characters throughout the story, and each encounter is narrated uniquely and authentically—making Becky’s inner thought processing and dialogue very immersive. Denis also does a great job giving each character a unique voice and emotional range, making the story come alive and feel more like a movie in your mind as opposed to a standard audiobook.
The most intense scenes come in the second half, when the escape plan is fully underway and Becky finds herself with some very difficult decisions to make—these are expertly executed with increased pacing and more tension and a greater sense of urgency in Denis’ voice, perfectly mirroring the “do or die” situation that’s unfolding. In the climactic scenes towards the end, several of the characters have emotional outbursts—and each scene is narrated with convincing emotional intensity that will keep readers gripped and hanging onto every word!
By the end of the story, the found family trope is heavily pronounced, and Denis makes the camaraderie and mutual respect between the characters tangible and believable—making readers more emotionally invested in their outcomes. The book ends in a cliffhanger, and the final lines of dialogue are perfectly narrated with a balance of hope and trepidation—leaving listeners breathless and eager to know what happens in the sequel, Beyond Brightside, which is now available in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook formats!
Overall, Maxine Denis elevates the reading experience of Try Not to Die In Brightside with her engaging, immersive performance, good pacing, and entertaining character voices. This audiobook is a must-listen for those who enjoy dystopian horror, highly immersive stories, and interactive gamebooks! If you haven’t listened to any books in the Try Not To Die franchise, this audiobook is the perfect introduction to its entertaining and highly addictive interactive format. There’s a high probability that you won’t make it through the book without multiple deaths, but Maxine Denis’ fantastic narration makes even the death scenes exciting—and readers will be eager to see all the possible outcomes as they replay this one over and over!
January 11, 2021
More than two dozen ways to die.
Just one correct path.
Do you have what it takes to survive??
Spoiler alert: I didn't! I died so many times while listening to this book.
In Brightside ( Try not to die #2) is a super fun book and not like anything I have picked up before. It is a part of a series and personally I urge you to read it that way ( I did NOT and I feel like that took away some of my understanding and enjoyment....however that is totally on ME.) Its not often that you come across a book where you can choose how you think it should progress. But with TNTD, the reader holds the reins and pieces the story together. Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you get it wrong but its a lot of fun.
What exactly is Brightside?? On the outside it looks like a beautiful town but it holds a secret and you are its prisoner. You aren't just any prisoner though and you aren't there for just any crime. Your crime is that you are telepathic. In this interactive story Horror meets supernatural meets adventure as YOU try to escape Brightside.
I had a lot of fun with this book and will definitely be picking up the other books as well.
I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Just one correct path.
Do you have what it takes to survive??
Spoiler alert: I didn't! I died so many times while listening to this book.
In Brightside ( Try not to die #2) is a super fun book and not like anything I have picked up before. It is a part of a series and personally I urge you to read it that way ( I did NOT and I feel like that took away some of my understanding and enjoyment....however that is totally on ME.) Its not often that you come across a book where you can choose how you think it should progress. But with TNTD, the reader holds the reins and pieces the story together. Sometimes you get it right and sometimes you get it wrong but its a lot of fun.
What exactly is Brightside?? On the outside it looks like a beautiful town but it holds a secret and you are its prisoner. You aren't just any prisoner though and you aren't there for just any crime. Your crime is that you are telepathic. In this interactive story Horror meets supernatural meets adventure as YOU try to escape Brightside.
I had a lot of fun with this book and will definitely be picking up the other books as well.
I received a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 1, 2020
2,5*
This book is the second installment after Brightside, a story in which all telepaths have been taken by the government against their will to a mountain. This measure was taken due to the fear of others being able to read minds and wanting to protect humanity from them.
Joe has been in Brightside for a while. They have their own jobs there, bars and stores. However Joe has had enough and is looking for a way out.
In this second book I loved the fact that it is interactive and you were able to choose your own fate. It took me back to my childhood and it was a really smart way of telling a story of an escape by letting the reader choose their decisions.
However the character we follow here is one we already got to know in the first book and there are some parts in the story in which you already know what to choose because you know the character's story and what needs to happen.
