LOVELY DARK AND DEEP

A senior must discover the truth behind dark magic afflicting her magic academy.

Born with magic into a non-magical family, Faith Castillo found comfort in attending the Ellery Academy of Magic, West Campus, in Washington’s San Juan Islands. That is, until she and best friend Sydney entered the forbidden forest during junior year, and only Faith made it out alive. As punishment, Faith is placed on probation and given a curfew, becoming a social pariah. Close to being expelled and losing her magic, Faith is desperate to lie low until graduation. She’s plagued by nightmares about Sydney and the forest—and when the nightmares become a reality and other students get hurt, she realizes the forest isn’t done with her yet. Along with her fellow Red Stripes—so called for the red edging on their school blazers that marks them as the probationary class—Faith investigates the dangerous forces at work while trying not to get expelled. While dark academia at its core, this thrilling contemporary fantasy balances the darkness with a charming group of misfits who form a found family. Flashbacks from Faith and Sydney’s friendship provide further context about their relationship, the fatal incident, and Faith’s emotions. While the pacing is sometimes uneven, the characters’ growth and development are exceptional. Filipino immigrant Faith struggles with her sexual orientation; the other Red Stripes are diverse in race, sexuality, gender identity, and neurodiversity.

Dark and thrilling, yet lovely and endearing.