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mprinton's review
4.5
I really loved Ace of Spades, so I was so excited to pick this one up, and it did not disappoint. Àbíké-Íyímídé is so, so good at creating this kind of suspenseful story and plot with intricate characters and, always, an incredible plot twist.
I do think that I'm getting a bit tired (after only two books) of the reveal that everyone is a bad guy, and there's a secret society of evil people at work behind the scenes. I think that obviously these groups are stand-ins and metaphors for the very real system of racism (in the case of Ace of Spades) and patriarchy/misogyny (in the case of Where Sleeping Girls Lie), but it makes for a less interesting story if the author chooses to repeat the same structure with each followup novel.
That said, I will continue to read Àbíké-Íyímídé's books; she is an incredible writer, and her stories are so poignant, topical, and necessary. She tackles difficult subjects with each of her books, and she does so with care and mastery. An instant-read author for me.
That said, I will continue to read Àbíké-Íyímídé's books; she is an incredible writer, and her stories are so poignant, topical, and necessary. She tackles difficult subjects with each of her books, and she does so with care and mastery. An instant-read author for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Addiction and Drug use
Minor: Animal death and Dementia
cloreadsbooks1364's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"Boys with everything. The world had been and always would be theirs for the taking.
Sade had learned to fear the men who had everything, because even the moon, the skies and the earth could not sate them."
Where Sleeping Girls Lie
By Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
5/5⭐️
Genres: Young Adult, fiction, contemporary, mystery
In this book, our protagonist Sade Hussein starts at a new expensive boarding school, Alfred Nobel Academy, and is shocked when her roommate Elizabeth disappears soon after. She and her new friend Baz must discover what happened, amidst learning all about the students' shady secrets.
Alfred Noble is a school containing a bunch of rich privileged boys and a headmaster who'd happily let them do as they please, as long as the public don't hear about it. Fortunately, it also has some very great characters who are not misogynistic bigots.
Sade is such an amazing protagonist! She was brave, not hesitating to face anyone who she suspected of doing something sneaky. She was able to have moments of fun with Baz and Persephone amidst the mystery and fear, which made her seem very realistic. I enjoyed how swimming was a refuge for her, where she could be peaceful. One of my favourite things about her was how when anyone mispronounced her name, or got it wrong entirely, she would immediately correct them. I'd be much too awkward to do that, so I admire her for it. Sade was not just a good character, but a good person, even when she didn't think she was. Faridah, thank you for creating such a perfect protagonist.
Basil, or Baz, was so loyal! He would help his friends without question. He was probably the most lovable character, especially when he adopted Muffin the guinea pig and cared for her so much. His ability to stand out from everyone else without fear was so admirable.
Elizabeth, who we didn't meet for long, was clearly a brave person.
Persephone was certainly my favourite character. She was sharp, speaking her mind, but also seemed such a safe person. Someone you could trust, and run to in times of fear. She was also one of the "Unholy Trinity", a Mean Girls-esque group of three beautiful popular girls. Unlike Regina, Gretchen and Karen, April, Persephone and Juliette were not self-centered, but actually nice people who might've deserved the popularity, though I don't think any school needs to have one clique who reign above everyone else.
There were so many characters, I can't share my opinions on the rest without spoilers. But I'll tell you this: my opinion of August changed so rapidly throughout the book, I loathed Jude, and I liked Miss Blackburn from the scene where she bought Baz and Sade chips onwards.
The romance in this book wasn't a main focus, so I'll let you enjoy the slow burn without telling you whose involved :).
This book is quite big, 567 pages, but it felt extremely short. This delighted me, I dislike when books drag on and this one was the ideal length for its plot.
If you read this book because you liked Ace of Spades, the two are very different but in both every event could, horrifically, occur in real life as people that disgusting; and in AOS's case, racist; unfortunately do exist. AOS is a thriller, which did lead to me expecting this one to have that fast-paced heart-racing climax which most thrillers contain, my mistake, this is not a thriller, but it is a fantastic mystery that will keep your mind running in circles until the end!
By the way, this book has a map of the school at the start! Usually when a book has a map I have to flick back to it whenever any location is mentioned, but here everything was described so well I didn't need to use the map at all!
