The Cheerleaders

I love going into a book blind, meaning I don’t read synopsis and base my interest on the cover and maybe word of mouth. All I knew going in is that this book was about murdered cheerleaders. I was ready. In the mood I was in, i was ready to Texas Chainsaw some cheerleaders by way of Scream.

That is not at all what I got, but I am not disappointed. For most of this book the cheerleaders are already dead. It’s five years later, and Monica has been asked to participate in a memorial for the toppled pyramid. Besides not wanting to do it, she also wonders what really went on. Were all five deaths connected? Or were they exactly what they appeared to be. She is determined to find out.

This book is more a mystery but I wouldn’t call it show more a thriller. Yes it has thrilling moments, but no long drawn out seat of your pants action. It’s a slow build like the original Halloween movie. It uses bumps and shadows to get your heart pumping and keep the reader turning the pages. And it does it well.

I actually want to complement the author for the first chapter or two. I had to ask myself multiple times if what I think was happening was really happening. So many parents would have been up in arms about that scene, and while it was done exceptionally well, I kept wondering why include it? Is this to make the reader think about how crazy life has become for Monica since her sister died, or how out of control she is, with no one noticing. Originally it seemed gratuitous, like, I’m gonna write throw this controversy in covered in description, and it will be okay because I never use the A word. And for me it’s FINE. I love how it’s done. Just, this is what is happening. And by the end I know that the scene is not gratuitous, but integral. I’m not going to tell you what this scene is because I don’t want anyone to say I’m not reading this because it contains …. Something. It contains reality.

While Monica is the main lead, we meet a shy dance teammate Ginny who is the sounding board none of Monica’s better friends can be during this emotional time. Plus, we do actually get to know Monica’s sister. Sporadically, there are chapters that take the reader back in time leading up to the deaths of the cheer team.

Overall I enjoyed this quick and fresh read. It pulls no punches, does not skirt around topics, and feels very now. It’s not a blood and gore horror book, but rather an Our Town, for a new generation that must live and grow up in our current society. show less

* I gave this book 4.75 for review and I did receive my copy from the publisher for my honest thoughts*
I was super invested in this story and the characters from page one. I found this mystery and the characters to be super engaging and it was hard to put down. I loved the various POV we got and how effective the past and present storyline was told as well as how and when we got this POV. I also thought the story was not only unpredictable but also so honest and realistic in the end. I just flew through this book and really loved the how this story occurred. I felt the ending was a tad rushed but i would def read more by this author in the future!

4.5 stars

The Cheerleaders by Kara Thomas is a gripping and suspenseful young adult thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

The story revolves around a small town haunted by the deaths of five cheerleaders. As the protagonist, Monica starts digging into the past, she uncovers dark secrets and uncanny connections that make her question everything she thought she knew.

Thomas's writing is engaging and atmospheric, creating a sense of unease and tension throughout the book. The characters are well-developed and realistic, each with their own secrets and motivations that add depth to the story.

The pacing is excellent, with twists and turns that will leave you guessing and craving for more. The author skillfully show more weaves together different timelines and perspectives, gradually revealing the truth behind the cheerleaders' deaths.

What sets The Cheerleaders apart is its exploration of complex themes such as grief, guilt, and the consequences of secrets. Thomas delves into the psychology of the characters, making their struggles and emotions feel authentic and relatable.

Overall, The Cheerleaders is a captivating thriller that combines mystery, suspense, and emotional depth. It is a must-read for fans of the genre who enjoy well-crafted plots and compelling characters. show less

3.5 stars

This was supposed to be MY FAVORITE book of the summer!! I wanted to love it sooooo badly. I mean, we have cheerleaders murder mystery-- what more could I want??? Apparently, what I wanted was more.

It's not that this was a bad book-- I did like it. The thing is, it wasn't that exciting. There were a lot of things that I would have just wanted to be cut rather than to go along with the character going through the mundane motions and none of it turning out to mean anything. While there was a legit mystery, it wasn't as riveting as I was expecting. I kind of thought there would be new killings or a new threat looming-- and that intensity just wasn't there.

On a positive note, there really wasn't any romance-- and right now I'm just show more not feeling the romance in books very much, so that part made me happy. There was an inappropriate relationship, and I did feel terrible for Monica to be in that situation.

My favorite part of this book was Monica. I thought she was going through some major problems (as the book opens she's just had an abortion & the anniversary of her sister's death is coming up) and I liked reading about her journey through it all. Her new friend Ginny was also a highlight, but I felt a little off about her at times. She was just a tad too eager to help or something.

