A chilling and important read, Diana Rodriguez Wallach’s The Silenced is a gripping horror novel that delivers more than just scares—it carries a crucial, terrifying message about the realities of the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI) programs and other institutions that have harmed countless youths. Youths who were left to fend for themselves at the hands of so much evil. We likely will never even know the worst of it, sadly..

With the discoveries in recent years of Canada’s Residential Schools that I followed a lot—where thousands of Indigenous children suffered and died, left in unmarked graves—it’s heartbreaking to see stories that echo such real-world tragedies. The way The Silenced mirrors the experiences of teens worldwide who have been subjected to similar abuse makes it all the more impactful. This is something that needs to be talked about more and, even more importantly, governed a lot more.

I really enjoyed Wallach’s writing style; it was engaging and made for a quick read. The haunting aspect of the story did feel a bit cliché and predictable, though, reminiscent of many horror movies I’ve seen before (particularly the Japanese version of "Shutter" that I watched a decade back with that ghost on his back. I never forget her. I can't watch those anymore lol). While it added to the eerie atmosphere, it wasn’t the most original part of the book for me.

Overall, The Silenced is a strong, thought-provoking novel that horror fans will appreciate. While some elements feel familiar, its message is deeply important, making it a worthwhile and unsettling read.