Book Review: Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 416 pages

Published: March 19, 2024

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Genre: Young Adult, Mystery & Thriller,LGBT

Synopsis:

It’s like I keep stumbling into a dark room, searching for the switch to make things bright again…

Sade Hussein is starting her third year of high school, this time at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy boarding school after being home-schooled all her life. Misfortune has been a constant companion all her life, but even Sade doesn’t expect her new roommate, Elizabeth, to disappear after Sade’s first night. Or for people to think she had something to do with it.

With rumors swirling around her, Sade catches the attention of the girls collectively known as the ‘Unholy Trinity’ and they bring her into their fold. Between learning more about them–especially Persephone, who Sade is inexplicably drawn to–and playing catchup in class, Sade already has so much on her plate. But when it seems people don’t care enough about what happened to Elizabeth to really investigate, it’s up to she and Elizabeth’s best friend to solve it.

And then a student is found dead.

As they keep trying to figure out what’s going on, Sade realizes there’s more to Alfred Nobel Academy and its students than she thought. Secrets lurk around every corner and beneath every surface…secrets that rival even her own.

I’m excited to kick off the Colored Pages Book Tours for Where Sleeping Girls Lie by the fantastic Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé! Where Sleeping Girls Lie hits bookshelves on March 19, but it’s never too early to excite a book,! Where Sleeping Girls Lie hits bookshelves March 19 but it’s never too early to hype up a book and Faridah’s latest is an instant winner!

Sade Hussein has been home-schooled most of her life. However, due to unfortunate tragedies in her life (which Sade believes she is a magnet for), she is beginning her third year of high school at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy, a boarding school. Sade believes and is determined to make this a fresh start for her. But that changes when her roommate, Elizabeth, disappears after Sade’s first night at Alfred Nobel. And most of the student body starts to expect that she has something to do with it. But these unfortunate rumours do not stop them from attracting the attention of the Unholy Trinity, three of the most popular girls in the school. Sade has a lot on her plate: catching up on schoolwork, discovering what happened to Elizabeth, and why she is drawn to Penelope, one of the Unholy Trinity…if she wants to get her new life on track, Sade needs to focus.

Then, a student is found dead. Sade quickly realizes that Alfred Noble has hidden secrets lurking around the corner, which may match her own.

I loved “Ace of Spades” and was so thrilled when Faridah announced her next novel, and I was so excited to read it. And I’m happy to say that Where Sleeping Girls Lie so far does not disappoint. This YA novel has everything I am looking for: engaging mystery, dark academic setting, realistic teens (it might be outrageous what they do, but the actions and personalities were authentic), and Diverse characters…this book had everything! Most importantly, it has a story that grips me from the beginning, giving me both chills and excitement. Faridah’s writing is compelling and insightful and entertains you with a thrilling story.

Where Sleeping Girls Lie also does a beautiful job of touching on grief and trauma, realistically and authentically, so that teen readers will engage with the story more when they discover that they genuinely see them physically and emotionally in the text. It provides a terrific way to start the necessary conversations. I’m also loving the Shakespearean references! If you enjoy Shakespeare, then you will enjoy the references and connections.

I could go on and on about this book, but you need to read it for yourself. It is a definite must-read for 2024!