Content warning: sexual assault, people being unknowingly drugged, photos/videos leaked without consent, suicide (off page), parental death, harassment

Àbíké-Íyímídé has done it again... WHERE SLEEPING GIRLS LIE is an intense read that will have you on the edge of your seat while you watch the plot unfold. I may have guessed a few pieces of the plot, but I definitely wasn't able to put all the pieces together before everything was revealed. I had a feeling Sade was slightly an unreliable narrator, but I definitely didn't guess her whole backstory. I adores Bas... he needs to be protected at all costs.

The pacing is a bit uneven at times, and I think that this could have been edited down a bit to shorten the length of the novel. I'm not sure why the font is SO minuscule in the print version... that and the length of the text (like in normal font this book would have been pushing 500 pages) will be hard sells for teen readers, but for those who can look past that, I'm confident they will thoroughly enjoy this one.

Natalie Simpson does a great job with the audiobook narration. I also enjoyed the added sound effects to certain parts (like the anagrams).

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Macmillan Young Listeners in exchange for an honest review.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* I really like this authors books! this is the second book ive read i believe and i love both of them! really great reads, author is great at world building.

Where Sleeping Girls Lie has left a lasting impact since I read it earlier this year. I have always adored dark academia, and was hoping this book would be another decent addition to the genre, but what I found here was something unique, meaningful, and so emotionally charged. I cherished every page of this powerful novel.

This novel had all the suspense of a Shakespearean tragedy, and I was entirely bewitched by the unravelling mystery. The twists and turns were incredible, particularly one towards the end of the novel that truly made me gasp. If you’re looking for a suspenseful dark academia novel, you’ll find that in Where Sleeping Girls Lie, but this book is so much more, in the best way imaginable.

The author superbly navigates some of the most difficult topics, telling an important story through sensitive and compelling prose. The boarding school setting was the perfect place to explore rape culture and how the system protects the perpetrators and blames the victims. This is a story of survival and trauma that should be read by everyone. I’ll be thinking about this story for a long time, and I hope it will have as much of an impact on others as it did on me.

The sapphic romance was well-woven alongside the main storyline and was a lovely addition. The full cast of characters were so distinct and interesting. Everyone had a purpose and a place within the mystery. Basil was my favourite character. Ironically, I was listening to the audiobook and playing on my Nintendo Switch when it was mentioned that Baz was doing the exact same. I love listening to audiobooks when I’m doing something else because my brain is impossible to please, yet there were so many moments when this book made me freeze in place and immerse myself in this incredible story.

I cannot recommend this enough. This was definitely my favourite book of 2024 and I hope I’ll inspire at least someone to pick up this masterpiece.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's Where Sleeping Girls Lie is a gripping and thought-provoking YA thriller that explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the search for truth. Set in a prestigious boarding school, the story centers on a group of girls whose seemingly perfect lives unravel when a mysterious disappearance rocks their community.

Àbíké-Íyímídé's writing is sharp and immersive, drawing readers into the intricacies of adolescent life and the pressures that come with it. The diverse cast of characters is well-developed, each bringing their own secrets and struggles to the forefront. The narrative expertly balances suspense with emotional depth, making the stakes feel personal and urgent.

The plot twists and turns keep readers on the edge of their seats, revealing layers of intrigue and deception as the characters grapple with their loyalties. The exploration of themes such as the impact of social media and the consequences of silence adds a contemporary relevance to the story.

Overall, Where Sleeping Girls Lie is a compelling read that combines mystery with a poignant examination of friendship and identity. It's a must-read for fans of young adult thrillers looking for a story that resonates both emotionally and intellectually.

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is a dark academia thriller that grips you from the very first page. The tense, grey, and heavy atmosphere perfectly sets the tone for the mysteries that unfold. The setting of the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school is wonderfully eerie, filled with secrets lurking in every corner.

The story follows Sade Hussein, who starts at the elite Alfred Nobel Academy and soon finds herself in the middle of a missing person investigation when her roommate vanishes after the first night. As Sade tries to fit in, she gets pulled into the secrets of the school and the mysterious “Unholy Trinity” of popular girls, all while dealing with her own past trauma and grief.

The tense atmosphere, complex characters like Persephone and Basil, and surprising twists make this book a real page-turner. The mystery is clever and layered, and the dark, moody vibes fit perfectly with the story. If you love thrillers with a mix of secrets, suspense, and a bit of drama, Where Sleeping Girls Lie is definitely worth reading!

This a book I listened to on audio and thoroughly enjoyed. I don’t read tons of ya because it often leaves me wanting more but that was not the case here. This slow burn dark academia mystery had a depth and quality to it that I don’t always find in ya. I’ll be honest, it was the incredible cover and boarding school setting that drew me to it initially. And while it is an effective mystery, this book goes much deeper than that. It is an examination of rape culture in schools, gender bias and race. It gives you a lot to think about and I think this one that will linger with me for some time. The audiobook was exceptionally well done. The narration brought the characters to life and made feel and enhanced my enjoyment of this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio book for this arc in exchange for a fair review.

I like what Faridah has done here with her story. The boarding school setting with a very privileged few and an undercurrent of sinister vibes. Sade comes to this boarding school after losing her family and finds friendship that is both surprising and lovely. I like the way the story unfolds and how she melds the mystery of a disappearance to Sade's own loss.

It took me awhile to get into this book. The first 60% dragged, but the last 40% had me on the edge of my seat. I ended up really enjoying the slow build up because the reveals shocked me. Everyone felt really unreliable and that added to the suspense. I will say, I would be so mad at my friends if I went missing and they acted the way some of these characters acted… Overall this was a pretty fun read, but the pacing was off for me and I am bummed it took so long for the book to pick up.

This author definitely will go down as auto read for me! Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé definitely does it again in this YA mystery. It is a little less on the edge of your seat thriller like Ace of Spades, but it does have some elements of the horror genre. I felt like the style of this worked better for the subject matter.

The characters were great. There’s a lot of lighter moments in between. I loved the concept of Sade finding her people after so long of being isolated — though I do feel like she seems quite well adjusted with her upbringing (aside from the sleep walking).

This ambitiously tackles very sensitive topics and I think I they are handled with care, though to the extreme. But I’m sure a lot of realities are reflected in this story. I really hope many young women 16 and older read this to understand there are unhealthy relationships even with guys they believe to be in loving relationships with. There’s a lot of nuance presented in this that I really appreciated being represented.

The ending: I know people are going to be immensely frustrated with the end. I sincerely hope it’s not a complaint against this book, because that is the POINT. The solution SHOULD be frustrating because it often is exactly like that.

Thank you very much to the publisher and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Ace of Spades was incredible, so I had no doubt this book would also be spectacular. I was right!!! The intricacy with which Faridah tells their stories is mesmerizing to see. The development grows in unbelievable tension until it finally all pays off in the end with grandiose reveals and epic finales. I am glad I read this one, and can't wait to read the next!!

This was an excellent, if enraging read. Pretty much every male in this book sucked a bag of dicks, with the exception of Baz. This could be literally any private school in any country right now, which is terrifying and enraging all at the same time. I love that in the end the shitty dudes kind of got what was coming to them. This was my 1st read by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé but it will certainly not be the last!!

Sade Hussein wants answers to her sister's death and she can only find those at Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school. Right from the start, the reader will feel as if they have been dropped off in a story half-told. This is disorientating and can take from the overall flow of the plot. It takes a little time to sort through all the elements and characters of the story. While the pace was steady and the plot intriguing the resolve leaves a sense of anticlimactic ness.

Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Thank you so much Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the free audiobook.

Blurb:
A girl new to boarding school discovers dark secrets and coverups after her roommate disappears.

✨ My thoughts:
A solid book, and a fantastic audiobook. Definitely 3.5 stars rounded up. I would have loved it to be just a tad shorter but it was still enjoyable. Dark & dramatic, this story is compelling and will have you entertained. This is my first book by this author and I will read more! Ace of Spades is still on my TBR!
Where Sleeping Girls lie is out now!

Happy reading 📖

I enjoyed the audiobook for this one so much. The narrator was excellent and it was nice being able to hear the different accents.
This book was full of so many twists and turns. The characters were interesting and Basil was my favorite. It was an intriguing commentary on the patriarchy and how it can permeate in the education system. Some of the stories were all too real.

Following up on her explosive Ace of Spades novel, author Faridah Abike-Iyimide offers readers another edge-of-your-seat mystery novel. Where Sleeping Girls Lie begins with a disappearance but leads readers on an exploration of family drama, privilege and male power. A terrific novel that will stay with readers long after the last page.

I was so excited to read this one! The cover is captivating and the synopsis sounded like my type of read. As soon I pressed play, I got so hype because I knew this was going to be an amazing audiobook production. Did you hear when they said “I’m sorry” like that? Well I’m actually going to be the one to say sorry because I cannot finish this. I tried so hard to hang in there. It even was my bookclub’s choice for April and I still wasn’t motivated to finish. I listened for the first three hours and couldn’t believe the story was coming along so slowly. I try to give books a fair shot and I think if nothing is pulling me in at 20%, I have to protect my peace and move along to the next. I will be reading her debut book because I’ve heard amazing things! I appreciate the publisher for sharing this copy with me for my honest review.

I was really excited to read Àbíké-Íyímídé's newest release. A boarding school. a roommate disappears, a clique of popular girls. What's not to love? Where Sleeping Girls Lie has all the right pieces of an engaging novel, but something was lacking in the delivery. I was genuinely surprised with some twists, but overall it was missing something.

It took me a few tries to really get into this audio, but once I did I really did enjoy it! It just started out a little slow.

Long story short: boys are the literal worst and smash the patriarchy to smithereens.

Had to wait a little longer for it, but the author's second book was so worth it. This was so freakin' good and impossible to put down. The content is somewhat uncomfy at times, and the TW/CW are important to be aware of, but it crafted a chilling and intriguing mystery set at an elite boarding school. And as infuriating and appalling as some of the characters are in their behaviour, Sade and the friends she comes to trust led an incredible story that serves the justice it can in time.

After reading Ace of Spades for my book club, I had high expectations for Àbíké-Íyímídé's 2nd book. And she sure delivered.
I think the setting spoke to me a bit more than AoS. I'm just a sucker for English boarding school settings, something about that atmosphere really pulls me in. And everything that followed in this book only worked to make me like it more. This book was atmospheric, it took its time, making the climax of the mystery all the more satisfying. The one issue I had with AoS, being that the climax and ending felt rushed and a bit unfinished, was not an issue here. I really enjoyed all the characters, I found them to be well-rounded and compelling-- especially our main character Sade, of course. The exploration of trauma and teenage-girl-rage was excellent, although heavy and a bit triggering. But that's the point. I would definitely recommend this book to customers with the caveat of reading trigger warnings, as I do for other books with heavy themes. That being said, I think these themes are written in a thoughtful way that doesn't come across as trauma-porn-y, or like it's done for shock value. Everything is intentional and meaningful, and presented in a way that is perfect for a YA audience. As for the mystery, I found myself totally invested and interested in how it would play out. I have a bad habit of suspecting everyone and everything, and oftentimes figuring out the reveals before they're revealed, I had my suspicions with this one, which I won't get into for spoilers sake, but I was actually surprised by the resolution. And that is the making of a great book in my books (ha).
After liking this one even more than I liked AoS, I will definitely be reading anything else Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé writes, and recommending Where Sleeping Girls Lie to customers in the YA section, or anyone just looking for a great mystery.