Secrets of the Blue Hand Girls

by Rowana Miller

When the first letter appears in Kay Anderson's locker it carries one instruction: Dye your hand blue. She definitely shouldn't obey it. Kay doesn't have time for secret societies: As a scholarship student at up-and-coming Manhattan prep school Davison High, she knows her job is to work hard, get into Northwestern University, and ignore her wealthy classmates' fun-filled Instagram stories. Besides, her first and only real friend at Davison died suddenly freshman year.

Still, Kay's intrigued, so she stains her palms with ink to join the mysterious "Blue Hand Girls," sharing an unspoken thrill with the classmates who do the same. More letters show up, assigning risky initiation tasks, and Kay realizes the group is set on exposing the shady business that Davison's founders would rather keep hidden―things that her dead friend might have known about.

Genres: Thriller, Young Adult, Dark Academia, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Contemporary

368 pages, Paperback

First published October 7, 2025

About the author

Rowana Miller writes about riddles, goblins, secrets, strange girls, and mischief. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022, she moved back to her hometown of New York City, where she lives with her wife, Penelope, and two cats, Alice and Jabberwocky. She is the founder and executive director of Cosmic Writers, a nonprofit that provides creative writing education for kids and teenagers. SECRETS OF THE BLUE HAND GIRLS is her first novel.

Reviews

[bookandachai]

This is a YA Bunny and I loved every moment. Imagine going to an all girls private school and getting an anonymous note saying “we find you intriguing.” Follow that with detailed directions on how to dye your hand blue and a series of tasks to prove your work being a part of the secret society and I was along for the ride.

[Lexi]

DNF: 26%

And here I thought I was actually going to be able to end August with a completed ARC.

Oooh man. I cannot believe that I am writing a DNF review for a Dark Academia. Seriously, I love this aesthetic so much.

However…

Secrets of the Blue Hand Girls is not your typical Dark Academia. Yes, this book contains (1) an all-girls boarding school, (2) one murdered student, (3) a secret society, and (4) typical high school drama. Where this book loses its ability to be labeled a Dark Academia is the building itself isn’t even described nor does the reader actually know what all of the characters look like. The reader is just tossed into the school by the FMC, Kay, and is told that she is dying her hand blue. It’s from here that the story begins and the reader is expected to keep up. There is a total of 16 chapters (about 23 pages a piece) with hardly any dialogue. This entire book is VERY slow-paced and VERY boring. To make matters worse, the FMC is kind of depressed, has no friends, and constantly uses the “no contact” dating rule with her aunt. Add the fact that not one female is a true friend to one another at this school and it all just feels very weird.

After completing Chapter 5, I found myself feeling confused about the actual plot:

Is this book about a secret society with its own secrets?
Is this book about a girl trying to find answers about the death of her only friend?
Is this book about rich people getting what they want while others struggle?

Like, where is this book even headed? Every possible trope used has no connection in the same manner that the FMC and her crush have no chemistry.

I honestly cannot recommend this book to anyone. I am just so done with it. I do, however, want to wish Rowana Miller all best on her future endeavors, especially her writing career.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for granting my request for an Advance Reader’s Copy in exchange for my honest and personal opinion!!!

[El]

WOW WOW WOW. This book was a giveaway prize and I had no idea I was sent a twisty, heart pounding, suspenseful, blood pumping mystery masterpiece!

I didn’t realize how much I’d been LONGING for a very queer, diverse Pretty Little Liars-meets-The Clique-meets-Heathers story in my life! This book blew all of my expectations out of the water. It’s easily one of the best YA books I’ve read this year (or, in a few years even). I was happily trotting down every path the author put in front of me, suspecting everyone, trusting no one, and shifting the blame as I turned every page.

The pacing is perfect- the relationships felt real, and the timing of all the action corresponded to decisions teenagers in precarious situations would actually make. All the characters (even minor side ones) were fully fleshed out, and relevant. The slow reveal of historical events happens at the right time- I wasn’t stuck confused and waiting on an explanation, but I also got to get an idea of the setting before the author revealed the “why” behind our MC’s personality. The sapphic elements were believable, relatable, and deliciously sinister in all the right places.