Overall, I think this book is a masterpiece, and when Faridah's next book is released I'll get my hands on it as soon as possible! I highly recommend Where Sleeping Girls Lie!
I'm finishing this review with some of my favourite quotes from this book:
"But there was nothing comforting about the stronghold of delusion or false hope."
"She had just about had it with boys who thought they could do whatever they liked because they knew how to charm and gaslight."
"Keep swimming. Or if that's too hard, at the very least, float."
Queer rep:
Sapphic protagonist
Lesbian sc
Achillean scs
TWs: sexual assault, rape, suicide, murder, drug use, alcohol, parent death, lesbophobia, misogyny, sexism, grief, gaslighting
Sade had learned to fear the men who had everything, because even the moon, the skies and the earth could not sate them."
Where Sleeping Girls Lie
By Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
5/5⭐️
Genres: Young Adult, fiction, contemporary, mystery
In this book, our protagonist Sade Hussein starts at a new expensive boarding school, Alfred Nobel Academy, and is shocked when her roommate Elizabeth disappears soon after. She and her new friend Baz must discover what happened, amidst learning all about the students' shady secrets.
Alfred Noble is a school containing a bunch of rich privileged boys and a headmaster who'd happily let them do as they please, as long as the public don't hear about it. Fortunately, it also has some very great characters who are not misogynistic bigots.
Sade is such an amazing protagonist! She was brave, not hesitating to face anyone who she suspected of doing something sneaky. She was able to have moments of fun with Baz and Persephone amidst the mystery and fear, which made her seem very realistic. I enjoyed how swimming was a refuge for her, where she could be peaceful. One of my favourite things about her was how when anyone mispronounced her name, or got it wrong entirely, she would immediately correct them. I'd be much too awkward to do that, so I admire her for it. Sade was not just a good character, but a good person, even when she didn't think she was. Faridah, thank you for creating such a perfect protagonist.
Basil, or Baz, was so loyal! He would help his friends without question. He was probably the most lovable character, especially when he adopted Muffin the guinea pig and cared for her so much. His ability to stand out from everyone else without fear was so admirable.
Elizabeth, who we didn't meet for long, was clearly a brave person.
Persephone was certainly my favourite character. She was sharp, speaking her mind, but also seemed such a safe person. Someone you could trust, and run to in times of fear. She was also one of the "Unholy Trinity", a Mean Girls-esque group of three beautiful popular girls. Unlike Regina, Gretchen and Karen, April, Persephone and Juliette were not self-centered, but actually nice people who might've deserved the popularity, though I don't think any school needs to have one clique who reign above everyone else.
There were so many characters, I can't share my opinions on the rest without spoilers. But I'll tell you this: my opinion of August changed so rapidly throughout the book, I loathed Jude, and I liked Miss Blackburn from the scene where she bought Baz and Sade chips onwards.
The romance in this book wasn't a main focus, so I'll let you enjoy the slow burn without telling you whose involved :).
This book is quite big, 567 pages, but it felt extremely short. This delighted me, I dislike when books drag on and this one was the ideal length for its plot.
If you read this book because you liked Ace of Spades, the two are very different but in both every event could, horrifically, occur in real life as people that disgusting; and in AOS's case, racist; unfortunately do exist. AOS is a thriller, which did lead to me expecting this one to have that fast-paced heart-racing climax which most thrillers contain, my mistake, this is not a thriller, but it is a fantastic mystery that will keep your mind running in circles until the end!
By the way, this book has a map of the school at the start! Usually when a book has a map I have to flick back to it whenever any location is mentioned, but here everything was described so well I didn't need to use the map at all!
Overall, I think this book is a masterpiece, and when Faridah's next book is released I'll get my hands on it as soon as possible! I highly recommend Where Sleeping Girls Lie!
I'm finishing this review with some of my favourite quotes from this book:
"But there was nothing comforting about the stronghold of delusion or false hope."
"She had just about had it with boys who thought they could do whatever they liked because they knew how to charm and gaslight."
"Keep swimming. Or if that's too hard, at the very least, float."
