Hadassah Shiradski does a fantastic job in writing this type of horror novel, it had that element that I wanted from a game based on a horror concept. The characters were everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of the characters and their world. I enjoyed the concept that this game went wrong and was invested in what was going on.

I enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were unique. There were a lot of names to remember. I like the hierarchy of the house, that was a fun idea.

Thanks to NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for the ARC copy. This has not affected my review at all, which are my own thoughts.

What Happened at Hawthorne House? Well, children and their games, for Rosalynd and the other children her age living there form the Clover Court, with a Queen at the center, follow by various Princesses. 1926, 5 children and a boring live in which their games derive into a twisted way of gaining some leverage in these sad lives ruled by Matron, the Orphanage's director and their caretaker. The rules change, and Rosalynd is willing to do anything to be the Queen, and this can only lead to their downfall, really.

So, without giving away anything crucial, I'll say that this book is divided in two prominent parts, and I enjoyed the first one more than the second. And I know why: the children are far more interesting characters to follow than the character of the second part; also, showing Vs telling.
While the first part supplies us with details about the children's lives and game, they are fully flesh out scenes where things happen, we see all the characters interact in different things and we *see* actions take place; the second part starts in a similar way but soon evolves into a recollection of details that are summarized, conversations that never happen and are just narrated, with different jumps in time that do not let us quite catch up everything that happens or how this affect the characters, because we are not invested in them or their story.

This isn't to say that the first part is without it's flaws. While I feel that, for being nine-ten years old, the girls where a bit unnecessarily cruel sometimes towards each other. But, all these pranks and acts of (for example) filling someone shoes with larvae and such, or dunking a bucket of water over their heads, were the perfect built up that exploded at the end of the first part. As they get worse and worse, all these violent acts lay the foundation for details explore in the second part of the book.

A strong aspect of the book is the children, as I already mentioned. Even though at the start I found myself a bit confused with who was who because a bunch of them get introduced almost at the same time and I still didn't have much to differentiate them, this change soon. Each children have their opinion on the game, their way of playing it, their way of dealing with Matron and Hawthorne House; all, while trying to get the Queen's crown for themselves.

My main issue with this book is its lack of depth, in almost every aspect of it. The plot, the characters, even the conclusion that develops along the second part of it. Sure, we know some details about the kids, aspects of their lives aim to give us a glimpse at their orphan's origins or to make them creepy and disturb the reader. And while these were great choices and they do manage to provoke discomfort, without deeper details and more personality given to the characters, they do not do much that aid the plot and give it an explanation.
If these little girls are bore and disturbed, of course they are willing to prank themselves in sinister ways. Even Rosalynd, who is the one character we mainly follow, isn't a well develop character for me.

As for the plot, I say it lacks depth because it is quite linear, things happen and happen, and days pass and pass, until the climax of the first part, when an incident changes the girls' lives forever and gives way to the second part which, in my opinion, is even less develop, as it is a recollection of events that happen in future time and explains what happens with the girls after said incident. Really, all the telling, even of conversations that could have been develop on the page and give us and insight into the characters mind, bore me to no end. I wasn't invested.
So, "yay" to the first part and "meh" to the second part. Which tends to be the other way around for me😂, so points for the author for that

Anyway. This was a fun way to explore the short-gothic side of the genre, laced with horrifying imagery of how cruel kids can be and an interested twist. Even though I didn't like some aspects of the book, I do recommend it as a fast read for fans of the gothic genre or that want to venture into it in short format.

Be ware of the content warnings, which include child abuse and very detail child death, among others that can be found at the end of the book, but I think those two are the more important to mention just in case someone do not want to deal with them and might want to skip it

A modern day lord of the flies set in the past.

What an enjoyable read! It is set in an orphanaged in the 20s, with our protagonist doing her very best to fit in with the rather mean girls that she is a frenemy with. The enduring game is one of royalty, whereby the girl willing to go the farthest wears the crown. The maliciousness and backstabbing that must be done to wear the crown is what gives the book it's spikes and whilst the characters aren't the nicest - they are interesting.

Then we have a ghost story unfold before us and twists and turns aplenty. It's a book of two halves and both halves are very enjoyable.

