A review by keepcalmblogon
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

dark mysterious tense 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? No

5.0

I picked Where Sleeping Girls Lie for Bailey’s Shelf This! Book Club. This book first came on my radar when Macmillan sent me some promo material featuring character art and bios by an author who had recently come on my radar from some other authors I follow (which is something I love about being on Booksta!). I read Faridah’s collab with Adiba, Four Eids and a Funeral, and enjoyed that a lot, but Where Sleeping Girls Lie is a totally different vibe, so it was actually the promo material with the character bios that hooked me—I had to know more about the beautiful and intriguing students of ANA!

I’m not usually a mystery reader, but Sade had me hooked from the start because the mystery of her personality and motivations tugged at me more than any mystery plot could. This book was like Mean Girls as the Weird Sisters from Sabrina meets Pretty Little Liars at Sunnydale High. Basil was everything I want in a quirky sidekick, and Persephone broke so many “mean girl” molds I couldn’t help but fall for her as well. The entire cast of characters was engaging and entertaining.

On the surface this book is a boarding school dark academia mystery, but beneath the depths it spoke of privilege (both white and moneyed) and feminism. It also spoke of abuse, survival, and mental health. I always really enjoy stories that reflect deeper meanings on a mirror of entertainment, so this book was five stars for me!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings