Marisa Noelle’s THE SHADOW KEEPERS is a treat of a good book, a real page-turner, dark and twisty with plenty of love and sweetness in the mix. It reminds me a good deal of GIRL, INTERRUPTED, but with the addition of a solid horror story that’s set as if inside a haunted house with captive characters. There’s a lovely romance, deep and intriguing friendships, strong love between the main character, Georgia, and her flawed brother and mother. The events that take place are so worrying, and they escalate in an increasingly frightening way to culminate in a kick-ass, emotionally satisfying climax. A great debut novel and well worth your time. I highly recommend it.
I love books/films that use a psychiatric ward for a backdrop, and this didn't disappoint. Noelle's introduction of all the patients was fascinating not only from a fictional point of view, but also from a psychological. The supernatural elements that were tied into it made it an intriguing read.
When Georgia's fear of mirrors gets the better of her and she harms a stranger, she is incarcerated for 90 days in Brookwood Hospital. There, she is forced to face her fears and stare into the mirrors she has long been afraid of. As she discovers her fear is intrinsically tied to the hospital, Georgia must overcome it before it gets the better of her and the other patients she comes to befriend.
I liked Georgia as a main character. She's the kind of girl who has real fears and a few demons but will ultimately do the right thing, even if it means getting hurt. She was a good protagonist who was determined to get to the bottom of things. I enjoyed following her around. The pace of the story was quite good too. Once it really got into it, the book was hard to put down which always makes for a great reading experience.
This is a review of the ARC I received from the publisher.
This book took me three hours to read. I’m normally a pretty fast reader, but I flew through this more quickly than I anticipated. This is a smooth, easy read, and I love books that suck me right in and move at a fast clip.
The atmosphere is perfect. The main setting is creepy, not because of the mental patients, but the building itself. I have so much respect for Ms. Noelle because she didn’t make the patients the source of the mounting fear. Yes, some of the girls can be unsettling, but that’s the truth of places like that. No where are the girls depicted as evil or wrong, and that was nice to read.
Clearly Ms. Noelle has done her research on the afflictions that Georgia has. I have minor obsessive compulsions (nothing terrible) like what’s in the book, and what Georgia does is very realistic to real life, though what she experiences is a million times worse than what I deal with. Also, the descriptions of Georgia’s panic attacks were so well described I was in the moment and could feel it even though I’ve never had one.
The overall concept isn’t brand new, but it’s done in a creative way that I was eager to discover. I wish there was a little bit more to the shadows (and I’m not exactly sure what I’m looking for. Maybe more...meat in some way?), but they held my interest. They were a different foe, one that didn’t actually do much until the end, yet they were still terrifying and a constant threat. It takes a lot of skill to keep a non-physical (or at least non-physical in our world) entity a danger for almost the entirety of the book.
Now, I guessed the answers to the book’s mysteries early on in the novel. One in particular was super easy to figure out, but that in no way ruined the enjoyment of the reveal. Just because I’m sure of the ending doesn’t mean the ride to get there can’t be fun, and this one was.
The characters are very fleshed out. I like that Georgia wasn’t totally apathetic or whiny or obnoxiously bold. She was consistent in acting appropriately for her in certain situations. She is a well-crafted heroine. Her roommates are great, too, though I wish there was a little more time with Liz, but that’s just me. Even Elijah was awesome despite him not being in the book a lot.
Hands down, this is a great book, and I’m so glad that I read it. It’s a spooky, thrilling time and totally deserves a solid 4.5 out of 5. Don’t miss your chance to experience this tale, and I can’t wait for Ms. Noelle to publish more books.
Marisa Noelle’s THE SHADOW KEEPERS was my first dive into horror fiction. Something I learned from this dive? Do NOT read before bed, not unless you want to be running from past semi-dark mirrors screaming your head off.
THE SHADOW KEEPERS follows Georgia, a headstrong young woman who is haunted by creepy crow-like shadows, as she gets dropped off at a renovated insane asylum after having an unfortunate accident involving mirrors in a dressing room. In true Girl, Interrupted fashion, she finds her crew: sweet, quiet Liz and spunky, raucous June. The three girls band together for survival while June helps Georgia navigate the waters at what feels like a very suspicious group home. As the shadows start to gang up on Georgia and her friends, she makes some other unlikely allies and searches for the source behind the madness that has been stalking her for most of her life.
