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The House of Quiet
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of And I Darken comes a dark fantasy about a girl who will do anything to find her sister, including posing as a maid to infiltrate the mysterious House of Quiet.
To save her sister, she must enter the House.
In the middle of a deadly bog sits the House of Quiet. It’s a place for children whose Procedure triggered powers too terrible to be lived with—their last hope for treatment. No one knows how they’re healed or where they go afterward.
Birdie has begged, bargained, and blackmailed her way inside as a maid, determined to find her missing sister, Magpie. But what she discovers is more mysteries. Instead of the destitute children who undergo the Procedure in hopes of social advancement, the house brims with aristocratic teens wielding strange powers they never should have been burdened with.
Though Birdie wants to ignore them, she can’t help being drawn to stoic and silent Forest, charmed by clever River, and concerned for the youngest residents. And with fellow maid Minnow keeping tabs on everything Birdie does, danger is everywhere.
In her desperate search for Magpie, Birdie unearths terrifying threats and devastating truths, forcing her to confront just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to save her own sister. Because in the House of Quiet, if you find what’s lurking beneath . . . you lose everything.
Unravel the mystery. Ignite the rebellion.
To save her sister, she must enter the House.
In the middle of a deadly bog sits the House of Quiet. It’s a place for children whose Procedure triggered powers too terrible to be lived with—their last hope for treatment. No one knows how they’re healed or where they go afterward.
Birdie has begged, bargained, and blackmailed her way inside as a maid, determined to find her missing sister, Magpie. But what she discovers is more mysteries. Instead of the destitute children who undergo the Procedure in hopes of social advancement, the house brims with aristocratic teens wielding strange powers they never should have been burdened with.
Though Birdie wants to ignore them, she can’t help being drawn to stoic and silent Forest, charmed by clever River, and concerned for the youngest residents. And with fellow maid Minnow keeping tabs on everything Birdie does, danger is everywhere.
In her desperate search for Magpie, Birdie unearths terrifying threats and devastating truths, forcing her to confront just how much she’s willing to sacrifice to save her own sister. Because in the House of Quiet, if you find what’s lurking beneath . . . you lose everything.
Unravel the mystery. Ignite the rebellion.
304 pages, Library Binding
First published September 9, 2025
66 people are currently reading
8430 people want to read
About the author
Kiersten White
64 books13.9k followersKiersten White is the #1 New York Times bestselling, Bram Stoker Award-winning, and critically acclaimed author of many books for readers of all ages, including the And I Darken trilogy, the Sinister Summer series, the Camelot Rising trilogy, Star Wars: Padawan, Hide, Mister Magic, and Lucy Undying. She also has a very large tortoise named Kimberly, which isn't relevant, but she wanted you to know.
Visit her online at kierstenwhite.com.
Visit her online at kierstenwhite.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
October 25, 2025
I have to admit—this is one of the most unique, claustrophobic, gothic, and complex books I’ve read recently!
At first, I had a hard time getting into it. The world-building is dense and mysterious—the country is divided into North and South, there’s a glaring class disparity, and a procedure exists that’s meant to give children from impoverished families a chance at a better life. But the heart of this story is the enigmatic and eerie House of Quiet, and trying to understand it was like walking through fog.
What is this place? Is it an asylum? A secret government facility? Why are only the children of the rich being treated there, when this program was supposed to help the poor? What kind of “treatments” are happening behind closed doors? Who is the Housewife, the ghostlike figure who glides through the halls, assigning cryptic tasks to her chosen maids? And what really happened to Birdie’s sister, Magpie? Could she still be hidden somewhere behind the many locked doors? Why are so many of the rooms empty? What is the red circle? What happens in the dreams? Can anyone actually leave this place?
From the first chapter, my brain was spinning with questions. And as I read further, I got more questions than answers. The author masterfully keeps us in the dark, and although the pacing felt slow at times (a bit frustrating, I admit!), the creativity, tense atmosphere, and hope of eventual answers pushed me to keep reading. And I’m glad I did, because the ending was satisfyingly eerie and well worth the effort.
The premise:
The story is set in the House of Quiet, a strange, gothic building surrounded by a deadly bog. It's where children are sent after undergoing a mysterious procedure that unleashes powers beyond their control. While it was meant to be a program for those in poverty, every child inside the House is from a wealthy background—which immediately raises red flags.
Birdie, our fierce and determined heroine, gave up six years of her life to work as a maid, saving up enough money for her sister Magpie to undergo the procedure. But when she finally returns home, Magpie is missing—and her parents seem oddly indifferent. Birdie soon learns that Magpie may have been sent to the House of Quiet, and she blackmails her way in, agreeing to act as a spy for Dr. Bramble, who suspects something is terribly wrong with the treatments being carried out there.
Inside the House, Birdie works alongside two other maids:
Minnow, mysterious and possibly hiding her true identity. She seems inexperienced with chores, hinting she may not be who she claims to be.
Rabbit, strange, erratic, and always a bit out of it—yet she somehow becomes the Housewife’s favorite, gaining access to secrets Birdie desperately needs to uncover.
And then there are the patients—affluent teens with unusual abilities:
Dawn, who can transfer her feelings to others.
Sky, volatile and aggressive, constantly testing Birdie.
Lake, a charming liar who thrives on deception.
River, clever, friendly, and suspiciously close with Minnow (yes, there are definite romantic sparks between them!).
Nimbus, the quiet son of a powerful minister. He once encouraged Birdie’s curiosity, leaving books behind that helped her teach herself to read. Now, he's a husk of his former self, needing to be fed and cared for like a child.
And there's another boy, also named River—stoic, silent, and intense—with deep blue eyes that Birdie finds herself inexplicably drawn to.
Birdie’s mission is clear: find out what happened to Magpie. But uncovering the truth might mean risking her own life, as the secrets within the House grow darker and more dangerous with each passing day. Could the truth cost everyone inside their sanity—or their lives?
Overall:
This is a smart, hauntingly original gothic mystery that requires your full attention. It’s not an easy read—it’s slow-burning, purposefully confusing at times, and packed with symbolism. But if you’re open to something fresh and unconventional—a story without clichés or predictable formulas—you should absolutely give this book a chance.
Yes, I felt frustrated at moments. Yes, my head hurt trying to piece it all together. But I loved how weird and bold and imaginative it was. And for that alone, I’m rounding my 3.5 stars up to a solid 4 haunted-house-of-secrets stars!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books / Delacorte Press for sharing this uniquely strange and atmospheric gothic thriller with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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At first, I had a hard time getting into it. The world-building is dense and mysterious—the country is divided into North and South, there’s a glaring class disparity, and a procedure exists that’s meant to give children from impoverished families a chance at a better life. But the heart of this story is the enigmatic and eerie House of Quiet, and trying to understand it was like walking through fog.
What is this place? Is it an asylum? A secret government facility? Why are only the children of the rich being treated there, when this program was supposed to help the poor? What kind of “treatments” are happening behind closed doors? Who is the Housewife, the ghostlike figure who glides through the halls, assigning cryptic tasks to her chosen maids? And what really happened to Birdie’s sister, Magpie? Could she still be hidden somewhere behind the many locked doors? Why are so many of the rooms empty? What is the red circle? What happens in the dreams? Can anyone actually leave this place?
From the first chapter, my brain was spinning with questions. And as I read further, I got more questions than answers. The author masterfully keeps us in the dark, and although the pacing felt slow at times (a bit frustrating, I admit!), the creativity, tense atmosphere, and hope of eventual answers pushed me to keep reading. And I’m glad I did, because the ending was satisfyingly eerie and well worth the effort.
The premise:
The story is set in the House of Quiet, a strange, gothic building surrounded by a deadly bog. It's where children are sent after undergoing a mysterious procedure that unleashes powers beyond their control. While it was meant to be a program for those in poverty, every child inside the House is from a wealthy background—which immediately raises red flags.
Birdie, our fierce and determined heroine, gave up six years of her life to work as a maid, saving up enough money for her sister Magpie to undergo the procedure. But when she finally returns home, Magpie is missing—and her parents seem oddly indifferent. Birdie soon learns that Magpie may have been sent to the House of Quiet, and she blackmails her way in, agreeing to act as a spy for Dr. Bramble, who suspects something is terribly wrong with the treatments being carried out there.
Inside the House, Birdie works alongside two other maids:
Minnow, mysterious and possibly hiding her true identity. She seems inexperienced with chores, hinting she may not be who she claims to be.
Rabbit, strange, erratic, and always a bit out of it—yet she somehow becomes the Housewife’s favorite, gaining access to secrets Birdie desperately needs to uncover.
And then there are the patients—affluent teens with unusual abilities:
Dawn, who can transfer her feelings to others.
Sky, volatile and aggressive, constantly testing Birdie.
Lake, a charming liar who thrives on deception.
River, clever, friendly, and suspiciously close with Minnow (yes, there are definite romantic sparks between them!).
Nimbus, the quiet son of a powerful minister. He once encouraged Birdie’s curiosity, leaving books behind that helped her teach herself to read. Now, he's a husk of his former self, needing to be fed and cared for like a child.
And there's another boy, also named River—stoic, silent, and intense—with deep blue eyes that Birdie finds herself inexplicably drawn to.
Birdie’s mission is clear: find out what happened to Magpie. But uncovering the truth might mean risking her own life, as the secrets within the House grow darker and more dangerous with each passing day. Could the truth cost everyone inside their sanity—or their lives?
Overall:
This is a smart, hauntingly original gothic mystery that requires your full attention. It’s not an easy read—it’s slow-burning, purposefully confusing at times, and packed with symbolism. But if you’re open to something fresh and unconventional—a story without clichés or predictable formulas—you should absolutely give this book a chance.
Yes, I felt frustrated at moments. Yes, my head hurt trying to piece it all together. But I loved how weird and bold and imaginative it was. And for that alone, I’m rounding my 3.5 stars up to a solid 4 haunted-house-of-secrets stars!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books / Delacorte Press for sharing this uniquely strange and atmospheric gothic thriller with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
August 23, 2025
When Birdie enters The House of Quiet as a maid searching for her sister, she doesn’t expect to find a group of young people who have all undergone the procedure and now live in the house. They soon become her allies, and that’s where the story really shines.
What stood out most to me was how unique each character felt, every one of them had their own personality, which made the story engaging. The pacing is definitely a slow burn, but it wraps up with a quick and satisfying ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books | Delacorte Press for the ARC!
What stood out most to me was how unique each character felt, every one of them had their own personality, which made the story engaging. The pacing is definitely a slow burn, but it wraps up with a quick and satisfying ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s Books | Delacorte Press for the ARC!
December 7, 2025
The House of Quiet is a YA Dystopian-Fantasy novel that follows Birdie, as she tries to rescue her sister from the infamous House of Quiet.
The House is a place where children are sent after Procedures trigger powers that leave them unable to live in regular society. Think Miss Peregrine's, or Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children, but in this story the children are more like indentured hostages.
Birdie blackmails her way into admission at the house under the guise that she's a housemaid. She figures once she's there, she can easily locate her sister, Magpie, and they'll be able to escape somehow; hopefully.
Unfortunately, once she's at the house, Birdie sees no signs of Magpie having been there. Instead what she finds is a house steeped in mysteries, that functions nothing like she thought it would.
Though she hoped to keep her head down and focus solely on her mission, Birdie can't help but be drawn into the lives of the other residents and staff. It's after she forges some surprising new relationships, that Birdie begins to unravel the truth of the House of Quiet.
This was good, but I wouldn't say it will be memorable for me. It felt in the same vein as The Hunger Games, or The Good Luck Girls, and it has some interesting concepts, but at the end of the day, it feels forgettable.
I am left wanting more exploration of the world, though, which isn't a bad thing. I'm wondering if this will be developed into a series, or maybe a duology?
I read this one with a friend, and I feel like we both had the same feelings as far as the world-building goes. We had a lot of questions. I wish it would be explored further, it just felt very opaque.
It has some popular dystopian-features, the way the society is divided, and the stark landscape and rather bleak life prospects of the characters. Even though it's tagged as Gothic, and I get that, to me it felt much more Dystopian, even bordering a little on Steampunk. That's more the vibe in my experience anyway.
I did get pulled in pretty quickly. I found it all quite puzzling, and initially I did enjoy trying to figure it all out, but I felt like the author could have answered more.
There's a lot of different aspects to follow here, including an underground resistance, which I enjoy, I just didn't feel like I learned enough about the one in this story to care.
As mentioned above, after finishing, I walked away feeling like it wasn't that memorable and wondering what the point was. It feels unfinished. I had a hard time deciding how to rate it, so ultimately ended up giving it a 3-star. It's good, but not great.
However, with all of this being said, if there was a sequel, I would pick it up, because I have a lot of questions I still want answers for. We'll see if that happens.
Thank you to the publisher, Delacorte Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I've read so many books from White, and always appreciate her creative concepts and willingness to take risks with her writing.
I'll definitely be picking up whatever she writes next!
The House is a place where children are sent after Procedures trigger powers that leave them unable to live in regular society. Think Miss Peregrine's, or Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children, but in this story the children are more like indentured hostages.
Birdie blackmails her way into admission at the house under the guise that she's a housemaid. She figures once she's there, she can easily locate her sister, Magpie, and they'll be able to escape somehow; hopefully.
Unfortunately, once she's at the house, Birdie sees no signs of Magpie having been there. Instead what she finds is a house steeped in mysteries, that functions nothing like she thought it would.
Though she hoped to keep her head down and focus solely on her mission, Birdie can't help but be drawn into the lives of the other residents and staff. It's after she forges some surprising new relationships, that Birdie begins to unravel the truth of the House of Quiet.
This was good, but I wouldn't say it will be memorable for me. It felt in the same vein as The Hunger Games, or The Good Luck Girls, and it has some interesting concepts, but at the end of the day, it feels forgettable.
I am left wanting more exploration of the world, though, which isn't a bad thing. I'm wondering if this will be developed into a series, or maybe a duology?
I read this one with a friend, and I feel like we both had the same feelings as far as the world-building goes. We had a lot of questions. I wish it would be explored further, it just felt very opaque.
It has some popular dystopian-features, the way the society is divided, and the stark landscape and rather bleak life prospects of the characters. Even though it's tagged as Gothic, and I get that, to me it felt much more Dystopian, even bordering a little on Steampunk. That's more the vibe in my experience anyway.
I did get pulled in pretty quickly. I found it all quite puzzling, and initially I did enjoy trying to figure it all out, but I felt like the author could have answered more.
There's a lot of different aspects to follow here, including an underground resistance, which I enjoy, I just didn't feel like I learned enough about the one in this story to care.
As mentioned above, after finishing, I walked away feeling like it wasn't that memorable and wondering what the point was. It feels unfinished. I had a hard time deciding how to rate it, so ultimately ended up giving it a 3-star. It's good, but not great.
However, with all of this being said, if there was a sequel, I would pick it up, because I have a lot of questions I still want answers for. We'll see if that happens.
Thank you to the publisher, Delacorte Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I've read so many books from White, and always appreciate her creative concepts and willingness to take risks with her writing.
I'll definitely be picking up whatever she writes next!
November 5, 2025
This novel develops from a very original concept. It is set in another world that turns on a severe class system. Less privileged folks can send their children for a procedure which will give them some sort of psychic super ability which grants them a higher paying job, that is if the procedure doesn't go horribly wrong. It only works on children when it works at all, but it is expensive and often the rest of the family works to cover the cost. Birdie, our protagonist, is desperately searching for her sister, Magpie, who had the procedure while Birdie was away working to pay for it. The government has informed her family that Magpie will not be returning, and they gave them an enormous sum of money to help them forget about her. Birdie's parents seem to accept this, as in this world many parents only really have children as a means to an end. This enrages Birdie who misses her sister and won't accept that she's gone. Birdie goes undercover, taking an unusual job at The House of Sleep where she thinks Magpie may have been sent. She hopes to find her sister before the eerie forces at work in the house take too much of a toll on her.
One of the most beautiful thematic aspects of The House of Quiet is witnessing Birdie's personal evolution. As a servant, she has trained herself not to want anything for herself personally. She rarely expects anyone to show her any consideration. Over the course of the narrative, I loved seeing Birdie's self image shift, I loved seeing her develop strong friendships which were truly mutual, and I loved seeing her realize her own inner strength. Readers can tell from her inner dialogue that she has always been a strong young woman, but it's so much fun when she realizes it too and doesn't apologize for it.
I enjoyed the book, and it's a fast, quick read with fluid, well written prose. I debated between a 3 & a 4--really this is probably a 3.5 for me. To explain, I do encourage folks who like fantasy, particularly creepy fantasy, to check it out of the library--it is unlike anything I have ever read before. But it isn't one that I will read again, and I probably didn't need to add it to my bookcase. It's a fun, at times fascinating, read; it's well written and entertaining. The subject matter is innovative. But it simply lacks the emotional depth of her last two novels. The biggest issue is that Birdie's primary motivation is a deep seated love for her sister, but we never really see why or where that comes from. We witness only a very surface level glimpse of the sisters' past--one image of them playing together. The world they are born into is horrible, and their parents are uncaring, but we know this because we have been told about it. We don't see it enough to feel it deeply. I think perhaps if the story had begun when the sisters were younger and sharing experiences, we would understand Birdie's drive.
Again, I do think this is worth the read. This author excels at conveying very complicated action sequences, complex world building, and a number of other situations which are difficult to describe clearly. Best of all, she's always original. I admire those aspects of her prose so much. I found the book just creepy enough not to want to read it alone, late at night. The society, the whole world really, is so unique--you really have never seen this story before--so an innovative fairytale-like fantasy it most certainly is! But I probably should have gotten it for free from the public library.
One of the most beautiful thematic aspects of The House of Quiet is witnessing Birdie's personal evolution. As a servant, she has trained herself not to want anything for herself personally. She rarely expects anyone to show her any consideration. Over the course of the narrative, I loved seeing Birdie's self image shift, I loved seeing her develop strong friendships which were truly mutual, and I loved seeing her realize her own inner strength. Readers can tell from her inner dialogue that she has always been a strong young woman, but it's so much fun when she realizes it too and doesn't apologize for it.
I enjoyed the book, and it's a fast, quick read with fluid, well written prose. I debated between a 3 & a 4--really this is probably a 3.5 for me. To explain, I do encourage folks who like fantasy, particularly creepy fantasy, to check it out of the library--it is unlike anything I have ever read before. But it isn't one that I will read again, and I probably didn't need to add it to my bookcase. It's a fun, at times fascinating, read; it's well written and entertaining. The subject matter is innovative. But it simply lacks the emotional depth of her last two novels. The biggest issue is that Birdie's primary motivation is a deep seated love for her sister, but we never really see why or where that comes from. We witness only a very surface level glimpse of the sisters' past--one image of them playing together. The world they are born into is horrible, and their parents are uncaring, but we know this because we have been told about it. We don't see it enough to feel it deeply. I think perhaps if the story had begun when the sisters were younger and sharing experiences, we would understand Birdie's drive.
Again, I do think this is worth the read. This author excels at conveying very complicated action sequences, complex world building, and a number of other situations which are difficult to describe clearly. Best of all, she's always original. I admire those aspects of her prose so much. I found the book just creepy enough not to want to read it alone, late at night. The society, the whole world really, is so unique--you really have never seen this story before--so an innovative fairytale-like fantasy it most certainly is! But I probably should have gotten it for free from the public library.
December 15, 2025
Class politics take on a darkly fantastical transformation in this quick-paced, found-family thriller. I like how the premise starts simple – a young woman looking for her sister – and then blossoms from there, with new layers being added as the story progresses. This story is an unabashed exploration of class and social politics, and of how those in power and those with access to technological advantages use them to exploit others. The commentary is heavy-handed but never feels didactic or unnecessary; the story is stitched together with details about class sensibilities and awareness, from the characters’ names to the main character’s anxieties about how well she does her job even as her job is simply a cover for her search. The politics here are wildly simplified, but it works for the story being told (especially considering this is a YA novel). The reason it works is because it is well supported by the writing, which is fast paced, just a little moody and bordering gothic, and while at times mysterious quite inviting and even entrancing, easy to read but definitely snagging your attention and not letting go. The plotting feels mostly balanced, with the climactic scene feeling a little bit neat and tidy, maybe a little rushed considering everything that happens, but leading up to it there is enough happening to keep the characters’ goals always in sight and the narrative tension always rising. The story does live by its characters, who are great. We move across perspectives a bit, which helps the story stay a little puzzling and mysterious, and gives glimpses of the inner lives of a number of the ancillary characters, but we mostly follow Birdie as she struggles with the social expectations and demands of her class while straining against whatever people try to confine her with. She has a sense of depth and purpose that keeps the story engaging. As I said there really is a found family feeling in the narrative, though it is one that is filled with suspicion and seemingly supernatural abilities.
Nothing in the story is overly complicated, including the overall motivation – rich men are going to be rich men, basically – but the way events unfold is unexpected and entertaining. In addition to explicit commentary on gender and class politics there are explorations of devotion, family, responsibility, and learning how to discover and celebrate your individual strengths, the things about you that mark you as different. This story wears its emotions and ideals on its sleeve, and if it didn’t flow so smoothly and quickly the plot might feel a little thin. However, as it is, it does a great job of clearly building the world and environment, adding enough mystery to keep things a little off kilter while still eminently recognizable, and then doesn’t waste time or linger in its storytelling. It does play things a little safe, perhaps, but still engenders a sense of accomplishment that feels earned. I wish there was a little more of the unexpected, and maybe a few more risks taken both narratively and in terms of the characters, but I enjoyed the story told and think the brevity and pacing work in its favor in that regard. I can see another version of this book that is maybe 100 pages longer and has more nuance, more twists, and a sharper cutting edge to it, and I would happily read that story, too. This one, though, gets in and out and is a fun ride throughout.
(Rounded from 3.5)
Nothing in the story is overly complicated, including the overall motivation – rich men are going to be rich men, basically – but the way events unfold is unexpected and entertaining. In addition to explicit commentary on gender and class politics there are explorations of devotion, family, responsibility, and learning how to discover and celebrate your individual strengths, the things about you that mark you as different. This story wears its emotions and ideals on its sleeve, and if it didn’t flow so smoothly and quickly the plot might feel a little thin. However, as it is, it does a great job of clearly building the world and environment, adding enough mystery to keep things a little off kilter while still eminently recognizable, and then doesn’t waste time or linger in its storytelling. It does play things a little safe, perhaps, but still engenders a sense of accomplishment that feels earned. I wish there was a little more of the unexpected, and maybe a few more risks taken both narratively and in terms of the characters, but I enjoyed the story told and think the brevity and pacing work in its favor in that regard. I can see another version of this book that is maybe 100 pages longer and has more nuance, more twists, and a sharper cutting edge to it, and I would happily read that story, too. This one, though, gets in and out and is a fun ride throughout.
(Rounded from 3.5)
September 4, 2025
3.5 stars - out of my comfort zone with the fantasy elements but a very solid mystery!!
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October 1, 2025
I have no idea what I just read 🤣
October 11, 2025
⋆.˚✮ 3.75 stars ✮˚.⋆
September 9, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley and Delacorte for the pre-release copy of The House of Quiet by Kiersten White. Below you'll find my honest review.
Well, this book chastised me. It wagged its pointer finger at me and said, "Shame on you for not having gone back and read any of Kiersten White's YA stuff. Shame on you for only having read Hide and Mister Magic! SHAME!"
I absolutely LOVED this one. She does some amazing worldbuilding, and the crazy part about that is that she does it with a story in ONE house in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE cut off from the rest of the world. Does she answer everything? No. Does it take a while to fully grasp the entire structure of the powers/the procedure/etc? Yes. But that doesn't matter because she's got a great group of characters that make you want to keep reading so you can find out whatever little tidbit comes next.
I adored some of the side characters the most - Lake and her weirdness, Dawn and her search for purpose and meaning, Forest and his silent fortitude - but the main characters were also strong and well developed. They were easy to root for, for sure.
Five stars, and I really, really hope this is going to be at least a duology. I need more in this world!!! Highly recommended.
Well, this book chastised me. It wagged its pointer finger at me and said, "Shame on you for not having gone back and read any of Kiersten White's YA stuff. Shame on you for only having read Hide and Mister Magic! SHAME!"
I absolutely LOVED this one. She does some amazing worldbuilding, and the crazy part about that is that she does it with a story in ONE house in the MIDDLE OF NOWHERE cut off from the rest of the world. Does she answer everything? No. Does it take a while to fully grasp the entire structure of the powers/the procedure/etc? Yes. But that doesn't matter because she's got a great group of characters that make you want to keep reading so you can find out whatever little tidbit comes next.
I adored some of the side characters the most - Lake and her weirdness, Dawn and her search for purpose and meaning, Forest and his silent fortitude - but the main characters were also strong and well developed. They were easy to root for, for sure.
Five stars, and I really, really hope this is going to be at least a duology. I need more in this world!!! Highly recommended.
November 2, 2025
A house, a missing little sister, and one determined older sister - she will find her sister or die trying.
Birdie has tracked her little sister's last location to The Quiet House - an secluded private house that seems to secret away children and disappear them. Birdie was forced into being a maid in other's houses in order to earn money to pay for a procedure for her sister. One that would unlock an 'ability' in her sister and, hopefully, bring her family out of poverty. But first, Birdie had to work for her sister.