Queer rep:
Sapphic protagonist
Lesbian sc
Achillean scs
TWs: sexual assault, rape, suicide, murder, drug use, alcohol, parent death, lesbophobia, misogyny, sexism, grief, gaslighting
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Death, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death of parent and Child death
Minor: Lesbophobia
thereadingnook's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Rape
Moderate: Murder
thissagreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
After reading Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé‘s debut “Ace of Spades” I wished there was more character development and felt the story paced too slowly, with a rapid conclusion that left me feeling as though a lot of the story was still missing. So when I picked up Where Sleeping Girls Lie, I was slightly hesitant, but was intrigued by the story’s synopsis. Well I’m happy I read this story, because when I finished, I wanted more!!
There was the right amount of mystery, diverse characters, multiple plot twists, ladies loving ladies -but not with an annoying romance trope- and a solid story which threaded all of the pieces together, wonderfully. The pace wasn’t too fast or slow, and the narrator’s voice was able to shift into different accents, beautifully.
I had high hopes from Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and she knocked this book out of the park! Where Sleeping Girls Lie is a must read. Five stars!
There was the right amount of mystery, diverse characters, multiple plot twists, ladies loving ladies -but not with an annoying romance trope- and a solid story which threaded all of the pieces together, wonderfully. The pace wasn’t too fast or slow, and the narrator’s voice was able to shift into different accents, beautifully.
I had high hopes from Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and she knocked this book out of the park! Where Sleeping Girls Lie is a must read. Five stars!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Suicide, Child death, and Sexual assault
Minor: Drug use, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
jasminedaria's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Rape
Minor: Animal death
goodcoffeeandbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Suicide, Rape, Grief, Death of parent, Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
purplepaste's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, Misogyny, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, and Suicide
klpage's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This had a similar vibe to Ace of Spades, however this did touch upon some darker topics which are shown in trigger warnings at the start of the book.
I thought this had a slower pace, and it wasn’t as impactful with plot twists as much as Ace of Spades.
Still enjoyed and it definitely had a darker, creepy atmosphere.
I thought this had a slower pace, and it wasn’t as impactful with plot twists as much as Ace of Spades.
Still enjoyed and it definitely had a darker, creepy atmosphere.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Drug use, Rape, Death of parent, and Death
evelynyle_88's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Another review come up!
Well, at first... I was still trying to understand what the story was about. So many things made me confused at first, but I feel intrigued and attached to this new book. As I tried to deep dive and understand every parts, characters, plots and discover more to the story, then...
BOOM!🤯
I felt my head explode. This book is one of a kind. Similar to Ace of Spades but different, I think Where Sleeping Girls Lie showed how dark the secrets could be. It was more terrifying while I was reading with my own voice (not in silent way).
Where Sleeping Girls Lie succeed to make me feel scared and eerie; also triggered by some scenes at some points! And of course my love for the characters are overload; especially Elizabeth, Baz and Persephone.
For Sade Hussein, our main character? I can say sometimes she's a little shady... but we can say that she is a morally grey main character, can't we? And I love her for it. Thank you Faridah for this book. Another brilliant story from how we see real community around people nowadays.
This story raise my awareness of how cyber world and social media world are cruel to people; even horrifying. Straight 5⭐!
Well, at first... I was still trying to understand what the story was about. So many things made me confused at first, but I feel intrigued and attached to this new book. As I tried to deep dive and understand every parts, characters, plots and discover more to the story, then...
BOOM!🤯
I felt my head explode. This book is one of a kind. Similar to Ace of Spades but different, I think Where Sleeping Girls Lie showed how dark the secrets could be. It was more terrifying while I was reading with my own voice (not in silent way).
Where Sleeping Girls Lie succeed to make me feel scared and eerie; also triggered by some scenes at some points! And of course my love for the characters are overload; especially Elizabeth, Baz and Persephone.
For Sade Hussein, our main character? I can say sometimes she's a little shady... but we can say that she is a morally grey main character, can't we? And I love her for it. Thank you Faridah for this book. Another brilliant story from how we see real community around people nowadays.
This story raise my awareness of how cyber world and social media world are cruel to people; even horrifying. Straight 5⭐!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, and Drug use
Minor: Lesbophobia, Alcohol, and Animal death