Watch Out for Falling Buckets

 

TITLE: The Silenced

AUTHOR: Diana Rodriguez Wallach

PUBLISHER: Delacorte Press

PUBLISHING DATE: September 16, 2025

PAGES: 384   

SOURCE: Library

FROM GOODREADS: 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 had seen this book on a few sites and the cover immediately drew me in so when I saw it at my local library, I had to snatch it up.  

Hazel Perez is pretty much a loner at school.  She used to be part of the "in" crowd until her sister died and her best friend ghosted her.  However, her other sister, Maddie, is her best friend and the two support each other no matter what.  Hazel ends up being paired up with her ex-bestie and her clique on a class project which takes them to the abandoned Oakwell Farms.  The Farms used to be a home for troubled girls and is owned by her ex-bestie's family.  While there one night, Hazel has an accident which not only has people questioning her health but has Hazel questioning her sanity.  Not only does Hazel feel like someone is always following her and doing things which are totally out of character, who is the scary young woman who she sees attached to her back whenever she sees her reflection.

I really enjoyed this book a lot more than I anticipated.  I really enjoyed how Wallach opened up the history of girls' reformatory schools and how misrun they were throughout history.  I also think it really addressed sexuality and choices as the ghost haunting Hazel was sent to The Farms after falling in love with another girl.  I loved the character arc of the ex-bestie and the family drama around who Deidre, the ghost haunting Hazel, really is.  

Told from Hazel's POV with interspersed chapters from "The Farm" and Deidre, the book is fast-paced and although YA, still quite terrifying.  Of course, it's no secret that real life is often more terrifying than fiction and people are often the real monsters. If you want a YA horror with some meat to it, then definitely consider this one.  

MY RATING: 4 PAWS