A short(ish) read and one that's highly recommended.

"The Court knew that he would inevitably join them"


It is a story of 5 orphan girls and the game they played that eventually cost their lives. Innocent, creepy, and with a tendency to be malicious. I enjoyed reading and immersing my imagination in Hawthorne House, but tread carefully, you might become attached and the house itself with you.

This was a fast little novella that felt disjointed. The first half and the second half are not really the same. But it is a creepy little story about girls who decide to make a game and it’s a pretty fast read.

Set in 1926, Rosalyn is a nine-year-old girl at the Hawthorne House Orphanage who invents a game centered around a Royal Court. What begins as a simple make-believe game with the other girls becomes a way to gain control over their difficult lives. As the rules evolve & the stakes grow higher, Rosalyn becomes increasingly determined to rise to power. Willing to do anything to become Queen, she is prepared to take whatever steps are necessary to claim the crown.
***
I felt like this novella had potential, but the ending left me feeling dissatisfied and disappointed. It's a quick read, given the length, but I didn't find myself particularly drawn back to finish it. I will say, there was one scene in particular that creeped me out, so that was a slight plus. But outside of that, I don't think I can recommend this book to anyone. There wasn't really a point to it, and maybe that was half the problem - if there was a point, I totally missed it. I also think we didn't need the amount of characters that were included, especially since some didn't really add anything to the story.

⭐️4.5
This story was very intriguing and well written. Being in two parts, the story is split very nicely into the ‘past’ of the Clover Court and the ‘present’ (I word it this way to avoid spoiling the contents of the book). I rather enjoyed reading about the girls, and the ending had me surprised!

This book completely caught me off guard at first. It was very well written, and the plot and storyline were perfect. I could almost feel the chills from it in real life. I will definitely be recommending this and buying a copy when it is released!

I enjoyed spending time with these girls. Their fun and mischievous nature kept me turning the page.

What Happened at Hawthorne House by Hadassah Shiradski offers an intriguing premise, with a mystery set in an eerie, atmospheric location. The suspense builds throughout the story, with twists and turns that keep the reader curious about the secrets of Hawthorne House. Shiradski's writing is engaging enough to keep you turning the pages, and the setting is wonderfully described, enhancing the overall atmosphere of suspense.

However, while the plot is interesting, it sometimes lacks the emotional depth and complexity that could have made the story truly gripping. The characters, while decent, feel a bit one-dimensional at times, and their motivations are not fully explored, making it harder to connect with them. Additionally, the pacing can feel uneven, with certain sections dragging while others rush through important developments.

Overall, What Happened at Hawthorne House is a decent read for fans of suspense and mystery, but it doesn't fully deliver on its potential. It’s enjoyable but could have benefited from deeper character development and a more tightly woven plot.

What Happened at Hawthorne House is a novella set in 1920, inside an orphanage for young girls. What takes place is a game of monarchy between the girls, dividing them between duchesses, princesses and the queen. The rules to the game are simple: to higher their ranks, they must target and prank a girl above them in line. They can also take the queen's place.

To me, a lot was left unanswered that could have been quite interesting to the narrative, had it been explored. I do understand this is a novella, but this was one of the thoughts I was left with when reaching the end. I would have liked to know how Rosalyn created the game, for starters. I was also curious about their pasts, before the orphanage, and their relationship with Matron, the woman who runs the orphanage.

The second part just didn't work for me. Motives and actions made little to no sense to me and I would have liked to spend more time getting to know the girls, instead of going for that path.

the
gothic horror 🫱🏾‍🫲🏽 creepy children
combo is a tried and true success!

i was more interested in the vibe than the actual story—this is my own fault as i don’t usually read historical fiction so i don’t know why i thought this would be an exception. i do really love an unsympathetic protagonist, which this book serves in droves.

Creepy novella that draws the reader in with a truly scary set of little girls in the 1920s that are playing a game called the Clover Court - one is the queen and the rest are princesses or duchesses and have to abide by the queen's rules....until they go to nasty lengths to usurp her...and it ends in a terrible tragedy.
Roll on to 1939 when Hawthorne House is being prepared to be renovated to house war evacuees and creepy things start to happen.
Enjoyed this odd little book!
3.5 stars

Hadassah Shiradski's What Happened at Hawthorne House is a haunting exploration of childhood innocence corrupted by the harsh realities of life in a 1926 English orphanage. This gothic horror novella delves into the psychological complexities of young girls seeking control in an environment that offers them little solace.