But when Birdie knows her siter, Magpie, should have had the procedure done, she comes back home only to find her gone. She pulls strings, threatens and manipulates and gets her next position at The Quiet House.
This was an interesting story and was really compelling to start. I wanted to know more about the kids in the house but also more about Cook and House Wife. There is a lot of mystery and it kept me flipping the pages.
If this is a series, I'll definitely read the next one. This one left me wanting to know more about how we got to this point, about the North. I'd take the story after or before as I think both would be interesting.
Birdie has tracked her little sister's last location to The Quiet House - an secluded private house that seems to secret away children and disappear them. Birdie was forced into being a maid in other's houses in order to earn money to pay for a procedure for her sister. One that would unlock an 'ability' in her sister and, hopefully, bring her family out of poverty. But first, Birdie had to work for her sister.
But when Birdie knows her siter, Magpie, should have had the procedure done, she comes back home only to find her gone. She pulls strings, threatens and manipulates and gets her next position at The Quiet House.
This was an interesting story and was really compelling to start. I wanted to know more about the kids in the house but also more about Cook and House Wife. There is a lot of mystery and it kept me flipping the pages.
If this is a series, I'll definitely read the next one. This one left me wanting to know more about how we got to this point, about the North. I'd take the story after or before as I think both would be interesting.
September 21, 2025
I literally could not put this book down!!
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October 30, 2025Read: October 17th - October 30th
Format: E-Book
Rating: DNF %31 percent, no rating
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I don't know what it is about this book, but I cannot for the life of me get into it. Nothing stands out and sticks in my mind. I stepped away from it for a few days in wonder if it was a mood thing, but I just came back to lots of names that I had to struggle to remember why mattered, which is a failing because that's just how much the characters blurred into my mind. They seem like they might have distinct things that are supposed to make them stand out, but the writing style is just so distant that I blank on them.
There are hints of something interesting here, but I find myself more confused than intrigued most of the time. All the indistinct characters and stuff doesn't help me at all.
This is likely a 'just-me' thing, because I see a lot of people seem to enjoy it. I want to try to finish it, but nothing about the first 30% has convinced me that it's worth the effort and brain power to push onward. This book just is not meant for me, so I'm just not going to force myself through it. Too many other stuff I have that I want to read.
Format: E-Book
Rating: DNF %31 percent, no rating
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I don't know what it is about this book, but I cannot for the life of me get into it. Nothing stands out and sticks in my mind. I stepped away from it for a few days in wonder if it was a mood thing, but I just came back to lots of names that I had to struggle to remember why mattered, which is a failing because that's just how much the characters blurred into my mind. They seem like they might have distinct things that are supposed to make them stand out, but the writing style is just so distant that I blank on them.
There are hints of something interesting here, but I find myself more confused than intrigued most of the time. All the indistinct characters and stuff doesn't help me at all.
This is likely a 'just-me' thing, because I see a lot of people seem to enjoy it. I want to try to finish it, but nothing about the first 30% has convinced me that it's worth the effort and brain power to push onward. This book just is not meant for me, so I'm just not going to force myself through it. Too many other stuff I have that I want to read.
September 9, 2025
2.25 🌟 rounded down
I debated rating this 2 (2.25 rounded down) or 3 stars (2.5 rounded up). But honestly, if this book hadn’t been an ARC, I would have DNF’d it early on.
Ultimately, I found the book concept interesting (why I requested it), but its execution was very confusing. I enjoyed the characters, mainly the kids in the House of Quiet. They were all well-developed. However, their various abilities are never fully detailed, and neither is the world in general. There are some vague mentions of north vs south, and some blatant classism is going on, but this is never fleshed out in a way that brings everything together. I wish this background information had been laid out at the beginning of the book. Instead, it was presented in bits and pieces throughout the novel, which didn’t add up to a complete narrative. I was left with more questions than answers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC.
I debated rating this 2 (2.25 rounded down) or 3 stars (2.5 rounded up). But honestly, if this book hadn’t been an ARC, I would have DNF’d it early on.
Ultimately, I found the book concept interesting (why I requested it), but its execution was very confusing. I enjoyed the characters, mainly the kids in the House of Quiet. They were all well-developed. However, their various abilities are never fully detailed, and neither is the world in general. There are some vague mentions of north vs south, and some blatant classism is going on, but this is never fleshed out in a way that brings everything together. I wish this background information had been laid out at the beginning of the book. Instead, it was presented in bits and pieces throughout the novel, which didn’t add up to a complete narrative. I was left with more questions than answers.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC.
September 15, 2025
Overall Rating : B-
"...Magpie in the tree, are you looking for me?"
...Birdie in the bush, will you learn to shush?"
First I was intrigued....then confused....then even more confused.....then thoroughly invested as it all came together...all to be confused at the end.
"...Magpie in the tree, are you looking for me?"
...Birdie in the bush, will you learn to shush?"
First I was intrigued....then confused....then even more confused.....then thoroughly invested as it all came together...all to be confused at the end.
September 12, 2025
my rating is 4.25
I found this story so engaging. It's not a fast paced novel but still moves along and keep the reader's interest piqued. One of the things I really liked was that the mystery continued right to the end and wasn't easy to guess. That's good writing!
The characters were very well done (the narrator really helped bring them to life) and the tension was high, not knowing who to trust. The main character, Birdie, has a driving force within her and she uses that to push the story forward, never losing sight of her main goal, her sister Magpie.
The world building was done very well and so atmospheric, considering the entire book takes place in a house they can never leave. Very good suspense building! Especially through the great ending.
I found this story so engaging. It's not a fast paced novel but still moves along and keep the reader's interest piqued. One of the things I really liked was that the mystery continued right to the end and wasn't easy to guess. That's good writing!
The characters were very well done (the narrator really helped bring them to life) and the tension was high, not knowing who to trust. The main character, Birdie, has a driving force within her and she uses that to push the story forward, never losing sight of her main goal, her sister Magpie.
The world building was done very well and so atmospheric, considering the entire book takes place in a house they can never leave. Very good suspense building! Especially through the great ending.
September 14, 2025
What a weird little story, I loved it.
November 23, 2025
4.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Kiersten White is definitely becoming one of my autobuy authors. Even though The House of Quiet was a YA novel, it definitely had a deep enough plot and complex enough characters where I didn't even really even feel like I was reading a book for younger audiences.
