This book is more than 20 years old, yet it still feels fresh and completely engaging. I am new to this author, even though she has been a favorite for many readers for a long time, and I am so glad I finally discovered this young adult gothic fantasy. It quickly became one of my top reads of the year. I adore gothic fantasy stories with historical settings, and the praise I had heard for this novel proved to be absolutely deserved. It gave me everything I hoped for.

The story follows Gemma Doyle, who begins her life in India. After tragedy strikes her family, she is sent to a finishing school in London. Although the plot centers on Gemma finding a diary that uncovers the secrets of the mystical Order, the heart of the book feels driven by the characters, and I mean that as a compliment. I loved getting to know Gemma, Felicity, Pippa, and Ann, and watching their friendship shift and deepen as they stepped into a magical realm that allowed them to experience their quietest desires. Each girl is layered and imperfect, filled with strengths and flaws. The students who might seem like the usual “mean girls” at first gradually reveal their inner lives. These young women are wrestling with the limitations placed on them by their time and social positions, and each one dreams of choosing her own future rather than simply fitting the expectations of family and society.

The book blends everything I adore about Victorian literature with enchanting fantasy. I loved the complicated friendships, the boarding school atmosphere, and the way each girl grows as the story unfolds. The Victorian mood is rich and immersive, and the book reflects on the suffocating restrictions placed on women in that era while weaving in a wonderful thread of magic and mystery. The author highlights the individuality of young women during a time when they were allowed so little room to express themselves. Through both the real world and the magical one, she gives her characters the space to explore who they are. At the same time, the story gently reminds them to step carefully as they confront the boundaries set by others and the boundaries they discover within themselves.

I loved the contrast between Victorian England, colonial India, and the fairy realm. The protagonist fits comfortably in none of these worlds, and she knows it. That sense of displacement becomes the foundation of the entire story. It is a tale about longing. Longing to understand oneself, longing to belong, longing to be accepted, while still hoping to stand apart.

The pacing worked beautifully for me. The story moved smoothly and included enough surprises to keep me wondering what would happen next. It is also a very quick read, and I honestly felt sad when I reached the end. The visits to the fairy realm were wonderful to read, offering pure escape for both the characters and the reader, with a hint of darkness beneath the beauty. There is no language or spicy scenes, which I appreciated. 

It definitely feels like a young adult fantasy, and I enjoyed that aspect. The mood reminded me of a blend of The Craft and Dead Poets Society, only with an all-female cast and a stronger focus on coming-of-age themes. I cannot wait to continue this series and explore more of this author’s work. Highly recommend!!