Published: 2021
Series: N/A (Stand Alone)
Author: Goldy Moldavsky
Illustrator: N/A
Genres: Horror, Young Adult, Thriller, Mystery, Dark Academia, Fiction, Contemporary, Suspense
Audience (Grade Levels): 9-12, High School
Number of Stars: ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 Stars)
Goodreads Link: The Mary Shelley Club
Triggers: Violence, Gore, Psychological Manipulation, Death, Bullying, Mental Health Issues, Substance Abuse Issues
Review By: Patricia Ranieri
Publisher’s Summary
New girl Rachel Chavez is eager to make a fresh start at Manchester Prep. But as one of the few scholarship kids, Rachel struggles to fit in, and when she gets caught up in a prank gone awry, she ends up with more enemies than friends.
To her surprise, however, the prank attracts the attention of the Mary Shelley Club, a secret club of students with one objective: come up with the scariest prank to orchestrate real fear. But as the pranks escalate, the competition turns cutthroat and takes on a life of its own.
When the tables are turned and someone targets the club itself, Rachel must track down the real-life monster in their midst . . . even if it means finally confronting the dark secrets from her past.
Review
This book offered a compelling dive into the world of high school secrets and spine-chilling mysteries, earning it a solid three out of five stars from me. From the outset, I was intrigued by Rachel Chavez’s journey into the covert society of horror enthusiasts known as the Mary Shelley Club.
One aspect that stood out was Moldavsky’s portrayal of teenage life, capturing the complexities of fitting in, forging friendships, and facing fear head-on. The characters felt authentic, and I found myself invested in their struggles and triumphs. However, while the suspense kept me turning the pages, I couldn’t overlook some flaws. At times, the pacing felt uneven, with certain plot twists feeling predictable or rushed. Additionally, some character motivations and actions seemed inconsistent, detracting from the overall immersion in the story.
Overall, “The Mary Shelley Club” provided an engaging read with moments of tension and excitement, but it fell short of achieving its full potential. Despite its flaws, it still managed to entertain and captivate me. This is a solid read for anyone looking for a classic high school murder mystery. I would recommend this title primarily to high school students and young adult readers who are fans of the dark academia aesthetic and classic slasher tropes. It serves as a highly entertaining choice for independent reading, though educators should note the heavy trigger warnings regarding violence and psychological manipulation before introducing it to more sensitive readers.
Classroom & Curricular Connections
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): The narrative heavily explores themes of peer pressure, the psychological desire for belonging, and the lengths to which students will go to fit into elite social circles. It can spark critical classroom discussions on the dynamics of inclusion versus exclusion.
- English Language Arts (ELA): The book serves as an excellent contemporary companion text to Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein or classic gothic literature, allowing students to compare modern “monster” archetypes with traditional horror tropes.
- Extension Activity / Library Application: This book is a perfect fit for a high school literature circle or a teen library book club, especially during the autumn season. A great extension activity would involve having students analyze horror movie tropes used in the text or tasking them with writing a suspenseful, non-harmful creative writing prompt that focuses on tension-building and pacing.
- Diversity & Representation Note: The story centers on Rachel Chavez, a scholarship student navigating a wealthy, privileged landscape. This dynamic provides meaningful class commentary on socio-economic disparities, classism within elite educational institutions, and the unique isolation felt by marginalized students in prep school settings.
Readalikes
- “One of Us Is Lying” by Karen M. McManus
- “Truly Devious” by Maureen Johnson