The dark academia genre is BLESSED to include this little gem. BHG (iykyk) had me wishing to be a Davison student, while simultaneously wishing to run as far from Davison as I could get. I’m now more suspicious of true crime podcasts, colorful body ink, fancy earrings, cough syrup, car crashes, file rooms, and internships than ever before, and I LIKE it!! This is a masterful standalone, but I wouldn’t say no to a continuation of it into a series?? Please??? At the very least, please someone make this a movie, and get me advanced tickets!! 5/5, you won’t regret this read.

[Amanda Larson]

This book was a debut?! It definitely did not read like one! Rowana Miller expertly crafted a YA novel with so many elements, you’d think she’d written at least 10 books prior.

Secrets of the Blue Hand Girls was the perfect mix of mystery, suspense and dark academia. The book was full of twists and so many secrets.

I have zero doubt that this book will be successful and can’t wait to see what good things lie ahead for Rowana Miller!

Thank you NetGalley & Sourcebooks for the ARC!

[Tori]

⭐⭐⭐⭐

SECRETS OF THE BLUE HAND GIRLS by Rowana Miller

Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the earc (Oct 7)

It starts with an anonymous letter telling Kay to make her hand blue. Intrigued---despite college looming, scholarships, and the death of a friend---she does it. Soon, she is pulled into a society that it trying to uncover something dangerous---something that got her friend killed. Kay doesn't know who to trust as secrets are revealed.
The first this that drew me in was the cover. Can we talk about the glitter? I love glitter and that made me happy to see glitter on a cover.
SECRETS OF THE BLUE HAND GIRLS is a dark academia, YA mystery/thriller. With a secret society and m*rder, this book is full of conspiracy, drama, and a touch of romance. I really liked this book, and I thought the pace was nice; however, the chapters were a bit on the longer side, and some of the characters were a bit shady and unlikeable (especially as the book played out.)
Like I mentioned above, the cover initially drew me in, but the blue hand, anonymous notes, and secret society kept me intrigued. SECRETS OF THE BLUE HAND GIRLS is riddled with a conspiracy that goes further than seems possible (and every reveal, task, etc. was wild.) The whodunit was twisted, and I didn't see it coming. But, that final reveal was even more twisted in this thrilling tale.
SECRETS OF THE BLUE HAND GIRLS is perfect if you're looking for a dark academia full of secrets, lies, and twists that leave you speechless.

[Rishali (thecozy.tbr)]

This book started on a strong note for me. I really loved the concept of a secret society of girls forming an alliance to seek justice for a cold case, all while operating mysteriously as part of the Blue Hand Girls. The premise was intriguing, and I appreciated the representation throughout the story, especially experiencing everything through Kay’s POV as a scholarship student navigating life at a private school. That contrast added an extra layer of tension and perspective that I enjoyed.

That said, I found myself wishing so deeply that this had been a dual POV story. I would have loved to see things from Zola’s perspective—her unhinged, bold energy was captivating, and experiencing her thoughts firsthand would have elevated the story so much for me.

Unfortunately, the ending is what ultimately dampened my overall experience. It felt a bit too over-the-top and dramatic, to the point where it pulled me out of the story and felt unrealistic. There were also a few plot threads and characters introduced early on that seemed important but were quickly abandoned or barely mentioned again like Aunt Shelley.

As a debut novel, this is a solid and promising start with a compelling concept, but I do think it could have benefited from tighter plotting and deeper character development.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire for the gifted copy!

[Sophia Hall]

"Heathers" meets "One of Us is Lying" in Rowana Miller’s debut novel "Secrets of the Blue Hand Girls." With expert application of metaphor and mischief, Miller carefully crafts the backstabbing world of Davison, an elite Manhattan all-girls high school. Scholarship student Kay couldn’t be more different than her peers, but when a mysterious note appears in her locker instructing her to dye her hand blue, she suddenly finds herself undergoing trials for a secret society. This induction slowly presents Kay with the opportunity to figure out the details of her best friend Emily Hendrick, who died in a “freak accident” two years ago.

