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.

I'm starting this review by saying I know I'm biased, right? I LOVED Ace of Spades so I went into this knowing I was probably going to like it, but thinking that there was no way it'd be better because I loved Ace of Spades so much. Readers...I was wrong! Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé DOES IT AGAIN. Where Sleeping Girls Lie was clever, smart, and jaw-dropping roller coaster of a ride.

A contemporary mystery, MC Sade Hussein is starting her third year of high school at the extremely bougie Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school, after being homeschooled her whole life. Her new roommate, Elizabeth, disappears after Sade's first night and rum0rs run rampant as Sade peels back the layers of secrets upon secrets. Every time I thought I knew where this was going...I was wrong.

Sapphic/queer inclusive, this book explores and exposes structures of racism, misogyny, classism, and more. I'm an autobuy for sure for Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé.

Be sure to check trigger/content warnings for this book.

This book was... a lot. It tackles some of the heaviest topics ever for a YA book. And maybe I'm not giving enough credit to YA readers but yeah, damn... it was a hard read. And I know the ending is pretty realistic but DAMN does the lack of proper justice hurt. It also just... ends. Which I didn't love. The epilogue also felt abrupt.

I liked Sade as a protagonist. She was a lot stronger than I gave her credit for in the beginning. But I should have know better since it's Àbíké-Íyímídé and I know how much of a backbone she gives her female characters - as seen with Ace of Spades. I was mildly annoyed as Sade's lack of motivation to study and follow the rules but it quickly becomes clear why later on in the story - but that felt like it dragged a bit to get to the realization. But I will say that was really great seeing her interact and fall for Persephone.

If I wasn't already opposed to rich, white, private boarding schools, I am very opposed to them now. While I know this is an act of fiction, it hurts knowing that these circumstances are likely not out of the bounds of realism.

Gosh I loveeee Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's writing! This story was so damn addicting, I seriously couldn't put it down. This story was a gripping mystery filled with secrets and trauma. I loved!

"Where Sleeping Girls Lie" by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is an engrossing and suspenseful YA contemporary mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Sade Hussein's life takes a dramatic turn when she starts her junior year at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school after being homeschooled all her life. Unfortunately, misfortune seems to follow her wherever she goes. The situation becomes even more perplexing when her new roommate, Elizabeth, mysteriously disappears on Sade's first night at school, and the rumors start swirling, with some even implicating Sade in the disappearance.

Sade's quest for the truth leads her to the enigmatic 'Unholy Trinity,' a group of girls who harbor their own secrets. Among them, Persephone stands out, and Sade feels an inexplicable connection to her. As she navigates both this newfound friendship and the challenges of catching up in her classes, the mystery deepens.

The disappearance of Elizabeth and the subsequent discovery of a student's body cast a chilling shadow over Alfred Nobel Academy. Sade, along with Elizabeth's best friend, takes it upon herself to investigate, revealing that there's much more to the academy and its students than meets the eye.

Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé expertly weaves a web of secrets and suspense, making this book a page-turner from start to finish. The characters are richly developed, and Sade's voice is both relatable and compelling as she navigates her way through this gripping mystery.

"Where Sleeping Girls Lie" touches on themes of friendship, trust, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their secrets. It's a suspenseful and engaging read, perfect for fans of contemporary mysteries with a touch of the unexplained.

Following up Ace of Spades, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé’s sophomore novel Where Sleeping Girls Lie was one of my most anticipated reads of the coming year, and it did not disappoint. The opening of the novel is absolutely stellar and immediately draws you in. Àbíké-Íyímídé delivers the perfect amount of suspense, drawing your curiosity, but manages not to get ahead of herself which only leaves you wanting more. As cliché as it sounds, I couldn’t put this book down. The characters in this novel are so well fleshed out and multidimensional. You can see the amount of care that was put into crafting both the characters and the story. Àbíké-Íyímídé gives us a very real take on trauma and the way it seeps into your everyday life. Even on good days, that feeling manages to find a way to follow you. The overarching dread that persists through the story perfectly encapsulates the feeling of trauma and what it leaves in its wake. For a standalone novel, Faridah really makes you feel like you’ve known these characters for multiple books which is both impressive and immersive. All in all, this book was exactly what I was hoping for. Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC and thank you to Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé for an amazing story!

