"Where Sleeping Girls Lie" is a slow-burning mystery from the author of "Ace of Spades," Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, that explores the chilling reality of girls trying to survive in institutions designed to break them down and never protect them.

I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC, so I did not realise how long it would be, but rest assured that all the pages are worth it! The story and the characters just never let me put the book down, with every twist that was revealed and every turn in the story, I became more and more hooked.

Sade, our protagonist, is a complex and clever character who has experienced so much suffering that she can see behind the glittering facade of the private boarding school she is joining. She constantly fights for justice and for all the girls who cannot fight for themselves, all with an extremely well done backdrop of dark academia.

While the next part is not a direct spoiler, if you want to go completely blind into the mystery, then you should stop reading now and just pick up this fantastic book! If you want to hear more about some of the themes in this book then keep reading:

This story, at its core, is a very honest and therefore chilling representation of the unchecked privilege men experience in our society and how the places that are inherently meant to protect us are the most dangerous. Àbíké-Íyímídé does not shy away from calling out the 'boys club' culture and how men see a woman's body as something they are entitled to. As someone who identifies as a woman myself, there were many points in the story where I felt the fear and despair the characters felt, and that is a credit to the author. Àbíké-Íyímídé also makes a point about how hard it is to remove such a rot, and that is what I appreciated the most. The book ended on a note of hope, which is important, but not in a truly happy ending that is not realistic.

Overall, this book was an absolute masterpiece, and I urge you all to pick it up!

Another fantastic YA thriller from Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé! I absolutely adored Ace of Spades, so was eager to jump immediately into Faridah's sophomore book. While this story had a slow start for myself personally, I really enjoyed the build up of Sade fitting into the school, building friendships and really allowing us as readers to get to know the characters before all is revealed. I really loved how Faridah addresses social issues that may make you uncomfortable, but she will also allow you to open your mind to sensitive topics, no matter how uncomfortable they may be. The story-line was devastating, yet compelling - I found myself not wanting to put the book down, determined to unravel the mystery and the darkness within the walls of Alfred Nobel Academy.

Sade Hussein enrols herself into boarding school after the sudden death of her father. It's day two and her roommate has disappeared, and the faculty don't seem too concerned. As Sade integrates herself into school life and investigates, an unsettling series of events unfold.

I LOVED this. The story builds slowly and in detail, it's an enjoyable build up and necessary for the chain of events. For such a long book, I sped through it, a true testament to the writing.
I adored Ace of Spades, but this book has really solidified Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé as an autobuy author for me. I adore that her books address serious social issues in a thoughtful, sensitive way, and the story is expertly crafted and a joy to read, despite the uncomfortable at times subject matter. That's not always the case with YA, so very much appreciated!

A solid high school thriller, with strong messages around teenage rape. Sade has always been home schooled, but when she finds herself orphaned, she enrolls in an exclusive Academy. The grounds are impressive, the students are glamorous and its exactly what she has always wished for... until her roommate goes missing. With a new found friend, they make it their mission to uncover the truth - because the school is hiding something.

I love this kind of setting and theme. It's glamorous, atmospheric, and typically deals with coming-of-age issues. There are also plenty characters to love. But I also found it very long which opens it up to inconsistencies and holes. There were explanations for some of the holes, which made it even more far-fetched. So for me, there were parts of the story that really worked, had me gripped to the page and eager for the next "reveal". And other parts that felt could have been left out or developed more. Its a long story that felt like it was trying to cover too many things - taking the reader in one direction and then completely switching - like three stories glued together - leaving me a bit confused. That said, I enjoyed the characters and found myself mostly intrigued.

This was such a fun read! Boarding school murders? Not to sound too sadistic but I am ALWAYS here for that!! If you love some dark academia with a stroke of murder, grab a copy!
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Thanks to the publisher for the review copy!!

A very compelling book, dark reading in places, but you have to finish it.
Just hope it was not based on a true life story.

That evocative cover almost hints at the darkness that hides inside this book. The themes are heavy but valid and relevant.

This mixed boarding school was awash with problems and problematic people. A toxic culture was afoot and events led to a plot that was a mysterious who-dunnit. I might not know much about boarding schools but I sure hope they're a little kinder than this one.

The plot was salacious with rage and character darkness. I was fully pulled in and a bit breathless on letting go. A gripper of a YA that will appeal widely

Where Sleeping Girls Lie was flawless and worth the wait. Buckle in cause this book is a ride, it with haunt you whilst simultaneously make you want to rage at the world.

Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé has again created a gripping mystery, whilst remaining devastatingly true to the world in which many young adults find themselves in. Insightful in its portrayal of life, how justice is hard-won and not always achievable in the ways we wish it was. Its a portrayal of sexual assault and how societies willingness to look the other way (or simply not believe the victims) is raw, it's heart-aching exploration of grief is something that many will relate too.

This is my favourite read of the year so far. This is one of the only books I’ve read where I didn’t find the plot overly predictable, with likeable characters and great story-telling.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Disclaimer: e-Arc provided by Usborne Publishing, via Net Galley for Review. All thoughts are my own. My thanks to Usborne Publishing, for providing me with the arc for review.

Plot
This book follows Sade who starts boarding school after her family dies. On her first day she meets her roommate Elizabeth. However, on day two she wakes up and Elizabeth has vanished. The book follows Sade as she investigates the secrets of her new school and what happened to Elizabeth.

