Book Review: Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
In Where Sleeping Girls Lie — a YA contemporary mystery by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé — a girl new to boarding school discovers dark secrets and coverups after her roommate disappears.
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It’s like I keep stumbling into a dark room, searching for the switch to make things bright again...
Sade Hussein is starting her third year of high school, this time at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school, after being home-schooled. Misfortune has been a constant companion throughout her life, but even Sade doesn’t expect her new roommate, Elizabeth, to disappear after Sade’s first night. Or for people to think she had something to do with it.
With rumors swirling around her, Sade catches the attention of the girls collectively known as the Unholy Trinity and they bring her into their fold. Between learning more about them—especially Persephone, who Sade is inexplicably drawn to—and playing catchup in class, Sade already has so much on her plate. But when it seems people don't care enough about what happened to Elizabeth, it's up to her and Elizabeth's best friend, Baz, to investigate.
And then a student is found dead.
As Sade and Baz keep trying to figure out what’s going on, Sade realizes there’s more to Alfred Nobel Academy and its students than she thought. Secrets lurk around every corner and beneath every surface…Secrets that rival even her own.-Macmillan Publishers
Reading Where Sleeping Girls Lie was an experience that I didn’t expect. I joined a book club that had chosen it as their September read without knowing much about it, opting not to read the synopsis which made the twists and turns this story took, all the more enthralling.
The story started slowly, especially through Part One, and I found myself struggling to stay engaged at first. However, I kept pushing through, and once I reached Part Two, I was hooked. By the time I entered Part Three, I was fully immersed in the narrative. The pacing ramped up, and the characters became more compelling with each passing chapter.
One of the most striking parts of this book is its nuance. It presents a layered, intricate story with complex characters, and the evolution of their relationships was fascinating to witness. Sade, in particular, undergoes significant growth from the start of the story to its conclusion. Her journey is one of self-discovery and learning to navigate both the internal and external dangers surrounding her.
The boarding school setting added a rich atmosphere to the plot. I loved the banter between the characters, which helped lighten the darker moments of the story, though there was always a sense of foreboding. Sade’s seemingly terrible luck had me constantly fearing the worst for her. The way Àbíké-Íyímídé built the tension was masterful, creating a gripping narrative that kept me on edge throughout it.
The plot twist near the end was truly sickening in the best way possible. I didn’t see it coming, and it added layers of depth to both the story and the characters involved. One character, August, seemed suspicious from early on, and the way his role unfolded left me stunned.
There were also so many intriguing questions left lingering throughout the story. Why did the Unholy Girls take such a strong interest in Sade? Why didn’t the school take Sade and Baz’s findings more seriously? And what role did Jude really play in all of this? These questions kept me invested, even as the tension rose to unbearable levels. Fortunately they were answered by the end, bringing satisfying closure to the complex narrative.
My only true critique of this story is that I wish it had jumped into the nitty-gritty sooner. While I appreciate the world-building, it took some time before the plot truly thickened. But once it did, it was a truly immersive experience.
Overall, Where Sleeping Girls Lie is a story that weaves together mystery, trauma, and self-revelation. The ending was satisfying, the character development rich, and the plot twists unforgettable.
It was a jaw-dropping tale that left me both reeling and deeply satisfied.
★★★★☆ 4/5 Stars
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