I really struggled with the pacing on this one. The protagonist’s voice was not super strong, and I think it would have been more compelling to know her entire backstory from the beginning. A tighter edit and more twists in the plot would have helped this one a lot.

#NetGalleyARC Oh man do I love this author. I found this book to be a slow burn type of book, not romance wise but hooking you in wise. It’s got a slow start, you meet key characters and slowly the thrill builds as the story continues on. Definitely one of the better thrillers/mysteries I’ve read this year. Once you get past the slow beginning and the story picks up, you’ll be hooked and unable to put the book down.

This was a slow burn with multiple mysteries and unique characters. I love it when the author develops surrounding characters outside the main ones. It makes for a more well-rounded and realistic environment. Speaking of environment, this novel takes place at an elite boarding school with houses named after influential scientists. I truly loved this setting and almost wish this was a series with more world-building. I could have done with a shorter novel but with more books.

This novel is long and does drag on at parts. As I mentioned earlier, there are multiple mysteries. First, it's hinted that Sadie, a Black, Muslim young woman, has a dark past, but we don't know exactly what has happened. We then meet her roommate who disappears. There are supporting characters that also have an air of mystery surrounding them because everyone has something to hide!

Readers familiar with Mean Girls will see some similarities. You have a trio of popular girls that seem to "run" the school, love/friend interests that have a history with the "mean girls", and friends who are outsiders when the new girl has an ~in~ to the popular crowd. However, that's where the similarities end. There is so much more to this. There are some elements of spookiness (how could you not in a boarding school?), but ultimately there are some horrors that this book explores like grief, suicide ideation, and sexual assault.

I felt the author really took care with these topics and readers should be aware if any of these could be triggering.

I love me a good YA thriller and this was no different. This book book keeps you hooked with mystery after mystery and a loveable cast of characters. It's a book you can't put down. This is a book about the marginalized people that society forgets and getting justice, whatever that looks like.

My main gripe with this book was the writing style. It's very staccato with pages of paragraphs that are just one sentence. It can definitely work for some people but it took me a while to get into and even then would keep pulling me out of the story.

Disappointing sophomore books from this author after loving Ace of Spades. This one was too long and unfortunately predictable. Still would recommend if you want a YA thriller set at a boarding school.

Summary: Main character starts at a new boarding school and her roommate goes missing. She infiltrates the popular girl clique to try to figure out what happened.

Liked:
-Boarding school setting
-Side characters particularly the best friend, love interest, and roommate. I was more invested in their personalities than in our main character’s personality

Didn’t like:
-Way too long
-Predictable and saw where the story was going from a mile away
-Thought this would be more shocking and original like Ace of Spades was

Sidenote — this book is tagged as LGBTQIA+ but <spoiler> it barely was. </spoiler>

This book might be more surprising for those who are new to reading thrillers. If you haven’t read Ace of Spades yet by this author, read that one!

Publishes March 19, 2024. This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved Ace of Spades by this author, and was so anxious to pick this one up. I unfortunately found myself a bit disappointed by the whole thing, mainly in two categories: pacing and plotting. One of the things I loved so much about this author's debut work was how fast paced and addictive it was, and how I was on the edge of my seat, unable to turn the pages fast enough. This one was infuriatingly slow, and that's also coming from a reader who usually adores a slower book that really takes its time to develop. This story did not feel like it was doing that, it just felt like all of the action was shoved into the last several chapters. There was nearly nothing happening for so much of the book and then, suddenly, suspects were flying, people were dying, arrests were happening, people being exposed- all one chapter after the other. It was very disorienting, and also made each reveal so weak in turn because there was no time allowed to sit with the horror of it. The way the reveals happened were also frustrating, seeing how well twists were done in Ace of Spades. Everything was told in literal flashbacks and long stretches of explanatory text. Not only was each new twist very predictable (so predictable that I found myself very frustrated at the main character for how long it was taking her to add two and two together), the surprising ones didn't even register because they were just being thrown at you in the last few chapters and in a way that not only spoon-fed you the information, but spelled out how you should feel about it. So much of the commentary was on the nose and left very little room for "showing" you what was wrong or how characters were acting. It was so telling-heavy that I was confused at multiple points why the main character would, in the narrative, describe characters in such a way and then continue to ignore what that meant? I understand, with one particular twist, how this may be intentional but I think it was executed in a rather messy way. I do believe some of this writing style and the choices made with the plot have to do with the fact that this is a YA story, but I think the audience deserves more credit and can be expected to have some level of critical thought. Leaving more room for predictions and coming up with conclusions and having reveals be more spread out would have helped so much with building tension better and fixed some of the issues with pacing. Other than that, I found that the plot itself was meaningful and I completely see how important the conversations being had were, but none of it necessarily registered. It was especially disappointing seeing how this is a thriller based around some of my deepest fears, and some of the experiences are ones I have or know people to have gone through. I was sad by the events taking place, but because of the way they were so spelled out and spoon-fed to the reader, there wasn't as much room left for me to feel the full emotion of everything. Although I think the subjects were dealt with tactfully and with care, I think as far as an engaging thriller novel goes, the themes were not necessarily written in a way that left me feeling tense or on the edge of my seat. I spent the first two thirds of the book feeling frustrated because I knew what was coming and rather than being scared for the main character, was annoyed at her obliviousness. I then spent the last third struggling to keep up, understanding a little why the main character was the way she was but then further frustrated by how convenient some of the twists thus were. I do, of course, want to focus on the fact that as on the nose as this book may be, I can see it doing real good in existing and speaking out. Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé writes with so much empathy, and just because I did not personally enjoy some of the ways that the book was written, I still look forward to picking up every new book she writes. I think where this one fell off for me was in my expectation that it would be as nuanced and gripping as it may have been if written for adults, seeing as there would be more room allowed to explore the things I am most interested in when reading. That being said, I think the fact that this is YA is so important and part of what will make the book as impactful as it will probably be. Three stars overall, and I would still recommend people pick up this book. Perhaps go into it expecting more of a suspenseful contemporary than the fast-paced thriller Ace of Spades was.

