Author: Amy Lukavics
Release Date: Sept 25
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⭐.
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