Where Sleeping Girls Lie is a treat for people who grew up reading bookssuch as The School for Good and Evil and other dark academia fiction. We follow the story of Sade Hussein as she starts fresh at Alfred Nobel Academy, a place filled with secrets.
I really enjoyed this book, as it tells a story that is engaging and mysterious, yet in many ways I found it relatable and realistic as a girl who has been through a high school experience herself.
I loved the diverse range of characters. The various personalities created realistic dynamics that you can become invested in – or inversely, look forward to their downfall. While I loved Sade’s character, I have to say my favourite character was Baz.
I also have to admire the way that more serious topics are handled. For example, this book contains the theme of sexual assault and the author handles this with the gravity it deserves, and also portrays the aftermath in a way that accurately reflects the tragic reality that many victims have to experience. I look forward to reading more literature written by Faridah ÀbíkéÍyímídé.
Hanna-Rose Sullivan
Where Sleeping Girls Lie
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Usborne Publishing, March 2024
Paperback, £8.99
ISBN 9781474967549