Overall I loved the concept of the story this time told from a different perspective and that it was interactive but I enjoyed the first one a lot more.
This book is the second installment after Brightside, a story in which all telepaths have been taken by the government against their will to a mountain. This measure was taken due to the fear of others being able to read minds and wanting to protect humanity from them.
Joe has been in Brightside for a while. They have their own jobs there, bars and stores. However Joe has had enough and is looking for a way out.
In this second book I loved the fact that it is interactive and you were able to choose your own fate. It took me back to my childhood and it was a really smart way of telling a story of an escape by letting the reader choose their decisions.
However the character we follow here is one we already got to know in the first book and there are some parts in the story in which you already know what to choose because you know the character's story and what needs to happen.
Overall I loved the concept of the story this time told from a different perspective and that it was interactive but I enjoyed the first one a lot more.
October 3, 2020
Review can be found on my blog here: https://booksonthebookshelf.wordpress...
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Thank you to the publisher for the audiobook via NetGalley.
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I enjoyed the uniqueness of this audiobook as it brought me back to my childhood and one of my favourite types of books as a kid - choose your own adventure books. I was hooked on those books as a kid and was thrilled to have the opportunity to listen along to Try Not to Die: In Brightside.
I loved following along this audiobook and making the many difficult decisions that you must make at the end of each chapter. Sometimes you are tasked with choosing one of two options, and sometimes it was on in three options, which makes it that much more difficult, because if you choose the wrong answer you die, then have to select a different choice. Each choice you make is unique in the sense that the story changes with each choice that you make. I love that about this book!
A definite must-add that I recommend you add to you TBR.
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Thank you to the publisher for the audiobook via NetGalley.
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I enjoyed the uniqueness of this audiobook as it brought me back to my childhood and one of my favourite types of books as a kid - choose your own adventure books. I was hooked on those books as a kid and was thrilled to have the opportunity to listen along to Try Not to Die: In Brightside.
I loved following along this audiobook and making the many difficult decisions that you must make at the end of each chapter. Sometimes you are tasked with choosing one of two options, and sometimes it was on in three options, which makes it that much more difficult, because if you choose the wrong answer you die, then have to select a different choice. Each choice you make is unique in the sense that the story changes with each choice that you make. I love that about this book!
A definite must-add that I recommend you add to you TBR.
September 9, 2020
An Interactive Book? Cool!
The idea is great. I remember reading these kinds of books when I was a teen. And being able to click a link or skip to another chapter instead of flipping pages is an awesome updated version.
The story follows Becky as she tries to escape a town that's riddled with "Boots" aka the bad guys. Her brother's in the town as well. The story and concept are great.
This is book two of a series and I am not sure if I needed to read book one before giving this a try. My only issue is that I would have like more story in the story. More back story but that could be my fault because that back story is probably in book one.
I like the fact that you get two versions, the interactive one and the regular version if picking your own adventure isn't your thing. This still gives you the opportunity to read the story and enjoy the Authors work.
I received the audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
The idea is great. I remember reading these kinds of books when I was a teen. And being able to click a link or skip to another chapter instead of flipping pages is an awesome updated version.
The story follows Becky as she tries to escape a town that's riddled with "Boots" aka the bad guys. Her brother's in the town as well. The story and concept are great.
This is book two of a series and I am not sure if I needed to read book one before giving this a try. My only issue is that I would have like more story in the story. More back story but that could be my fault because that back story is probably in book one.
I like the fact that you get two versions, the interactive one and the regular version if picking your own adventure isn't your thing. This still gives you the opportunity to read the story and enjoy the Authors work.
I received the audiobook from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 30, 2020
As an audiobook, Try Not to Die: In Brightside is such a fun and different listening experience. TNTD is an interactive, choose your own adventure type story where you follow a character who is trying to escape Brightside, a kind of militia run town that has a lot going on underneath the surface (and I wished there had been a little more explanation of exactly what was going on in the world of this book, why they so badly needed to escape, and where they were escaping to).
