The Secrets of Drearcliff Grange School - Kim Newman

A week after Mother found her sleeping on the ceiling, Amy Thomsett is delivered to her new school, Drearcliff Grange in Somerset. Although it looks like a regular boarding school, Amy learns that Drearcliff girls are special, the daughters of criminal masterminds, outlaw scientists and master magicians. Several of the pupils also have special gifts like Amy’s, and when one of the girls in her dormitory is abducted by a mysterious group in black hoods, Amy forms a secret, superpowered society called the Moth Club to rescue their friend. They soon discover that the Hooded Conspiracy runs through the School, and it's up to the Moth Club to get to the heart of it. 

My thoughts:

I read a lot a lot of boarding school books when I was young. I always wanted to attend one too, it seemed fun. Giggles, smuggled candy, horse back riding. Very posh, and very British, yes they were all British schools.

This school is not like the others. Yes there are dorms, and different wings. Our heroine Amy ends up in Desdemona and shares a room with 4 other girls. One with quick fingers, one a bandit princess and one a lady. She soon realizes that she is not alone, there are other unusual girls like her there. Ok stop here for a moment.

The unusuals are mentioned a lot. So it does seem like the public are aware of these others and are perfectly jolly fine with it. Some of them are good and helped in WW1, Some turn bad.

But this school is not just for those few. All sorts of strange folks sends their girls there. There are ladies, there are thieves, there are daughters of criminal masterminds.

Let's call it a supernatural suspense. They are soon on their first case, but then things does turn darker. Not scary dark, just eerie. What is going on? The school turns unfriendly (not that is was perfect to begin with with those punishments!). I'd be afraid to walk in those hallways.

And at the end, all is well. The road there is just dark.

Was this YA or Adult? Who knows. It fits both I'd say.

Conclusion:

I enjoyed this book. I'd read more about this school too. But then Newman does have that dark touch. From the 2 books I have read (and 1 novella). He puts an interesting twist on what he does.

Cover

I'd like some color

Paperback, 400 pages
Expected publication: October 23rd 2015 by Titan Books
Supernatural suspense
For review