The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas Delacorte Press - July 31, 2018 I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Sometimes you just need a dark, gritty crime story and The Cheerleaders is that book! I was excited to receive an advanced digital copy of this title after reading that it was reminiscent of Riverdale and Veronica Mars (two of my favorites!). It did not disappoint and is one that I have already been talking to my young adult library friends about. The Cheerleaders follows the life of Monica five years after her sister’s death and the death of four other cheerleaders in her quaint, quiet town. The first two cheerleaders died in a car accident, the next two were brutally murdered, and the last cheerleader, Monica’s sister, committed suicide. After these deaths, the cheerleading squad was disbanded and the cases surrounding the deaths closed. As the fifth anniversary of the deaths nears, Monica uncovers new evidence and people connected to the deaths that may shed some light on what really happened all those years ago. This was a page turner for sure and it kept me reading long into the night. There were so many twists and turns, and every time I thought I had it figured out, a new curveball was thrown. This story was deliciously dark and appealing, making it one of the most well-written YA thrillers I’ve read in a long time! I loved how the action moved quickly, you never knew what to expect, and that the ending totally changed my perspective on the characters. I cannot say enough great things about this book. I was so pleasantly surprised and will be recommending and sharing it with all the young adult librarians I know. It does contain mature content including references to abortion, murder, and drugs. I would highly recommend this book for young adult collections in school and public libraries where mystery/thriller/crime stories are well circulated.
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Roehrig, Caleb. 2016. Last Seen Leaving. New York: Feiwel & Friends. ISBN 9781250085634 “Flynn's girlfriend, January, is missing. The cops are asking question he can't answer, and her friends are telling stories that don't add up. All eyes are on Flynn―as January's boyfriend, he must know something. But Flynn has a secret of his own. And as he struggles to uncover the truth about January's disappearance, he must also face the truth about himself.” Review I originally heard about this book during a book talk session at Library Expo, put on by Plano ISD and Richardson ISD. I was intrigued when it was touted as a “Gone Girl for young adults.” When it arrived in our Junior Library Guild subscription box, I immediately pulled it out to read. I flew through the book at lightning speed. The plot takes off from the first pages as you are drawn into the mystery of what happened to January. The main characters, January and her boyfriend, Flynn, are relatable and engaging for the YA audience. Even the peripheral characters can be found on most high school campuses; students will definitely be able to relate to their feelings, loyalties, and friendships. This book, however, is not for all readers. There are drug references and characters dealing with issues surrounding coming out. These issues are handled well and appropriately for high school students, but should be approached with caution for some audiences. The best part of this book was the mystery that surrounds January’s disappearance and Flynn’s desperation to find her and solve it. There are so many twists and turns, and just when you think you have it all figured out, the plot twists again. I do have a minor issue with the ending, though. I would rate the first ¾ of the book very highly, but the ending is so derivative of Gone Girl, I felt a bit disappointed. Having read that book previously, the ending seemed unoriginal in comparison. YA audiences, however, may not have the same connections, and therefore, not feel the same way about the ending. Even though it was a bit predictable (with my prior knowledge), it was still well-developed and entertaining. Overall, I recommend this title for high school/young adult readers who enjoy mystery and suspense! |
AuthorMy name is Mrs. Scott and I'm a secondary Media Resource Specialist (librarian) in Texas. This blog was created as part of my graduate coursework at Texas Woman's University. All reviews and opinions are my own.
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