Spring has sprung, school is almost out, and it’s officially prom season. Netflix has fully hopped on the bandwagon with its latest YA release this past Friday. On May 23rd, Netflix dropped its newest entry into the Fear Street franchise, with Prom Queen.
You may or may not remember that back in the summer of 2021, Netflix released a trilogy of films that delve into the twisted universe of Fear Street from renowned young adult horror legend R.L. Stine. Each entry in the original trilogy was released one week apart, and they were each set in different time periods. Parts 1, 2, and 3 took place in 1994, 1978, and 1666, respectively, and followed the goings on of the allegedly cursed town of Shadyside, a fictional place plagued by tragedy.
While the original batch of films was not based on any one specific Fear Street novel, Prom Queen is based on the 15th book in the series, aptly titled The Prom Queen. Originally published in 1992, the novel follows the students of Shadyside High when a mysterious assailant begins murdering the candidates for prom queen that year.
If you’re itching for some more YA thrills after checking out this latest installment in the franchise, have no fear! We’ve compiled some recommendations that are sure to chill you to the bone.
5. There’s Someone Inside Your House by Stephanie Perkins
Coincidentally, this novel was also adapted into a Netflix film of the same name and released in 2021. Apparently, it was a big year for YA slashers on the streaming giant.
When students at Osborne High are murdered in increasingly gruesome ways, student Makani Young is forced to look into the identity of the killer in the town’s midst, while also confronting her past traumas, and ultimately discovering a greater evil lurking close to her.
Why we recommend it: Fast paced and utilizing an effective slasher structure, There’s Someone Inside Your House, circumvents expectations around the typical whodunnit, and features a diverse cast of characters who are easy to become attached to.
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4. White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig
Rufus Holt is not having the best night. First, his ex-boyfriend Sebastian shows up out of the blue. Then, his sister April calls him in a complete panic. Rufus and Sebastian race to her aid, only to find her next to the body of her dead boyfriend, holding a bloodied knife. April insists that she’s innocent, and the teens set out on a quest to prove her innocence and take on the rich, snobby student body of their school.
Why we recommend it: Taking place over the course of one night, White Rabbit is the perfect combination of mystery, suspense, and a little romance for good measure.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter3. People Like Us by Dana Mele
For the dark academia lovers out there. Kay Donovan has reinvented herself. The star soccer player at her private school, she’s surrounded herself with the beautiful, untouchable girls at the school, and life is good. That is, until the body of a classmate turns up in the lake nearby, and Kay is sent on a dark and deadly scavenger hunt, one that she’s desperate to solve in order to keep her secrets buried.
Why we recommend it: A dark mystery set at an elite boarding school is bound to be a fun romp for readers looking for more school-set thrillers. The novel also features great diversity and representation, with a character-driven story arc that many will appreciate.
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2. The Weight of Blood by Tiffany D. Jackson
When a small town in Georgia is exposed for its racist roots, the high school opts to host its first integrated prom. Outcast Maddy Washington has faced bullying her entire life, but after being exposed as biracial, a viral video sheds light on her town’s past and current prejudice.
As prom approaches, Maddy receives an invitation to attend with the quarterback of the football team. What no one knows is that Maddy is harboring a dangerous secret, and all will be exposed come the biggest night of the year…
Why we recommend it: A modern retelling of Carrie, The Weight of Blood explores racial prejudice and supernatural horror in a prom setting that’s bound to appeal to lovers of Prom Queen.
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1. Five Survive by Holly Jackson
A game of cat-and-mouse plays out on a lonely stretch of road in this pulse-pounding thriller. Red and her five friends set out on a spring break trip in an RV. When the vehicle breaks down and they’re unable to call for help, it quickly becomes clear that this was no accident.
There’s a sniper out in the dark, watching the group and waiting. The sniper knows who they are, and one of Red’s friend group is hiding a dangerous secret. A secret that the sniper is determined to silence once and for all.
Why we recommend it: A thriller with high stakes, this story will appeal to those seeking a fast-paced, action-packed story teeming with secrets that the characters reveal throughout the chapters.
These stories maintain a similar element of mystery and pacing as Fear Street: Prom Queen, and will scratch the itch of anyone searching for their next YA thriller. Anyone looking for a new read to get fully immersed in will enjoy these twisty-turny young adult stories from some of the best in the business.