The audiobook has two listening options - one where you chose the actions of the character and one where you listen straight through. I chose to chose the options, and I'll be honest, I died a lot. Apparently my moral compass and gut reactions are not in line with the main character's, but it was still fun to try to figure out what the best next action should be. Though, with the amount of violence and variety of ways you can die, it was a bit gruesome in my opinion to be a YA novel. I also wasn't expecting the book to end so abruptly, so I'll be looking forward to the sequel.
As someone who typically listens to audiobooks while multitasking (driving, cleaning, etc.), this is the kind of book where you have to pay a bit more attention while listening or you'll get lost/not know exactly which option you should choose.
Overall, it was a different and fun, though gruesome, read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Vincere Press for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
The audiobook has two listening options - one where you chose the actions of the character and one where you listen straight through. I chose to chose the options, and I'll be honest, I died a lot. Apparently my moral compass and gut reactions are not in line with the main character's, but it was still fun to try to figure out what the best next action should be. Though, with the amount of violence and variety of ways you can die, it was a bit gruesome in my opinion to be a YA novel. I also wasn't expecting the book to end so abruptly, so I'll be looking forward to the sequel.
As someone who typically listens to audiobooks while multitasking (driving, cleaning, etc.), this is the kind of book where you have to pay a bit more attention while listening or you'll get lost/not know exactly which option you should choose.
Overall, it was a different and fun, though gruesome, read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Vincere Press for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2020
I really enjoyed this audio book. I have not come across an audio book that is a choose your own adventure until this one. Its a wonderful concept that I really enjoyed.
I liked that to choose the next part of the story you just had to skip ahead to a new chapter and that could be done easily through the chapter listing for the book.
If you do happen to choose a chapter in the book where the protagonist does die, you can decide to try again and make a different choice and continue the story.
I really liked the narration, the voice fit the character really well and the pace of the reading was perfect for me. I did not need to speed up or slow down the pace of the book. everything was pronounced clearly too which was wonderful.
About the only thing that annoyed me a bit about this book is that its written in first person, therefore when you do make a choice that culminates in our charter's death, the death is described in first person, which annoyed me, as you can't describe your own death if your dead...this I know, is personal preference with reading.
I certainly would recommend this book to others as I found it to be unique and very entertaining.
I liked that to choose the next part of the story you just had to skip ahead to a new chapter and that could be done easily through the chapter listing for the book.
If you do happen to choose a chapter in the book where the protagonist does die, you can decide to try again and make a different choice and continue the story.
I really liked the narration, the voice fit the character really well and the pace of the reading was perfect for me. I did not need to speed up or slow down the pace of the book. everything was pronounced clearly too which was wonderful.
About the only thing that annoyed me a bit about this book is that its written in first person, therefore when you do make a choice that culminates in our charter's death, the death is described in first person, which annoyed me, as you can't describe your own death if your dead...this I know, is personal preference with reading.
I certainly would recommend this book to others as I found it to be unique and very entertaining.
September 26, 2020
This is a very exciting story and it is in two versions, starting at chapter one is the interactive version where the listener makes decisions at the end of each chapter, as to how the story should proceed - I died several times! Starting at chapter fifty five is the complete story. Brightside is run by the Boots, police who seek to control the thought thieves. The story is plot driven and you are the main character, Becky, a sixteen year old thought thief, and the only way not to die in Brightside if you are a thought thief, is to escape!
Mark Tullius and Dawna Gonzales have done a great job with the story and Maxine Denise does an excellent job of narrating. Aimed at teenagers and young adults, this puts the excitement of game playing into reading or listening to the book. A great idea, recommended.
Mark Tullius and Dawna Gonzales have done a great job with the story and Maxine Denise does an excellent job of narrating. Aimed at teenagers and young adults, this puts the excitement of game playing into reading or listening to the book. A great idea, recommended.
September 6, 2020
Getting started was rough as the narrator's voice wasn't really engaged in the tale. I didnt pay close attention and ended up killing the main character on the first decision. While the story was interesting it left me wanting to know more about Brightside. Why are they really there? Other than dying, what are they trying to get away from? Just not thought out well, for me, but overall it was interesting. I would love to continue the tale to see where they go but I really want the first "book".
