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The Library of Lost Girls
When her sister returns from finishing school a total stranger, a teen seeks out the cause and discovers that the cost of becoming a perfect lady is much higher—and more sinister—than ever expected. A lush, gothic tale that will haunt readers long after they turn the last page.
Gwen Donavan adores her beautiful and rebellious older sister, Izzy. But the Izzy who returns from the Delphi School for Girls is not the sister who left. Now she is dull and complacent and—most shocking—eager to marry.
Gwen is determined to discover what happened to Izzy at Delphi, and the only solution she can conceive of is to cheat her way into the mysterious school. If she can see for herself what they did, maybe she can get her Izzy back.
But Delphi is far from the finishing school Gwen expects. Sinister shadows lurk in the hallways of the remote estate, and she is told to never leave her room after dark. More curious, though, are the thousands of books, each with the name of a girl on its spine. They line the walls from floor to ceiling, and the students are forbidden to read them.
Delphi says they’re reforming the girls, but when Gwen discovers a note left for her by her sister, she realizes that what is happening at the school is more terrifying than she could ever have imagined. There’s something dark at the center of Delphi, and somehow it’s tied to those books—and to the girls who are sent there. And if Gwen doesn’t confront what hides in the shadows, it won’t be just Izzy who’s lost forever.
Gwen Donavan adores her beautiful and rebellious older sister, Izzy. But the Izzy who returns from the Delphi School for Girls is not the sister who left. Now she is dull and complacent and—most shocking—eager to marry.
Gwen is determined to discover what happened to Izzy at Delphi, and the only solution she can conceive of is to cheat her way into the mysterious school. If she can see for herself what they did, maybe she can get her Izzy back.
But Delphi is far from the finishing school Gwen expects. Sinister shadows lurk in the hallways of the remote estate, and she is told to never leave her room after dark. More curious, though, are the thousands of books, each with the name of a girl on its spine. They line the walls from floor to ceiling, and the students are forbidden to read them.
Delphi says they’re reforming the girls, but when Gwen discovers a note left for her by her sister, she realizes that what is happening at the school is more terrifying than she could ever have imagined. There’s something dark at the center of Delphi, and somehow it’s tied to those books—and to the girls who are sent there. And if Gwen doesn’t confront what hides in the shadows, it won’t be just Izzy who’s lost forever.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2025
50 people are currently reading
2034 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
August 20, 2025
ARC for review. To be published October 28, 2025.
3 stars (young adults will enjoy it more).
Sisters Gwen and Izzy Donavan have always been close as can be until Izzy is sent away to the Delphi School for Girls after an incident. Four years later Izzy returns completely docile and totally changed. Gwen wants to find out what happened to her sister so she finagles to be sent to the same school.
When Gwen arrives she quickly understands this is no ordinary school; the building contains thousands of books, each inscribed with a girls’ name. Then Gwen learns about the Writing Room. Can Gwen and her friends figure out what is happening and can they make it stop?
The book was fine, but I’m not quite sure what age group it is directed toward. The story reads a bit young, but the relationships much older. It held my interest though even though two things bothered me: do these girls never go outside? And the girls certainly don’t speak like the book is set in 1893; you’re surprised they aren’t Instagramming their lives.
3 stars (young adults will enjoy it more).
Sisters Gwen and Izzy Donavan have always been close as can be until Izzy is sent away to the Delphi School for Girls after an incident. Four years later Izzy returns completely docile and totally changed. Gwen wants to find out what happened to her sister so she finagles to be sent to the same school.
When Gwen arrives she quickly understands this is no ordinary school; the building contains thousands of books, each inscribed with a girls’ name. Then Gwen learns about the Writing Room. Can Gwen and her friends figure out what is happening and can they make it stop?
The book was fine, but I’m not quite sure what age group it is directed toward. The story reads a bit young, but the relationships much older. It held my interest though even though two things bothered me: do these girls never go outside? And the girls certainly don’t speak like the book is set in 1893; you’re surprised they aren’t Instagramming their lives.
October 30, 2025
The premise of this is intriguing: Gwen’s sister has been at a finishing school for four years, and she comes back entirely changed. She’s not the carefree, wild Izzy of their childhood…and she doesn’t seem to remember much about that childhood. Izzy is also getting married, very shortly after returning home.
Gwen determines that she needs to get herself sent to the same school, and she’s successful. And then things get creepy. Shadows that seem to move unnaturally, students coming out of a punishment room and remembering absolutely nothing of what happened inside, and shelves of books that the girls aren’t allowed to even touch, let alone read. The hunt to find out what REALLY goes on begins…now.
——————
I did like this, and I really wanted to find out what the big reveal would be. However, I felt that it went on for too long, and a whole lot of nothing happened for a while. I wish some scenes had been merged together. Also, the ending was way too rushed, and it left me feeling slightly unsatisfied. The author *might* be planning another novel set in this world, and I’d love to read more about the magic system.
3.75 stars, rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Gwen determines that she needs to get herself sent to the same school, and she’s successful. And then things get creepy. Shadows that seem to move unnaturally, students coming out of a punishment room and remembering absolutely nothing of what happened inside, and shelves of books that the girls aren’t allowed to even touch, let alone read. The hunt to find out what REALLY goes on begins…now.
——————
I did like this, and I really wanted to find out what the big reveal would be. However, I felt that it went on for too long, and a whole lot of nothing happened for a while. I wish some scenes had been merged together. Also, the ending was way too rushed, and it left me feeling slightly unsatisfied. The author *might* be planning another novel set in this world, and I’d love to read more about the magic system.
3.75 stars, rounded up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 5, 2024
Love love loveddddd this book! It’s the perfect spooky season witchy meets horror. I couldn’t put it down!
December 25, 2025
Really interesting and exciting book!! The plot was sooo unique and the story was very well written!!! I took a star off because it was a bit confusing at times, but overall an awesome read!
Read
February 27, 2025sometimes my phase of being hyperfixated on greek mythology comes in handy
August 5, 2025
A fictional book but a very real reminder of a history of girls who had pieces of themselves ripped away to benefit men.
When her sister returns from the Delphi School for Girls, Gwen could not be more excited only to learn that she is very different than the wild girl she remembers and is excited to take her place as a respectable woman in society and marry a man she just met. Determined to uncover what could have changed her so much, Gwen acts out and gets herself a one-way ticket to the elusive school and finds that there is more walking the halls than just her classmates.
After reading this book its not lost on me that this begins with a wedding the very embodiment of what is expected of women and the signing away of autonomy as you enter a new stage of your life. Over the course of the book you see just how much of the horror is paralleled with real world examples of things that are still happening to further lock women away into little boxes from the expectation that they be respectable young ladies, with no mention of the boys and their behavior, to the fact that it is run by women who are aware of the abuses taking place but fall in line to benefit the men they hope pick them at the end.
All of the girls in this book deserve the world and I know some have their moments of betrayal but ultimately it is their unified effort and companionship that makes you root for them despite the odds of their success. Gwen is surrounded by girls from all walks of life who find themselves trapped on the island because they have too much power, a shared thing that makes them something to fear by the men outside and while they are not quite sure how to use their gifts they know that together they are stronger and that message alone is something we should all take from this book as the real world very much hopes to lock us away so we never realize how big of a difference we can make.
Such a good and very timely book that I could spend much more time speaking on if it wasn’t for spoilers but find me when it is released for all the ranting and praise!
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review!**
When her sister returns from the Delphi School for Girls, Gwen could not be more excited only to learn that she is very different than the wild girl she remembers and is excited to take her place as a respectable woman in society and marry a man she just met. Determined to uncover what could have changed her so much, Gwen acts out and gets herself a one-way ticket to the elusive school and finds that there is more walking the halls than just her classmates.
After reading this book its not lost on me that this begins with a wedding the very embodiment of what is expected of women and the signing away of autonomy as you enter a new stage of your life. Over the course of the book you see just how much of the horror is paralleled with real world examples of things that are still happening to further lock women away into little boxes from the expectation that they be respectable young ladies, with no mention of the boys and their behavior, to the fact that it is run by women who are aware of the abuses taking place but fall in line to benefit the men they hope pick them at the end.
All of the girls in this book deserve the world and I know some have their moments of betrayal but ultimately it is their unified effort and companionship that makes you root for them despite the odds of their success. Gwen is surrounded by girls from all walks of life who find themselves trapped on the island because they have too much power, a shared thing that makes them something to fear by the men outside and while they are not quite sure how to use their gifts they know that together they are stronger and that message alone is something we should all take from this book as the real world very much hopes to lock us away so we never realize how big of a difference we can make.
Such a good and very timely book that I could spend much more time speaking on if it wasn’t for spoilers but find me when it is released for all the ranting and praise!
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review!**
September 8, 2025
4.25 Stars
This book felt like it was written for the girls who loved House of Anubis growing up.
Four years after being sent to the Delphi School for Girls, Izzy returns to her sister, Gwen, a shell of her former self. Gwen, who has always idolized her sister's fiery spirit, then tricks her way into the sinister school that seemed to rob her sister of herself. At Delphi, Gwen discovers girls who are haunted by the shadows around them and, hopefully, a group of friends who can put an end to the suffering once and for all.
Between the description, the cover, the dark academia, and having everything I seek out in novels (the girls, the gays, and the gothic), I began to ask myself what's not to love about The Library of Lost Girls? Honestly, a bit of the story's execution.
I was a bit surprised to find that this book takes place in 1893 based on the descriptions and synopsis. The verbiage, setting, and overall writing tended more towards the modern than the Gilded Age. My best comparison is that it felt like Season 3 of Shonda Rhimes' Bridgerton over the book-accurate, Julia Quinn Romancing Mister Bridgerton.
In other words, you may have to look over a few instances of makeup/hairstyles/sayings/actions that do not reflect the time period you're reading about, but it's still a fun source of entertainment because the actual plot is, nevertheless, very good.
The only other thing I found lacking was the pacing. The plot starts strong, but becomes almost sluggish in the middle, and then the end draws everything together in a perfect manner that far exceeded my expectations. The journey to get the answers was definitely worth it, but it did require a bit of tricky navigation and, at times, a complete lack of the fantasy element that so drew me into the book.
At that, the fantasy element reminded me a lot of Crimson Peak. Not visible to the seeing eye at first, but obvious the more answers you get/the further you venture into this mysterious location. I thought if the supernatural experience in Chapter 1 was a lot more obviously supernatural (i.e., Edith seeing her mother's ghost after the funeral), then that essence could have carried the plot a lot farther than something merely suggestive.
To be clear, there are so many things to love about this book. The relationships between characters were poignant and believable. I loved the LGTBQ+ representation. Gwen as a main character was flawlessly executed--I was rooting for her from start to finish. I enjoyed how nuanced the character's motivations were, rather than being just black and white. I would give the epilogue alone five stars.
Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it to be a perfect Fall read, but I could also see this being a YA book that many older audiences find themselves enjoying less than its intended audience. So, in the chance you happen to be a parent/teacher/librarian considering purchasing this book for its intended audience, know they will (probably) love this.
This book felt like it was written for the girls who loved House of Anubis growing up.
Four years after being sent to the Delphi School for Girls, Izzy returns to her sister, Gwen, a shell of her former self. Gwen, who has always idolized her sister's fiery spirit, then tricks her way into the sinister school that seemed to rob her sister of herself. At Delphi, Gwen discovers girls who are haunted by the shadows around them and, hopefully, a group of friends who can put an end to the suffering once and for all.
Between the description, the cover, the dark academia, and having everything I seek out in novels (the girls, the gays, and the gothic), I began to ask myself what's not to love about The Library of Lost Girls? Honestly, a bit of the story's execution.
I was a bit surprised to find that this book takes place in 1893 based on the descriptions and synopsis. The verbiage, setting, and overall writing tended more towards the modern than the Gilded Age. My best comparison is that it felt like Season 3 of Shonda Rhimes' Bridgerton over the book-accurate, Julia Quinn Romancing Mister Bridgerton.
In other words, you may have to look over a few instances of makeup/hairstyles/sayings/actions that do not reflect the time period you're reading about, but it's still a fun source of entertainment because the actual plot is, nevertheless, very good.
The only other thing I found lacking was the pacing. The plot starts strong, but becomes almost sluggish in the middle, and then the end draws everything together in a perfect manner that far exceeded my expectations. The journey to get the answers was definitely worth it, but it did require a bit of tricky navigation and, at times, a complete lack of the fantasy element that so drew me into the book.
At that, the fantasy element reminded me a lot of Crimson Peak. Not visible to the seeing eye at first, but obvious the more answers you get/the further you venture into this mysterious location. I thought if the supernatural experience in Chapter 1 was a lot more obviously supernatural (i.e., Edith seeing her mother's ghost after the funeral), then that essence could have carried the plot a lot farther than something merely suggestive.
To be clear, there are so many things to love about this book. The relationships between characters were poignant and believable. I loved the LGTBQ+ representation. Gwen as a main character was flawlessly executed--I was rooting for her from start to finish. I enjoyed how nuanced the character's motivations were, rather than being just black and white. I would give the epilogue alone five stars.
Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it to be a perfect Fall read, but I could also see this being a YA book that many older audiences find themselves enjoying less than its intended audience. So, in the chance you happen to be a parent/teacher/librarian considering purchasing this book for its intended audience, know they will (probably) love this.
January 14, 2026
These characters!! This plot!! The mystery and how it all unfolds!! But most importantly, the relationships and power of women!! Absolutely loved this read, was a page turner for me I can’t recommend enough!
August 10, 2025
Started off strong and I was really intrigued by what was happening but lost steam about halfway through and got too bogged down by the every day life happenings at the school. I really don’t give a shit what they’re eating for breakfast or what they’re learning in class.
November 22, 2025
Wow!! What an incredible and moving YA gothic story. The mystery kept me turning the pages to figure out what was going to happen next. But it’s the relationships between the girls that are the biggest, emotional takeaway from this story. Can’t recommend this book enough!
Read
May 20, 2025Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
June 9, 2025
This is an excellent YA book that will certainly appeal to adults as well! It is fast-paced and has great subtle clues throughout the story. I highly recommend this book!! Excellent!!!
January 26, 2026
Fun one and cool to know of the author (thanks tori)
January 21, 2026
⭐️⭐️.25
Gwen’s free spirited sister, Izzy, returns from Delphi School for Girls changed and not for the better. In order to figure out why, Gwen gets herself sent to the school where she meets new friends and allies to help her along.