I loved that even with all of the dark themes and the spooky elements, there was this hope underneath it all. The characters were all alone in this creepy gothic house for children who underwent a "procedure" to give them powers - but nothing was as it seemed. I loved the aspect of found family and trust. While the plot twists weren't jaw-droppingly shocking, they were still unexpected in a really pleasant way that made my heart feel full.
I loved this unique, dystopian world that I was thrown into, with the slow-burning mystery which kept me on my toes until the last pages. I really feel like I picked this one up at the perfect time, and I really enjoyed this one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Kiersten White is definitely becoming one of my autobuy authors. Even though The House of Quiet was a YA novel, it definitely had a deep enough plot and complex enough characters where I didn't even really even feel like I was reading a book for younger audiences.
I loved that even with all of the dark themes and the spooky elements, there was this hope underneath it all. The characters were all alone in this creepy gothic house for children who underwent a "procedure" to give them powers - but nothing was as it seemed. I loved the aspect of found family and trust. While the plot twists weren't jaw-droppingly shocking, they were still unexpected in a really pleasant way that made my heart feel full.
I loved this unique, dystopian world that I was thrown into, with the slow-burning mystery which kept me on my toes until the last pages. I really feel like I picked this one up at the perfect time, and I really enjoyed this one.
September 27, 2025
3 STARS
Overall, I think this was a decent story, but lacked something that caused me to never fully be invested in the story or the characters. Unfortunately I had to push myself to finish and it was a bit confusing at times. What I did like was the uniqueness of the plot and I truly did not know where it was going to go throughout most of it. I feel like some of the relationships in the house had the potential to really suck you in, but I did not understand how they came about so quickly. Would recommend if you like mystery/thrillers with unique storyline and found family.
Thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and the author for the eArc and opportunity to provide my review!
Overall, I think this was a decent story, but lacked something that caused me to never fully be invested in the story or the characters. Unfortunately I had to push myself to finish and it was a bit confusing at times. What I did like was the uniqueness of the plot and I truly did not know where it was going to go throughout most of it. I feel like some of the relationships in the house had the potential to really suck you in, but I did not understand how they came about so quickly. Would recommend if you like mystery/thrillers with unique storyline and found family.
Thanks to NetGalley, Random House, and the author for the eArc and opportunity to provide my review!
May 4, 2025
So anyway, picture this, me at 2 AM, Kindle in hand, having just finished this book. Tears streaming in rivulets down my face. Perhaps in ample quantity to fate aforementioned Kindle to be waterlogged.
Yeah. What started off as an eerie, unsettling story blossomed into the most moving tale of found family and inner strength I’ve read in a very long time.
Vibe-wise, I’d comp to The Umbrella Academy x Miss Peregrine’s x Monster House x The Orphanage. But the story is also uniquely its own, and is not trying to mimic any of those existing stories.
Wow. Okay. Let me go find some tissues now.
Yeah. What started off as an eerie, unsettling story blossomed into the most moving tale of found family and inner strength I’ve read in a very long time.
Vibe-wise, I’d comp to The Umbrella Academy x Miss Peregrine’s x Monster House x The Orphanage. But the story is also uniquely its own, and is not trying to mimic any of those existing stories.
Wow. Okay. Let me go find some tissues now.
September 9, 2025
This was not for me. I enjoyed the writing style, it was easy to read. I found the story to be a bit boring and confusing though.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Read
September 6, 2025Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy
The House of Quiet by Kiersten White is a third person multi-POV YA gothic fantasy. In order to save her sister, Birdie takes a job at the House of Quiet, a home for children who have had the Procedure to give them special gifts, such as the ability to control the feelings of others, but those gifts are too terrible for them to be out and about in society. But Birdie notices that another one of the maids doesn’t seem to know much about housekeeping and starts to suspect something else is going on. Birdie will find out the secrets of the House of Quiet and the reason beyond the Procedure as well as helping the other children.
This is kind of like a somewhat stripped down Stranger Things where it’s doing the teen horror thing, the mystery aspects, the lead looking for a lost friend/sibling, and the children having psychic powers forced upon them. It doesn’t have the same feel to it as Stranger Things as there is a bit of a tonal difference and the setting is quite different on top of the lack of 80s pop culture references that made it a love letter to a time gone by. This has a more Victorian vibe and the overall conspiracy aspects are more linked to the mystery rather than something X-files is like the adult story line in Stranger Things.
The genre is a bit more tricky to neatly box because it’s ultimately a paranormal gothic horror mystery in a secondary world. It’s blending a lot of different genres but the consistent feature is the atmospheric prose that is embedded in Birdie’s narrative voice and the horror that comes up in a few other POVs when they have a chance to be seen. Because it’s the gothic elements that really seem to shine, I would say that this is more of a gothic than anything else, leaning towards a gothic mystery. The secondary world aspects are featured the most strongly in naming conventions and bits and pieces the reader gets over time of how northerners are treated.
The idea of a procedure in order for young children to get powers and technically everyone has access to it as long as they can pay for it is both very cool and reflective of capitalism. Everyone has equal chances in theory, but the truth is that most people don’t and in order to get that access, someone has to pay the price. In the case of Birdie and her sister, Magpie, Birdie didn’t get to have the Procedure done and had to start working at a very young age so that Magpie could have one. There is also an overarching concern for all of the children who have had the Procedure as something has clearly gone very wrong in how they are treated versus the wealthy who are benefiting from their powers.
I would recommend this to fans of Stranger Things and readers of gothic fantasy who want a mystery plot
The House of Quiet by Kiersten White is a third person multi-POV YA gothic fantasy. In order to save her sister, Birdie takes a job at the House of Quiet, a home for children who have had the Procedure to give them special gifts, such as the ability to control the feelings of others, but those gifts are too terrible for them to be out and about in society. But Birdie notices that another one of the maids doesn’t seem to know much about housekeeping and starts to suspect something else is going on. Birdie will find out the secrets of the House of Quiet and the reason beyond the Procedure as well as helping the other children.
This is kind of like a somewhat stripped down Stranger Things where it’s doing the teen horror thing, the mystery aspects, the lead looking for a lost friend/sibling, and the children having psychic powers forced upon them. It doesn’t have the same feel to it as Stranger Things as there is a bit of a tonal difference and the setting is quite different on top of the lack of 80s pop culture references that made it a love letter to a time gone by. This has a more Victorian vibe and the overall conspiracy aspects are more linked to the mystery rather than something X-files is like the adult story line in Stranger Things.
