Review Detail

Maris Larsen is the captain of the West Eaton High cheer team. Even though she's captain, she's not satisfied with her lot in life. Then the coach brings a new girl to the team. Geneviene Ray is more than a threat. She eliminates a couple of the teammates and takes over Maris's place on the team. Then, while sleepwalking, she encounters a decaying beast in the shape of a huge deer. This deer 'gets' the pain Maris is going through and devises a sinister plan. One that has deadly consequences.

What worked: Creepy, atmospheric horror story told in free verse. The girls on the squad are proud of their near-feral selves and the power they hold on the team. This all comes into question after the coach introduces a new girl to the team. Genevieve is also tough, but she doesn't realize how much of a threat she is to Maris. The author's use of free verse brings a haunting punch to this tale. Maris comes across as a Mean girl with her band of teammates and her girlfriend, Nell, who Maris knows will leave her once she graduates from high school. Maris plots a way to get back at Genevieve. But it's the paranormal monster's whispers in the middle of the night that have horrific consequences.

This novel jumps from Maris, Genevieve, Nell, and Doe, the monster's point of view. Little by little, Doe gains the trust of Maris and uses that for her own purposes.

Darkness creeps up on readers. Maris pushes herself to perfection, and nothing is good enough. The only thing that means more to her is the team. She's willing to do anything to keep it. Her behavior isn't too likable, but she's the glue that holds the team together. Or so she thinks.

Great pacing. Great voice that builds to an ohmigosh conclusion. Let's just say be very careful what you wish for! Love horror stories, and this one delivers on so many levels. Doe is multi-layered, and readers can't help but feel something for it. The scene where Doe is bound to other girls fifty years or so earlier, and the tragedy that befalls them, leads up to the plan Doe has when she meets Maris one night.

YA meets Jordan Peele, this paranormal horror story is sure to appeal to fans of a good creepy tale.