What I liked:
* the mystery of what was happening was fun and kept me interested
* Gwen was a good main character to follow. She was smart and persevered even when she didn’t feel adequate to the task
* love me a sapphic romantic subplot
What I didn’t like:
* I was kind of bored in the middle and didn’t feel connected to any of the characters. I just kept reading because I wanted to know what happens
* the book felt very surface level
Overall, a fun book but not one I’ll remember.
Gwen’s free spirited sister, Izzy, returns from Delphi School for Girls changed and not for the better. In order to figure out why, Gwen gets herself sent to the school where she meets new friends and allies to help her along.
What I liked:
* the mystery of what was happening was fun and kept me interested
* Gwen was a good main character to follow. She was smart and persevered even when she didn’t feel adequate to the task
* love me a sapphic romantic subplot
What I didn’t like:
* I was kind of bored in the middle and didn’t feel connected to any of the characters. I just kept reading because I wanted to know what happens
* the book felt very surface level
Overall, a fun book but not one I’ll remember.
January 14, 2026
I genuinely cannot understand why someone would write a book and end it immediately after the conflict without any sort of discussion among the people taking place in it. Not even with her sister, are you kidding me? So unsatisfying. Also I don’t understand the writing room situation, cause why didn’t a single girl before Gwens time think to bring a paper into the room, write what happens, and leave with it? And if Peacock was supposedly so willing to help them, why didn’t he talk to his companions and figure out to burn the pages so he could relay it to Gwen? Or why didn’t Gwen use her brain and piece together they could use fire? I will say though, the best part of this book though is that Gwen didn’t forgive Effie lolll she doesn’t deserve to be forgiven for that smh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2025
4.75⭐️
Wow! This book was worth the wait!! I had requested it a few months ago and it sat pending on NetGalley until the other day. So while I have other books to read and review before this, something drew me to it. This is a case where I definitely judged the book by its cover and it totally lives up to it!
This book had a bit of everything.. YA, sapphic, historical fiction dark fantasy academic with a touch of horror tones all rolled into one engaging read. The only thing that could have been a touch better was the suspense/ eeriness building for certain sections. But that was such a small thing that I could excuse it.
It was also a wicked unique premise that totally sucked me in. While it is YA, I think it’s fit for anyone who likes the other genres I mentioned. I enough the romance in the book as well and was pulling for them!
This books comes out the end of October 2025 and despite having the eARC I have already preordered a physical copy to have in my personal library.
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Delecourt Press through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My general rating system is below. Since I primarily read ARC books I rate according to how I think like minded readers will receive the book. I will round up or down depending on many factors and try not to let my personal wants affect a books ratings.
⭐️ Hated It but pushed through as I don’t DNF ARCs I have received.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, content issues, poorly edited.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but it had something that stopped me from rounding up. Usually the book may have much more potential than what was given. I recommend it but with reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Really enjoyed it or think others will. These are solid reads that I definitely would recommend for a variety of reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! These are books that remain rent free in my head for well after unfinished the book. It can be for a variety of reasons from being very well written or just the vibes that captured my mind. These books are also ones I would probably read again
Wow! This book was worth the wait!! I had requested it a few months ago and it sat pending on NetGalley until the other day. So while I have other books to read and review before this, something drew me to it. This is a case where I definitely judged the book by its cover and it totally lives up to it!
This book had a bit of everything.. YA, sapphic, historical fiction dark fantasy academic with a touch of horror tones all rolled into one engaging read. The only thing that could have been a touch better was the suspense/ eeriness building for certain sections. But that was such a small thing that I could excuse it.
It was also a wicked unique premise that totally sucked me in. While it is YA, I think it’s fit for anyone who likes the other genres I mentioned. I enough the romance in the book as well and was pulling for them!
This books comes out the end of October 2025 and despite having the eARC I have already preordered a physical copy to have in my personal library.
I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary eARC from Delecourt Press through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.
My general rating system is below. Since I primarily read ARC books I rate according to how I think like minded readers will receive the book. I will round up or down depending on many factors and try not to let my personal wants affect a books ratings.
⭐️ Hated It but pushed through as I don’t DNF ARCs I have received.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, content issues, poorly edited.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but it had something that stopped me from rounding up. Usually the book may have much more potential than what was given. I recommend it but with reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Really enjoyed it or think others will. These are solid reads that I definitely would recommend for a variety of reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! These are books that remain rent free in my head for well after unfinished the book. It can be for a variety of reasons from being very well written or just the vibes that captured my mind. These books are also ones I would probably read again
January 4, 2026
this book was amazing. I bought it two days ago and could not stop reading it. it was suspenseful and dramatic and well written. definitely one of my favourites
October 16, 2025
Thank you Get Underlined @getunderlined @randomhousekids #GetUnderlinedPartner Delacorte Press @delacortepress Netgalley @netgalley and Kristen Pipps @kristenpipps for this free book!
