A Fate Totally Worse Than Death

By Paul Fleischman

Welcome to Cliffside High, the school of your nightmares. It's run by the Huns, a ruthless clique of rich students—and, as poor Charity Chase discovers, messing with them can be murder. From the Newbery Award-winning author, Paul Fleischman.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AudioGO
• Release date: Jul 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781620643907

Paul Fleischman

Paul Fleischman's novels, poetry, picture books, and nonfiction are known for innovation and multiple viewpoints. He received the Newbery Medal for Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices and a Newbery Honor for Graven Images, and he was a National Book Award finalist for Breakout. His books bridging the page and stage include Bull Run, Seek, and Mind's Eye. For the body of his work, he's been the United States nominee for the international Hans Christian Andersen Award. He lives in California. www.paulfleischman.net.

Reviews for A Fate Totally Worse Than Death

[saraslibrary · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"A Fate Totally Worse Than Death" is a horror parody about three high school Valley girls: Danielle, Brooke, and Tiffany. Their popularity status is threatened when Norwegian exchange student Helga comes to Cliffside High School and attracts all the boys in school--including the three girls' boyfriends. The girls immediately let Helga know to stay away from their boyfriends--or else Helga will end up like Charity Chase, one unlucky girl who risked going after the guy Danielle was (and still is) interested in. But Helga seems immune to their threats and tricks. In fact, when she defeats their hair-cutting ambush in the girls' bathroom, Danielle, Brooke, and Tiffany are certain Helga's luck is otherworldly. "She's a ghost," Danielle states. "The ghost of Charity Chase." With this discovery, the three girls decide there's no other choice but to get rid of "Charity" once and for all. However, it's not easy for them since they've begun to age rapidly, a curse they believe "Charity" has bestowed on them as revenge. "A Fate Totally Worse Than Death" is a fun and witty book to read, and the ending will probably surprise you. (At least I was surprised.) I would recommend this book to anyone who likes parodies or just wants to kill a few hours with a good teen horror book. The book was supposed to be made into a movie, but from what I heard, it's not going to happen. So, it might still be done, but I wouldn't hold my breath.

[meggyweg · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I do not read teen slasher stories, but even I could appreciate this wonderfully done parody. It had me howling and all the girls were so bitchy it was beautiful. This is parodying at its very best!

[nikk.clan350 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Its an OK book, kind of strange. Gave me the creeps in a weird way.

[cvlibrarian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This humorous novel is about three girls who are avenged for their selfish, conceited even violent behaviors. It is written in third person omniscient so the reader can understand how these girls feel as they all face their tragic ends. Danielle, Brooke and Tiffany are the rich, mean high school girls who cannot stand anyone dating the “huns.” When a new girl moves into town from Norway, they are desperate to get rid of her. I would recommend this novel to female readers age sixteen and above. There is some subtle humor that can only be understood by mature teens.