This is a sapphic YA novel about unsolved deaths, and the ways women are forced to make themselves docile to exist and be seen as intelligent in society, in the form of a very loose Jekyll and Hyde retelling. Unfortunately, the ways in which this book was unrelentingly teenaged made it pretty annoying in a lot of ways. Out of the two POV characters, I could only really stand one of them— and that was not because she was well written, but because she vaguely reminded me of someone I am close to. I only really liked one character, and her character felt like both the token non-white character and exposition for the very small amount of research the author did on autism (if any was even done). I could go into a further analysis of what was wrong with that particular character, and how her neurodivergent traits were seen as equal to aggressive, violent, murderous thoughts, but I don’t feel like it at the moment. The plot seemed like it was going to turn out well, but it just didn’t seem to make much sense as the book continued, which was annoying because of the high hopes I had for the novel and for the characters, as a huge personal fan of dark academia and a somewhat sapphic person myself (gender is weird)

So, after finishing this book, I'm left with some mixed feelings. Firstly, though, there was a lot to like. The setting, for one, was lush and atmospheric. The writing also added to the tense atmosphere. I particularly liked the descriptions of the settings. The fact that it's a Jekyll and Hyde retelling was also interesting enough (once I figured it out--because somehow between requesting the arc and getting to the halfway point in the book, I'd somehow completely missed that).

My biggest problem lies a bit with the pacing. There are a few different mysteries needing to be solved throughout the book and I felt like the reveals at the end weren't entirely satisfying, to me. It wasn't that they didn't make sense, it just felt as though some of those reveals ended up taking a leap in logic and I was a few steps behind. I could understand, vaguely, how the characters had arrived there. There just seemed to be parts that I felt I'd either missed or weren't there, so that when the reveal happened I was more confused than satisfied. I'm sorry for being vague, but I hate giving spoilers in arcs unless they pertain to some trigger warnings or the like.

Speaking of, here's a spoiler: the killing of Salem was something I was not expecting and really wished there'd be some sort of trigger warning at the beginning so I'd have been able to prepare myself for it (or skip reading entirely). It was honestly abrupt and while I understand, sort of, why it was there, I really hated it and in the end it felt like the reason for it happening didn't seem to have a pay-off. Truly, it was just there for shock value.

Ultimately, this was just okay and while I appreciate the examination of female rage and how women aren't allowed to be angry, I wish the book had done things a bit differently. Especially since the latter half of the book felt particularly bloated at the end. I'd still say that if it sounds at all interesting to give it a try, but just be warned about some pretty graphic animal death.

When I came across the plotline promising a dark academia retelling of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," adorned with gothic and supernatural elements, my excitement knew no bounds. I couldn't help but let out a joyful shriek as I embarked on this journey, eager to discover the mysterious adventures that lay ahead.

There were numerous aspects of the book that I adored, starting with the haunted school setting. Carvell Academy of the Arts, notorious for a tragic event that occurred a decade ago, holds the secret of four students' untimely deaths, leaving behind a trail of cold cases. Now, the academy is reopening its doors, attracting students who appear to be more interested in unraveling the past mysteries than pursuing a fulfilling education. Among them is Lottie Fitzwilliam, determined to delve into the secrets surrounding her friend Janine's presumed suicide by jumping from the haunted North Tower.

Lottie, a blonde aspiring hockey player, shares her room with Alice Wolfe, a goth and intellectual with anger management issues. Alice studies philosophy and chose the academy to be closer to her ailing mother, whose health worsens with each passing day.

The dark atmosphere of the school serves as a constant warning that something sinister lurks within its walls. Unexplained incidents start to occur, such as Lottie waking up to find herself covered in dirt without any recollection of where she spent the night. On another occasion, she discovers a ruby embedded in her neck, which seems to exert control over her whenever she attempts to leave the premises.

Things escalate further when Alice stumbles upon an ominous ritual described in a mysterious book within Carvell's library. Is the North Tower truly claiming more victims, and is there a cold-blooded killer lurking in the shadows, hiding behind their innocent eyes?

I appreciated the ideas behind the story, the well-developed characters of Alice and Lottie, and the gothic ambiance of the setting. However, the execution of the overall mystery fell short for me. The progression felt unrealistic and too far-fetched, the pacing dragged at times, and the conclusion left me somewhat unsatisfied.

In my opinion, the anger of young girls could have been portrayed in a more impactful manner.

As a result, I have decided to give this thrilling installment a three-star rating, as my expectations were set quite high, and I experienced some disappointment. Nevertheless, the author's brilliant ideas and well-crafted characterizations have piqued my interest, and I look forward to exploring more of her works in the future.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Random House Children's/Delacorte Press for providing me with a digital reviewer copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I enjoyed the tone of this book a lot--I think that it was atmospheric and gothic. Outside of that, I wasn't a huge fan. The way the characters spoke and interacted with one another felt very unbelievable and wooden. While I was intrigued by the plot, I found the execution to be a bit lacking in the sense that I found it hard to suspend my belief at times, and while the setting and tone were a bit gothic and pretty atmospheric, the action and other descriptions were a bit dry/dull. I wasn't a fan of the pacing, as well. I did, however, really enjoy the discussion on female rage. I think that a lot of times in YA, those discussions can be very surface level, and this fills a really interesting niche in YA literature. I think that, especially in current times, these discussions on feminism and female rage are really important and really relevant, and I did appreciate that and enjoy reading that.