“The Library of Lost Girls” by Kristen Pipps⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Genre: YA Dark Academia. Location: An island off Nova Scotia, Canada. Time: 1893.
Gwen Donavan (16) lives with her wealthy family in Manhattan’s Dakota apartments, but doesn’t fit in to her restricted life. Other girls won’t befriend her, and she can’t figure out the right things to say. But she adores rebellious older sister Izzy, who was sent to remote Delphi School after a violent incident. Four years later, Izzy returns a stranger: a perfect lady, no thoughts of her own. Horrified, Gwen manipulates her way into the school. Delphi says they reform girls by removing the evil in them. She’s told to never leave her room after dark. Moving shadows lurk in hallways, where 1000s of books line the walls, each with a girl’s name on its spine. Gwen finds a note from Izzy telling her of danger tied to the books and students. Gwen must confront the shadows, or end up as lost as Izzy.
Author Pipps’ book blends dark, gothic academia with feminist themes of identity, freedom, and resistance. The paranormal plot mimics the centuries-long reality of the power of oppressive societal expectations for women. Narrator Gwen is determined and non-conforming, trying to save her sister while trapped at the harsh school. Pipps’ world building creates a hellish, gothic environment where girls’ lives are literally tied to books. It’s achingly atmospheric, chillingly creepy, and it’s 5⭐️s from me 📚👩🏼🦳 #thelibraryoflostgirls #kristenpipps
“The Library of Lost Girls” by Kristen Pipps⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Genre: YA Dark Academia. Location: An island off Nova Scotia, Canada. Time: 1893.
Gwen Donavan (16) lives with her wealthy family in Manhattan’s Dakota apartments, but doesn’t fit in to her restricted life. Other girls won’t befriend her, and she can’t figure out the right things to say. But she adores rebellious older sister Izzy, who was sent to remote Delphi School after a violent incident. Four years later, Izzy returns a stranger: a perfect lady, no thoughts of her own. Horrified, Gwen manipulates her way into the school. Delphi says they reform girls by removing the evil in them. She’s told to never leave her room after dark. Moving shadows lurk in hallways, where 1000s of books line the walls, each with a girl’s name on its spine. Gwen finds a note from Izzy telling her of danger tied to the books and students. Gwen must confront the shadows, or end up as lost as Izzy.
Author Pipps’ book blends dark, gothic academia with feminist themes of identity, freedom, and resistance. The paranormal plot mimics the centuries-long reality of the power of oppressive societal expectations for women. Narrator Gwen is determined and non-conforming, trying to save her sister while trapped at the harsh school. Pipps’ world building creates a hellish, gothic environment where girls’ lives are literally tied to books. It’s achingly atmospheric, chillingly creepy, and it’s 5⭐️s from me 📚👩🏼🦳 #thelibraryoflostgirls #kristenpipps
October 11, 2025
A perfect read for spooky season!
The Library of Lost Girls pulled me in from the start because I wanted to know what was up with all those books, dang it! The novel follows Gwen, the happy-to-be-second-fiddle sister of the more beautiful, more spirited Izzy. When Izzy comes back wrong from finishing school, Gwen determines to get to the bottom of her sister's transformation by enrolling herself. But Delphi's School for Girls is no normal academy; specializing in breaking the spirits of troubled girls, its methods are as brutal as they are mysterious.
The secrets of the enigmatic school unfold gradually through atmospheric descriptions, winning character dynamics, and serviceable (if lackluster) dialogue, all relayed by the earnest, self-doubting Gwen. For the most part, I found the central mystery intriguing and satisfying. A few plot points stretch the limits of plausibility, and the book does lose a bit of steam around two-thirds of the way through as the pieces of the puzzle settle into place (and consequently lose a bit of their mystique); in latter chapters I did find myself willing the characters to stop planning so much and start *doing*. But an action-filled ending pulls everything together for dynamic (and brutal) final showdown, tying up both lingering questions and Gwen's character arc.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Library of Lost Girls pulled me in from the start because I wanted to know what was up with all those books, dang it! The novel follows Gwen, the happy-to-be-second-fiddle sister of the more beautiful, more spirited Izzy. When Izzy comes back wrong from finishing school, Gwen determines to get to the bottom of her sister's transformation by enrolling herself. But Delphi's School for Girls is no normal academy; specializing in breaking the spirits of troubled girls, its methods are as brutal as they are mysterious.
The secrets of the enigmatic school unfold gradually through atmospheric descriptions, winning character dynamics, and serviceable (if lackluster) dialogue, all relayed by the earnest, self-doubting Gwen. For the most part, I found the central mystery intriguing and satisfying. A few plot points stretch the limits of plausibility, and the book does lose a bit of steam around two-thirds of the way through as the pieces of the puzzle settle into place (and consequently lose a bit of their mystique); in latter chapters I did find myself willing the characters to stop planning so much and start *doing*. But an action-filled ending pulls everything together for dynamic (and brutal) final showdown, tying up both lingering questions and Gwen's character arc.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.
