The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy by Anne Ursu

 

Marya Lupu has lived all of her life in the shadow of her brother, Luka, who everyone says is destined to become a sorcerer, one of the magical elite who protect Illyria from the evil Dread. In Illyria, girls don't have many places to fill, and Marya's mother has just about given up turning Marya into the nice young lady who can someday be a gift to society. 

But when the sorcerers come to judge whether Luka has the magical talent required to join their ranks, Marya makes a big mistake, the consequences of which will send her down a path she could never have imagined. She is sent to Dragomir Academy, a school high in the mountains where troubled girls go to learn how to be good. Marya is suddenly surrounded by classmates who, like herself, have been instructed never to talk about their pasts. 

When a sorcerer arrives at the school, and strange things start happening to the other girls, Marya and her classmates discover things about Dragomir Academy, magic, and the Dread that could get them into a lot of trouble if they tell someone--but more trouble if they don't.

I finished this book recently, and now no other book that I pick up seems to be good enough. I love Anne Ursu's writing style, and the way she seems to effortlessly create intricate and colorful worlds and characters is truly inspiring. I love Marya and the world that this book is set in, which is flawed enough to create conflict but has enough good to keep you happy. It seems like it would be hard to balance all of characters of the students in Dragomir Academy, but Anne Ursu makes each of them seem unique and well-rounded while not overloading us with too much information. Also (and I know I end too many posts this way), isn't that cover absolutely gorgeous? It's so mysterious and really reflects the story as a whole.

Check out my interview with Anne Ursu where we talk about the Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy:  https://thebooklover21.blogspot.com/2022/02/interview-with-anne-ursu-author-of.html?m=1