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panickat123's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Too many Chloes
theillumiletty's review against another edition
5.0
This really was a tremendous book. Wonderfully written, stark, descriptive, it is a great look into both cheerleading and all consuming friendships. It is one of my favorite reads of the year.
notinjersey's review against another edition
4.0
I read Hayley Krischer’s previous book and found it moving and meaningful. This one was different, although they both deal with female friendships and look at the darker sides of high school. This book was based on a real life case of a high school girl killing her friend. While you know that someone dies, you don’t know who was responsible, although I didn’t find it all that surprising when it was revealed. This book contains vaping, drug use, and self-administered tattoos.
lesbrary's review
4.0
A while back, there used to be a lot of stories about obsessive female friendships. Stories like Heavenly Creatures or Single White Female. Now that I think about it, even Carmilla, back in the 1800s, fits in this! But part of the appeal of these stories, at the time, was the spectre of lesbianism. As that fear became less culturally relevant or acceptable, those kinds of stories seemed to die out. Believe me, I’m glad that the monstrous lesbian is no longer a popular movie trope, but I do think there’s something really interesting about these stories. Especially in adolescence, friendships between girls can be all-consuming, The most important relationships in your life, The kind of people who shape your entire personality. The Falling Girls explores these relationships, the dangers and the appeal of them, without falling into old homophobic tropes.
Full review on the October 5th episode of All the Books.
Full review on the October 5th episode of All the Books.
banrions's review against another edition
4.0
I rounded this up slightly, I think it falls somewhere around the 3.75 camp, for me.
There was a lot to like about this book, for me. The obsessive nature of teen girl friendship is one of my fav tropes, and I found all the different dynamics between Shade, Jadis, and the three Chloe’s really interesting (also, Shade and Zoe). There is so much going on there. I also really liked the complex relationship with Shade and her mother. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I’ll def look out for others. I’ve always really liked this narrator, she’s got a great voice for younger sounding women.
There was a lot to like about this book, for me. The obsessive nature of teen girl friendship is one of my fav tropes, and I found all the different dynamics between Shade, Jadis, and the three Chloe’s really interesting (also, Shade and Zoe). There is so much going on there. I also really liked the complex relationship with Shade and her mother. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but I’ll def look out for others. I’ve always really liked this narrator, she’s got a great voice for younger sounding women.
_reedmylife_'s review
3.0
I had very high hopes for this book since I read Something Happened to Ali Greenleaf earlier this year and gave it 5 stars. Sadly, this one didn't quite meet the mark for me. I think this is a good novel about how friendships can become very toxic especially female relationships, but I was a little bored.
It took about 100 pages for anything to really happen and if you aren't a big cheerleading fan then it can feel like the story is dragging. I knew going in that it was about cheerleading and as someone who isn't really into cheerleading, I should have known that this book wouldn't do for me what Krischer's other book did for me.
When the story does finally pick up it just is a lot of she said, she said and honestly I was a little over it. It was dramatic and just a little confusing at times with the three different Chloes. I don't think this is a bad book at all, but I do think this has an audience. Considering that I have no background of cheerleading and the sport itself doesn't pique my interest, I think that I am just not the target audience.
The mystery portion was interesting, but I did guess the big reveal before it happened. I do believe that Hayley Krischer is a great writer, but this one just didn't show off her talent as well as it could have. If you are a lover of cheerleading or currently in high school, I think this would be a perfect book for you to pick up!
It took about 100 pages for anything to really happen and if you aren't a big cheerleading fan then it can feel like the story is dragging. I knew going in that it was about cheerleading and as someone who isn't really into cheerleading, I should have known that this book wouldn't do for me what Krischer's other book did for me.
When the story does finally pick up it just is a lot of she said, she said and honestly I was a little over it. It was dramatic and just a little confusing at times with the three different Chloes. I don't think this is a bad book at all, but I do think this has an audience. Considering that I have no background of cheerleading and the sport itself doesn't pique my interest, I think that I am just not the target audience.
The mystery portion was interesting, but I did guess the big reveal before it happened. I do believe that Hayley Krischer is a great writer, but this one just didn't show off her talent as well as it could have. If you are a lover of cheerleading or currently in high school, I think this would be a perfect book for you to pick up!
hitbooksnotgirlz's review
5.0
A look into the toxic, obsessive, and sometimes hateful relationships teenage girls share with their friends. This book was so fucking riveting I could hardly put it down. It kept me on my toes and shocked me over and over again. I loved it! Straight onto the favourites shelf.
meghans_books's review
3.0
Shade has always wanted to be a cheerleader. She took gymnastics as a child, but she was bullied out of the classes by it-girl Chloe. The same Chloe that bullied her is now encouraging her to try out for the high school squad, and when she makes it, they quickly become close. But something isn’t right about Chloe and her two other best friends, also named Chloe. Tensions are running high, and Shade is now caught in the middle of something that just might turn deadly.
I liked this book! It was reminiscent of the 1980s cult classic Heathers, but make it modern day with cheerleaders. I’m not usually a big thriller person, but the plot had me hooked and I finished it in one sitting. Definitely check the trigger warnings before reading, because this book deals with A LOT of serious topics, from toxic relationships with parents to drug abuse.
I liked this book! It was reminiscent of the 1980s cult classic Heathers, but make it modern day with cheerleaders. I’m not usually a big thriller person, but the plot had me hooked and I finished it in one sitting. Definitely check the trigger warnings before reading, because this book deals with A LOT of serious topics, from toxic relationships with parents to drug abuse.
ellie_w21's review
3.0
very creepy but i really liked it? the characters are all super interesting and twisted and their relationships with each other are really well written
mediocremasen's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
I liked the flow of the book, the mystery was well done, and the characters were interesting. I liked that the mystery wasn't the whole book, you know something's coming but not exactly what or when it'll happen.
I think it does a really good job of showing the different kinds of unhealthy platonic relationships there are out there and how easy it can be to not know you're in one.
The parents are a bit flat, but I think it adds to the story that's being told by a teenager.
I probably would have rated this higher due to how it captivated me but there were a few character interactions that were just confusing. Characters would say things that didn't make a lot of sense and didn't add up to much in the story either. I'm not sure if they were tied to something more before some editing and just weren't cut out or if I'm just misunderstanding what's supposed to be the point of it/how it makes sense from a character perspective.
I think it does a really good job of showing the different kinds of unhealthy platonic relationships there are out there and how easy it can be to not know you're in one.
The parents are a bit flat, but I think it adds to the story that's being told by a teenager.
I probably would have rated this higher due to how it captivated me but there were a few character interactions that were just confusing. Characters would say things that didn't make a lot of sense and didn't add up to much in the story either. I'm not sure if they were tied to something more before some editing and just weren't cut out or if I'm just misunderstanding what's supposed to be the point of it/how it makes sense from a character perspective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Bullying, and Eating disorder