June 26, 2025
Izzy Donovan returns from the Delphi School for Girls a sad imitation of herself. She was sent there to learn how to behave like a respectable lady but after a quickie marriage to a boring, parent approved guy it’s clear to Izzy’s sister Gwen that Izzy hasn’t just matured, she’s been completely altered. Gwen hatches a plan to find out what’s really going on at Delphi but when she gets there to find walls lined with creepy books and students who live in fear of the shadows it’s clear that Delphi is no ordinary school and Gwen is going to need a lot more than some Nancy Drew detective work to save her sister, her friends and herself.
This was a mixed bag for me but I’m never going to get down on a book that tackles feminist issues with horror and friendship. Essentially, this book is about how men use up women for their own gain and breaking that cycle to embrace your own power. If a young girl reads this book and has more fuel to smash the patriarchy then I’m all in, would highly recommend.
The pros:
Spooky atmosphere
Unique premise
Saphic subplot
The cons:
Jumped the shark
Not enough character development
Slow read
Thank you NetGalley & Delacorte Press 🔥
This was a mixed bag for me but I’m never going to get down on a book that tackles feminist issues with horror and friendship. Essentially, this book is about how men use up women for their own gain and breaking that cycle to embrace your own power. If a young girl reads this book and has more fuel to smash the patriarchy then I’m all in, would highly recommend.
The pros:
Spooky atmosphere
Unique premise
Saphic subplot
The cons:
Jumped the shark
Not enough character development
Slow read
Thank you NetGalley & Delacorte Press 🔥
October 28, 2025
Gwen Donovan adores the fiery spirit of older sister Izzy, so when Izzy returns from boarding school an entirely different person, calm and domestic and happy to become the perfect 19th-century wife, Gwen is determined to learn what caused this uncanny change. She lies her way into the remote girls' academy, where the walls are lined with suspicious books and she is warned to keep out of the shadows at night. There, with the help of other rebellious girls and clues left by her sister, she tries to uncover the darkness hiding in the heart of the academy.
This is a solid gothic lesbian YA novel. I love Gwen as a character and it's strongly implied that she is neurodivergent as well as queer, and I love to see that representation in a very timely story about autonomy based in horror. The pacing is a little off at times and the execution isn't quite what it could be (I was reminded a lot of The Spirit Bares Its Teeth due to the setting and themes, though TSBIT has stronger writing). But those issues were minor and I was really immersed into this world and definitely felt this is exactly the kind of spooky read that's perfect for the season.
This is a solid gothic lesbian YA novel. I love Gwen as a character and it's strongly implied that she is neurodivergent as well as queer, and I love to see that representation in a very timely story about autonomy based in horror. The pacing is a little off at times and the execution isn't quite what it could be (I was reminded a lot of The Spirit Bares Its Teeth due to the setting and themes, though TSBIT has stronger writing). But those issues were minor and I was really immersed into this world and definitely felt this is exactly the kind of spooky read that's perfect for the season.
June 19, 2025
I loved The Library of Lost Girls! The plotline really captured my attention and I couldn’t put it down.
The story centers around Gwen, whose sister comes back from a refining school much different from when she left home. Gwen decides to go to the school herself, and works to unravel the mystery of what’s really going on in the shadowy corridors.
I loved the relationships and friendships struck up between the girls at the boarding school. It was nice that there was an emphasis on that being different isn’t bad and that women can be powerful and have an impact on the world. The creeping dread of the shadows in this book was perfect- I’m sure we can all remember being kids running back to our beds in the dark with that feeling that something will grab us from the shadows- that feeling is what this book evokes! I like that there was an element of romance without it being graphic so that it remains appropriate for a true YA audience.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
The story centers around Gwen, whose sister comes back from a refining school much different from when she left home. Gwen decides to go to the school herself, and works to unravel the mystery of what’s really going on in the shadowy corridors.
I loved the relationships and friendships struck up between the girls at the boarding school. It was nice that there was an emphasis on that being different isn’t bad and that women can be powerful and have an impact on the world. The creeping dread of the shadows in this book was perfect- I’m sure we can all remember being kids running back to our beds in the dark with that feeling that something will grab us from the shadows- that feeling is what this book evokes! I like that there was an element of romance without it being graphic so that it remains appropriate for a true YA audience.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
October 14, 2025
Gwen's sister returns from 4 years away at a mysterious boarding school a completely different person. Troubled by her sisters lack of memories, aloofness, and unwillingness to divulge anything about her life while away Gwen decides she will get herself sent to The Delphi School to unravel the mystery of what happened to her sister, and find a way to restore her to her former self. I think this one will be a hit for the hardcore YA crowd. I switched between the physical and the audiobook and I loved the narration by Valerie Rose Lohman. It did read a little young for me, but the romance in it was older than expected. I loved the characters, Gwen and her friends will have you rooting for them. The end was perfection. Overall a very interesting premise that while slightly predictable did have plenty of twists and fun reveals. Thank you to Get Underlined and PRHAudio for my free finished copy and ALC.
