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itzbrianna's review
- 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
4.0
Where Sleeping Girls Lie is a riveting mystery that takes place at Alfred Noble Academy (ANA). Sade, the protagonist, joins the academy to start her junior year of high school after being homeschooled. On her first night there she makes friends with her roommate Elizabeth, but it’s short lived once it’s revealed that Elizabeth is missing.
This novel is a slow burn mystery that takes its time leading up to the climax of the story. Every so often, my own theories of what happened to Elizabeth changed as we learn that ANA has way more secrets than a missing girl.
Faridah perfectly weaves the process of trauma and grief in the characters journey so much so that I felt it heavily at times while reading. I enjoyed how this book kept me guessing and though the reveal was a bit predictable, the execution made it all worthwhile.
In terms of character development? Not as strong as I would’ve liked. Naturally we get most of Sade because she’s the protagonist, but the other characters who seemed to be her partners in crime aren’t as fleshed out as I would’ve liked.
The pacing? It started fast for me and then seemed to slow down a lot around the middle. And then picked up right at the very end. It seemed A LOT could’ve been cut out to make this book a bit shorter to help with the pacing.
Overall, I enjoyed this and would read again to see if I feel the same way. If you enjoy descriptive storytelling in a dark academic setting, then def read Where Sleeping Girls Lie.
Graphic: Racism, Suicide, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence
sariereads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Classism, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Rape, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Physical abuse, Sexism, Death, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Murder, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Dementia
fkshg8465's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Classism, Confinement, Misogyny, Alcohol, Bullying, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Rape, Sexual harassment, Death, Murder, Child abuse, Stalking, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
thissagreads's review against another edition
- 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
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!
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Suicide, Child death, and Sexual assault
Minor: Drug use, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
shugentobler's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
And who was my favorite? Definitely Persephone. Giving Prudence from CAOS, girl slayed me when she said for Halloween she wouldn't be
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
Minor: Islamophobia and Racism
purplepaste's review
- 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
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
wanderingcurls's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, Child death, and Death
iridescentdreams's review
- 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
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicide, Gaslighting, Rape, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Death, and Bullying
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Animal death
ckflaherty1's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Grief, Sexual assault, Death, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Addiction, Bullying, Gaslighting, Murder, Sexism, and Rape
For content warnings of sexual assault, the book does not graphically describe the incidents but does mention them and they are a plot point.ghostlyprince's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child death, Death, Bullying, Gaslighting, Grief, and Rape
Moderate: Addiction, Sexism, Stalking, Death of parent, Dementia, Drug abuse, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Confinement, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Classism, Drug use, Suicide, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Body shaming, Lesbophobia, Animal death, and Physical abuse