The genre is a bit more tricky to neatly box because it’s ultimately a paranormal gothic horror mystery in a secondary world. It’s blending a lot of different genres but the consistent feature is the atmospheric prose that is embedded in Birdie’s narrative voice and the horror that comes up in a few other POVs when they have a chance to be seen. Because it’s the gothic elements that really seem to shine, I would say that this is more of a gothic than anything else, leaning towards a gothic mystery. The secondary world aspects are featured the most strongly in naming conventions and bits and pieces the reader gets over time of how northerners are treated.
The idea of a procedure in order for young children to get powers and technically everyone has access to it as long as they can pay for it is both very cool and reflective of capitalism. Everyone has equal chances in theory, but the truth is that most people don’t and in order to get that access, someone has to pay the price. In the case of Birdie and her sister, Magpie, Birdie didn’t get to have the Procedure done and had to start working at a very young age so that Magpie could have one. There is also an overarching concern for all of the children who have had the Procedure as something has clearly gone very wrong in how they are treated versus the wealthy who are benefiting from their powers.
I would recommend this to fans of Stranger Things and readers of gothic fantasy who want a mystery plot
October 6, 2025
This book honestly surprised me. The summary was intriguing enough to get me to pick it up but when I started reading it was very confusing. The world building is very wishy-washy and the formatting of some of the first initial chapters made deciphering what was happening very difficult. Naturally this was intentional and as you learn more of the world, the characters and pieces fall into place the beginning confusing parts all start to make sense and it starts to click.
There is a dark, gothic vibe to this book. At first some of the confusing scene depictions were coming off a little horrorish but ultimately this is a gothic fantasy thriller imo. The world is one divided into south and north, with the north being depicted as the bad guys, the rebels and troublemakers that the south is forced to fight against and keep in line. The naming conventions are based on where you’re from and your class also is a determining factor. The power element was very different… abilities we’ve seen before but gained thru a paid procedure rather than being born with it… and the truth of these powers is some crazy science.
Somehow in this weird adventure I still gained a book boyfriend and he barely even speaks but I love him. The absolute dedication he has to our FMC and keeping her safe and when I figured out who he was and then the actual reveal confirms it… ugh my heart😩 The other characters in this were all so well done and you kinda feel yourself growing attached and forming the friendship with them at the same time as Birdie does which I think is a great impact on the story. Would be interested in a sequel but this just released and with how it ended I can see this possibly being a standalone but easily continuing… I think the thriller intrigue/mystery would be lost tho so won’t get my hopes up.
There is a dark, gothic vibe to this book. At first some of the confusing scene depictions were coming off a little horrorish but ultimately this is a gothic fantasy thriller imo. The world is one divided into south and north, with the north being depicted as the bad guys, the rebels and troublemakers that the south is forced to fight against and keep in line. The naming conventions are based on where you’re from and your class also is a determining factor. The power element was very different… abilities we’ve seen before but gained thru a paid procedure rather than being born with it… and the truth of these powers is some crazy science.
Somehow in this weird adventure I still gained a book boyfriend and he barely even speaks but I love him. The absolute dedication he has to our FMC and keeping her safe and when I figured out who he was and then the actual reveal confirms it… ugh my heart😩 The other characters in this were all so well done and you kinda feel yourself growing attached and forming the friendship with them at the same time as Birdie does which I think is a great impact on the story. Would be interested in a sequel but this just released and with how it ended I can see this possibly being a standalone but easily continuing… I think the thriller intrigue/mystery would be lost tho so won’t get my hopes up.
October 18, 2025
What a strange little book! The cover is haunting.
I can completely see how this book wouldn't work for some readers. I liked how different it was from anything else I've read recently.
Atmospheric and mysterious. There are more questions than answers for much of the story. Set in some past time that felt a bit British to me. No idea why? There is a huge divide between the rich and the lower classes and a division between North and South. Children are forced to work to help support families. There is also a mysterious procedure done that given children abilities. These abilities can help a family gain wealth/increase their standing in society. I wished for a few more answers about the society and the procedure, but by the end got enough to understand.
Birdie is a maid by trade and has been one since the age of 10. She schemes her way into a position at the House of Quiet in her search for her sister. From the moment she sets foot in the carriage on the way to the House, strange things happen. The other maids don't quite seem like maids. The House does not function like a normal house. There are many questions about the house. Why are rich kids being sent there? Where did the other kids go? Who is in charge? Who is the Housewife?
Very unsettling. A sense of dread permeates this novel. Information is slowly revealed. Chapters alternate between Birdie and the other kids in the House. Birdie is a devoted sister who just wants to find and save her sister Magpie. This was confusing at times, but as I continued to read it started to make mores sense. The alternating chapters worked to reveal the different facets of the house and the people in it. The procedure gives children extra abilities. Dreamwalking, empathy, ability to control another person, etc. I loved these characters and how they came together to support each other and to find a way out of the House. Each one of them was unique.
A wonderfully unique novel with mystery and found family at it's core. It had a lot to say about power and class.
I can completely see how this book wouldn't work for some readers. I liked how different it was from anything else I've read recently.
Atmospheric and mysterious. There are more questions than answers for much of the story. Set in some past time that felt a bit British to me. No idea why? There is a huge divide between the rich and the lower classes and a division between North and South. Children are forced to work to help support families. There is also a mysterious procedure done that given children abilities. These abilities can help a family gain wealth/increase their standing in society. I wished for a few more answers about the society and the procedure, but by the end got enough to understand.
Birdie is a maid by trade and has been one since the age of 10. She schemes her way into a position at the House of Quiet in her search for her sister. From the moment she sets foot in the carriage on the way to the House, strange things happen. The other maids don't quite seem like maids. The House does not function like a normal house. There are many questions about the house. Why are rich kids being sent there? Where did the other kids go? Who is in charge? Who is the Housewife?
Very unsettling. A sense of dread permeates this novel. Information is slowly revealed. Chapters alternate between Birdie and the other kids in the House. Birdie is a devoted sister who just wants to find and save her sister Magpie. This was confusing at times, but as I continued to read it started to make mores sense. The alternating chapters worked to reveal the different facets of the house and the people in it. The procedure gives children extra abilities. Dreamwalking, empathy, ability to control another person, etc. I loved these characters and how they came together to support each other and to find a way out of the House. Each one of them was unique.
