Reviews with content warning for Violence - The Cheerleaders

This was a really fun twisty murder mystery. It does deal with very heavy topics, so please read trigger warnings. However, I found this book very compelling and page turning. I kept coming back to listen! However, the ending was a little lackluster for my taste. It kinda felt like they picked a killer out of nowhere and didn’t really have any lead up to make you think it was this person at all. Not in a good “I couldn’t have guessed it, unexpected” way, but in a why would it be that person, it doesn’t really make sense” kind of way. I mean I get it, but it seemed like a little bit of a reach. But the final reveal, oof, loved that. I expected it but still loved it. Some other parts were a little predictable, but nonetheless, I enjoyed it.

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hadeshotline's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

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sarahsbookss's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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tooloo's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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chapkip's review against another edition

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4.0

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enmcurrie's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book has such an intriguing plot line. I even found out it was loosely based on real events and that just makes it more interesting. There is so much you can do with a plot about 5 cheerleaders from the same school dying in a similar proximity of each other. It’s a tough concept to do justice and that reflects a little bit in this book.

I thought it was a great mystery, I’ve read way worse. I actually quite enjoyed this book and almost read it in one sitting. It was so interesting to try and find out how each of the cheerleaders really died. I also loved how it included Monica (one of the cheerleader’s sisters) coming to terms with the fact that her sister (Jen) really did commit suicide, since Monica couldn’t imagine her sister, with a seemingly perfect life, wanting to leave the world. There were little snippets of Jen’s perspective sprinkled in the book, which I think really added to the novel, as the reader ended up getting some information before Monica did. It helped with the understanding. Jen’s storyline was beautiful in a sense, but of course heart wrenchingly sad.

The only problems I had with this book are as follows:

- Too many characters, too much going on
- Too many unanswered questions at the end (as a result of too many characters and individual storylines)
- Ginny. (if u know u know)

I felt like way too much was happening with this book, and I know that’s quite a challenge when you’re reading about 5 deaths all at once, however, there were so many little storylines to try to understand and connect dots with, I feel like less would have been more. Because there were so many characters and storylines taking up pages, the end of the book left me with so many unanswered questions about each of the deaths. It did make the plot drag on and get a bit slow a couple of times in the middle. I knew what had happened to them obviously but I wanted more intricate details. I really wanted a stronger sense of the aftermath, it felt a little lazy to say the murder case would open again and “move slowly”. Not saying I need to know everyone’s exact fate, but it would have been interesting to see how it played out and how much more got uncovered about the cheerleaders and their deaths. I wanted to know more.

Ginny. Don’t even get me started on her. I won’t spoil the book but let’s just say, people that withhold information out of their own selfish feelings and needs are pieces of scum. I always got annoying vibes from her and I was right, which I usually am ;). She was by far my least favourite character. Actually scratch that, she was my second to least favourite since Brandon is legit a pedophile, but anyways.

I know this book is getting mixed reviews but honestly if you love a good mystery I say go for it ! It was a good and intriguing read, just missed the mark on a couple of occasions.

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