Every once in a while, I run across a book that leaves me a little speechless. It’s like I don’t know how to feel about it whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
This upcoming book I was able to review is one of those stories. There’s so much packed into this one. It’s tough for me to pull my feelings out but I’m gonna give it a shot below.
The St. Ambrose School for Girls by Jessica Ward
Publisher: Gallery Books (July 11, 2023)
ISBN-13: 978-1982194864
SYNOPSIS:
When Sarah Taylor arrives at the exclusive St. Ambrose School, she’s carrying more baggage than just what fits in her suitcase. She knows she’s not like the other girls—if the shabby, all-black, non-designer clothes don’t give that away, the bottle of lithium hidden in her desk drawer sure does.
St. Ambrose’s queen bee, Greta Stanhope, picks Sarah as a target from day one and the most popular, powerful, horrible girl at school is relentless in making sure Sarah knows what the pecking order is. Thankfully, Sarah makes an ally out of her roommate Ellen “Strots” Strotsberry, a cigarette-huffing, devil-may-care athlete who takes no bullshit. Also down the hall is Nick Hollis, the devastatingly handsome RA, and the object of more than one St. Ambrose student’s fantasies. Between Strots and Nick, Sarah hopes she can make it through the semester, dealing with not only her schoolwork and a recent bipolar diagnosis but Greta’s increasingly malicious pranks.
Sarah is determined not to give Greta the satisfaction of breaking her. But when scandal unfolds, and someone ends up dead, her world threatens to unravel in ways she could never have imagined. The St. Ambrose School for Girls is a dangerous, delicious, twisty coming-of-age tale that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
The St. Ambrose School for Girls by Jessica Ward Review
I have to say this story is going to be tough to rate because of multiple factors. But let’s see if I can bring you up to speed on my thoughts.
The story is a study of mental illness, it seems. The author created a character who is severely bipolar and crafted a story around her illness; trying to live her life, and navigating through good days and bad.
Manic episodes are all-consuming. Blanking out. Losing track of time, obsessive thoughts, suicidal tendencies and actions, and so much more consumed our main character.
She’s brilliant, however, and finds herself at a new school trying to survive. The author creates a story that has you feeling deeply connected to Sarah through her depression, fears, and hatred by others.
She’s different and stands out. She has no people skills, and that blatantly shows as she attracts attention in different ways in the story. Negatively and positively.
It’s really hard to describe the feeling you are going to go through with the plot. There’s bullying to extreme degrees. Death and destruction of people. You’re not sure where the story is going and the author does keep you compelled to keep turning those pages.
Shocking turns of events left me speechless and saddened that the author chose to go this route. Especially with the ending. That’s where my conflict comes in.
On one hand, the author is brilliant and clearly crafts an interesting intricate depiction of a person with a mental imbalance. We feel her pain, her shame, and her introverted actions, yet is desperate to have even one friend.
But on the other hand, the story is heavy and can be depressing which could be a lot to take emotionally for some readers. So just be aware of that.
I’m vacillating on the rating because of the authors writing skills and Ward’s extraordinary storytelling ability. The St. Ambrose School for Girls is an intense psychologically complex story that leaves you feeling conflicted at the end.
I would definitely be interested in reading this author again. She’s wicked talented but this one just didn’t cut it for me as I need heavy, emotionally tolling, crime-filled stories to end with some sort of uplifting lightness as a balance.
3.5 STARS
Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.
Hi! I’m Chris! Just a Midlife Wife sharing about life’s journey; screaming and kicking through it while supposedly aging gracefully…
Focusing on healthy living, low carb & keto, things I am loving right now, and life in general.