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A History of Dying
Sixteen-year-old Briony has always struggled in school. Between her ADHD, anxiety, and an overwhelming fear of failure, she’s convinced she’ll never belong—until she sends herself to a special education program at an old boarding school in Burnley, England.
Burnley has always haunted her dreams, and so has Professor Reeve—the cold, distant man who adopted her out of Britain as a baby, then disappeared from her life completely. Now he teaches at the very school she’s transferring to, and Briony arrives hoping he’ll finally give her the answers she’s always wanted.
He isn’t happy to see her.
In fact, he demands she go home—and stay away from the charming, oddly familiar boy she met on her first day.
Instead of explaining, Professor Reeve hands her a stack of journals from the 1600s. Inside is the story of Alice Grey, a teenage girl accused of witchcraft, tangled in the Gunpowder Plot, and sacrificed by a dark conspiracy. As Briony reads, strange things begin happening at school: students are disappearing, witches posing as beauty influencers open a shop nearby, and someone seems to be watching her. Closely.
For fans of "Ninth House," "A Deadly Education," and "A Study in Drowning."
Burnley has always haunted her dreams, and so has Professor Reeve—the cold, distant man who adopted her out of Britain as a baby, then disappeared from her life completely. Now he teaches at the very school she’s transferring to, and Briony arrives hoping he’ll finally give her the answers she’s always wanted.
He isn’t happy to see her.
In fact, he demands she go home—and stay away from the charming, oddly familiar boy she met on her first day.
Instead of explaining, Professor Reeve hands her a stack of journals from the 1600s. Inside is the story of Alice Grey, a teenage girl accused of witchcraft, tangled in the Gunpowder Plot, and sacrificed by a dark conspiracy. As Briony reads, strange things begin happening at school: students are disappearing, witches posing as beauty influencers open a shop nearby, and someone seems to be watching her. Closely.
For fans of "Ninth House," "A Deadly Education," and "A Study in Drowning."
- GenresFantasy
327 pages, ebook
First published January 21, 2023
About the author
Brooke Clonts
6 books234 followersBrooke Clonts crafts fast-paced fantasy featuring magical misfits and reluctant heroes, with emotions sharp enough to sting.
When she’s not writing, Brooke is outdoors chasing adventure—or retreating into the pages of a good fantasy novel. Find her at brookeclonts.com.
When she’s not writing, Brooke is outdoors chasing adventure—or retreating into the pages of a good fantasy novel. Find her at brookeclonts.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 10, 2026
Honestly what a twist!! I was not expecting that link at all. This was a book that I really couldn't put down and I can't wait for the second book!
July 31, 2026
I had fun reading this one! I liked it more than i thought i would, because i don't always love witch trials settings (one of those things i get bored of easily). Some things were obvious and others i was theorizing about throughout the book.
In the chapters just before the last one the writing gets a bit weird, the sentences all get short and choppy. I only disliked it bc it felt like it went on for too long and the way descriptions of things were just full sentences made it hard for me to actually visualize what was happening at times. But overall that was a pretty short part of the book, and i struggle with vidualizing those types of scenes as it is.
I personally enjoyed the ADHD rep. I liked how the writing is in the mc's mind and showcases her distracted thoughts at times, and how the ADHD is just a part of how she sees the world. I will be curious if book 2 will show her struggle with it outside of the classroom a bit more.
I am planning on reading the sequel for this! I really want to see where it goes!
In the chapters just before the last one the writing gets a bit weird, the sentences all get short and choppy. I only disliked it bc it felt like it went on for too long and the way descriptions of things were just full sentences made it hard for me to actually visualize what was happening at times. But overall that was a pretty short part of the book, and i struggle with vidualizing those types of scenes as it is.
I personally enjoyed the ADHD rep. I liked how the writing is in the mc's mind and showcases her distracted thoughts at times, and how the ADHD is just a part of how she sees the world. I will be curious if book 2 will show her struggle with it outside of the classroom a bit more.
I am planning on reading the sequel for this! I really want to see where it goes!
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April 24, 2026Right.
Well, I sure am not the audience for this book. I went in expecting something but unfortunately, it did not cater to my expectations. For me, personally, I was unable to get invested in both the story and the characters - everything was very flimsy and thin, with no substance. The writing style was a bit too juvenile for my tastes, which is something very personal, of course. I can see teens in the ages 13-17 enjoying this book very much, if they're craving magic schools and witchy vibes, but for me, it lacked severly.
Well, I sure am not the audience for this book. I went in expecting something but unfortunately, it did not cater to my expectations. For me, personally, I was unable to get invested in both the story and the characters - everything was very flimsy and thin, with no substance. The writing style was a bit too juvenile for my tastes, which is something very personal, of course. I can see teens in the ages 13-17 enjoying this book very much, if they're craving magic schools and witchy vibes, but for me, it lacked severly.
March 25, 2026
Quick witchy read
I enjoyed this book. The main character was very normal and comfortable. I spent some time figuring out who was who in the past, assuming I was right and then questioned myself many times that I was likely way off. Then trying to figure out who was related to people from 1600. Then back again. I thought this was a very fun book.
I enjoyed this book. The main character was very normal and comfortable. I spent some time figuring out who was who in the past, assuming I was right and then questioned myself many times that I was likely way off. Then trying to figure out who was related to people from 1600. Then back again. I thought this was a very fun book.
November 13, 2025
Loved the book!
January 5, 2026
My favourite read of the year so far. It perfectly tied history and magic together and I loved it. Definitely has given me a new author to follow!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews