Review:

Thank you to Scholastic for sending me a early copy of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

I'm going to start by saying I dove into this book with no clue as to what it was about. I did not even read the blurb. It came in the mail and I found the cover so intriguing I just wanted to see what it was about. And it did not disappoint in the least. This is my first book by Kelly Andrew and it made me want to read everything else she has written.

Vivienne experienced something when she was four years old that changed her life forever and forced her to become a selective mute. I loved the idea of one of the main characters not being able (willing, really) to speak. It made for such an interesting dynamic between her, her handler (Thomas Walsh), her family, and her friends. The mystery of what happened to Vivienne persists throughout the book creating a mystery that you absolutely needs to see solved. I really liked her character and the mystery surrouning who she is and what happened to her. She was easily relatable and real. I could feel her emotions, despite her difference in how she communicated.

Right away her dynamic with Thomas is fraught with anger. She feels chained by her step-father's insistence that she need a handler to begin with. She does everything she can to push Walsh away, but it never works. Walsh is strong, and has some secrets of his own that he doesn't reveal. It makes their interactions very tense. But there's also something that draws them together. He sees Vivienne in a way no one else has and wants to know more of her. Their romance is a slow burn, which I loved. And it's not the center of the story, which also was refreshing. I liked Thomas right away. Though I was surprised at his young age and the fact he was hired for the job of watching over Vivienne. Understanding this comes later in the book, but there are hints strewn throughout if you pay attention.

I've seen the word horror thrown around for this book and I honestly didn't feel that for it. I was worried because I am not a reader of horror (tends to gibe me nightmares). Having now read the book, I would not classify it as such. Gothic, yes. Paranormal, definitely. Dark academia, just a bit.

Andrew does a fabulous job building the world in which Thomas and Vivienne live. You're never quite sure who can be trusted, though you do get a sense of who may have ties to the evil that is lurking throughout the book. There are so many secrets the characters are holding close to their chest. And those secrets really do surround Vivienne and shape who she is.

I see that this book is somehow connected to other books this author has written. At least by having them in the same universe and perhaps with some crossover characters. But this can be read as a stand alone, in my opinion. Perhaps had I read the other books associated with this world, I may say differently. I had no trouble understanding the world or any of the characters the author included. Of course now I want to go back and read the other two books I've seen associated with this one.
The only thing I will say I was not happy with was the rush that came at the end. I feel like all the mystery came out at once and the author was trying to tie up all the loose ends rather quickly.

Andrew pulls you into her story with her gripping story telling, hooking you right from the start and keeping you on your toes the entire time. It was engaging, a little terrifying, and a bit disturbing. If you're looking for a gothic, young adult mystery with paranormal elements that has Leigh Bardugo and Flatliners vibes, pick this book up and give it a try.