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galacticmackerel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ezribex's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
inwonder's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
f33lthesun's review against another edition
2.0
I was a bit unsure what to expect from this book. I chose to review it for this tour as I am trying to read at least one book a month outside of my usual genres.
What I found was a well written character driven narrative set in dark academia. The content however was not for me. There is definitely an audience out there for Dorley Hall, but it does not include me.
The biggest issue I had was the juxtaposition of the forced feminisation programme being run in Dorley Hall, against the much softer, often humorous, wholesomely frivolous post programme lives of those who have passed through the programme.
The biggest question I was left with was does the end justify the means?
I am not sure it does in this case.
Thank you as always to Neem Tree Press and @The_WriteReads for an ARC to review for this blog tour.
gardensnail's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
4.25
Terribly enjoyable. Almost laughably allegorical. Its not everyday I read something original, which this is. I can't wait to read more!
nikereadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a free review.
Welcome to Dorley Hall was a book I wanted to read for a long time and it did not disappoint my expectations, but far exceeded them. I don’t really know which genre I would put this book in, honestly, because there is mystery surrounding the whole Dorley Hall project, where it came from, how is it functioning, there’s the sheer angst the characters are going through, there are day-to-day troubles the girls who exited the program are facing, but this book has genuinely funny parts where the writing is extremely witty and charming.
Stef was such an interesting character, a deeply closeted trans woman who decided to go through a forced feminization program, and the way he was written made me care so much for him. Stef was literally at the wrong place in the wrong time, but it was clear from his point of view that this was the only choice he could make. I deeply sympathized with the way he decided to embrace his situation, and really loved his characterization of a deeply closeted trans woman – not just the way he viewed himself and his body, but also the way he saw himself undeserving of she/her pronouns and how he viewed his potential transition and the program.
Christine was also such a great character, as it added so much depth to the story to see the whole Dorley program from the point of view of someone who was in the later phases of it, but not being a trans woman. I think the whole conversation Christine and the others had about the differences between being a trans woman and transitioning versus the girls who went through Dorley Hall was such a great addition. Christine’s guilt and empathy makes her such a well developed character and her parts in the book were really nice as they added so much context to Stef’s story.
Overall, this book is really good and I think it serves perfectly as the first one in a trilogy. It establishes characters and the whole setting of Dorley, while also leaving so many things for the next books to uncover.
Welcome to Dorley Hall was a book I wanted to read for a long time and it did not disappoint my expectations, but far exceeded them. I don’t really know which genre I would put this book in, honestly, because there is mystery surrounding the whole Dorley Hall project, where it came from, how is it functioning, there’s the sheer angst the characters are going through, there are day-to-day troubles the girls who exited the program are facing, but this book has genuinely funny parts where the writing is extremely witty and charming.
Stef was such an interesting character, a deeply closeted trans woman who decided to go through a forced feminization program, and the way he was written made me care so much for him. Stef was literally at the wrong place in the wrong time, but it was clear from his point of view that this was the only choice he could make. I deeply sympathized with the way he decided to embrace his situation, and really loved his characterization of a deeply closeted trans woman – not just the way he viewed himself and his body, but also the way he saw himself undeserving of she/her pronouns and how he viewed his potential transition and the program.
Christine was also such a great character, as it added so much depth to the story to see the whole Dorley program from the point of view of someone who was in the later phases of it, but not being a trans woman. I think the whole conversation Christine and the others had about the differences between being a trans woman and transitioning versus the girls who went through Dorley Hall was such a great addition. Christine’s guilt and empathy makes her such a well developed character and her parts in the book were really nice as they added so much context to Stef’s story.
Overall, this book is really good and I think it serves perfectly as the first one in a trilogy. It establishes characters and the whole setting of Dorley, while also leaving so many things for the next books to uncover.
paperbackghosts's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
maxwellreads's review against another edition
4.5
this was very well written and enjoyable! i flew through it at top speed, and i love almost everything about it
claires_loveofbooks2020's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.5
I'm giving this book a 2.5 star.
I'm very knowledgeable about transwomen due to being related to someone who is.
The plot of this book is completely wrong, in my opinion. It gives the wrong impression that forcing cis men into becoming women is an okay thing to do when it's not! Their reasoning behind giving them an orchiectomy for such things like rape and hitting wives/gfs is not an okay reason. Jail, yes, or some kind of rehabilitation centre for xyz, yes but castration? NO.
I get that it is a unique story, and I'm not going to lie, I was intrigued enough to read the entire book but I just found it hard to read when I know how hard transition is for genuine trans people.
I'm very knowledgeable about transwomen due to being related to someone who is.
The plot of this book is completely wrong, in my opinion. It gives the wrong impression that forcing cis men into becoming women is an okay thing to do when it's not! Their reasoning behind giving them an orchiectomy for such things like rape and hitting wives/gfs is not an okay reason. Jail, yes, or some kind of rehabilitation centre for xyz, yes but castration? NO.
I get that it is a unique story, and I'm not going to lie, I was intrigued enough to read the entire book but I just found it hard to read when I know how hard transition is for genuine trans people.