October 30, 2025
A solid, and well-paced novel that’s sort of Gothic and sort of Horror Lite.
I love a creepy finishing school, and this one is pretty well rendered, though I could have done with a bit more sense of place and some clearer visuals.
The premise for this is a good one, and though I think the magic involved didn’t quite work, the structure is still good and I liked the concept even if the execution wasn’t quite there.
The more action-y bits of this are the best part, an odd thing for someone like me who thrives on description and slow build to say, but it’s true nonetheless. And while I’m not sure the magical elements add up to anything that makes sense even by the rules of this particular world, I love the literal manifestation of rewriting one’s own story and one’s own future, particularly at a time and place where young women had so little say about their fates.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I love a creepy finishing school, and this one is pretty well rendered, though I could have done with a bit more sense of place and some clearer visuals.
The premise for this is a good one, and though I think the magic involved didn’t quite work, the structure is still good and I liked the concept even if the execution wasn’t quite there.
The more action-y bits of this are the best part, an odd thing for someone like me who thrives on description and slow build to say, but it’s true nonetheless. And while I’m not sure the magical elements add up to anything that makes sense even by the rules of this particular world, I love the literal manifestation of rewriting one’s own story and one’s own future, particularly at a time and place where young women had so little say about their fates.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
September 12, 2025
Review of an arc provided for honest feedback
A lightly spooky YA read that I think will be good for the intended audience. I think the vibes will be good for a quick autumn read. There were a few parts of the book that felt a bit convenient, but for younger readers this may not be an issue. The author does dig into the themes of found family and confidence in yourself with friends, family, and lgbtqia+ community. 3.25/5
A lightly spooky YA read that I think will be good for the intended audience. I think the vibes will be good for a quick autumn read. There were a few parts of the book that felt a bit convenient, but for younger readers this may not be an issue. The author does dig into the themes of found family and confidence in yourself with friends, family, and lgbtqia+ community. 3.25/5
September 19, 2025
I loved this book so much!!!! I love a good YA novel but this is now one of my favorites. The mystery developed well and I loved the twists in the story as Gwen learns new information. I will be buying a physical copy as soon as I am able because I loved it so much. If you like sapphic/feminist stories, mysteries, and really good YA, this is the book for you!!
Thanks NetGalley for this awesome book.
Thanks NetGalley for this awesome book.
November 23, 2025
I have never felt so irritated reading this book in a long time. It’s such a half ass job! Repetitive, dragging. It didn’t even feel remotely horror to me. Details in a lot of areas were too much but brief history on trustees, girls and etc including the epilogue felt incomplete. I’m over it. I even threw the book.
November 8, 2025
4.5 stars - I really enjoyed this debut and look forward to reading more from this author! The book wasn’t what I expected. It was unique when so many dark academia/fantasy books have the same premise. I listened on audio and the narrator was good.
February 12, 2026
I will write my review now-now at home. All I will say at the moment, one definitely wants to give young girls feminist books where girls can learn to have confidents to stand up against patriarchal forces, but this book just isn’t it. I don’t even think my niece would want to read this at all even though I think this is her age-range.
Just don’t read this. It is reminding me of a sort of junior girls becoming Stepford Wives.
I will write later, but, apart from the narrator who really tries her best when she was reading this, this book is absolutely awful and doesn’t, for me, seem that most young adult girls would find it enjoyable, and just the whole vibe, setting and tone is mostly unsuitable to allow much interest.
Sorry, rushed. Later will write and explain in detail.
Ok so I also read a great review by GR friend Erin and she seemed unsure about the age range for this book as well as making some other good points about it.
I think the age range could be about 13 but then not much older, I think too older children will also get bored by this.
The thing is that you would actually have to find a child who would even want to care about reading books set in this period of history, without the technologies, all those things.
Ok, let’s say they do.
Long book, but not even spinning out into an all-round interesting school life. As Erin points out, the whole stupid thing is literally in-doors. So half crappy described messed-up school plus long.
So much really dreary and uninterestingly drawn-out that you have to carry on rewinding the audio because you don’t really get a scene that you missed, how it fits into the story, or you were bored.
Yes this book tries to send an empowering message to young girls.
Yes there are much Lesbian scenes for positively affirming girls who want to explore that and encourages them, but what I am trying to say is, ok, I can’t think of any at the moment, but there are millions of YA books for feminism, girl-power or Lesbianism, so you can rather find those and don’t waste your time with this one.
So much just dialogue.
Ok there are scenes, but even the word paintings and descriptions didn’t interest me.
