A review by grrrlbrarian
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Love the premise, the tension, and the depiction of Cambridge University’s darker side … but I just feel let down by the ending. 

The conclusion to Henry’s obsession with Mariana feels laughably rushed. Then we are flung into the reveal of the murderer, which wasn’t necessarily predictable but just ended up a bit hollow.

I didn’t object to it being Zoe, but the motive felt cheap and, again, rushed. The epilogue was also kind of unnecessary and added nothing to the story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

Minor: Sexism and Vomit