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n6ellie's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
5.0
Let me start this review with a small warning: This book was entirely different from what I had expected it to be. I was in a mystery mood, and even more in a boarding school mystery mood, and I found this book on Netgalley. I was quite happy when I got the e-mail that my request was accepted and that I could start reading. However, this is NOT a mystery. It's something much better, hence my rating, but it might not be much better for everyone.
As a certified therapist this book touched me at my core. Quite often therapy and therapists in general are not being portrayed positively in media, especially not in media that targets young adults. However, in this book we finally get to see what a good therapist can accomplish. Or, maybe better phrased, how a good therapist can help their client to accomplish a lot. And yes, therapy hurts and it's not always fun, but if it's done well it works and it helps and it changes lives for the better.
And Moira, the heroine of this story, does need some nudges in the right direction and a hand helping her find her way back to life again. I don't want to spoil anything in this review of course, but Moira's journey is one of the most touching I've ever read. I think it portrays mourning and the complexity and difficulty of it in a brilliant way. We spend most of the book in Moira's head and not only do we discover her past with her, but we also get a glimpse of the future waiting for her after this adventure.
Although none of the girls are at this school without reason, this book really portrays them as girls. Not once does Sheinmel turn any of them into stereotypes, not once does she forget that these are people. In between Moira's journey we get a brief chapter on how each of the girls ended here, in this place. And all of those stories seemed real and respectful. All those twelve girls are just examples of how one can slowly lose oneself (and the ones you care about) and how it can happen to anyone.
If you're looking for a mystery or thriller, this is surely not your book. However, if you're looking for a touching read (I cried. A lot.) that really handles complex issues teenagers might deal with in a respectful and realistic way, this book is what you want and need.
As a certified therapist this book touched me at my core. Quite often therapy and therapists in general are not being portrayed positively in media, especially not in media that targets young adults. However, in this book we finally get to see what a good therapist can accomplish. Or, maybe better phrased, how a good therapist can help their client to accomplish a lot. And yes, therapy hurts and it's not always fun, but if it's done well it works and it helps and it changes lives for the better.
And Moira, the heroine of this story, does need some nudges in the right direction and a hand helping her find her way back to life again. I don't want to spoil anything in this review of course, but Moira's journey is one of the most touching I've ever read. I think it portrays mourning and the complexity and difficulty of it in a brilliant way. We spend most of the book in Moira's head and not only do we discover her past with her, but we also get a glimpse of the future waiting for her after this adventure.
Although none of the girls are at this school without reason, this book really portrays them as girls. Not once does Sheinmel turn any of them into stereotypes, not once does she forget that these are people. In between Moira's journey we get a brief chapter on how each of the girls ended here, in this place. And all of those stories seemed real and respectful. All those twelve girls are just examples of how one can slowly lose oneself (and the ones you care about) and how it can happen to anyone.
If you're looking for a mystery or thriller, this is surely not your book. However, if you're looking for a touching read (I cried. A lot.) that really handles complex issues teenagers might deal with in a respectful and realistic way, this book is what you want and need.
menastarr's review against another edition
3.0
i had mixed emotions about this book. it's an easy read, and the chapters are a decent length, but it was hard to keep intrigued. i will say that i thoroughly enjoyed the depiction of mental health in teenage girls, as it was actually pretty accurate. the only thing i found to be extremely annoying is how throughout the book, all the main character talks about is her friend who passed away, nathan. "if nathan were here, he would've said this" "nathan would've done this" the discussion of this nathan was NON-STOP. i know losing someone important at such a young age takes a toll on you and consumes your thoughts, but as a reader looking into her perspective, it becomes irritating that that's all she talks about.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
1.0
1/5
Pretty sure I’m getting into a reading slump
Pretty sure I’m getting into a reading slump
cortanasreadingnook's review against another edition
Heads up, this book is full of CONTENT WARNINGS. Before reading ahead, please be informed of the following CWs/TWs:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Drug Use/Addiction
- Self-Harm
- Trichotillomania
- Eating Disorder (ED)
- Anorexia
I unfortunately had to DNF at 20%. I did not find myself enjoying this book at all. I really wanted to give it a try, but the story wasn't interesting enough for me to continue. I applaud how this book brutally deep dives into mental illnesses, but the pacing was enough put me off. With that amount of progress, I expected at least something to keep me afloat, but it did not live up to my expectations of this book as a whole.
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Drug Use/Addiction
- Self-Harm
- Trichotillomania
- Eating Disorder (ED)
- Anorexia
I unfortunately had to DNF at 20%. I did not find myself enjoying this book at all. I really wanted to give it a try, but the story wasn't interesting enough for me to continue. I applaud how this book brutally deep dives into mental illnesses, but the pacing was enough put me off. With that amount of progress, I expected at least something to keep me afloat, but it did not live up to my expectations of this book as a whole.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Forced institutionalization, Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Confinement
Moderate: Eating disorder, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Self harm
xoxocleo's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
swemo's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emwillems's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
angay_reads's review
4.0
When I first read the book's description, I knew I would love it. And I did.
Nothing's been the same since Moira's best friend died. She's been fighting with her mom every day and both of them are sick of it. She doesn't know what to do when she's dropped off at the foot of a castle in the middle of nowhere. She meets Dr.Prince and eleven other girls that were sent here for different reasons. And thus begins a new chapter in her life, a chapter of recovery.
As someone who's suffering from depression and self-harm, I understood the characters and their emotions. Like Moira, I don't have the best relationship with my mother; like Eleanor, I have scars all over my arms. Perhaps that's why I liked this book so much, I related to it on a personal level.
It is categorized as a mystery, but the book mainly focuses on mental health and how to deal with your relationships with others. The plot and setting are intriguing, and the ending felt bittersweet. There are a lot of things you can take away from the book, such as how to deal with grief and how different things can affect a person drastically.
Although, I do agree with others that the characters weren't fleshed out enough. I mean, there probably wasn't enough time or pages to go deep into each girl's personality. Which ended up feeling like they're represented solely by their mental problems, and not who they actually were.
Despite that, this was still a great and mind-opening read. And I'd definitely want to read a similar book in the future! I really recommend it and I hope you enjoy your read!
*P.S, I didn't post for an entire month because exams were fucking killing me but I'm back now and I have soooo many books I want to read so more reviews will be coming soon!
Nothing's been the same since Moira's best friend died. She's been fighting with her mom every day and both of them are sick of it. She doesn't know what to do when she's dropped off at the foot of a castle in the middle of nowhere. She meets Dr.Prince and eleven other girls that were sent here for different reasons. And thus begins a new chapter in her life, a chapter of recovery.
As someone who's suffering from depression and self-harm, I understood the characters and their emotions. Like Moira, I don't have the best relationship with my mother; like Eleanor, I have scars all over my arms. Perhaps that's why I liked this book so much, I related to it on a personal level.
It is categorized as a mystery, but the book mainly focuses on mental health and how to deal with your relationships with others. The plot and setting are intriguing, and the ending felt bittersweet. There are a lot of things you can take away from the book, such as how to deal with grief and how different things can affect a person drastically.
Although, I do agree with others that the characters weren't fleshed out enough. I mean, there probably wasn't enough time or pages to go deep into each girl's personality. Which ended up feeling like they're represented solely by their mental problems, and not who they actually were.
Despite that, this was still a great and mind-opening read. And I'd definitely want to read a similar book in the future! I really recommend it and I hope you enjoy your read!
*P.S, I didn't post for an entire month because exams were fucking killing me but I'm back now and I have soooo many books I want to read so more reviews will be coming soon!