meghan_readsbooks 's review for:

The Locked Ward by Sarah Pekkanen

3.25

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Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the review copy of Locked Ward. I was excited to dive into this one, having really enjoyed this author’s previous books. While there were elements I appreciated—like the exploration of sibling rivalry, the experience of institutionalization, and the complicated ties between twins—this one just didn’t fully work for me. 

One of the main things that pulled me out of the story was the alternating POV, especially the chapters written in second person. I found those sections disorienting and honestly frustrating, particularly in audio format. It made it harder for me to stay engaged with the characters and the plot. I also felt the story didn’t quite deliver the suspense and psychological tension I expected from the premise. 

That said, January LaVoy’s narration was fantastic—as always, she brought depth and nuance to the story and characters. 

I also want to mention that my reaction is shaped in part by personal perspective. As someone connected to adoption, I tend to approach certain plotlines with caution. The framing around adoption and the separation of twins didn’t sit well with me and felt a bit outdated, which impacted how I received the story overall. This one wasn't a hit for me, but I’ll definitely keep reading this author’s future work.