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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
This book captivated me from the beginning. It is one of the most harrowing books I have ever read though. There is horrific scenes of bullying and abuse in this story. I could vividly imagine High Realms boarding school and the book is extremely atmospheric. The characters are very well written and I found it hard to put down even though it was far from an enjoyable read! A dark and well crafted thriller.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide
Moderate: Bullying, Physical abuse, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
From the very first opening chapter it sets itself up for a strong start! It immediately opens up with intrigue and setting the scene with our cast of characters in a very privileged private school. I couldn’t have put it down if I tried!
I love books set in boarding schools. The close proximity, the forced friendships, the inevitable conniving *insert swear word here* who will work at ruining everything in our protagonists life. And it was exactly as I had hoped! We also have a sense of creeping suspense that *something* is about to happen but we’re kept in the dark as to what it is. I loved the gentle unravelling as it’s revealed what we’re working towards. But woah, it went dark. I never would have imagined the turn it took and flags for trigger warnings everywhere. Be aware of heavy and difficult twists, but dark academia it certainly was!
We have Marta, Lloyd and Sami and Rose, the 4 scholarship kids faced with the pressure of deserving the position they have been given within the school. Genevieve our aforementioned bitch, is a force to be reckoned with and it seems all Marta can do is get on the wrong side of her.
The writing was great, loved the characters and loved the progression of the plot all the way through. Couldn’t give it less than the 5 stars it deserves. A great debut!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
I love books set in boarding schools. The close proximity, the forced friendships, the inevitable conniving *insert swear word here* who will work at ruining everything in our protagonists life. And it was exactly as I had hoped! We also have a sense of creeping suspense that *something* is about to happen but we’re kept in the dark as to what it is. I loved the gentle unravelling as it’s revealed what we’re working towards. But woah, it went dark. I never would have imagined the turn it took and flags for trigger warnings everywhere. Be aware of heavy and difficult twists, but dark academia it certainly was!
We have Marta, Lloyd and Sami and Rose, the 4 scholarship kids faced with the pressure of deserving the position they have been given within the school. Genevieve our aforementioned bitch, is a force to be reckoned with and it seems all Marta can do is get on the wrong side of her.
The writing was great, loved the characters and loved the progression of the plot all the way through. Couldn’t give it less than the 5 stars it deserves. A great debut!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this book on NetGalley in return for my honest thoughts and review.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes