Dark Companion by Marta Acosta

Dark Companion by Marta Acosta

2012, Tor Teen

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Synopsis: Orphaned at the age of six, Jane Williams has grown up in a series of foster homes, learning to survive in the shadows of life. Through hard work and determination, she manages to win a scholarship to the exclusive Birch Grove Academy. There, for the first time, Jane finds herself accepted by a group of friends. She even starts tutoring the headmistress’s gorgeous son, Lucien. Things seem too good to be true.

They are.

The more she learns about Birch Grove’s recent past, the more Jane comes to suspect that there is something sinister going on. Why did the wife of a popular teacher kill herself? What happened to the former scholarship student, whose place Jane took? Why does Lucien’s brother, Jack, seem to dislike her so much?

As Jane begins to piece together the answers to the puzzle, she must find out why she was brought to Birch Grove—and what she would risk to stay there...

Why read: Received for review from publisher

What impressed me: I loved Marta Acosta's adult books, so I don't know why I was so hesitant to sit down and finally read Dark Companion. I regretted that wait instantly. This book is simply amazing. It takes everything I love about boarding school stories and gives an edgier background. It's obvious from the start that there is something mysterious going on here, but I was so swept up in the story that I didn't even find myself questioning what was to come. I was absolutely enthralled from beginning to end.

What disappointed me: Not a thing.

Recommended: Absolutely. There is so much wonderful here.