Roslyn Volk had a tumultuous relationship with her sister Adeline. She revered and hated her in equal measure. Adeline was always volatile, always upset about something and causing trouble in their family home.

But she was also Roslyn’s older sister – someone she looked up to, with an adventurous and rebellious spirit. Still, when Adeline leaves to spend time with an aunt at a quiet lake spot for her mental health, Roslyn was relieved to be away from her for a while.

When Adeline goes missing and is found dead, Roslyn and her parents are left in shock. Roslyn slowly loses herself in grief and guilt, losing any friends along with it. It’s only when a rowdy group of girls her age come to town, claiming to have known Adeline before she died, does Roslyn feel something again.

Determined to learn what happened to her big sister, Roslyn accepts their invite to travel with them on a road trip.

She has no idea, it will be to hell and back.

With an intriguing title, cover and premise, When I Was Death follows a grieving sister and a group of teenage girls who have made a pact with… Death.

There are six girls in this confident, rambunctious, vibrant group which is what attracts Roslyn to them. The reader doesn’t really get to know any of them very deeply, but they all have their own personality and place in the plot.

They have all chosen to live or die with dire consequences they must live by. Life or death is a pretty big tension builder, and their choices become more dangerous as they get to know each other. With time counting down to the ultimate test of survival, this is a gripping read.

Author – Alexis Henderson

Age – 12+

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Publisher – Penguin Random House

Set in – Present

Orphan – No

Violence – Yes

Real Life – Yes

Fantasy – Yes

Sex – No

Blend – Horror / Mystery / Grief

(2026, Penguin Random House, Horror, Siblings, Sisters, Grief, Guilt, Death, Pact, Mystery, Family, Road Trip, RV Travel, Secret)