Thoughts
I really enjoyed this book! I think if you liked Ace of Spades this book could work for you. I found the book slow to start but it definitely picked up in the second half.

Sade is an interesting character with a mysterious past, I love the friendship she strikes up with Baz, Elizabeth’s best friend, as well as Persephone.

This book is incredible, and should be in all schools! I was expecting something similar to Ace of Spades, and while it is not massively dis-similar, there are twists and plot lines that are totally different and I didn't see coming.
I felt like there was maybe 100 pages too many in the middle, After Elizabeth went missing, and before the student died (both mentioned in the synopsis- but with 300 pages between) it felt like there was a bit of a drag.
I did really enjoy this one, and recommend it to all teens, and for all women.

This is an important read for multiple reasons and I feel heavy finishing it because of those and Àbíké-Íyímídé hard truths.

However, I found this a bit long and I really struggled with the writing at times - some of the descriptions were strange and the dialogues were sometimes really robotic, like no one would speak or talk like that. I found this again in quite a few paragraphs describing Sade’s inner monologue

A brilliant read which really made me think about injustice and social issues. This book absolutely nails these themes. The characters are 3D and they will make you cry, smile and want to scream. But you won’t forget it. I’m definitely going to buy more books by her. Fabulous 5/5.

This is the first book I’ve read by Faridah, and I can’t believe I didn’t pick up Ace of Spades sooner. It is just sitting on my book shelf collected dust and I will definitely be reading that soon. Every go read Where Sleeping Girl Lie.

This book was an interesting concept and one I went into very blind. I did really like the school setting and generally if I’m going to read YA that’s what really works for me.

I did find the writing style a little slow at times especially with the story having such a mystery element, I just didn’t feel particularly gripped or invested although having said that, it is definitely just my preference for books of this type as appose to anything about the actual writing- I think if I’d have read this as a teen I’d like the pacing more.

I liked the exploration of bigger issues in this book, I liked the friendships formed and just the overall feel of the story, there were moments where their maturity felt a bit inconsistent that I found a bit jarring but it didn’t pull me out of the overall plot.

Overall I thought this book was enjoyable but I’d have personally enjoyed it more if it was a little more pacey and maybe even shorter as a result of that

Another stand out novel by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé!
Where Sleeping Girls Lie is so brilliantly and beautifully constructed, and is genuinely the perfect mystery.

The characters are written so real and their lives are so complex, gripping and interwoven that you easily fall into the story and believe every single word told. Sade is a wonderful protagonist and her friends, peers and enemies are so intricately woven into her story.

I’m usually pretty good at uncovering the mystery before the book, but this had me completely lost in the best way! The next move was completely unknown throughout the novel.

The main issues that take place within the book - institutionalised sexism, abuse and rape - are so well researched and Àbíké-Íyímídé deals with them with great sensitivity, whilst still making sure they are rightfully uncomfortable to read about.

It’s eery, it’s messy, it’s full of dark academia goodness and the cast is beautifully diverse! It’s a perfect read, with cliff-hangers that forcibly drag you into the next chapter. Go read it!

Thank you to Usborne and Netgalley for the ARC!

If you love dark novels with building tension, set in boarding schools and surrounding very real and raw subjects, this one is for you! A dark YA thriller with a slow build that felt searingly realistic, with a great cast of characters and important topics of mental health and sexual assault.

Definitely check the trigger warnings, as a lot of dark and heavy topics are mentioned/showed in the book!

Having read this very stimulating story, I can both understand why lead character Sade Hussein wanted to go to the Alfred Nobel Academy and why she would be so worried. Only the reader can decide if the bad outweighs the good. Mind you, having your room mate dying on your first night at the school was awkward, especially after turning up at the school month’s late because of her father’s demise. I instantly enjoyed the style of writing and this kept me moving throughout the book. The dark side of the school became very dark indeed and is not a school I’d suggest anyone goes to, but this is fiction and anything goes. There are many twists and turns and although you might be wondering, they are difficult and almost impossible to guess. I’d read more from this writer, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé . I’d like to add a star for the way the writer dealt with diversity; she mixed the characters while giving them a full and rounded recognition rather than just naming skin colours or countries or box ticking. This is a good sign in today’s world and more represents the people and the world we live in, especially private and expensive boarding schools in the UK.

13. Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gloriously dark and twisty, a real slowburn mystery tackling haunting contemporary issues.

🪶 Dark academia
🪶 Tackling toxic masculinity
🪶 Strong friendships
🪶 Revenge

Another stand out novel!

Where Sleeping Girls Lie kept me awake at night. It is so brilliantly constructed, the characters are real, their lives so interwoven and complex that you believe every single one. There was no knowing who was going to be a major player next and how the novel was going to move on. Sade's reaction to Elizabeth's vanishing makes perfect sense once you realise Sade's motivation in boarding at that particular school. Her friendship with Baz is sweet but I couldn't understand why she would want to join the elite clique with Persephone and Alice until much later and then it all clicked into place.
The horrendous problem at this school - institutionalised sexism, abuse and rape - made reading occasionally uncomfortable, however, it was sensitively dealt with and I loved that the girls got a place to vent their experiences in a supportive way. It's a cracking read, with lots of cliff-hangers that push you into the next chapter, and the next, and the next.