Who Would Like This Book:
If you're into YA mysteries with serious bite, 'The Cheerleaders' is a solid pick. Kara Thomas crafts an addictive whodunit with plenty of twists, red herrings, and a moody atmosphere perfect for fans of Riverdale, Veronica Mars, or even Pretty Little Liars. The book really shines in its depiction of grief, trauma, and the messy realities of high school, going beyond the usual stereotypes. If you love a smart, gritty amateur sleuth and stories that keep you guessing (and sometimes second-guessing), this will be up your alley!
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you’re looking for a campy, over-the-top horror story or constant action, this isn’t it - the cheerleaders are already gone before the story begins. The pacing can be uneven, especially in the first half, and some found the ending less impactful than they’d hoped. The inclusion of heavy topics such as abortion, suicide, and sexual assault may also not be for everyone. Some readers also felt the characters were a little flat or didn’t connect with the main character, and those who prefer elaborate, twisty endings might be left wanting more.
About:
The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas is a YA mystery that follows Monica, whose sister was part of a cheerleading squad that was disbanded five years ago after multiple deaths within the team. Monica finds her sister's cell phone and starts investigating the accidents, uncovering inconsistencies and secrets. The book alternates between past and present, revealing the dark events that led to the disbandment of the cheerleading team and Monica's relentless pursuit of the truth.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers/content warnings for The Cheerleaders include high mentions of suicide, murder, violence, abortion, underage drinking, drug use, and implied sexual situations.
From The Publisher:
"Sharp, brilliantly plotted, and totally engrossing."-KAREN M. MCMANUS, New York Times bestselling author of One of Us Is Lying
"A crafty, dark, and disturbing story."-KATHLEEN GLASGOW, New York Times bestselling author of Girl In Pieces
"A little bit Riverdale and a little bit Veronica Mars."-RILEY SAGER, bestselling author of Final Girls
A Goodreads Best Young Adult Book of the Year Nominee
From the author of The Darkest Corners and Little Monsters comes an all-new edge-of-your-seat thriller set in upstate New York about an eerie sequence of seemingly unrelated events that leaves five cheerleaders dead.
There are no more cheerleaders in the town of Sunnybrook.
First there was the car accident-two girls dead after hitting a tree on a rainy night. Not long after, the murders happened. Those two girls were killed by the man next door. The police shot him, so no one will ever know his reasons. Monica's sister was the last cheerleader to die. After her suicide, Sunnybrook High disbanded the cheer squad. No one wanted to be reminded of the girls they'd lost.
That was five years ago. Now the faculty and students at Sunnybrook High want to remember the lost cheerleaders. But for Monica, it's not that easy. She just wants to forget.
Only, Monica's world is starting to unravel. There are the letters in her stepdad's desk, an unearthed, years-old cell phone, a strange new friend at school. . . . Whatever happened five years ago isn't over. Some people in town know more than they're saying. And somehow, Monica is at the center of it all.
There are no more cheerleaders in Sunnybrook, but that doesn't mean anyone else is safe.
More Praise for Kara Thomas:
"Gripping from start to finish . . . with twists that left me shocked."-VICTORIA AVEYARD, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Red Queen
"You'll be up all night tearing through the pages."-BUSTLE
"This deliciously deceptive thriller…is a must-have."-SLJ
Ratings (34)
Incredible (5) | |
Loved It (12) | |
Liked It (6) | |
It Was OK (6) | |
Did Not Like (4) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (113):
Read It (40) | |
Want To Read (60) | |
Did Not Finish (2) | |
Not Interested (11) |
2 comment(s)
Wow, I didn’t expect to love this book!
I got this book as a wrapped “blind book” at a Halloween Market so I had no idea what I was getting. When I unwrapped it I definitely had misgiving, teen slashers aren’t really my thing.
About 3 chapters in I was pretty much hooked. This book reads like a 90s teen thriller, like a meatier Christopher Pike book, and I mean that in the best way.
I’m not going to describe the plot because it’s really unnecessary. You know about as much as you need to know by reading the Goodreads blurb. Just know it’s a super fun and propulsive read; it’s set in pretty current times (texting is present) but it has a 90s *feel* to it with the main character riding her bike to meet strangers, picking the lock of her step-dads desk drawer, getting detention, dealing with highschool drama, and generally being a teen in about as much trouble as investigating 5 murders can be in.
Part Nancy Drew, part Remember Me, with a dash of Sweet Valley High.
Read it, it’s a lot of fun!
This is the first book I've read by Kara Thomas, and, honestly, I'm thoroughly impressed. This was a page-turner for me, which is a big deal because I'm such a picky reader.
Overall, I enjoyed the premise and the meticulous set up of the mystery, but the ending was lacking.
I was disappointed that the deaths of the cheerleaders weren't as connected as they could of been (e.g. Brandon could have potentially killed them all if they knew about his relationship with Juliana), and that I more or less guessed what happened to the girls before it was explained. Also, is anyone else disturbed that Ginny low-key indirectly murdered someone/knew the truths about three people's deaths?
On a different note, I definitely think this is written for older teens and young adults. I'm currently in my early twenties, but I know for sure that I wouldn't have been mature enough to handle this book as a teenager.
What can you read after
The Cheerleaders?
About the Author:
Kara Thomas is an unsolved mystery enthusiast who dreams of one day solving a cold case. She lives on Long Island with her husband, son, and rescue cat. She is the author of The Darkest Corners, Little Monsters, The Cheerleaders,…
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