I read this book in prep for creating a Dark Academia college course. The plot was very reminiscent of the St. Paul's School scandal but with a diverse "cast" (since this is fiction). Interesting to have main POV in a dark academia mystery be from a hyper-wealthy student, but this allows for some discussion of intersectionality and marginalization in higher ed. I call this a mystery, because it was far too slow for a thriller. But pacing was my only complaint. I think the target age range will enjoy and benefit from the book's "lessons".

really enjoyed this book! i loveddd Ace of Spades so I knew I was going to love this one as well!! The mystery was so fun!!

The basics of this were good, and I would definitely recommend it to teens that like this kind of book but a) it was way longer than it needed to be and b) I really hate when thrillers reveal the truth by having a new POV character flashback and tell everything that happened - that feels like lazy storytelling to me.

Every single character in this book has a secret, and almost all of them are carrying undisclosed trauma, and for some of them that makes them very bad people, but for others, like our main character Sade, her quest for the truth is the guiding light in this book. Set on the privileged campus of an English boarding school. Sade is looking to start over, even though her past quite literally haunts her, but when her roommate goes missing the first night, she begins to believe that she is the bad luck. What follows is a mystery, but more a story of friendship, Girl power, and finding your community and how important that can be to healing trauma. This book begins with a note from the author and some trigger warnings all of which are necessary, but I think that for so many women, this one book will resonate on so many levels. His authors, debut book ace of spades was a favorite of mine, and this book is quite possibly even better, which I never thought I would be able to say. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

I didn’t love Ace of Spades but I wanted to give the author another try. I love stories set at a school, so this sounded up my alley. It started off really strong with creepy vibes and hints towards something dark that happened in the MC’s past. I loved the setting of the school and I thought all the people— students, teachers, staff— she met felt authentic and like real people. I was really into the story but then it kept going and it kept going and we weren’t getting anywhere. This is over 400 pages I think? And honestly 250ish, max 300 is where it should’ve stopped. The pacing started to slow before the midway point and I began to lose interest. We spent too much time on day to day that didn’t move the plot forward. The resolution was fine, I guess. Maybe this author just isn’t for me. I’ll round up to 3 stars

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I was surprised by this book, I truly didn't know what to expect and went into this book pretty much blind, and I thoroughly enjoyed the story.

My only "critique" is that the MAIN mystery felt almost like it was pushed to the side once a certain major plot point happened. I understood that both the MAIN mystery and this major plot point worked together hand in hand, but I almost had to keep reminding myself that there was a bigger picture that the reader was also supposed to be focused on. That being said, everything ended up coming full circle and making sense, it just felt like there were two major plot points that couldn't exist at the same time as one another if that makes sense at all????

Read this if you enjoy:
-Boarding Schools
-Puzzle Mysteries
-Quirky characters
-LOVE SWIMMING

Maybe don't read if you're afraid of water, our MC LOVES swimming and there's some other things (no spoilers here!) that if you're afraid of water or hate swimming you will have to skip on over.

This book will hit shelves March 14, 2024!!

TRIGGER WARNINGS: sexual assault, drowning, depression, murder

Rating: 4.5/5

Release Date: 3/19/24

After reading her fabulous debut (Ace of Spades), I was so excited to receive an eARC of Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé’s sophomore novel from NetGalley! I jumped into this one without even reading the description and I’m so glad I did. Although it’s actually a bit longer than most YA thrillers, I sped through this one so quickly that I didn’t even notice (and now I’m wishing I had gone slower because I’m sad it’s already over).

You can’t help but root for Sade (SHAH-DAY) Hussein - it seems like everyone she’s close to ends up dead, and she just wants an attempt at a normal life when she transfers to a new boarding school. Unfortunately, her new roommate immediately goes missing under mysterious circumstances and Sade fears the worst. With the help of her only remaining friend, Basil (Baz), and his stolen guinea pig, Muffin, she starts an investigation that involves getting to know everyone at the school (including the ~unholy trinity~), but trusting no one.

The first thing I love about this book is the all-star cast. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, but somehow I never once got confused. I think this is due to 1) the author writing great introductory descriptions that helped me visualize the characters, and 2) the complexity and diversity of the cast. You can tell the author put so much thought into creating each of these characters in the way their brought to life on the pages.