A wonderfully unique novel with mystery and found family at it's core. It had a lot to say about power and class.
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September 19, 2025
Not exactly for me.
The mismatch of expectations was evident right from the get go. This had more fantasy elements than I expected and they never quite fully captured my attention. While the House of Quiet as a setting was intriguing and very mysterious, the worldbuilding was too wishy-washy for me to have a solid hold of its implications and system behind it.
Birdie was a fine narrator. My one issue was the fact that she was too slow at seeing what was in front of her. Many of the revelations and twists throughout were obvious, if she had paid attention. I did appreciate her love for her sister, however, and what she was willing to do to find her.
The plot was okay. A little too straight-forward, perhaps, with some expected twists. The ending was still satisfying, especially when it came to Nimbus' character. I do wish we had a little more detail on the aftermath of Magpie, though.
The mismatch of expectations was evident right from the get go. This had more fantasy elements than I expected and they never quite fully captured my attention. While the House of Quiet as a setting was intriguing and very mysterious, the worldbuilding was too wishy-washy for me to have a solid hold of its implications and system behind it.
Birdie was a fine narrator. My one issue was the fact that she was too slow at seeing what was in front of her. Many of the revelations and twists throughout were obvious, if she had paid attention. I did appreciate her love for her sister, however, and what she was willing to do to find her.
The plot was okay. A little too straight-forward, perhaps, with some expected twists. The ending was still satisfying, especially when it came to Nimbus' character. I do wish we had a little more detail on the aftermath of Magpie, though.
December 27, 2025
Rating: 3.75 stars (rounded up)
The first half of this book, while perhaps slightly intriguing, was still a bit slower paced than I would have preferred.
There was a good level of telling rather than showing that kept distance between the reader and the story/characters, which had me struggling to find the protagonist relatable.
I thought the twist at the end was intriguing and there was a good amount of suspense in the second half to bump my rating.
Overall, this was a decent story, but I wish the pacing was ironed out at the beginning and I had a chance to fully put myself in the protagonist’s shoes.
The first half of this book, while perhaps slightly intriguing, was still a bit slower paced than I would have preferred.
There was a good level of telling rather than showing that kept distance between the reader and the story/characters, which had me struggling to find the protagonist relatable.
I thought the twist at the end was intriguing and there was a good amount of suspense in the second half to bump my rating.
Overall, this was a decent story, but I wish the pacing was ironed out at the beginning and I had a chance to fully put myself in the protagonist’s shoes.
June 15, 2025
I received this book as an arc, and I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for the chance to read this book early. My opinion is my own.
This book is very eerie and there is a lot going on. This is a book about a group of children who have been "mutated" to have superpowers of sort by the government. The main character, Birdie is looking for her sister who seems to have gotten lost in the system, and we get to ride with her on this wild ride to find out what exactly happened to her little sister. I spent most of the book absolutely, blissfully lost. I kept turning the pages wanting to know what was going on. I've read a lot of Kiersten White books at all levels of reading and I have always felt welcome and enjoyed reading them. She can write most genres and keep her audience. The only complaint and the reason why I only gave it four stars versus five was that the ending seemed to fall slightly flat. I kept waiting for the punch at the end. I hope that, because it was left open, that we will be seeing these characters again as they continue on their hero's journey.
This book is very eerie and there is a lot going on. This is a book about a group of children who have been "mutated" to have superpowers of sort by the government. The main character, Birdie is looking for her sister who seems to have gotten lost in the system, and we get to ride with her on this wild ride to find out what exactly happened to her little sister. I spent most of the book absolutely, blissfully lost. I kept turning the pages wanting to know what was going on. I've read a lot of Kiersten White books at all levels of reading and I have always felt welcome and enjoyed reading them. She can write most genres and keep her audience. The only complaint and the reason why I only gave it four stars versus five was that the ending seemed to fall slightly flat. I kept waiting for the punch at the end. I hope that, because it was left open, that we will be seeing these characters again as they continue on their hero's journey.
October 17, 2025
"The House of Quiet" gets better and better the farther along you get. The ending is stunning, all the pieces come together perfectly and not a single detail is wasted. An incredibly satisfying story. Sometimes I can't fathom how people make stuff like this. Kudos.
July 7, 2025
The House of Quiet follows Birdie as she enters the House, a pace for children whose Procedure created abilities too terrible to live with, in a desperate attempt to find her missing sister, Magpie. But nothing is as she thought. She finds aristocratic teens who shouldn’t have gone through the Procedure and mystery around every corner. But with another fellow maid suspicious of her and danger lurking everywhere, Birdie must work quickly to guard her heart and find her sister before the secrets of the Procedure destroy her.
Okay, I had such a good time reading this one! It’s so incredibly complex and there’s so many layers to the world building that keep you questioning everything until the very end. I was honestly confused at so many points, but it was a good confused. The book kept me hooked and on my toes and I loved the ending and twists. The author created a dark, eerie, haunting atmosphere beautifully. The setting really shines in this one, especially as they’re essentially trapped there.
I really enjoyed the characters in this one. Birdie was so easy to root for. She’s clever and strong and has this fierce, desperate desire to find her sister. I loved her character arc and her romance with Forest. It was so sweet and the ending was perfect. River, Dawn, Nimbus, and Lake were such good side characters and added some lovely humour. Minnow was also so much fun and I really loved her romance with River. Also her friendship with Birdie. The whole crew was really well written and I’d love to read more stories with them!
If you love dark, gothic fantasies with eerie, haunting settings and mystery, I’d definitely recommend checking this one out!
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc
Okay, I had such a good time reading this one! It’s so incredibly complex and there’s so many layers to the world building that keep you questioning everything until the very end. I was honestly confused at so many points, but it was a good confused. The book kept me hooked and on my toes and I loved the ending and twists. The author created a dark, eerie, haunting atmosphere beautifully. The setting really shines in this one, especially as they’re essentially trapped there.
I really enjoyed the characters in this one. Birdie was so easy to root for. She’s clever and strong and has this fierce, desperate desire to find her sister. I loved her character arc and her romance with Forest. It was so sweet and the ending was perfect. River, Dawn, Nimbus, and Lake were such good side characters and added some lovely humour. Minnow was also so much fun and I really loved her romance with River. Also her friendship with Birdie. The whole crew was really well written and I’d love to read more stories with them!
If you love dark, gothic fantasies with eerie, haunting settings and mystery, I’d definitely recommend checking this one out!
Thank you to Penguin Teen CA and Netgalley for the arc
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