This was her debut novel in an urban fantasy world, based in 1911 New York City. We follow protagonist, Frances Hallowell, a 17 year old seamstress. She is forced to attend a witch school after killing her boss. Set up as a fake tuberculosis center, she is thrust into a new world of underground magic. Magic that may help her uncover the truth of her brother’s murder.
For a debut novel, we can tell much love went into this story. This was a smasing debut with a wild tale of murder and magic and betrayal. I try to steer clear of some of the young adult reading as it caters to the demographic it is aimed at. Some of those reads feel immature to my cynical thity year old heart. This was not the case with this tale. Frances, while only 17, carries the grief of losing her brother and a grief I know too well. I really loved Franis and watching her struggle but succeed to find a new normal without him.
If you were on the fence, read it. I know I will be adding Sasha Peyton Smith to my list of wonderful authors and will be impatiently awaiting her next one. This was an easy 5/5 for me.
**Spoiler Alert**
When her boss catches her alone at work and tries to rape her, France’s attempt to defend herself. Somehow, her scissors come to save her day, even though she was sure they were across the room. Sbe attempts to hide the evidence with the the help of her supervisor but she still ends up on the police radar after admitting she worked late the night of his death. A pair of nurses arrive just in time, claiming Frances has tuberculosis.
Arriving at the tuberculosis center, Frances gets to see what is actually an academy for magical girls, Haxahaven. They learn how to control their emotions as well as spellwork. Soon after she begins, Francis begins receiving midnight notes regarding her brother’s death. The messenger turns out to be an old work friend of her brother’s, Finn. As more bodies pile up, matching her brother’s circumstances, they team up to piece together the details.
Finn seems to be a gentleman that carres for her until his psychotic side finalely shines through his veneer. He attempts to take over his school, killing members of the board, trapped in a meeting and is headed to take over Haxahaven until Francis tries to intervene. She saaves one of the non-magical familiies slated to be murdered by Finn, Oliver and his family. Oliver is a longtime friend of here brother and offers to help her. Chaos erupts within the magical community. Old hurts and wrongs are brought to lght as the dead pile up.
Can Oliver and Francis save them from a maniacal Finn?