The plot itself was really incredible for a YA thriller. I finished this book less than an hour ago, and my head is still spinning thinking about how well everything was pieced together and all the clues I missed at the beginning. Like her first novel, this story involves a lot of dark subjects, including sexual assault, trauma, and grief. I think the author does a great job at expertly handling these topics, while also including lighter moments throughout (mostly in the form of Baz and Shrek references) so it never felt too heavy to continue reading.

Overall, I highly recommend to any readers of YA who love thrillers and dark academia! This book is definitely a standout in the genre and deserves to be one of the top YA books of 2024. I can’t wait to see what Faridah does next because I’m sure it will be amazing!

🛁 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 🛁
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
“Sade was used to luxury, so she knew that wealth came with an abundance of secrets. She could bet that Alfred Nobel Academy had a lot of them. Buried six feet under, beneath the perfectly trimmed rosebushes by the entrance.”

Synopsis: Sade Hussein has always been unlucky. Losing both her parents in her youth, her father most recently, has put her on the path to Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school. Arriving mid-term, Sade is able to make friends despite her sheltered upbringing. But just when she begins to settle in, the disappearance of her roommate sends her down paths one shouldn’t cross at ANA, and Sade refuses to lose someone else without a fight.

This book felt like letting out the biggest satisfied sigh ever. Ace of Spades is, to this day, one of my favorite contemporary thrillers. It had absolutely everything I’m looking for in a story, and Where Sleeping Girls Lie is no exception.

Sade is such an odd character in that you follow her the entire book, she is still a mystery in herself as the pages turn. The other major characters all felt very human, making the not-so-nice ones feel chillingly real and the ones you root for feel so honest. Àbíké-Íyímídé was able to do this in Ace of Spaces as well, so it’s safe to say that their characters are some of my favorites.

The themes of reputation in higher education (especially expensive, private institutions), boys will be boys, and the affect of microagressions on young women serve to bring this piece of fiction into real life, which I respect so much. But at the end of the day, this book had a ribbon of hope running through it that kept you glued to the page. Bravo on another killer book, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé!✨📚🛁

Where Sleeping Girls Lie is a young adult mystery about Sade Hussein, new girl at the prestigious boarding school: Alfred Noble Academy, who discovers dark secrets amongst the school after her roommate disappears without a trace.

This was one of my top 3 most anticipated releases for 2024 and I have some things I loved about it and some things I hated. Let’s get into it.

I was hooked from literally the first page! (Honestly from the author’s note! I really appreciated the mention of Oluwatoyin Salau) The writing gripped me immediately and I was IN LOVE! I loved the atmosphere of the novel. The dark academia vibe is going to get me every time! I loved several of the characters. Sade, Persephone, & Baz were so amazing and their chemistry was perfect! I enjoyed other characters as well! As a huge Mean Girls fan (it’s literally my favorite movie of all time), I absolutely LOVED all the subtle, and not-so-subtle, Mean Girls references! And I also loved the unreliable narrator feel to Sade’s POV!

But the pacing of this novel was sooooo slow! Even toward the beginning of the novel, I was loving it so much, but it felt like no matter how much I was reading I couldn’t make any progress. I feel like the book could’ve been at least 60 pages shorter. And it’s not that a whole lot of unnecessary things were happening, it’s that they should’ve happened quicker & more succinctly. I also don’t like that it took so long for us to know ANYTHING. I feel like it would’ve been much better if the story unfolded little by little rather than a whole bunch of build up and then everything gets dumped on you at the end. Speaking of the end, the end was the slowest part… We went in circles forever and it just kept going and going. I just wanted them to get to the point. And by the time the truth was finally revealed, I didn’t care anymore. Plus the reveals were disappointing. My theories were way more interesting than what actually happened. And I was left with several questions at the end. Multiple things were alluded to as part of the mystery and then were never revisited. I think this novel would be better as an hour-and-a-half long movie because the pacing could be much faster and the story can stay interesting!

I do appreciate the commentary in this novel and I enjoyed several things about it like the characters and atmosphere, but the pacing really dampened my enjoyment. Maybe I was comparing it to this author’s previous novel, Ace of Spades, because it was super fast paced and I expected the same energy in this one. But slow pace never really works for me, so people that enjoy slow burn mysteries may enjoy this more!

Thank you to Netgalley and Feiwel and Friends for this arc. All opinions are my own.

TW: sexual assault (non-graphic but a recurring theme), misogyny, suicide, death of a parent, child neglect, domestic abuse (briefly mentioned), and discussions of grief