An amazing second novel!!!

This book follows Sade who just started at a boarding school following the death of her father and hint at her having other secrets.

Things I loved:
1. Sade was such a rich and complex protagonist. I loved seeing her meet the other characters throughout the novel and see her relationships grow with them. Her anxiety was explored really realistically.
2. The mystery and the setting!!!! I love boarding school YA and some of it reminded me of “private” by Kate Brian (a throwback I know).
3. BAZ!! He is an iconic character and added in some lightness during a pretty heavy book!
4. LGBTQ+ characters/couples ! 🏳️‍🌈
5. Check trigger warnings—but this book handled such a heavy topic and was done gracefully while still being powerful.

I do wish that the reveals were spread out a little more and that the pacing was a little faster. But that didn’t stop my enjoyment!

Looking forward for whatever Faridah writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC❤️

This is the second book I've read by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (Ace of Spades is also amazing) and her books have a Tiffany Jackson vibe in the best way. Where Sleeping Girls Lie opened in the middle of conflict and mystery and that vibe carried through the book.

As we watch Sade and Baz identify lies that lead to mysteries about the disappearance of Elizabeth, we also explore the hot and cold action of Persephone, and a guy from the swim team who's very interested in Sade, but can he be trusted? Amidst all mysteries and who-done-its Sade and Baz learn that Elizabeth had a few secrets of her own.

While readers rush to untangle this web of questions there are mysteries brewing that we readers don't even know to be on the look out for.

At this point after both Ace of Spade and Where Sleeping Girls Lie, I'll read anything Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé. I'll keep my eyes peeled for the next one!

I (like everyone else) loved Ace of Spades and thought it was one of the best YA thrillers in recent years - so I was STOKED to start Where Sleeping Girls Lie.

After finishing the book and reflecting on it a little I decided I really loved it - but I think it's best to go into it with the proper expectations or you may be disappointed.

Where Sleeping Girls Lie is about Sade, a teenage girl starting at a new boarding school. She recently lost her father and the author alludes that she may be running from some dark secrets in her past. The day after she arrives to school, her new roommate goes missing. Sade spends most of the story trying to figure out what happened to her roommate while also getting acclimated to the school, its cliques and rules, etc.

- I would not call this a thriller. It leans more towards the mystery side and I think a lot of that has to do with the pacing, which is very moderate. I don't think this is a bad thing by any means, but I do think it's good to know going into it that this isn't a twisty page turner that will have you on the edge of your seat. It is more of a slow burn, and instead of "solving the mystery" being the motivation to keep reading, in my case it was just learning more about Sade and seeing how her relationships evolved.

- The author did a GREAT job creating all of these characters. I think memorable characters are one of most important parts of a good book, especially for those of us who read 100+ books a year. It is so easy for characters to just be vessels for the plot that blend into the story, but I think the main characters all stood out in their own ways and I appreciated their complexities.

- IMO this was a little longer than it needed to be. I think it could've been 50 pages shorter and that would've held my attention more consistently.

I will read anything this author writes! I would also definitely not complain if she turned this one into a series... just saying.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review*

this is an excellent exploration of patriarchy and the old boys club. an incredibly important read.

I anticipate bringing this book into my classroom, however it will be a very intentional choice once I get to know my students. This book could certainly be too much for certain students, but I do think it has an incredibly important place in the classroom. I see this book with the likes of Sula by Morrison in terms of place for students in the classroom while addressing the mature content.

...𝐈 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞.~𝐅𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐡 À𝐛í𝐤é-Í𝐲í𝐦í𝐝é

After ACE OF SPADES, I knew I would read anything this author wrote, and when I read this synopsis, I prayed daily to the NetGalley gods and started reading immediately after my request was approved.

Sade Hussein has known loss all of her life, and when she shows up to Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school after her last surviving parent died, she's both eager and cautious. She's assigned to room with Elizabeth, and despite her quirkiness, Sade takes to her easily and feels comfortable around her.

And then Elizabeth disappears.