At least the main character is feisty and likable, but really, if I were writing this book, the finishing school is half-baked like I said before.
I think I would have written in more detail about the experiences and curriculum of finishing schools at that time to really put today’s girl into the all-round historical atmosphere.
There are some things that happen, I can’t say what or who because it would spoil the book, but let’s just say, without explanation, characters behave illogically against their side’s interests.
Sometimes you are not even exactly sure how a plot goes from step 1 to where it suddenly is.
I know I normally don’t write reviews like this, I normally give you characters and say what book is about, but just have found book too annoying.
Just read book description.
I don’t know, I want to choose a nice song but sometimes one’s mind really goes blank, especially after reviewing a book you thought had such a promising premise but just left you annoyed.
Must think.
By the way, isn’t GR now so rubbish without messaging anymore?
Anyway a song.
https://youtu.be/PnIOaKquJLQ?si=yrjSf...
Just don’t read this. It is reminding me of a sort of junior girls becoming Stepford Wives.
I will write later, but, apart from the narrator who really tries her best when she was reading this, this book is absolutely awful and doesn’t, for me, seem that most young adult girls would find it enjoyable, and just the whole vibe, setting and tone is mostly unsuitable to allow much interest.
Sorry, rushed. Later will write and explain in detail.
Ok so I also read a great review by GR friend Erin and she seemed unsure about the age range for this book as well as making some other good points about it.
I think the age range could be about 13 but then not much older, I think too older children will also get bored by this.
The thing is that you would actually have to find a child who would even want to care about reading books set in this period of history, without the technologies, all those things.
Ok, let’s say they do.
Long book, but not even spinning out into an all-round interesting school life. As Erin points out, the whole stupid thing is literally in-doors. So half crappy described messed-up school plus long.
So much really dreary and uninterestingly drawn-out that you have to carry on rewinding the audio because you don’t really get a scene that you missed, how it fits into the story, or you were bored.
Yes this book tries to send an empowering message to young girls.
Yes there are much Lesbian scenes for positively affirming girls who want to explore that and encourages them, but what I am trying to say is, ok, I can’t think of any at the moment, but there are millions of YA books for feminism, girl-power or Lesbianism, so you can rather find those and don’t waste your time with this one.
So much just dialogue.
Ok there are scenes, but even the word paintings and descriptions didn’t interest me.
At least the main character is feisty and likable, but really, if I were writing this book, the finishing school is half-baked like I said before.
I think I would have written in more detail about the experiences and curriculum of finishing schools at that time to really put today’s girl into the all-round historical atmosphere.
There are some things that happen, I can’t say what or who because it would spoil the book, but let’s just say, without explanation, characters behave illogically against their side’s interests.
Sometimes you are not even exactly sure how a plot goes from step 1 to where it suddenly is.
I know I normally don’t write reviews like this, I normally give you characters and say what book is about, but just have found book too annoying.
Just read book description.
I don’t know, I want to choose a nice song but sometimes one’s mind really goes blank, especially after reviewing a book you thought had such a promising premise but just left you annoyed.
Must think.
By the way, isn’t GR now so rubbish without messaging anymore?
Anyway a song.
https://youtu.be/PnIOaKquJLQ?si=yrjSf...
November 15, 2025
4.5 rounded up!
"Lights snuffed and buried each beneath our quilts, Josie speaks once more. The words are a whisper I nearly miss. 'I don't know what happens in the Writing Room.'"
I can't help but feel like this is the year for debuts, because wow, THE LIBRARY OF LOST GIRLS by Kristen Pipps was a hauntingly beautiful dark academia!
The Delphi School for Girls was ice cold and full of secrets. The school and its shadows became a character in itself and I loved the way Pipps really plants the reader within its walls.
This book is about sisterhood, love, female friendships, and coming into one's own power against the patriarchy! I was rooting for Gwen to get answers to save her sister, her friends, and herself from the jump, and the slow unravelling of the plot really aided in the eeriness woven throughout the story.
I'm really hoping Pipps plans to revisit this world because I need more of it!
Thanks to Delacorte Press for the free copy for review!
"Lights snuffed and buried each beneath our quilts, Josie speaks once more. The words are a whisper I nearly miss. 'I don't know what happens in the Writing Room.'"
I can't help but feel like this is the year for debuts, because wow, THE LIBRARY OF LOST GIRLS by Kristen Pipps was a hauntingly beautiful dark academia!
The Delphi School for Girls was ice cold and full of secrets. The school and its shadows became a character in itself and I loved the way Pipps really plants the reader within its walls.
This book is about sisterhood, love, female friendships, and coming into one's own power against the patriarchy! I was rooting for Gwen to get answers to save her sister, her friends, and herself from the jump, and the slow unravelling of the plot really aided in the eeriness woven throughout the story.
I'm really hoping Pipps plans to revisit this world because I need more of it!
Thanks to Delacorte Press for the free copy for review!
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