Reviewing based on early review copy received from Netgalley.

Age range: older teens, 15+ due to language and violence.

Genre: Supernatural mystery, romance, feminism.

Told from the perspective to two main characters, Lottie, and Alice, who are both 19. They are entering their first year of university which you’ve likely already gathered from the synopsis, is the backdrop for a tale of mysteries. Ten years ago, four students died without a reasonable explanation. Lottie grew up with the consequences of those deaths through her family’s relationship with one of the victims. She is determined to figure out what happened. She is also a jock, a tall blonde who has been accepted based on a field hockey scholarship into the English program. Alice has ambitions of becoming a judge and is studying philosophy. She chose this university so she can stay close to home since her mother is ill. Alice can be described as a goth and struggles with “anger” issues throughout the story.

Both characters are affected by the supernatural pulse of this location. Lottie starts sprouting rubies out of her neck and Alice splits her soul in two through a ritual. Philosophy and gothic literature are ruminated on through the girls’ perspectives. There are some witty thoughts, to be sure. I particularly enjoyed the descriptive imagery produced by the author. “With a strength I never knew I had, I stood firm, rooted like a tree, immovable despite being vastly outnumbered. I felt invisible roots burrow down into the earth, and the dragging grasps were nothing more than a gentle breeze among my leaves”.

Overall, the pace is good, I was well engaged throughout the book and read it within a few days. Action is saved till the end of the book. The romance aspect felt like it could have used some additional development. But then, it is YA so maybe my expectations are higher than they ought to be. The ending was not believable for me but made for an interesting symbolic tale concerning female rights and power in modern society. Almost all characters of focus were female. I would recommend this book to young women.

Uh it was okay. Honestly, most of the characters, dialogue, and writing in general felt wooden and disjointed. I thought the premise was interesting and I caught some of the vibes but it wasn't for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was a very atmospheric read. I did think the characters themselves and parts of the plot weren't very believable, and I found the entirety to be lukewarm at best. I was promised humor in the synopsis, but found no humor or satire within the book itself. The text was very dry and very boring to me. I think the idea had potentional, but it fell very flat.

Thank you to Random House for the arc in exchange for review.

TRIGGER WARNING: animal death

This was a pretty decent Gothic dark academia novel, that hinges on a Jekyll and Hyde retelling which i can kinda see where that plays in, however i think this book stands on its own discussing female rage in a way i haven't seen in YA before and i think its desperately needed. aside from the death of a black cat. this book was pretty good.

but seriously though,

the kitty death was unneeded

Sincerely,

a very upset black cat owner .

This book seamlessly blends together an exquisite combination of beauty and darkness. From the very outset, I found myself captivated by the enigmatic allure of the mystery, the contrasting magnetism between Lottie and Alice, and the masterful command of language that exuded true artistry.

Dark academia has swiftly emerged as one of my favored genres, and this book took it a step further by interweaving elements of the supernatural and embarking on a journey of sapphic relationships filled with both sunny and brooding adventures. It was a literary concoction that completely ensnared my attention and held me spellbound from start to finish.

The utilization of multiple narrators was a brilliant stroke. Initially, I held reservations, having heard of others' unpleasant experiences with audiobooks featuring multiple narrators. However, my worries were swiftly dispelled as I embarked on this audio journey. The narrators were absolutely fabulous, bringing the characters to life with distinct voices and perspectives. It was a true auditory delight, leaving me torn between my affections for Alice and her alluring darkness and Lottie and her perpetual radiance. Perhaps it is possible to love them both equally.

Furthermore, the book's tapestry is enriched by the intricate dynamics and profound depth of the supporting characters who accompany Lottie and Alice on their quest for truth. Each character adds a unique dimension to the story, further immersing the reader in their interconnected lives and providing a rich tapestry of relationships that greatly enhance the narrative's intricacy.

In summary, this book masterfully blends beauty and darkness, drawing readers into a compelling mystery that enthralls from beginning to end. The allure of dark academia is elevated by the infusion of supernatural elements and a heartfelt exploration of sapphic relationships. With exceptional narrators, the audiobook amplifies the distinct voices of the characters, leaving readers enamored by the complexities of Alice and Lottie. The ensemble cast of supporting characters adds depth and richness to the tale, making it a truly captivating literary experience.

A promising premise that unfortunately falls seriously short in execution. We didn't even approach the point until about 80% of the way in, and then said point ended up being a thin veneer of trite leaning feminism.

I never like to say that a teen novel has a lesser expectant audience, so I would never say that this was "good fora teen novel". Every age reader deserves stellar writing. This book was good, but not great. Without spoilers, I thinks some more detail could have been written into some areas, such as the transformations. I loved the relationship building method for the characters, specifically Alice and Lottie. Will recommend to many readers who like teen stories, the occult and supernatural stories.