The Library of Lost Girls by Kristen Pipps

"After several moments of quiet contemplation, she says, "There's something inside of us that's different. Your sister has called it power here. But our teachers call it evil."' - Effie

The Library of Lost Girls is a creepy, suspenseful YA story that follows Gwen, the sixteen year old heroine, as she undertakes a dangerous search to save her sister from a remote and eerie finishing school. The setting shifts from late 1890’s New York City to an island off the coast of Nova Scotia.

When Izzy Donovan returns from the Delphi School for Girls, Gwen is very worried about the changes in her older sister. She is quiet, subdued and shows none of the fire and spunk Izzy had before she was sent away. Gwen decides to find out what exactly happened to her sister at Delphi by committing an act that causes her parents to send her to the same school.

Gwen immediately feels something is off about the school. The warnings to never leave her room at night, feeling like she is being watched and walls of not-to-be-touched books titled with the name of each girl who had been a resident of Delphi all increase her uneasiness. If a girl breaks a rule she is sent to the Writing Room and when they emerge they are exhausted, pale and have no memory of what occurred in that room. As Gwen begins to make friends, one gives her the initial clue to decipher the happenings - a note Izzy left for Gwen. As she forms friendships, Gwen and her friends explore hidden passages, tempt whatever it is that watches from the dark, and begin to untangle the dark secrets beneath the school’s polished reputation.

Gwen is a protagonist that seems wiser than her years. Not only does she fight to figure out what the headmistress and Trustees of the school are hiding before it becomes too late to save her friends, she struggles with her own identity.

The overarching theme of The Library of Lost Girls addresses what is expected from a woman and the consequences if a woman didn’t follow the rules and expectations of society. If you like books that involve dark academia, emphasize the bond between sisters, female empowerment, and the importance of friendship than The Library of Lost Girls is for a must read for you.

This book will be available October 28.

Companion Song: "Control" by Halsey.

Author Authentic: Kristen Pipps' outside interests include board games and pub trivia.