It’s apropos that one of the books assigned in Kay’s 11th grade English class is Donna Tart’s "The Secret History," a book many consider the contemporary epitome of the “dark academia” aesthetic, since Kay and her “Blue Hand Girls” operate in a very similar idealization of higher education.

Over the course of the book, Kay grapples with the slippery lines between friend and fake, moral and malefaction. Will she sacrifice her admission into Northwestern to uncover Davison’s dark underbelly? How far will she go for friendship, or, even more crushing, love?

The book hisses with the fierce rage of girls with a vendetta to execute, marrying the classic satisfying tropes of angsty teen drama with modern references and growing up queer in the 21st-century New York City. Upon its release in October, I have no doubt that Secrets of the Blue Hand Girls will immediately earn its place among its peers "Bunny," "Ninth House," and "If We Were Villains." Bravo!

[Atlanta Colling]

First of thank you to Sourcebooks and Net gallery for all allowing me the chance to read the book early.

Secrets of the Blue Hand Girls is an electrifying YA thriller that masterfully blends dark academia, mystery, and queer coming-of-age drama into a debut that grips from the first blue‑stained handshake—and never lets go. Kay Anderson, a scholarship student at Manhattan’s Davison High, is thrown into an enigmatic secret society after a cryptic message instructs her to dye her hand blue. But this is no harmless prank—each initiation reveals more dangerous secrets tied to the school’s elite founders, and even Kay’s own best friend’s tragic death.

Rowana Miller’s prose is razor-sharp and emotionally grounded. She captures the tension between Kay’s outsider struggle to prove herself and her burning desire to uncover painful truths. The world‑building—elite privilege crashing into grief, loyalty laced with betrayal, and the intoxicating lure of belonging—is pitch-perfect. The pacing intensifies with every secret revealed, leading to a finale that is both satisfying and haunting.

What truly stands out is the representation: a fierce, complex queer heroine navigating power and friendship in a world that prefers silence over justice. The romantic subplot adds depth without overshadowing the central mystery. At once atmospheric and pulse‑pounding, this debut heralds Rowana Miller as a fearless new voice in YA.

Highly Recommended for fans of One of Us Is Lying, Ninth House, or If We Were Villains—Secrets of the Blue Hand Girls will ensnare you from the first ink‑stained finger to the final, breath‑catching twist.

[Daphne Bouyea]

This book is one of the few you don’t find boring. From the first page I was intrigued. The characters are so interesting and each have a story the book is hiding from you until the very end. My personal favorite book. I also love the mysterious Zola Wolfe, Im sure you will too. Also if you can’t tell this book took me 4 days, the sixth of may, the seventh, the eight, and the ninth, and Im not that fast if a reader.

[Milo Roth]

Rowana Miller has smashes it out of the gate in her debut novel!

A twisty thriller that keeps you guessing at every turn! Mysteries, secret societies and queerness! Oh my!!

Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next! Definitely one to watch!

[Zane Roth]

I loved this book so much. I hadn’t ready a book all year but the opening chapters of this book enthralled me and forced me to keep reading. I couldn’t put it down and was only satisfied once the final page had turned.

[Makayla Samountry]

Things I liked:
- the representation of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC and Asian, first and second gen characters that I related to as a second gen Asian American in the lgbtq community

- a smart, queer female lead that wasn’t white

- how well Miller wrapped up tiny details and connected important plot elements mentioned earlier. No detail was for without reason, sign of a great thriller writer

——

Things I didn’t like:
- where the plot went bc ????? wtf omg
- the angled negative view on private schools. As a student on full scholarship to a wonderful private school, this couldn’t be farther from my experience or how the school admin, teachers and even other parents are. Rubbed me the wrong way

- Lola’s unrealistic character and dialogue

- overuse of the term “baby” out of nowhere

- it still felt like a draft of a book that needed developing



The plot had great potential, sort of felt like Pretty Little Liars meets Gossip Girl, but the overall story didn’t work for me. I am curious how the targeted YA demographic feels though and if my younger self would feel differently. 2/5 this wasn’t for me.