September 27, 2020
This is a fast paced, suspense filled adventure where Becky, her brother and other residents are trying to escape a horrific town called Brightside.
The book is an interactive book with lots of twists and it is loaded with the right amount of sarcasm 👌🏽. Loved it and want more.
Narration👌🏽
The book is an interactive book with lots of twists and it is loaded with the right amount of sarcasm 👌🏽. Loved it and want more.
Narration👌🏽
August 31, 2020
In this fun little choose you own adventure audiobook, you step into the role of the main character. You are trying to escape with others from the seemingly perfect town of Brightside. The people of this town read thoughts and only talk out loud when they don’t want to look suspicious. Be careful because you never know who might be listening in on your silent conversations. You will be given a choice at the end of every chapter. Choose correctly and you might escape the town, choose incorrectly and you will die
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review
September 18, 2020
This was fun!
I loved choose your own adventure books as a child so an adult version was fab!
I love the authors writing style so even though I haven’t read bright side before listening I still thoroughly enjoyed and understood what was going on through the chapters.
My only gripe was I listen to audiobooks whilst at work and I had to keep changing chapters to follow my choices. Fine if I was home but at work it was a pain. My fault for choosing to listen whilst at work but I felt it was worth mentioning.
I’ve already picked up try not to die at grandmas house 😁
* I received a free copy of this audiobook from netgalley in exchange for an honest review *
I loved choose your own adventure books as a child so an adult version was fab!
I love the authors writing style so even though I haven’t read bright side before listening I still thoroughly enjoyed and understood what was going on through the chapters.
My only gripe was I listen to audiobooks whilst at work and I had to keep changing chapters to follow my choices. Fine if I was home but at work it was a pain. My fault for choosing to listen whilst at work but I felt it was worth mentioning.
I’ve already picked up try not to die at grandmas house 😁
* I received a free copy of this audiobook from netgalley in exchange for an honest review *
April 17, 2020
Overall this book gets a 4.5 rating from me. I loved the Southern California reference to Knotts and the calico mine ride(loved that as a kid). I apparently make really poor choices and have the instincts of a turnip because I died way too many times throughout this book. My only critique is that at times the choose your own fate part messed with the flow of the read, leaving it a bit disjointed at times, but maybe that is to be expected when you make poor choices haha. Also, as a note I really liked that you had the option to read the full book without making any choices at the end, with the kindle version. I received this book as a part of a Goodreads giveaway all opinions are my own.
March 4, 2020
First time for this author with this also being many moons since reading a book of this type. It was different and refreshing but not something I would do too often. I read for the escape and flow but did appreciate I had some in put. There is suspense there to keep anyone interested. Funny how another's fear and misunderstanding could cause and does a panic. Glad to have picked it up and entered in.
March 2, 2020
I loved this book. I love that it’s a interactive novel. Being able to make choices throughout the book gave it some extra excitement. I used to read interactive books as a teen so I was really excited about this book and I was not disappointed. I definitely recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 17, 2020
Pretty Entertaining!
This was my first interactive book I have ever read and I quite enjoyed it! I did die a few times, but, honestly that made the book very entertaining! I would go back and Die just to see what the author came up with because a lot of them I was not expecting!
I would definitely read more by this author in the future.
This was my first interactive book I have ever read and I quite enjoyed it! I did die a few times, but, honestly that made the book very entertaining! I would go back and Die just to see what the author came up with because a lot of them I was not expecting!
I would definitely read more by this author in the future.
May 19, 2020
I won this book as a Goodreads giveaway
This is one of those interactive books where the story depends on what choices you pick as you are reading it. This is a story of which telepaths have been taken by the government because of the fear that they can read minds.
I read it a few times with picking different selections. I enjoyed the story and the interactive book!
This is one of those interactive books where the story depends on what choices you pick as you are reading it. This is a story of which telepaths have been taken by the government because of the fear that they can read minds.
I read it a few times with picking different selections. I enjoyed the story and the interactive book!
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