I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book from Netgalley and Feiwel & Friends. This has not impacted my rating and this review is voluntary.
- Genre: YA Thriller
- Other notes: LGBTQ Characters, Social Themes: Death & Grief
- Published by: Feiwel & Friends
- Publish date: March 19, 2024
- Number of pages: 416 pages
- Author’s website: https://www.faridahabikeiyimide.com/
- Support local! Pre-order the book on BookShop!
A girl new to boarding school discovers dark secrets and coverups after her roommate disappears.
It’s like I keep stumbling into a dark room, searching for the switch to make things bright again…Sade Hussein is starting her third year of high school, this time at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school after being home-schooled all her life. Misfortune has been a constant companion all her life, but even Sade doesn’t expect her new roommate, Elizabeth, to disappear after Sade’s first night. Or for people to think she had something to do with it.
With rumors swirling around her, Sade catches the attention of the girls collectively known as the ‘Unholy Trinity’ and they bring her into their fold. Between learning more about them–especially Persephone, who Sade is inexplicably drawn to–and playing catchup in class, Sade already has so much on her plate. But when it seems people don’t care enough about what happened to Elizabeth to really investigate, it’s up to she and Elizabeth’s best friend to solve it.
And then a student is found dead.
As they keep trying to figure out what’s going on, Sade realizes there’s more to Alfred Nobel Academy and its students than she thought. Secrets lurk around every corner and beneath every surface…secrets that rival even her own.
Rating: 5/5
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé does it again with a new novel! I am officially a fan of this author after reading her debut novel Ace of Spades (if you want to read my review of this book you can find it here:
Fans of dark academia such as the Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson. A couple of other comparable titles are How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao, The Ivies by Alexa Donne, and Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington.
Now on to the review:
This was a slow burn with multiple mysteries and unique characters. I love it when the author develops surrounding characters outside the main ones. It makes for a more well-rounded and realistic environment. Speaking of environment, this novel takes place at an elite boarding school with houses named after influential scientists. I truly loved this setting and almost wish this was a series with more world-building. I could have done with a shorter novel but with more books.
This novel is long and does drag on at parts. As I mentioned earlier, there are multiple mysteries. First, it’s hinted that Sadie, a Black, Muslim young woman, has a dark past, but we don’t know exactly what has happened. We then meet her roommate who disappears. There are supporting characters that also have an air of mystery surrounding them because everyone has something to hide!
Readers familiar with Mean Girls will see some similarities. You have a trio of popular girls that seem to “run” the school, love/friend interests that have a history with the “mean girls”, and friends who are outsiders when the new girl has an ~in~ to the popular crowd. However, that’s where the similarities end. There is so much more to this. There are some elements of spookiness (how could you not in a boarding school?), but ultimately there are some horrors that this book explores like grief, suicide ideation, and sexual assault.
I felt the author really took care with these topics and readers should be aware if any of these could be triggering.
Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? I’d love to know!
Musings by Michelle 