[Mac Daly]

Scholarship student, Kay, knows she doesn't quite fit in at her private high school. She doesn't have the money, fancy clothes or family status of most of the other kids. When she receives a mysterious letter instructing her to dye her hand blue, she's suspicious, but intrigued, so she does it.
As the instructions get more and more detailed, she joins forces with some of the other blue handers to find out who is behind the letters and what their intentions are.
As the mystery unravels, Kay learns some hard truths about herself, her fellow classmates and the school itself.
It's an intriguing mystery with interesting characters that will make you glad you never went to Davison HIgh.

[Lauren]

Such a fun mix of the gauntlet of NYC private schools, a whodunit à la modern day Agatha Christie and for me the added touch of having known the author way back when.

[LB]

She kisses me. Her lips tender on mine, her hair brushing against my cheeks, her hands pulling my waist forward to meet hers, she kisses me. . . . She radiates, the way I've felt her radiating across the math table, but now I know what it's like to feed myself to the sun.

aaaahhh!!

This book was so intense and also so much fun. High school student Kay is still recovering from (and blaming herself for) the death of her best friend Emily when she gets the chance to join a powerful secret society and make some wrongs right. Along the way, she falls in love with Zola, a girl who raises more questions than she ever answers--and she also begins to make real friends with her fellow secret society inductees. But things just keep escalating and escalating...

Man, the stakes here got so high I was actually a little stressed near the end. But I had to keep going!! I loved these characters, and especially watching them figure out themselves and form genuine friendships with each other. Kay's new friends Chioma, Mai, Margaret, and even Tia were really delightful to read about, and seeing Kay become closer to them and learn to respect and value the people around her, even in a cutthroat environment, balanced out the high-stakes plot with real heart. (Even now, I just want them to be happy, yknow?)

Would definitely recommend if you're looking for a twisty thriller or a high-stakes high school romance, or even if you just support gay wrongs.

Also the part where Tia spends multiple paragraphs on melodramatic theater vocal warmups before unlocking the voice keypad with a perfect voice impression was iconic.

[Kaylee Arndt]

Absolutely could not put this book down!

I enjoyed the interweaving of mystery, friendship, love (shoutout for the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC inclusivity), and self-discovery in this novel. It is rare to see these weaved as masterfully as the author did here.

I will say that some of the characters aren’t always the most likable, but I enjoyed that element - the truth is that people aren’t always likable. I enjoyed that this novel wasn’t black and white and played into the very real grey reality that is humanity.

If I could change one thing about this book, I would get rid of the sudden “baby” between the love interests- but I have to remind myself that they are teenagers and experiencing the early stages of love. I can get over it.

Will definitely be recommending this book, and will definitely be rereading it - seems like a book that gets better the more you read it and catch the masterfully woven clues and foreshadowing you didn’t catch before!

[Ganna Kolaib ♡]

4.25 stars ⭐️
This was a fun read! But it was a slow and medium-paced at the same time. It had a lot of suspense and was so tense, I loved the writing it was very decent and matched the vibe of the book so much. I enjoyed some scenes in this book and some I was reading with such a straight face, but mostly I did enjoy this so much. I wished we got more fun scenes in the book and I wanted more tension and wanted more in this book. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, and as usual all opinions are my own ♡

[Sara]

I raced through this, desperate to find out what happened next.
It's the first dark academia book I've read for a while that hasn't been fantasy. I liked the constant plot twists and the pace of things being revealed.
Also, a queer relationship that wasn't all about coming out or other clichés.
It all felt very real and still utterly compelling.

[Gwyn]

Overuse of “baby”

[Cat of Perdition]

Really, really good. Pacing is perfect, and while the biggest twist wasn't super unexpected, it still felt fresh. Excited to read more of Miller's work.

[tatertotsworldwide]

I’ve coincidentally read like 3 books in a row about elite private schools and maybe it’s because I’ve never been rich (my bad) but what is wrong with these kids?

I think there’s two kinds of teens that like dark media:
1) the ones whose world got rocked by Looking for Alaska and 13 Reasons Why
2) the kids who have seen Heathers way too many times

This book is for the second group. Based on the final scene, I do think the author may have been one of those kids.

