For fans of dark academia, about corruption, about rage, Where Sleeping Girls Lie is for you. As a fan of Ace of Spades, I was still not fully prepared for how much I’d enjoy Àbíké-Íyímídé’s second book. Talk about my shock at these twists! Keep reading this book review of Where Sleeping Girls Lie for my full thoughts.
Summary
It’s like I keep stumbling into a dark room, searching for the switch to make things bright again. To make me remember. But the switch isn’t there. Was it there before?
Sade Hussein is starting her third year of high school, this time at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school. After being home-schooled all her life and feeling like a magnet for misfortune, she’s not sure what will happen. What she doesn’t expect though is for her 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 most popular girls in school – collectively known as the ‘Unholy Trinity’ – and they bring her into their fold. Between learning more about them – especially Persephone, who Sade finds herself drawn to – playing catch-up in class, and trying to figure out what happened to Elizabeth, Sade has a lot on her plate. It doesn’t help that she’s already dealing with grief from the many tragedies in her family.
And then a student is found dead.
The more Sade investigates, the more she realizes there’s more to Alfred Nobel Academy and its students than she realized. Secrets lurk around every corner and beneath every surface…secrets that rival even her own.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Where Sleeping Girls Lie is an emotional masterpiece. It features Shakespearean touches and immediately established secrets. From early on, we witness the corruption of the school, the surveillance, and this insular community. It’s a book that slowly builds up the mystery. And, what Àbíké-Íyímídé is brilliant at is this push and pull of character relationships and dynamics. Of people who will know what just to say to get us to compromise. Who will know how our pressure points.
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There are investigations, stake, and you aren’t sure who to trust at any point. Where Sleeping Girls Lie radiates from a foundation of the fear of someone who is used to getting their way. When someone doesn’t know the meaning of no, is used to the doors being opened, what happens when they will be forced to contend with that loss? It explores how we fight against this insurmountable power of privilege and greased doors. Find Where Sleeping Girls Lie on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.