Dare Me

A Novel

By: Megan Abbott

Narrated by: Khristine Hvam

Length: 9 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

From the award-winning author of The Turnout and Give Me Your Hand: The searing novel of friendship and betrayal that inspired the USA Network series, praised by Gillian Flynn as "Lord of the Flies set in a high-school cheerleading squad...Tense, dark, and beautifully written".

Addy Hanlon has always been Beth Cassidy's best friend and trusted lieutenant. Beth calls the shots and Addy carries them out, a long-established order of things that has brought them to the pinnacle of their high-school careers. Now they're seniors who rule the intensely competitive cheer squad, feared and followed by the other girls - until the young new coach arrives.

Cool and commanding, an emissary from the adult world just beyond their reach, Coach Colette French draws Addy and the other cheerleaders into her life. Only Beth, unsettled by the new regime, remains outside Coach's golden circle, waging a subtle but vicious campaign to regain her position as "top girl" - both with the team and with Addy herself.

Then a suicide focuses a police investigation on Coach and her squad. After the first wave of shock and grief, Addy tries to uncover the truth behind the death - and learns that the boundary between loyalty and love can be dangerous terrain.

The raw passions of girlhood are brought to life in this taut, unflinching exploration of friendship, ambition, and power. Award-winning novelist Megan Abbott, writing with what Tom Perrotta has hailed as "total authority and an almost desperate intensity", provides a harrowing glimpse into the dark heart of the all-American girl.

©2012 Megan Abbott (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Couldn't connect with characters

Any additional comments?

I never felt like a I cared or hated any of the characters. This is amid at a cretin demographic and I was not one of them.

good story, meh dialogue

I usually love Megan Abbott's novels; however this one was difficult because of the dialogue between the teenage cheerleaders. They called each other "bitch" constantly and spoke like simplistic joke versions of teenagers. The story was good and interesting and kept me listening. I would highly recommend this author, but would advise to skip this book.

surprisingly interesting

I would have enjoyed more backstory on the main characters as the last 10 chapters were my favorite parts. I found the stereotypical "cheerleader" voices distracting and it kind of took away from the tone of the book at times, but hey she was just doing her job

Ugh

You know that line from the movie Billy Madison when the principal says "and we are all dumber for having heard that" that's how I feel after listening to this book.

Given the content, I think the narrator did well because I imagine that's exactly how these girls would have sounded. But it was interesting to hear the main character use such big and smart words for a senior in high school. - with the way she talked it just didn't work well.

Overall, save your time and money.

Definitely a book for Young Adults

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I have read a number of "Young Adult" books, of those this is the first time that I felt the story was strictly for young adults, it does not transcend to an older audience as many others can and do. I would guess that young adults would enjoy the dark edge of this story, but I found it pretty over-the-top juvenile.

Would you be willing to try another book from Megan Abbott? Why or why not?

I doubt it; I don't relate her story telling but I take responsability for that, the book is designated as "Young Adult".

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

The narration was an excellent match. Much of the dialog is extreme teen talk and even hard to listen to, but it is presented in a believable teen manner.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Although a bit extreme, I suspect the dark side of this story is one that many true young adult readers would find intriguing.

Any additional comments?

One reviewer related this story to "The Secret History", that is a very weak comparison. That story had smarts, this one does NOT.

Awesome

What made the experience of listening to Dare Me the most enjoyable?

The main character of this book was so dark for a teenage girl. That made it an extremly interesting read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dare Me?

Following through the story and trying to figure out who were the bad guys and who were the good guys, would have to be my favorite part.

Which scene was your favorite?

I can not pick one, I really enjoyed each of the different little plots that took place.

Who was the most memorable character of Dare Me and why?

Well Addy would be the obvious choice as she is telling the story although I do believe Beth was actually my favorite.

Any additional comments?

Great read if you enjoy dark mysteries and girly type books.

The literary equivalent to an Olivia Rodrigo song

It is an enjoyable listen, but afterwards you might wonder if there weren't better ways to have spent your time.

SURPRISINGLY THOUGHTFUL. WORTHWHILE READ!

As other reviewers have noted, this is a poignant coming-of-age novel. Also there are elements of mystery and suspense. It should appeal to readers of all ages, especially YA readers. I recommend it highly.

The book also provokes questions about people who are already grown-up. Where are the adults in the lives of Addy, Beth and their Cheer Squad? Why are young girls assuming (correctly) that they can get in their cars at all hours and not be in trouble with, not even be missed by, their parents. Is Coach Colette ever concerned about the very real, potentially life threatening, danger in some of the routines she allows these kids to train for? Sharing alcohol and cigarettes with her students is not appropriate, but involving her student in her extramarital affair is totally unacceptable. Coach needs an adult in her life.

Abbott reminds us that beneath the bravado, the trash talk, the sexual experimentation, there is usually a fragile child trying to make it through some tough years. What is left when both the parents and the in loco parentis are missing.

The writing and the narration are excellent. The cover is extraordinary.

"Bring it on" minus the humor

You can't help but compare this to a cheerleader movie. Except that what made "Bring it on" one of those movies that was so bad, it was good, was the humor in it. Well, take some similarly vain and self involved teenagers, throw in a little mystery and take out all the humor, plus add a sprinkling of sexually confused teen angst - and voila! You got "Dare me"
It's not that it was bad exactly, it was just hard to get involved and care about the characters. Half the time you want to smack some sense in to them while groaning in exasperation, and the other half they are just boring cardboard cutouts who do predictably stupid things.
I suppose it will do as a summer read for the beach, but lack of substance was a turn-off for me.

Mean Girls on a whole other level

Teen girl angst gone dangerous.This is an interesting peek into the world of teen girls and the lengths they go to manage their cliques. #Cheerleadersaredeadly #tagsgiving #sweepstakes