Blurb:
This was a mistake, the voice in her head whispered. You should never have come…
Sade Hussein is the new girl at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy. She has no idea what to expect of her mysterious new boarding school – an institution steeped in tradition and secrets. But she certainly didn’t imagine her roommate, Elizabeth, to go missing on her first night. Or for people to think Sade had something to do with it.
Suddenly everyone is talking about Sade, including the Unholy Trinity: the three most popular girls at school. Swept up in their circle, Sade can’t shake the sense that there’s more to Elizabeth’s disappearance – especially as the teachers don’t seem to care.
And then a student is found dead.
It’s clear there’s more to Alfred Nobel Academy and its students than Sade could have imagined – and she must race to uncover the truth. But secrets lurk around every corner and beneath every surface…secrets that rival even her own.
Reasons why you should read the book:
- Strong female lead
Sade Hussein is a character you will want to root for. I loved the main character, how she helped others while battling her own problems. It’s nice to see an independent character not be a loner but have her own personality.
2. It’s gritty and engaging
The plot moves quickly and there’s a lot of things going on so there’s never a point during the book that the reader would become bored. It’s also quite dark at times as some of the teenagers participate in various scandalous and illegal activities. There are also a lot of unlikeable characters in this book which makes for a good time.
3. Found family storyline
If you love a book that has this trope then this one is a must. Sade makes many friends during her time at the academy. I particularly enjoyed seeing her friendship with Baz, Elizabeth and Persephone develop throughout. I also liked the small slither of LGBTQ romance that was sprinkled onto the pages too.
4. Good mystery that keeps you hooked until the end
This is one of those books that will keep you guessing what’s happened until the last chapter. There are so many characters that are multifaceted, it makes it even more difficult to figure out the mystery.
5. Dark academia fans will love this book
The only thing that makes a mystery better for me is the dark academia setting. I loved that Sade chose a boarding school as her first non home schooled form of education. Seeing her navigate the teachers, the scandals and the cliques was extremely entertaining.
My rating: 4/5
Have you read this book yet? Let me know what you thought in the comments. I’m also on Instagram and Twitter – @bookwormgirl_24
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