What I liked:
- I’m sorry I complained above about the private school kids, rich people drama really is just more fun.
- I love an unhinged resolution and this delivered, in a way that was so unexpected from when I first picked up the book. The last few scenes were chaos. I had fun.
- Diversity within the friend group that didn’t feel too heavy-handed or tokenistic! I agree with all the authors that know we need more diversity in YA books, but the only thing worse than no representation is bad representation (my opinion, please don’t come for me), and I feel like there’s been a trend towards novels cramming a bunch of identities onto a side character and then spending the rest of the book patting themselves on the back for it. I was really impressed with the way this book handled race and class differences and gave depth to topics that shouldn’t be one-dimensional. It was refreshing to see acknowledgement that there are different types of privilege and that there is a complex interplay between them (e.g. financial privilege doesn’t negate racism). Importantly, our characters of color don’t have to be perfect at all times to be very charming and likable! This book is a perfect example that we don’t have to flatten minority characters to make the diversity palatable— they can just be normal people with personalities and flaws. Ok, I’ll get off my soapbox now.

What I didn’t like:
- The times that I was most aware this was a debut novel were the dialogue. There were certainly choices made, some good (I liked? the questions marks? For that one girl?) and some… not so good (I'm sorry but even the most insufferable teenager has never called their partner baby so many times in a row)
- Kay was annoyingly gullible, she didn’t even have to be gaslit because she would do it herself. Anytime somebody told her something, she was ready to believe it every time. I do think this was an intentional character choice, but it did make her hard to root for at times
- The pacing gave me a little whiplash. It was slow, then fast, then faster, then slow, and then you could predict the ending, but you had to wait for the characters to figure it out, so it was simultaneously slow and fast. This is probably where it took the biggest hit for me, but I would advise you to power through, because it gets fun.

If you’re looking for a YA novel on the dark and twisty side, with complex characters and plot elements, this is the one and it’s worth the read. If you don’t enjoy intense scenes or if you are sensitive to mentions of parental neglect, violence, and suicide, it may not be for you. A huge thank you to the author, SOURCEBOOKS Fire, and NetGalley for providing me a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

[Zal]

7-7.25/10

I really enjoyed this book. There were so many things that just resonated with me, and I don't really have an explanation for why, other than kinda parallels to my life?? but made me just really like different things.
1. Her parents playing bananagrams together when they get home from work.
2. her being super close with her aunt
3. going to an all girls school (not even remotely like my life, but this was just cool to me I think. I rarely see all-girls schools in books).
4. bodega mentioned
5. the weirdness of it all
6. the voice of the narrator
7. she wanted to attend northwestern
8. good grades
9. all the evil people working at tesla and big ass tech companies and ai companies and shit. We love an aware book

Mainly the bananagrams thing was insane to me. I loved that. The parents are barely there for the rest of the book but I just loved that moment too much???

SPOILERS:
Anyway, the plot and logic of this book was definetely its biggest weakness. Why would anyone go along with this? How would this society even get off the ground, considering everything? Why would a school realistically have a hidden room full of hidden records? I think there wasn't enough built up about the villainy of the school to this point to establish this. I would've liked more atmospheric descriptions of creepiness in the halls of the school/the teachers being sus (not just the bully teacher being a twit).

This isn't all, but basically there were a lot of things that didn't feel realistic or like they added up. But I also liked how unique the book was. Part of my enjoyment of it was that it's not following a trope or tropes. It's very queer both in characters ofc but also in just diverging from the typical book path. I couldn't predict it. Coloring their hands blue, a bunch of girls joining together to compete but also work together and pull off a heist kinda, and a mystery behind it all. It was so eclectic. I liked that bit. So I read it kinda suspending my disbelief over the plot holes and character motivation holes and what not. Also, I liked Kay but dayumn if her detective skills and "logical" conclusions weren't the worst/completely flimsy.
I was immediately intrigued as soon as I started the book. I thought it might be a dnf from the outside, just cuz most of my random books I pick up are dnfs bc I got so much stuff to read, but as soon as I started listening, I was inexplicably hooked. This book is weird and I like that about it.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter]

I really enjoyed this, though it took the audiobook to fully pull me in. I received the eARC through NetGalley and at first I was only getting through a few pages at a time—the chapters felt a bit long for YA. But once I realized the audiobook was done by PRH, the heavens opened up and I switched to an immersion read, which made it so much more engaging.

