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Content snapshot
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Violence
A lot
Violence connected to the thriller's dark events; the cheerleading world's physical demands shade into something darker
Language
A lot
Significant profanity throughout
Sexual Content
A lot
Explicit sexual content including an inappropriate relationship between an adult and a teenager
Substance Use
A lot
Significant alcohol and drug use among the teen characters and adults
Emotional Intensity
Very heavy
Extreme psychological content: the intensity of female friendship and competition, obsession, the psychological extremity of the cheerleading world, and the moral consequences of the characters' choices
What this book is about
Beth and Addy have been best friends since childhood, their bond forged in the intense world of competitive cheerleading. When a new coach arrives and reshapes the squad — and Addy's relationship with Beth — the barely-contained darkness beneath the surface spills into violence, obsession, and a death that implicates everyone. Megan Abbott's literary thriller is an unflinching examination of female competition, adolescent intensity, and the psychological extremity of high-achieving groups.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
Explicit sexual content including an adult-teen relationship
Significant substance use among teen characters
Extreme psychological intensity and obsession throughout
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