Book Review for What Happened at Hawthorne House by Hadassah Shiradski

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

What Happened at Hawthorne House, by Hadassah Shiradski, is a gothic horror about childhood innocence and cruelty. The book is separated into two parts. Part One: The Clover Court introduces a seemingly simple game that will inevitably destroy the lives of several girls, including Rosalyn, who strives to be the “Queen” of the Court. Part Two: Delicate Negotiations deals with the aftermath of the game and the introduction of the “Ambassador”, a role that allows the girls to latch onto someone who can act as an intermediary between them and the living. 

It’s funny; even though the Clover Court was her idea, Rosalyn was treated as lesser than. It’s easy to get swept up by the politics of the court, and eerily enough, it mirrors the hierarchies that adults will make for themselves. While I did appreciate Heather’s “intervention”, she went against social norms and unfortunately, she paid for it. Dearly. Moreover, Rosalyn is more manipulative than she’s letting on; the fact she took advantage of Marie’s psychological weaknesses, even if it ended in her death, spoke volumes about her ambition, however misplaced it may seem. The Queen’s legacy must go on, even if the crown is passed to another girl. I also liked Andrew’s strategy of ensuring the girl’s rules were followed; he knew how deadly this game could be, and by mitigating the situation, he was able to act as a sort of caretaker for the girls. It’s not the family they should’ve gotten, but it’s what they have. I also enjoyed the peace that Andrew had given them, however temporary it may be. 

It was a good, simple book. The fact that the girls had burned alive was tragic and gruesome, yet the Clover Court continues. The revelations Rosalyn had in the last seconds of her life had vanished the moment she was crowned Queen. I have a feeling that, while Andrew will be able to keep them in line, he has a point. If there are children, they may be forced to play the game. And if they play the game, would they be trapped in that house too? 

For now, I would give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. 

You can buy the book here!