As girls, we are taught to compartmentalize ourselves from a young age. To carry ourselves in a polite, ladylike way. But what happens when society girls are put through as much pressure as gemstones? When dividing themselves drives them to madness?

When sisters Isla and Renata are sent to the Alarie House, a prestigious finishing school for girls, Isla returns after just one day with a sickening feeling that something isn’t right there. Her sister’s letters urge her to come back, describing how wondrous it is, but when Renata returns and comes home, she seems….wrong. That very same night, Isla decides to return to Alarie House after Renata disappears, determined to get to the bottom of this mystery. What happened there? What changed her sister into a stranger?

This book was equal parts confusing and alluring. I’ve seen it described as a horror, but I feel like it’s more of a mystery at its core than anything, except for the countless screaming scenes. Still a good read, but I found myself slightly disappointed!