The Furies by Katie Lowe

The Furies by Katie Lowe
Published in: 2019
Reviewed by: Book Worm
Rating: [★★★]

This ARC was provided by Harper Collins UK (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis from Goodreads: In 1998, a sixteen-year-old girl is found dead on school property, dressed in white and posed on a swing, with no known cause of death. The novel opens with this image, as related to us by the narrator, Violet, looking back on the night it happened from the present day, before returning to relate the series of events leading up to the girl’s murder.

After an accident involving her Dad and sister, Violet joins Elm Hollow Academy, a private girls school in a quiet coastal town, which has an unpleasant history as the site of famous 17th century witch trials. Violet quickly finds herself invited to become the fourth member of an advanced study group, alongside Robin, Grace, and Alex – led by their charismatic art teacher, Annabel.

While Annabel claims her classes aren’t related to ancient rites and rituals – warning the girls off the topic, describing it as little more than mythology – the girls start to believe that magic is real, and that they can harness it. But when the body of a former member of the society – Robin’s best friend, with whom Violet shares an uncanny resemblance – is found dead on campus nine months after she disappeared, Violet begins to wonder whether she can trust her friends, teachers, or even herself.

Book Worm’s Thoughts: This was a solid 3 read right from the outset I was drawn into Violet’s world. Witchcraft aside the story really captured how it feels to be a teenage girl in a new school, the anxiety of making friends, of keeping up with the work, of impressing the teachers and of course your first girl crush.

This book reminded me of Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood it has the same dark undertone, the paranoia about who you can trust and of course the same message that teenage girls can be cruel and dangerous.

I really enjoyed the sections of the novel where Annabel was teaching the girls about women in art, women artists and the difference between how male and female artists choose to portray certain scenes.  I also enjoyed the history of the school and the idea of the Furies as (very weird) guardian angels (or devils) for women.

For me this was a story about female friendship and about how girls feel they need to claim power back for themselves. It is fascinating to watch as things spiral out of control and most importantly it was (for the main part) believable. I could see how Violet fell into the trap she ended up in and once there what choice do you have but to go along with things? I did question her career decision which to me wouldn’t make sense in real life but in the world of the novel ok I can go with it.

Overall I think this is a perfect book for the target audience of young adult girls.

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