This is truly one of the more original and interesting treatments of the trans experience I have ever read. I genuinely couldn't say if it would have found a home with a traditional publisher due to the premise alone, which may scare some off. To balance that, let me say that this is one of the most immersive and thorough examinations of transness (mostly MTF) that I have ever encountered and for a book about forced transitions, it's remarkably cozy and sweet.

The characters are the real strength of this book. They are truly brimming with empathy, deeply attached to each other as they have gone through "the program" and seek a depth of connection they have never found outside the relative safety of this one place that knows their secrets and transforms them completely.

Stefan idolizes his across-the-street neighbour, Mark. When Mark disappears, Stefan is sad and lost, desperately seeking answers, until he meets a young woman in the market who looks almost exactly like Mark and learns her name. In between discarding various explanations, he arrives at the least likely one that he secretly hopes for: that Mark was part of a secret program that helps trans women transition and gain new identities in the world. Through unfortunate circumstances, Stefan finds himself trapped in a basement under Dorley Hall and assigned a "sponsor" who thinks he did wicked deeds and thrust into a group of other young men who have been deeply toxic and hurtful to others for mysterious reasons.

Christine is a deeply insecure but empathetic young trans woman who was the cause of Stefan being trapped in "the program" and when she discovers that Stefan is a trans woman and would love to embrace the (free, top-class) transition forced upon the young men trapped in the basement, she's faced with some tricky decisions.

The most interesting part of this whole book is how Stef remains deeply uncomfortable and traumatized by the outside world, which rewards toxic masculinity, and also inside Dorley Hall, which punishes toxic masculinity and seeks to strip these young men of masculinity altogether. The proof that the program works? Christine and so many other beautiful, empathetic, and well-adjusted young women in Dorley Hall and outside of it, including Melissa (formerly Mark) are leading happy lives and adjusting well in society and have formed bonds that will last them all their lives with their sisters (and sometimes girlfriends). However, will the process designed to break down a person altogether to build them back up again in a different mould be more harmful than helpful to an actual trans girl caught accidentally in its web?

The relationships between all the characters are so deeply moving and sweet, that it genuinely makes me tear up. These women are the best people they can be and happier as their new selves, but they must constantly question if the program is really the only way to rehabilitate these men before they manage to irreparably harm someone.

Each of the many main characters has their own insecurities about their transition, their femininity, their performance of cisgender femininity for the outside world, and abandoning all their friends and family from their past life while embracing their new sisters through the trauma of forced transition. The book never shies away from debating whether the approach can work and whether it should have been used at all and showing us the results. This is a skillfully done back-and-forth with very human and sympathetic characters in the centre.

This is an absolutely incredible book and I can't wait to read the subsequent installments in this story.

"Welcome to Dorley Hall" by Alyson Greaves is a compelling and intense debut that delves into the complexities of gender and societal norms. The novel's premise is both unique and provocative, offering an exploration of toxic masculinity through an unusual and electrifying narrative.

The story follows Stefan, who becomes deeply entangled in the mysteries surrounding Dorley Hall after the disappearance of his friend, Mark. As he digs deeper, the layers of intrigue and the dark secrets of Dorley Hall unfold, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The transformation themes are handled with sensitivity and depth, making it a standout in contemporary fiction.

Greaves's writing is captivating, with vivid descriptions and a gripping plot that makes it hard to put down. The characters are well-developed, and their journeys are both emotional and thought-provoking. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in gender studies, and it challenges the reader to reflect on their own perceptions of identity and transformation.

Alyson Greaves has crafted a story that is both chilling and enlightening, making "Welcome to Dorley Hall" a remarkable read. Highly recommended!

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Title: A Promising Premise Undermined by Execution

"Welcome to Dorley Hall" by Alyson Greaves starts with an intriguing premise, promising an engaging mix of mystery and drama set in a captivating old mansion. The initial chapters drew me in with the atmospheric descriptions and hints of dark secrets lurking within the hallways of Dorley Hall.

However, as the story progressed, the initial promise faded. The plot, which had the potential to be gripping, became bogged down with unnecessary details and slow pacing. The characters, though initially interesting, lacked depth and development, making it hard to connect with them on an emotional level. Their motivations often seemed inconsistent, and some key relationships felt underdeveloped and forced.

The writing itself was often repetitive, with several scenes feeling drawn out without adding significant value to the narrative. Additionally, some plot twists felt predictable, and the resolution left several loose ends, which was unsatisfying.

While "Welcome to Dorley Hall" had its moments and an interesting setting, the overall execution fell flat, making it a disappointing read. With more focused storytelling and better character development, it could have been a much stronger novel.

A wonderfully chilling read! I found it to be an incredibly unique plot with moments that will have you questioning your own morals. All the while being an exploration of gender and sex. I fear to say more without giving away the book.

This book will not fly with the TERFS or conservatives. It is not a comfortable read, but it is one I couldn’t put down wondering what would happen next, and growing more and more attached to the characters. I was excited to see this is a series! I’m eager to read more.

This book was just a little too weird for me. Basically, it's about Stefan, a young "man" (we'll come back to this) who comes to the theory that there's a program at a local university that's helping young trans women fully transition and start new lives. Great in theory, right? Well, when he starts to dig, he quickly realizes it's not nearly so great and not at all what he's looking for. Instead, it's a program to "fix" the "worst" men society has to offer. (None of the other inhabitants are good, but they're not quite the scum that the program makes them out to be.) The fix? Making them women.
None of the characters were really too redeemable. The Sisters at Dorley were either cruel or doormats. Stefan was so, so deep in the closet and also so very clueless. Even when all the pieces were laid out in front of him, he couldn't figure it out. And the other characters were so blinded to the idea that maybe he wasn't awful/wanted to be a woman anyways. It was a little boring and a lot farfetched, but not in an engaging enough way to make me suspend my disbelief.

Welcome To Dorley Hall is a transfeminine reclamation of the forced feminisation trope/fetish and a book that defies genres. It is a dark and challenging (uncomfortable for some) read that explores trans feminity. It starts out as a mystery but evolves into something more that's hard to describe, Dorley really blurred the genres.

It follows Stef, a closeted trans girl, who attempts to infiltrate a secret underground forced feminisation programme (both to find her best friend she lost to this programme and to get a free medical transition because she lives in the UK. Yes the horrible transition process in the UK is called out many times)

The book doesn't shy away from the darkest element (see CWs) of the story and always endup calling out or reflecting on elements you thought it had omitted. You could think:

- but what about nonbinary people? There are several nonbinary people in this story and the "binary" of the basement is reflected upon but this comes later in the book

- but the girls are taught to behave "feminine"and "act like girls" that's misogynistic! indeed this book is calling out patriarchal standards and a MC is explicitly struggling with feminity

-kidnapping + medically transitioning people against their will is mutilation/torture! Yes! And the characters tell you that themselves! This fucks them up and this is explored

-this basement turning misogynistic boys into girls seem like a TERF concept! yes this is a plot point actually, that's why I said this was areclamation.

What fascinates me is that this book plays with the idea that a lot of people do not have a strong sense of their gender. A lot of cis people do not think deeper than "I am in this body and perceived as a man therefore I am a man" and the book challenges that with people like Stef who already knows she is a girl vs the girls who grow into their womanhood after their body was changed against their will (or maybe somewere eggs all along? The story throws a lot of gender theories at you)

This one was just not for me. I was looking for more of a mystery, but I got a science fiction social commentary.