When she doesn't turn up, Sade realizes that no one, not even the teachers or the administrators, really seem to care much about the girl's disappearance, but when a highly favored student turns up dead, everyone in the school takes notice. The atmosphere of the book changes dramatically after this death, and it becomes clear that the author is exploring themes of power, gender, and privilege in a way that doesn't feel heavy handed. Once she pulls you in with those, the purpose of the book becomes clear, and that's the trauma that so many girls experience at the hands of boys who know their actions will go unpunished.

This book was on the long side, around 400 pages, but it never really seemed to drag. I really enjoyed the diverse cast of characters and the layered mystery that kept me engaged throughout. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishing. This title will publish March 19, 2024.

In Where Sleeping Girls Lie — a YA contemporary mystery by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, the New York Times-bestselling author of Ace of Spades — a girl new to boarding school discovers dark secrets and coverups after her roommate disappears.

Fantastic! I'm a sucker for a good boarding school mystery and this definitely scratched that itch for me. Faridah Abike-Iyimide is phenomenal and I look forward to her future books.

A complex atmospheric thriller, a slow burn, suspenseful underneath building. I think my students will like and while they won't be able to relate to the always beautiful and very rich girls., there is alot they will relate to and will enjoy

I really enjoy this author's work. She does a good job of pacing and building complex YA thrillers. Her characters are strong and the plot hooks you quickly!

I loved this book because it had everything I look for in a dark academia setting: a Gothic atmosphere, a complex plot, a diverse cast of characters, and a twisty mystery. The author did a great job of creating suspense and tension throughout the story, and I was hooked from the first page to the last. The book also explored themes of identity, privilege, power, and trauma in a nuanced and realistic way.

I really enjoyed this book! I thought the inclusion of violence against women was done very well - it is a tough theme to tackle and I felt the author did a phenomenal job showing the reality of what many girls experience, especially in high school/college. It did not feel overdone, and was handled thoughtfully and respectfully.

I also enjoyed the friendships, the element of mystery that was uncovered as the book went on, and the character growth.

4.25/5

Love a good dark academia twist! I highly enjoyed this author's previous piece, Ace of Spades, and was excited to read the newest piece. Great characterization and twists throughout, which kept me highly engaged. Looking forward to the author's next piece!

I found this novel to be a bit of a slog—it took me more than a month to get through the whole thing. Its message about sexual assault is important, the eerie and claustrophobic atmosphere of the schoolgirl novel well captured, but the writing is pretty cliché (and not very artful), and Sade isn’t very interesting for a main character, I hate to say. Her trauma over her family members’ deaths is depicted well, but her depression and anxiety are such a staple of YA literature by now that there isn’t much that is memorable about them. Sade doesn’t seem unique, just a walking collection of tropes. The revelation of Jamila’s existence—two thirds into the novel—is ridiculous. The fact that Sade has a twin sister should have been set up from the start.

Overall, the novel is just badly paced: mega slow burn for half of it, then followed by an endless loop of confusing and contradictory revelations. For example, the order of events during the novel’s turning point, Jude’s party, seems hopelessly tangled. Sade’s motivation as well as the actual timeline of his murder are unclear: When exactly did Sade roofy Jude? (Can we talk about the fact that two crimes don’t equal an act of justice?) When did Francis show up to strangle him? Why didn’t Sade call the police? Other plot holes are plentiful. Like, where did Elizabeth stay for those six weeks she was absent? Was she just holed up in April’s room? How did the school catch wind that Sade had started the website? Did August blab? Why had Jude never noticed Sade’s similarity to Jamila? Why is everyone magically attracted to Sade—who, not very humbly, is quite aware of her beauty?

Finally, the sapphic romance is sweet, although Persephone acts a little too detached to be interesting, and Sade—at times so thoughtlessly determined and stupidly impulsive—never has the guts to make even the smallest move on Persephone, although she knows exactly how they feels for each other. Wasted potential: their love story could have made this otherwise lifeless story sparkle.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Like many other reviewers, I loved Ace of Spades, so I was very excited to read Where Sleeping Girls Lie. The first 25% or so was past-faced and every time I had to put the book down, I couldn't wait to pick it up again. However, the middle dragged for me, and by the time I was in the last 20% of the story, it felt way too long. There was a lot about the day-to-day that ultimately felt like filler. The timeline also seemed really stretched out; I think the bulk of the story could have taken place in three weeks.

While this book felt like it ran out of steam and could have used a stronger edit, I'm still a huge fan of Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's and will read whatever she publishes next.

I was very excited for this book and it didn’t disappoint! This is a slow, atmospheric, and mysterious book that feels very classic dark academia. The story unfolds slowly and you have to be patient with it. There’s not really huge twists or big shocks, just a really nicely paced moody plot. If you’re expecting the high speed pace of Ace of Spades, you won’t find that here. However, I thought this was fantastic.
I don’t want to say too much about the core mystery or plot because that may spoil things! But do be aware that this book does discuss sexual assault.
If you like mysterious dark academia books, you will love this!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.