Skip to main content

Review: Nightingale

Title: Nightingale
Author: Amy Lukavics
Release Date: Sept 25
Blurb:


At seventeen, June Hardie is everything a young woman in 1951 shouldn’t be—independent, rebellious, a dreamer. June longs to travel, to attend college and to write the dark science fiction stories that consume her waking hours. But her parents only care about making June a better young woman. Her mother grooms her to be a perfect little homemaker while her father pushes her to marry his business partner’s domineering son. When June resists, her whole world is shattered—suburbia isn’t the only prison for different women…
June’s parents commit her to Burrow Place Asylum, aka the Institution. With its sickening conditions, terrifying staff and brutal “medical treatments,” the Institution preys on June’s darkest secrets and deepest fears. And she’s not alone. The Institution terrorizes June’s fragile roommate, Eleanor, and the other women locked away within its crumbling walls. Those who dare speak up disappear…or worse. Trapped between a gruesome reality and increasingly sinister hallucinations, June isn’t sure where her nightmares end and real life begins. But she does know one thing: in order to survive, she must destroy the Institution before it finally claims them all.



Review:

So this is the first book of Amy's that I have read. But this cover drew me in.
June Hardie is a seventeen years old in the 1950s. She's everything that she shouldn't be- independent, rebelious, and a dreamer - instead of being a "better young lady" or a perfect wife and daughter that is expected of her. She wants to travel, go away to college, she wants to write her story after graduating high school but her parents want her to marry the boss's son. When she refused to be what her parents want,the commit her to the Institution- Burrow Place Asylum. In the institution, the medical staff seem terrifying, the treatments brutal, and it prrys and June's darkest fears and secrets. Any who dare speak up dissappear- or worse. June is now trapped in a grusome reality and sinister hallucinations, unsure of where her nightmares end and her life begins. In order to survive June must destroy the institue before it claims everyone admitted.
The story plays out between chapters that take place "before" and "after" June was admitted into the Institution. I was intrigued to find out what happened "before" causing June to be admitted, and unable to look away during what had been happening "after" even if it was the stuff of nightmares. Was June crazy? Did the stress of her life finally get to her? Or was what happening both before she was admitted, and during her admission actually real? June didn't know herself. She didn't know if what the other patients were saying was true. But she knew something felt wrong- whether or not it was with herself (did her mind finally crack under the pressure?), Or the fact that what happened was actually true was what June had to figure out.
I liked the mystery and suspense of the book. I liked how June was different and challenged what she was "suppose" to be. And feel this is the perfect fall read, if you are looking for a mild thriller. It was a little strange, a little terrifying, and a little frustrating all in one and wasn't at all what I expected. In the end I wanted June to finally get retribution for the injustice of everything she had been through. If you like sci-fi, monsters, or stories set in the 1950s with bad medical practices and young women who want to break the mold of who they are suppose to be this may just be for you.
4⭐ out of 5⭐.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Reread: Broken Bonds

  Title: Broken Bonds  Series: Bonds That Tie  Author: J Bree Release Date: June 2021 After the death of my mother and her Bonded, I was relieved to find my own Bonds. I was sure everything would be okay if I had them. It wasn’t. The fate of our people is in my hands and I know we’re better off if I’m alone. After five years on the run, I’m caught and dragged back to face the men I ran away from. I thought I was doing the right thing. Now, I’m not so sure. North, Nox, Gryphon, Atlas, and Gabe may never forgive me but one thing is for sure. I won’t ever forgive myself. *Broken Bonds is a full length reverse harem PNR novel with material that may be difficult for some readers. This book will end on a cliffhanger. It's recommended for 18+ due to language and sexual situations. Goodreads | Amazon   So I am rereading the Bonds that Tie series to read the newest release Broken Ties. You can find my  Original Review Here . This is a romantasy why choose romance full o...

Jan 2nd 2026 Newsletter

  Hey everyone! Hope everyone had a good holiday 😊!!  So it's been awhile since my last newsletter. - I'm unsure if this will be a weekly, bi weekly or monthly thing yet, bc it's a lot of work, but we'll see what the year brings. But let's start the new year with a Meet The Reader  Hi, my name is Natasha - my bday is January 3rd! I am a mom, & reader. I have a 10 - almost 11- year old daughter who also loves to read & a dog named Skye & a cat named Sunny and 4 goldfish. Besides books I also love Supernatural, Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman, Marvel & Disney. My favorite season is Autumn & I love Halloween. You will most likely catch me listening to 2000's punk or emo music or other 90s-20s music - I rarely listen to music newer than 2015.  I am a mood reader - meaning I am constantly picking up & putting down books trying to find something that hold my attention,& I will read anything from YA/NA, to fantasy, romantasy, romance, da...

Review: the Rake

  Title: The Rake Series: Boston Belles Author: LJ Shen Release Date: February 16 This is a DARK, royal standalone and the last book in the Boston Belles series. 𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧’𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐟𝐞𝐦𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐯𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐲. Emmabelle Penrose has cruised through life never needing a man, a plan that has worked stunningly well until about five minutes ago, when she decided she must have a baby. Devon Whitehall is 6’2” of premium DNA, financial security, and British royal titles. Best of all, he fears the one thing she dreads the most: getting hitched. Emmabelle figures it’s a no-brainer when Devon offers his services—sperm and involvement in her future child’s life.  What begins as an innocent, modern-family arrangement, quickly erodes into a web of lies, dark pasts, and unfurled secrets.  Inside this chaos, Emmabelle and Devon a...