Reading On A Star

Hello, Bookworms! Today I am reviewing “The Cheerleaders” – a YA thriller, about the mysterious deaths of 5 cheerleaders.

Genre: Fiction, Mystery

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐(5/5 stars)

Publisher:Published July 31st 2018 by Delacorte Press

Length: Hardcover, 384 pages

Summary: There are no more cheerleaders in the town of Sunnybrook. First there was the car accident—two girls gone 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 why he did it. 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 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.

Recommendation: If I could describe this book in one word, it would be: addictive. The first few chapters completely captivated my attention, and I could NOT put it down. The characters allowed the book to be dark, yet comforting at the same time. One thing I appreciated was the lead was strong and intelligent female. Monica; the female lead was driven, and determined, which was very inspiring and made the book an enjoyable read.  I wanted to keep reading as Monica discovered what happened to her sister and her friends five years ago. “The Cheerleaders” kept me on my toes, and guessing as I flipped from one page to another, completely in love with the book. I would recommend this book to the ages of 14-18, and anyone who is interested in reading a YA book about mystery, and thriller.

A little about the author: Kara Taylor is an American author of young adult fiction, best known for her Prep School Confidential series. Raised on Long Island, New York, Kara attended Stony Brook University and graduated with a degree in English. You can find her on Twitter (@karatwrites), Instagram (@kara__thomas), or at http://www.kara-thomas.com.

Praise for The Cheerleaders

“This deliciously deceptive thriller and provocative drama is a must-have for high school libraries.” -School Library Journal

“Weaving a deceptively intimate and intricate tale of mystery in a small community, Thomas continues to demonstrate command of both the inner workings of a teenage mind and the anatomy of crime.” -Publisher’s Weekly

“A solid pick for mystery fans.” –Booklist

“Even when the main mysteries are finally resolved, a surprising twist at the end snicks the last piece into place, providing a fully satisfying end to this absorbing procedural crime drama.” –The Bulletin

Thanks for reading!📚

-Erin