The twist was on point with the twists I know from Kara Thomas's other books. That genuinely saved the book for me. I just wished that it was something to CONNECT everything, and it really wasn't that.

OVERALL: Kinda disappointed. It pains me to say that it didn't live up to my massive expectations. I enjoyed the book up to a point, but it dragged too much and didn't have enough of an IMMEDIATENESS to the mystery.

My Blog:
Pink Polka Dot Books
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In The Cheerleaders, the book alternates between past and present, telling the tale of why there are no more cheerleaders in Sunnybrook. Years ago, five cheerleaders died, in a car crash, murdered, and through suicide, and the school disbanded the cheerleading team permanently. In the present, one of the cheerleaders' sisters is determined to find out what truly happened, as she discovers mysterious notes, cell phones, and connections she never knew about.

I really enjoyed this book, just as I really enjoyed Thomas' The Darkest Corners (and have just put her Little Monsters on hold at the library). There is so much suspense, and so many red herrings and twists and turns. The ending left me absolutely shocked, which I love-I didn't guess show more any of the answers or twists.

This is a quick, gripping read that will keep you guessing, and I definitely recommend picking up a copy. show less

Five years ago, five cheerleaders died: two in a car accident, two in a random murder, and one by suicide. The city of Sunnybrook was devastated and the cheerleading team was disbanded permanently. In the present, Monica becomes obsessed with her sister's suicide nearing the anniversary. She finds her sister's cell phone in her stepdad's desk. By itself, it isn't too suspicious, but he was also the first officer on the car accident scene and the officer who killed the supposed murderer. Is there more to these deaths than just random coincidence? Can Monica find out who killed all these girls?

The Cheerleaders is a teen thriller of a teenage girl going through a lot all at once. Monica had an abortion right before the beginning of the show more book and she's still cramping and bleeding afterwards. She pushes through it to try out for the dance team and is in agony. No one seems to know but her mom whose only response is that she wants Monica to learn something from it. Abortion isn't said in so many words (even though I wish it were), but it's heavily implied. I wish Thomas would have just said it if she is going to tackle the subject matter. On top of this, it's coming up to the 5th anniversary of her sister's death. Monica decides to delve into the deaths because some things just don't add up.

Monica delves into her sister Jen's life and finds out things she never knew while gathering a list of suspects. Jen's life wasn't as perfect as it seemed and she was going through a bit of a crisis. Her friends are changing, sniping at each other, and finding other interests (some of them illegal). Chapters from Jen's perspective are placed intermittently through the novel, showing what happened from her perspective. Mirroring her sister, Monica makes a new friend scorned by the school and all but abandons her own friends. As she gets more and more entrenched in this investigation, Monica gets into more and more trouble, sneaking around, lying, and hurting those around her. She can see the damage she's doing, but is still compelled to go forward. I felt for her and understood her motivation even if I disagreed with her actions.

The Cheerleaders is the best of all the thrillers I've been reading lately. The only flaw was how everything is tied up in the end. The last scene shows something that was never revealed during the rest of the book. It was an interesting reveal that told more about a character, but it was hamfistedly tacked on to the end. It's fine to have some loose ends. Real life has cold cases and unsolved mysteries all the time. Or integrate it into the story more organically. Other than that, I enjoyed the mystery and the twists and turns of the story. show less

Five cheerleaders. all dead within a month. Two died in an awful car accident, two were murdered and one committed suicide. Due to the tragedies, the school no longer have a cheer squad but five years later, the school decides to hold a memorial in honor of the five girls. The announcement of the memorial causes Monica, the little sister of one the dead cheerleaders, to rethink what she knows about the deaths. Was the accident a true accident? Did the murder suspect actually kill the girls? Was her sister Jen's suicide actually murder? With new information, notes and an old cellphone turning up, Monica isn't sure of anything anymore and embarks on her own investigation, with help from a unlikely partner.

Having read Thomas's other show more books, I had some expectations and I was not disappointed. The main character, Monica, wasn't what I was expecting but it worked with this story. Monica was clearly depressed and was going through a tough time but was able to get the answers she was seeking. In Monica, we have a protagonist that is both strong and vulnerable. In my opinion, her grief and other troubles make her more relatable especially in current times, where there's so much turmoil and grief.

The pace of the story was just right. Nothing seemed rushed nor did anything seem slow and/or dragged out. With every new piece of information learned, the more twists the stories take. I actually thought the story was going to go one way but was surprised by the ending revelations. I honestly thought the ending was going to be something else. The ending did wrap up loose ends without being "too neat" and I'm glad I got the chance to read it. show less