Skip to main content

REVIEW: The Castle School (for Troubled Girls) by Alyssa Sheinmel

 

The Castle School (For Troubled Girls) by Alyssa Sheinmel 


      Moira’s parents are sending her to a reclusive? all-girls boarding school in the middle-of-nowhere-Maine. Regardless of what they say, she knows this is a punishment for all the trouble she’s caused them since the death of her best friend, Nathan. At The Castle School, Moira and 11 other girls are isolated from the rest of the world, and expected to talk everything out with Dr. Prince, the strange headmaster. Moira isn’t interested in making new friends. At night, she hears strange music from the woods, and then she discovers the lock on her window is broken. She and her roommate, Eleanor sneak out and find out they aren’t that isolated after all. There is a second, very different Castle School, only it’s filled with boys. Moira starts to suspect the doctors running the schools are hiding something, like a secret experiment on troubled teens. Through it all, Moira learns she can’t run from her grief, and discovers the real reason why her parents sent her away. 

      From first glance, I was expecting a dark mystery or thriller novel, but this book really focuses more on themes of recovery. Because I went in with the wrong idea, it did take me a while to get into the story and understand where it was going. I really enjoyed how many representations of different mental illnesses and other struggles so many people, especially teen girls, deal with were present in this story. I really enjoyed that we got a chapter from each of the girls, explaining their backgrounds and inner motivations. It was very insightful to think about what others go through. Moira’s experience with grief and blame was very authentic and I loved reading how she progressed overtime. I can’t speak for some of the issues discussed since I have never personally experienced them, but what I am familiar with felt accurately represented and important. This book wasn’t what I was expecting, but I still really enjoyed it, especially the dark academia vibes from the setting and the mental health discussions. Please check out the Content Warnings before you read this, as it is a very intense and heavy story sometimes! 

Rating: 3.8/5 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

TOUR: Six Truths and a Lie by Ream Shukairy

Six Truths and a Lie by Ream Shukairy Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Publishing Date: March 14, 2024 Synopsis: Six Muslim teens are falsely accused of a deadly attack in this timely and harrowing examination of Americas justice system, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas and Samira Ahmed. As fireworks pop at a rowdy Fourth of July bonfire party, an explosion off the California coast levels an oil rig and a beach town is left reeling from the aftermath of tragedy. At the center are six Muslim teens. An old soul stuck in a modern world. An aspiring doctor caught in the wrong place. An influencer with a reputation to protect. A perfect daughter with secrets. A soccer star headed for Stanford. An immigrant in love. Six strangers with something to hide and everything to lose. Faced with accusations of terrorism, the Six are caught in a political game that will pit them against one another. As police investigate what really happened that night, which secrets will be worth the cost of freedom? ...

REVIEW: Unchosen by Katharyn Blair

  PLOT:  Charlotte thought her childhood crush, Dean, falling in love with her older sister was the end of her world, until the real end came with the Crimson, a curse that is spread though eye contact, transforming humans into monsters. Her older sister in now the Commander of their settlement, while her younger sister, Vanessa, is the Chosen One— the one destined to end the curse, meaning Charlotte is still stuck in their shadows. When they are raided, Charlotte declares herself the Chosen One in order to save her sisters, and she must keep up her lie if she wants to keep them and Dean safe, and better yet, stay alive herslef. This Is her chance to define her own destiny and try to save thee world.   MY THOUGHTS: If I had to describe this book in one word it would be captivating. I have never read anything quite like it. The concept, the most unique twist on a zombie-like-apocalypse (emphasis on like) I’ve ever encountered, was amazing! Sea captains, curses, action, rom...

REVIEW: Dry by Neal and Jarrod Shusterman

This story follows the devastating consequences of climate change through a fictional but chillingly realistic severe drought in Southern California that turns neighbors against one another and our always growing cast of characters are forced to do whatever it takes to survive when the taps run dry.  I enjoyed this story especially as a low commitment stand alone with a gripping plot. I enjoyed how the various characters were built into the story, but never became too hard to keep track. I didn’t particularly adore any of the main characters and I’m sorry but I just kept picturing Kelton as an older version of the annoying kid from Polar Express but luckily I really liked his (much needed) character growth. I still found myself crying a little at the end scenes so clearly they got me invested in the end. It felt pretty realistic (sadly) and a true representation of the darkness inside humanity that we’ve seen glimpses of lately. I actually had to go get myself some water while read...