Dickensen Academy
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Dickensen Academy
by Christine Grabowski
Edition: ebook, 2018
Synopsis: Dickensen Academy isn’t a typical boarding school. The faculty is hiding an unbelievable secret within their fine arts program. When Autumn Mattison receives an invitation to attend the high school, she yearns to escape her overbearing father yet remains reluctant to leave her mother and brother. Her doubts fade away when a vivid dream convinces her she belongs there.
Away from home, Autumn discovers a unique school environment that awakens her creative potential, and her new friends become like a second family. However, as she uncovers more about the dark side of the school and struggles with its curriculum, she questions whether Dickensen Academy is truly where she belongs.
When tragedy strikes, Autumn must learn to believe in her own power and stand up to her greatest fear or risk having her memories destroyed to protect the school’s secrets. Caught between secrets and dreams, can she find her true self?
Autumn is delighted she has been accepted to Dickensen Academy because of the fine arts program. When she arrives, she learns there is more to this boarding school than meets the eye and Autumn’s creative potential is unlocked.
The strength of this novel is in Autumn’s struggles. Although she desperately wants to succeed in the dream aspect of the school, she is not immediately successful. She has to fight for it and is creative in how she approaches the fight. Her interaction with her friends and siblings made her more realistic and genuine.
There were some weakness in the story, however. Autumn’s attraction to Ben seemed underdeveloped and I found I didn’t care whether they became a couple or not. It could have been removed and the story would not have suffered. I’d expected more danger-there were hints of darkness through the story-but this is never resolved. Perhaps in a sequel it will be addressed?
Overall, it is an interesting YA book I would recommend to readers looking for a contemporary/fantasy read. I was given a copy from the author for reviewing purposes.