The story centers on nine-year-old Rosalyn, who, in an attempt to escape the bleakness of Hawthorne House Orphanage, devises a game centered around a Royal Court. This imaginative play quickly escalates, as the girls vie for power within their self-created hierarchy. The game, initially a source of camaraderie, morphs into a perilous struggle, revealing the darker facets of human nature.

Shiradski masterfully crafts an atmosphere thick with tension and dread. The orphanage, with its oppressive ambiance, becomes a character in its own right, embodying the despair and desperation of its inhabitants. The author's prose is both evocative and unsettling, drawing readers into a world where the line between innocence and malevolence blurs.

The novella is structured in two parts: the first delves into the inception and evolution of the girls' game, while the second examines the lingering consequences of their actions. This bifurcated narrative allows for a comprehensive exploration of the characters' psyches and the lasting impact of their choices.

What Happened at Hawthorne House is a compelling read for enthusiasts of gothic horror and psychological thrillers. Shiradski's portrayal of the dark recesses of childhood imagination and the consequences of unchecked power is both thought-provoking and profoundly eerie.

Short and spooky, WHAT HAPPED AT HAWTHORNE HOUSE is a brilliant ghost story set in a 1926 girls' orphanage.

As you would expect with a group of girls, there's a wide range of personalities, which leads to a dangerous game that is out of control. The girls are mean, but you quickly grow with each character in their development.

The book is divided up into two section, with the first section really diving into who these girls are, giving the reader a better idea of their day to day lives. There are quite a few characters, so it could be difficult to keep track of everyone.

The second part of the book is quite different, giving a completely different feeling. It's quite an eerie feeling following Andrew around as he understands Hawthorne House better.

This is a fantastic story for anyone who loves a paranormal story.

I liked the setting of "What happened at Hawthorne House" and how the book is short and a good horror snack.

It is divided into two parts and to some extent that was a problem for me. The first part was quite disorienting at the beginning. I had problems to distinguish the girls and how their dynamic worked. Especially Sarah and Mary got mixed up in my head and there was a moment when I wondered who Rosalyn was. But that got cleared quite soon and I was able to enjoy this game that spiraled out of control. The ending of this first part was gut wrenching and would have made an excellent ending allover.

But then the second part started and I was thrown out of the narrative because it was so different. It is a bold decision to change pace that abruptly and after finishing the novel I could live with that decision pretty well but at first it could have been a reason for dnf'ing if the story would have been longer. I liked how the inspector worked with the children and how even after their death they were hauntingly scary in the game of the Clover Court. His reasoning behind how he acts would have been better if shown instead of told but I liked the effect.

As a result I would like to read something else by the author even if this novel had some weaknesses I could overlook!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me this book as an E-ARC.

A deliciously creepy tale set in an orphanage where little girls are playing a dark game.

Great setting and enough tension to make for a gripping story. I appreciated how it was split in 2 parts and I enjoyed them both equally.

All in all it was a great novella. Can't wait to see more from this author!

This was an interesting story. A little slow in the beginning, it picks up the pace after a bit. There are a few passages that are nicely twisted. I was just expecting a little more. 3.5 stars.

Welcome to Hawthorne House—an orphanage where mean little girls play dangerous games to become queen.

The rules are simple: prank the other girls or get them in trouble with the Matron. At first, the tricks are harmless—tossing clothes out the window, hiding bugs in shoes. But when two sisters arrive, things turn cruel and even deadly.

These girls are nasty, and some scenes are hard to stomach. Be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading.

The first half of the book was interesting, following the girls' daily lives and their tricks. But I had trouble keeping track of who was who since they weren’t very distinct.

The second half, set years after a tragedy at Hawthorne House, had promise, but the ending felt disappointing. There wasn’t much action—it just ended. I wanted a bigger, more exciting finish. I feel like it could have been better but it was still entertaining.