Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (2024)
Where Sleeping Girls Lie is Faridah Ábíké-Íyímídé’s second novel, released earlier this year in March, after the massive success of her debut ‘Ace of Spades’ in 2021. It revolves around Sade Hussein, former homeschooler who enlists at a boarding school after the death of her father, haunted by her past. Her roommate mysteriously vanishes just hours after meeting her, and the quest to find her leads our protagonist on a journey that forces her to face her demons while unveiling a deeply sinister culture within her new surroundings too.
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I read Ace of Spades when I was part of a reading group back in 2021, and I thought that Faridah was an incredible author. The majority of the books I buy are secondhand, though I’d like to support more writers, but I knew I had to get her latest release as soon as it was published. It’s taken me until now to read it, but I’ve loved every second. This is the Waterstones edition with the beautiful sprayed red edges, and I was able to send off for some gorgeous bookmarks from the publisher too.
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Faridah has the most brilliant way of building relationships within storytelling, and establishing characters that are well defined and complex. I adored Persephone, and loved the connection she made with Sade as the story progressed. I also really enjoyed the bond that Sade and Baz created in the absence of Elizabeth, and the budding romance between Baz and Kwame.
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Sade herself was a wonderful character to lead the narrative, weighed down by her own baggage but still willing to put everything on the line for those she cares about. I never suspected her motives for joining Alfred Nobel Academy, and I think this information was hidden very well, revealed at the perfect moment adding fire to a blaze that was already spreading through the school.
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It has elements of 90s YA horror like Goosebumps, building an eerie atmosphere even before the full gravity of the situation is laid bare. I had my own theories of how the book would end, but I think the choices made are as close to justice as we can hope for in this world.
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Where Sleeping Girls Lie gives light to the misogyny that is embedded in our society, and the ways it is sustained, whether that be through active perpetrators or those that choose to stand by and do nothing. It’s a story of power - who holds it, the ways it is wielded and the opportunity for people to reclaim it too. It teaches us not to take things at face value, whilst also exploring the lasting effects of trauma and grief. I’m excited to pass my copy on for other people to enjoy, but I urge you to support Faridah by buying this book too. I can’t wait for her future releases.
