The Society for Soulless Girls

by

Laura Steven

Hooked by the premise and mesmerized by the author's storytelling.

The Society for Soulless Girls, by veteran author Laura Steven, had me spellbound from page one, with two strong female, young adult protagonists, a setting that fairly oozed Gothic ambiance and heart-poundingly horrific paranormal elements. I was hooked by the premise and compelled to keep turning pages by the author's mesmerizing storytelling. 

The story unfolds from the alternating viewpoints of two first-year students and roommates at the newly reopened Carvell Academy. At first glance, Lottie and Alice couldn't be any less alike or incompatible, but their similarities begin to show as the story progresses. Both question their personal value and their right to even be at the prestigious school, and both lack confidence in their abilities and future success while outwardly displaying strong façades. There is a great deal of misunderstanding between the two because their feelings of not being good enough have made them defensive. At eighteen, they have well-established ways of dealing with what they perceive as danger/hurt/embarrassment; one strikes out in quick anger while the other maintains an unshakably sunny demeanor. They suffer strange and eerie happenings alone for much of the book until they eventually reveal what is going on to each other. 

The mysterious incidents at the school are not limited to just the two roommates, though. There is suicide, and another first-year student is experiencing her own living hell with barely contained feelings of rage. This student is somewhat isolated from others because she is living in a single-occupant dorm room. Are these girls targeted for being on the edges of the student body community and easier to access by whoever or whatever affects them, or are they more susceptible because they lack emotional support? 

The plot surges ahead as Alice and Hafsah's episodes occur more frequently. While suspecting the involvement of the faculty, or at least their undisclosed knowledge of what was going on, I kept wanting the girls to approach the dean with their problems. The male professors all gave off weird vibes, and I would never have said anything to any one of them. As for vibes, though, one of my favorite characters has to be the librarian Kate Feathering, with her distinctive look, attitude, and overall vibe. The author crafted natural, authentic dialogue with humor and occasional literary quotes. As the girls are students of English literature or philosophy, many intriguing books are mentioned that readers may want to note and add to their TBR piles. 

The story addresses the very real issue and history of women's suppression startlingly and uniquely. A long-dead nun suppressed in life, but with the power to reach out from the grave, brings home the story with unparalleled clarity and transferability to modern circumstances. The realization was eye-opening, to put it mildly. 

To top off a mesmerizing storyline, the author has created a darkly atmospheric setting at the Carvell Academy. The ancient buildings of a former convent with a tragic history serve as the perfect backdrop for the creepy and malevolent tale. However, some excursions from campus highlight the sights of Northumbria and may pique the interest of readers who enjoy traveling. 

With its unique plot, characters, and setting, I recommend THE SOCIETY FOR SOULLESS GIRLS to young adult fiction, mystery, or horror readers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.