Behind every door is another secret. Following Georgia as she serves her mandatory 90 days is like waiting for that scary werewolf to jump out on haunted hayride: full of jumps and waiting to scream I told you so! Beyond the suspense, Noelle takes us through a thought experiment of epic proportions: is Georgia crazy for seeing the shadows or are the shadows making Georgina crazy?
The Shadow Keepers is a wonderfully crafted novel, rich with psychological intrigue and a plot that keeps raising questions. It's like a One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest for teens. Georgia, the main character, is committed to a mental hospital for seeing dangerous shadows in mirrors and only has her brother on the outside for support. During the course of her stay, we meet her roommates, the staff, and her doctor, all richly drawn and all playing an integral part in the story. As she waits for her mandated 90 days to end, Georgia realizes that things aren't what they seem. The nurses may have nefarious intentions and girls keep disappearing. Stealthily, she uncovers clues bit by bit until the book ends with a compelling climax that reveals the creepy awfulness at the heart of it all.
I don't know that much about YA novels, but I loved The Shadow Keepers. Worth a read!
Best Read
When you want to enter a world of Girl Interrupted meets Darkness Falls.
My Thoughts on the Book
Teenager Georgia has problems, as does brother Bart, self-medicating to deal with their issues. But an incident in a shopping centre winds up in Georgia being shipped off to Brookwood hospital.
But her problems are not solved by being at Brookwood and the crow-like vile monsters she sees are more prevalent than ever. Things worsen when other girls begin to disappear. Georgia doesn’t know who to trust in Brookwood – can she trust the nurses or her roommates?
Speaking of roommates we are introduced to impulsive, energetic June, fragile Sarah, angry, emotional Kiara and sweet, but creepy Liz. Each girl is suffering from her own mental health problems. The topic is handled with a light and sensitive touch. Each of the girls is lonely in their own way. But there are also some light and silly moments. These parts of the book remind us that the girls are normal like any other teenagers. There is even a little hint of romance, another light in the darkness of Brookwood.
The eerie atmosphere and scenery in the isolated asylum added to the menace of the story. It was to imagine the crow-like shadow monsters lurking there.
Well.... that was a wild ride. This book is a faced-paced thriller with a supernatural twist, and what a twist!! I devoured the second half of the book in a day, reading a page here and then and hoping to finish the book before going to sleep (because I wouldn't have been able to sleep otherwise, there was too much going on at the same time!). I have to admit that I suspected all the wrong persons, and was pleasantly surprised by the ending, even if it seemed a bit unbelievable. I like my happy endings.
I was gifted an ARC of The Shadow Keepers by Marisa Noelle and Magnolia Press earlier this month and I raced through it in a few days! The Shadow Keepers was so hard to put down, and the creepy premise ensured that I was always thinking about it, even when I couldn't read on. Tensions and stakes run high as Georgia races to uncover the truth about the terrifying shadow creatures who have haunted her for most of her life.
I don't think I've read many non-contemporary YA novels which features mental health so prevalently, and it was really clever how the character's mental health struggles became integral to the plot - they made them stronger, rather than being purely another plot-point or issue to 'get over'. The topic as a whole was sensitively handled and I felt like I learnt some new things about mental health conditions as a result of reading.
Having said that, readers should bear in mind that as mental health is so important within The Shadow Keepers, the novel does include subjects like self-harm and suicide. If this isn't something you're comfortable reading, it would probably be best to avoid this novel. They're not a large part of the plot, but do come up.
You should definitely read The Shadow Keepers if you like:
- creepy monsters
- slow-burn romance
- seeing mental health in non-contemporary stories.
From a writing perspective, The Shadow Keepers is brilliant for:
- world building - I could completely believe in the monsters and shadow world that Noelle created.
- pacing - this story is paced just right, with plenty of action and tension, but also some great character driven moments to help back the pace off and give you a respite between the horror.
- keeping the reader guessing about who they could and couldn't trust!
