e-ALC, 11:19:46
Narrated by: Brenda Arteaga-Walsh
Release Date: September 16, 2025
Published by: Books on Tape (Delacorte)
Read from: September 23-24, 2025
Stand-alone
Source: PRH Audio App (I received a free ALC from the publisher and their app. I also received a physical ARC from the ALA conference. This did nothing to influence my review)
Content Warning: Physical Abuse, Child Abuse, Bullying, Child Death, Panic Attacks/Disorders, Rape, Torture, Death of a Parent
For Readers Interested In: ARC, Audio, Dual POV, Horror, Sparkly Cover, Most Anticipated, Racial/Ethnic Diversity, So Good I Read the Acknowledgements, Thrillers, ToB 2026, YAWelcome To The Farm
Hazel Perez thought her school project on the abandoned Oakwell Farms School for Girls—or “The Farm” as it’s known to locals—would be just another assignment. But when a late-night research trip ends with her falling unconscious, she reawakens with a desire for revenge that isn’t her own. Desperate to free herself from these sudden violent urges, Hazel begins to investigate.
As she delves deeper into Oakwell Farms’ past, Hazel discovers the harrowing experiences of the girls who were once forced to live within its walls—under the eyes of sinister men—and the spirits who still linger.
With the help of some unlikely allies, Hazel must navigate a treacherous path of corruption, history, and the supernatural to bring peace to the restless spirits and uncover the truth about her family’s involvement.
The Silenced delves into the Trouble Teen Industry through a riveting exploration of a reform school’s haunted past colliding with the traumatized present.
*MY THOUGHTS*
I was not expecting this book to be as good as it was. I was a little nervous about the subject matter, but the author did mention the real life schools in her letter at the end, and there was not a specific instance this book is about. I’m glad she did her due diligence, because I could not put this down.
Ok so the main thing I wanted to talk about was the creepy aspect of this. I gotta say, I didn’t see that coming. I just knew she was going to be alongside her, but nope. And this is like the 2nd or 3rd book about this topic that I’ve read in a row. And it STILL scared the mess out of me lmao Idk what Wallach put in this book, but the ghost girl was so scary. But I will say, I can understand why. There’s no way anyone comes out of that situation a nice ghost. I felt so sad for her, but I was glad she got to take care of business in the end.
The plot and pacing were really good. I was never bored while I read this, even when it was just starting. I mostly felt sad for the things that she went through and the way they treated her. The pacing was sustained throughout the story and I almost bit my nails because of it. It never let up. And the plot was really good. I had heard stories about these schools, but only like surface level. So the more I learned about these schools, the sadder I got.
The characters were the only things I didn’t care for… And if you’ve been here before, you know what I’m about to say…..The adults in this book SUCKED. Only one of them was ok, and that was the grandma. She knew something was going on, and was the only reason this girl survived. I was glad she had her, but the rest of the adults were terrible. Including her father, the lying liar who lied. That was a hot mess for no reason. I could tell he knew what was happening because he was so damn dramatic every single time. He needed help too, but instead of getting it, he went and traumatized his daughter later on. And the kids weren’t actually that much better either. The ones that just listened to someone and didn’t ask any questions. Like do you have any brains of your own? I just couldn’t stand how they just went with it. It was annoying.
I never thought a horror book would scare me, haunt me, and make me cry, but this one did. The Troubled Teen Industry is scary and sad, and this book encompassed all of that. I really hope y’all pick this up. If nothing else to get a history lesson like I did.
Overall, I give this
