SEMI SPOILER: So I just completed The Maidens, I was SUPER excited to read this one after becoming such a huge fan of the Silent Patient. I enjoyed SP’s plot twist, the overall writing style, elements of psychology, and the artistic theme.
The Maidens didn’t live up to Silent Patients potential but was overall a great read and I enjoyed the Dark Academy theme. There were a ton of flaws and elements that could have been done better but I noticed that most of the reviews I’ve come across have been extremely negative. I wonder if it’s due to the popularity of the novels or do people really hate it as much as they say they have? Maybe I’m a novice when it comes to picking out whether a novel is worth recommending or finishing for that matter but it has me second guessing my own views here. Anyone else feel similarly when they complete a book & read the reviews?
It’s quite alarming because I’m glad I didn’t look at reviews too much prior to reading – or any book for that matter. It can really skew your perspective in my opinion.
Nonetheless, the ending was SICKENING. I didn’t see that coming but it was a plot twist I’ll give that. I also wish the Maidens group were developed more since I didn’t feel attached to any of those characters. Marianna was also hard to like – a lot of decisions were cringy and annoying but I think that was the point of it all. I did enjoy that Silent Patient & The Maidens took place in the same universe – that was an interesting surprise. I did feel there were moments of repetition in the book, I believe whenever Mariana was meeting Clarissa at those commonplaces for the fellows. Maybe it was just me recalling it that way. I could go on and on honestly! Fred’s character was also totally unlikeable imo. I give it 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️.
Love to hear your thoughts!
by artgal1727