I really enjoyed The Shadow Keepers and am now even more excited about Noelle's second novel, The Unadjusteds, which comes out later this year.
Marisa Noelle’s THE SHADOW KEEPERS was my first dive into horror fiction. Something I learned from this dive? Do NOT read before bed, not unless you want to be running from past semi-dark mirrors screaming your head off.
THE SHADOW KEEPERS follows Georgia, a headstrong young woman who is haunted by creepy crow-like shadows, as she gets dropped off at a renovated insane asylum after having an unfortunate accident involving mirrors in a dressing room. In true Girl, Interrupted fashion, she finds her crew: sweet, quiet Liz and spunky, raucous June. The three girls band together for survival while June helps Georgia navigate the waters at what feels like a very suspicious group home. As the shadows start to gang up on Georgia and her friends, she makes some other unlikely allies and searches for the source behind the madness that has been stalking her for most of her life.
Behind every door is another secret. Following Georgia as she serves her mandatory 90 days is like waiting for that scary werewolf to jump out on haunted hayride: full of jumps and waiting to scream I told you so! Beyond the suspense, Noelle takes us through a thought experiment of epic proportions: is Georgia crazy for seeing the shadows or are the shadows making Georgina crazy?
One of my favorite things about THE SHADOW KEEPERS, besides the every-day relatability of the main character and her detailed circle of allies, is how mental health is shown not as a crux but as diversity. Georgia struggles with OCD, while the other girls struggle with other issues, not because they are weak but because they are spectacularly different minded.
If you’re into creepy converted insane asylum’s (and who’s not?) and love figuring out who dun it’s (seriously, tell me someone who doesn’t love guessing who the bad guys is), then THE SHADOW KEEPERS is a must for you. And don’t let the YA tag fool you; YA is a state of mind, not an age range. This novel is perfect for older teens and adults alike!
A spine-chilling tale of my worst nightmare, Marisa Noelle's The Shadow Keepers will keep you up at night for two reasons: the book is a fast-paced thriller, forcing you to turn the page and pray Georgia and her friends aren't next; and, well, if you have any sort of reflective surfaces in your room, you may want to get rid of them before attempting to sleep.
Aside from the perfectly creepy atmosphere, the novel highlights mental health issues, and how these issues are perceived from a social construct, as well as personally, as main character Georgia grapples with deciding if she really is ill, or if something ominous is actually occurring within the walls of Brookwood Hospital. The internal struggle feels real, and as the reader, I found myself wondering the same thing at times.
The convoluted twists are expertly woven, and had me questioning the authenticity of a few of the characters right up until the very end of the book, where a revelation struck that I did not see coming.
As for my worst nightmare, I have my own irrational fear of mirrors, so this book was almost TOO perfectly creepy, and before I went to sleep at night, the book's tag line echoed in my ears: "Whatever you do, don't look in the mirror."
A fast paced, harrowing read perfect for upper YA and adult audiences alike. The hospital setting is inherently creepy and keeps the tension from ever going slack. Throw in supernatural monsters and a bit of mystery, and you've got a recipe for a sleepless night. However, there are moments of compassion and tenderness that keep the horror from taking over completely. Altogether fun and satisfying!
The Shadow Keepers is a creepy (in the best of ways) YA novel that kept me on my toes throughout! (Not going to pretend that I didn’t steer clear of my mirrors while reading this book.)
Georgia is a sixteen-year-old, a mixture of misunderstood and brave, dealing with shadows no one else in her life seems to be able to see. This novel touches on mental health, the things that scare us yet manifest from us, and how to fight those battles others can’t see behind closed doors. The twists in this story kept me guessing until the end. Great read.
This book took me three hours to read. I’m normally a pretty fast reader, but I flew through this more quickly than I anticipated. This is a smooth, easy read, and I love books that suck me right in and move at a fast clip.
The atmosphere is perfect. The main setting is creepy, not because of the mental patients, but the building itself. I have so much respect for Ms. Noelle because she didn’t make the patients the source of the mounting fear. Yes, some of the girls can be unsettling, but that’s the truth of places like that. No where are the girls depicted as evil or wrong, and that was nice to read.
