Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: March 2 2021
Rating: 3/5 stars
Synopsis:
When Moira Dreyfuss's parents announce that they're sending her to an all-girls boarding school deep in the Maine woods, Moira isn't fooled. She knows her parents are punishing her; she's been too much trouble since her best friend, Nathan, died―and for a while before that. At the Castle School, isolated from the rest of the world, Moira will be expected to pour her heart out to the odd headmaster, Dr. Prince. But she isn't interested in getting over Nathan's death or befriending her fellow students.
On her first night there, Moira hears distant music. On her second, she discovers the lock on her window is broken. On her third, she and her roommate venture outside...and learn that they're not so isolated after all. There's another, very different, Castle School nearby―this one filled with boys whose parents sent them away, too.
Moira is convinced that the Castle Schools and the doctors who run them are hiding something. But exploring the schools will force Moira to confront her overwhelming grief―and the real reasons her parents sent her away.
Sarah's Review:
Wow. This book gives us a lot to unpack. The main focus of this book is mental health. Moira is sent to a boarding school, that is basically a rehab center. There are eleven other girls there, and each one has a different reason they were sent there. When Moira arrives at The Castle School she has a "not like the other girls" mentality which annoys me quite a bit, but that I can understand in this case. Her first day at the school, another girl introduces her to the other by listing their name as well as their respective disorder (for lack of a better term). This was done in extremely poor taste. It completely destroyed any depth to the side characters, and it seemed as if their whole existence/ purpose to the book was the label they were given. Also it seemed rather gross to me for other reasons I'm struggling to put to words.
Moira was very combative, and not super likable in the beginning. However, seeing her grow through the story was very refreshing. She is obviously the most well written character in the book. I really loved that she threw random facts of trivia throughout the story, it was a nice quirk of hers. I do love how the story ended and by the end really adored her. She has a lot of redeeming qualities that were hidden away for a good portion of the book.
I did not realize this book was a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses. I think that was a great idea to tie into the book as I love a good retelling. However, in this case the fairytale aspect was beaten into my head, and I think it was overdone. With a more obscure fairytale I think they should have let it go with subtle hints to a possible tie in. If people missed that aspect of the story because of less obviousness no harm, no foul. It was a drawback for sure.
Overall this was a decent YA. If you like YA in general give it a try. If you are triggered easily this may not be the book for you.
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