The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy

The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy
Anne Ursu
Walden Pond/HarperCollins, 2021
423 pages
Grades 5-Up
Fantasy

Marya is an often overlooked girl from a small town. Luka, her brother, is the golden boy: destined to become a sorcerer, one of the upper tiers of this society trained to battle the Dread. At Luka's testing Marya accidentally interferes. Luka is not chosen, but Marya receives a mysterious letter ordering her to attend Dragomir Academy for Troubled Girls deep in the mountains. At the academy life is harsh. The teachers are very strict and the rules are plenty. The silver lining is that for the first time in her life Marya begins to make friends with some of her fellow students. Yet all is not as it seems at the academy. What were the circumstances behind the founding family and what happened to their missing daughter? Why are the girls forced to attend--are they really "bad"? These questions and more are answered as the Dread approaches the school and the girls must figure out on their own how to save both their lives and the school, tapping into powers that they didn't know they processed.

Fantasy author for young people, Ursu, presents a new title with plenty of magic, mystery, adventure and friendship. Feminist in nature, the students at the academy discover that they have been kept down by the kingdom's menfolk, who do not wish to share their power, and must figure out on their own how to make their magical way in the world. Even though the book is set in a mythical kingdom and in a boarding school for troubled young girls, there is much to which today's youth will relate. Marya is a likable character and readers will root for her as she discovers her true nature and gains confidence, all while discovering the secrets hidden by older, powerful men. The secondary characters are also sympathetic. Many characters grow and change throughout the pages making the story as rich in characterization as it is in plot. The story fully ends, yet Ursu leaves the door open for a sequel. A book that ticks a lot of boxes, it is fun to read and keeps readers guessing, all while having something to say, yet doesn't sink under the weight of it's message.