Clearly Ms. Noelle has done her research on the afflictions that Georgia has. I have minor obsessive compulsions (nothing terrible) like what’s in the book, and what Georgia does is very realistic to real life, though what she experiences is a million times worse than what I deal with. Also, the descriptions of Georgia’s panic attacks were so well described I was in the moment and could feel it even though I’ve never had one.
The overall concept isn’t brand new, but it’s done in a creative way that I was eager to discover. I wish there was a little bit more to the shadows (and I’m not exactly sure what I’m looking for. Maybe more...meat in some way?), but they held my interest. They were a different foe, one that didn’t actually do much until the end, yet they were still terrifying and a constant threat. It takes a lot of skill to keep a non-physical (or at least non-physical in our world) entity a danger for almost the entirety of the book.
Now, I guessed the answers to the book’s mysteries early on in the novel. One in particular was super easy to figure out, but that in no way ruined the enjoyment of the reveal. Just because I’m sure of the ending doesn’t mean the ride to get there can’t be fun, and this one was.
The characters are very fleshed out. I like that Georgia wasn’t totally apathetic or whiny or obnoxiously bold. She was consistent in acting appropriately for her in certain situations. She is a well-crafted heroine. Her roommates are great, too, though I wish there was a little more time with Liz, but that’s just me. Even Elijah was awesome despite him not being in the book a lot.
Hands down, this is a great book, and I’m so glad that I read it. It’s a spooky, thrilling time and totally deserves a solid 4.5 out of 5. Don’t miss your chance to experience this tale, and I can’t wait for Ms. Noelle to publish more books.
Whew boy! Do you remember as a kid when you used to sit around with your friends and tell each other urban myths and try to scare the living hell out of each other? Well the one that always got me as a kid was Bloody Mary. To this day, mirrors give the creeps when I look at them in the middle of the night when I’m home alone. Marisa was able to take all of those fears of mirrors to the next level with the monsters that she created.
Following an accident that left a girl permanently scarred, Georgia’s mother and stepfather send her to a group home that is dedicated to mental rehabilitation for 90 days to work on her fear of mirrors. Little do they know that Georgia isn’t afraid of mirrors. She’s terrified of what lives in the mirrors…the monsters in the shadows.
While in the mental institution, Georgia begins to trust her roommates June and Liz, and she realizes that she needs the two of them to to survive the shadows as well as uncover the secrets that lie in the group home. Every time the girls get closer to the truth, more and more secrets are unveiled.
I loved the light that Marisa shed on mental health as a whole in this book. Some of the girls suffer from mania (such as June) and OCD, while others have more debilitating diseases such as ‘helmet Annie’ who repeatedly runs into a wall at full force. I never felt that these girls were added to the plot just to “check a box” or have their illnesses dictate their entire lives. Rather, I thought that highlighting these different illnesses really highlighted the diversity of the girls in the home.
Overall, if you love a quick read packed with twists and turns that are dripping in atmospheric suspense then definitely pick up this book. I don’t suggest reading this one at night and then looking into mirrors afterwards, but hey, if you want to live life on the edge, who am I to tell you otherwise.
Thank you to the author and Magnolia Press for providing an eARC. This did not influence my review. All opinions are my own
A War of Shadows
We meet Georgia as her family drops her off at a Mental Hospital. Everyone thinks she’s crazy because she says she sees menacing shadows in any reflected surface. Inside she meets an array of disturbed girls, all with their own issues. But for the first time, she meets a boy who is trapped in the mirror and maybe her only chance to defeat the shadows who feed off the girls within the hospital.
The tension starts slowly like a pot of oil on the stove but builds up to a boil and then in the last few chapters, overflows and burns the house down.
Fun read.
From the beautifully spooky setting, to characters you can't help but feel deeply for, The Shadow Keepers was a thrilling read that kept me turning page after page! The author kept me guessing until the end what was real and what wasn't and I truly loved that. While I don't recommend staring too long into a mirror after reading this, in fact you may feel the urge to cover the ones you have, I DO recommend picking up a copy of The Shadow Keepers for yourself. But remember, whatever you do, don't look in the mirror.
