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A review by lefttoread
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
I went into The Maidens with high hopes, especially after hearing it categorized as Dark Academia—a genre I love. However, while the novel has certain elements that could fit that label (a college setting, a mysterious professor, and a secret society), it didn’t quite capture the Dark Academia vibe I was hoping for. The protagonist, Mariana, isn’t a student, which distances the story from the academic immersion that often defines the genre. The sense of brooding intellectualism, gothic atmosphere, and moral ambiguity that usually characterize Dark Academia felt largely absent.
The pacing of the book is slow, particularly at the beginning, and I found that this sluggish start set the tone for much of the reading experience. While there are moments of intrigue and suspense, the story took a while to really engage me. However, the conclusion was satisfying, with a twist that kept me turning the pages toward the end.
One thing I appreciated was the subtle connections to The Silent Patient, Michaelides' previous novel. Although I didn’t particularly enjoy The Silent Patient, the way it was woven into this narrative added a layer of creepiness and excitement that I found intriguing. It was a clever nod to fans and brought a sense of continuity to his work.
While The Maidens didn’t fully blow me away, I enjoyed it more than The Silent Patient. I’m curious to see if Michaelides will write something that merges these two worlds more fully in the future. I’d certainly give his work another try, but I’m still waiting for that knockout read from him.
The pacing of the book is slow, particularly at the beginning, and I found that this sluggish start set the tone for much of the reading experience. While there are moments of intrigue and suspense, the story took a while to really engage me. However, the conclusion was satisfying, with a twist that kept me turning the pages toward the end.
One thing I appreciated was the subtle connections to The Silent Patient, Michaelides' previous novel. Although I didn’t particularly enjoy The Silent Patient, the way it was woven into this narrative added a layer of creepiness and excitement that I found intriguing. It was a clever nod to fans and brought a sense of continuity to his work.
While The Maidens didn’t fully blow me away, I enjoyed it more than The Silent Patient. I’m curious to see if Michaelides will write something that merges these two worlds more fully in the future. I’d certainly give his work another try, but I’m still waiting for that knockout read from him.