The story reminded me of a YA-appropriate Bunny—not nearly as bizarre, but with that same slightly unsettling edge. Yes, it had the typical absent-parent trope while teens were off doing not-so-typical things, but it also gave an intriguing glimpse into secret society culture, which very much exists, even in private schools. I did see one review where the reader seemed offended by the portrayal of private schooling, as if their own experience was the definitive one. Not only is that not the case, but more importantly—it’s FICTION! It’s an escape. It’s not a commentary on the entire private school system… but I digress.

What impressed me most was how the author wove in so many details that stayed consistent and ultimately paid off. And perhaps my favorite part—it was inclusive without making that the centerpiece or a “statement.” It simply reflected a student body that naturally included different cultures, backgrounds, and sexualities.

Overall, I think this is a fantastic pick for a teen audience—it’s gritty enough to be compelling but still age-appropriate. Highly recommend when it releases on October 7, 2025.

I fortunate to receive a complimentary eARC from Sourcebooks- Fire via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

How I Rate
Because I mostly read ARCs, I focus on how I think fellow readers with similar tastes will respond. I sometimes round up or down based on pacing, prose, or overall impact, and I try to keep my personal preferences from weighing too heavily.

⭐️ 1 Star – Finished, but not for me; I never DNF ARCs.
⭐️⭐️ 2 Stars – Struggled due to writing, content, or editing issues.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 Stars – Decent read with untapped potential; recommend with some reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Stars – Really enjoyed it and would recommend for several reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars – Exceptional; lingers in my mind well after reading. A story I’d gladly revisit.

[Daisy]

This book is okay. Pretty entertaining while reading, wildly implausible climax, but man do I wish we had been in Zola's POV for at least part of it. She is unhinged and it would have been fun to follow her more closely as she put her whole plan into action. I don't think I'll ever feel the need to reread it again and Kay and Zola's dialogue when talking to each other felt very forced and not the way teenage girls would speak, and it took me out of the story several times. There are better YA thrillers and also worse ones.

[Jennifer]

Thank you for this book!

I thought this book was very good. It kept you guessing at every twist and turn and was unable to put the book down.

Teenagers in a private school. Something happens and one of the parents leaves and his daughter takes revenge.

A definite must read. Will recommend to others.

[Tiffany]

From start to finished, I was so enthralled by the plot, the characters, and the overall twists and turns. Truly loved it! Rowan Miller does a fantastic job keeping the readers under suspense and I never guessed the ending would turn out the way it did. I was shocked. Highly recommended.

[Montes]

It took me quite some time to really get into the story, it’s a slow start. I was curious about the secret society and the mystery of what it meant, why it was started and what its purpose was.

This story speaks to how the world of people with money and privilege really works. There’s a conspiracy that involves parents, the school and other companies offering those students internships. They choose select students for specific internships in order to steal company secrets and this was discovered by a student, the main character’s ex-best friend who was killed in an “accident”. The Blue Hand Girls are determined to uncover this conspiracy to the public and hold those participating accountable. 

I felt so bad for Zola, she had such a chaotic energy that I never figured out if she actually cared about Kay or if she was obsessed with her because she was a piece in the puzzle she was trying to solve, still she didn’t deserve to suffer so much for the sins of her father, less so feeling like she had to pay with her life to atone for them. The ending and the lead up to it in which we discover who the “Blue Hand Girls” are was absolute insanity. I had hoped that Emily had survived and was orchestrating this plan to expose the conspiracy.

Thank you to Rowana Miller, Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC.

[Melanie Lakis]

Very predictable and sort of obvious who the “bad guy” is.

[Sophie Nadel]

Had a great time with the mystery of this book, the characters, and a twist that is only obvious in retrospect. Gave me “Heathers” vibes. I love unhinged characters, and Miller does an excellent job showing the duality and conflict of a sad, sad girl.

[Reader]

It’s like the gay version of Heathers