Solid 4. This one is a doozy. I stayed up really late to finish it. Will definitely find a wide audience of YA readers. Perfect for high schoolers who like the dark and mysterious. I love the history and the real world connections to boarding schools and the troubled teen industry. Well researched, empathetic, and gripping. The characters are well done and the budding, sweet romance adds a little spice. A great story.

This is the type of story I want my daughters to read. A story that doesn’t shy away from the dark truths of our collective past. A story that looks that dark history right in its face and commits to do better, to be better. A story that gives voice to those who are silenced.

I appreciated Wallach’s paranormal and spiritual spin on this real life horror story. Although she is unflinching in her commentary and condemnation, she doesn’t fail to highlight the resilience and strength of the girls. There is hope for reckoning and hope for a better future. The Silenced is a must-read for teen and adult audiences alike!

Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, and Random House Children’s for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

4.5⭐️! I really enjoyed this book and appreciated Rodriguez Wallach‘s focus on the troubled teen industry. More awareness is definitely needed here. The author handled the subject matter in a sensitive manner and struck a good balance of revealing the horrors of the industry without taking it too far where the reader couldn’t stomach the details and it was unreadable. Also, I thought the inclusion of Espiritismo was fascinating, and I really appreciated learning about how native traditions blended with other spiritual beliefs to create this new spiritual practice.

I blew through the last 100 pages of the book and couldn’t put it down. The story did feel a little rushed toward the end because there was so much happening. Also, sometimes the emotional interactions felt a bit corny, including at the end. However, that wasn’t enough to really impact my rating. Overall, I thought this was really well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's/Delacorte Press for the advanced copy in return for my honest review.

I could not put this book down! It's a YA horror with heart--my new favorite genre.

The story effortlessly blends family drama with horror elements and everyday teen issues like ex-best friends and new romances. And all of that while masterfully navigating the ugly world of the Troubled Teen industry (TTI) with sensitivity and care.

The main character's arc felt real and earned. The discovery of family secrets and haunted pasts touched on all the spooky things I love about this genre. Though I wasn't personally triggered by any of the darker parts of the book, it should be noted that the story covers systemic abuse, teen abuse, deaths of a teenage children (off the page), homophobia, sexual assault (referenced to), and neglect. Yet, with all of those topics, I feel like the author wove them into the narrative so it made sense for the story--none of it was simply for shock value.

While the villain's arc was absolutely horrific, it did feel a little simple. Too neat. But after reading the author's note about the research that went into this book and the very real "reform school" it was based on, I understand why. In real life, crimes too often go unpunished, so perhaps this was the author's way of writing an ending with some justice for once. Although the ending wrapped up with a neat little bow, it was incredibly satisfying to see the villain get what was coming to them. Finally!!

I've never read any of Rodriguez Wallach's works before, but she might be my new favorite writer! Would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes darker YA fiction or who enjoys reading diverse horror.

Dark, daring, and deeply resonant, The Silenced isn’t just a ghost story—it’s a reckoning. Diana Rodriguez Wallach masterfully blends supernatural suspense with real-world horror, shining a chilling spotlight on the troubled teen industry through the eyes of a girl haunted—literally and figuratively—by a system built to silence survivors.

Hazel Perez is sharp, brave, and flawed in the most human way. What starts as a seemingly harmless school project becomes a descent into possession, paranoia, and painful truths when she uncovers the history of Oakwell Farms—a rebranded “therapeutic” institution where abuse thrived in the shadows. And when Hazel starts seeing a ghostly girl in her mirror? You know the past isn’t done with her yet.

What makes this story so powerful is how it blends heart-pounding supernatural stakes with very real emotional trauma. Hazel’s rage—both her own and that of the girl possessing her—feels earned, raw, and righteous. There’s danger, yes, but also resistance, solidarity, and a burning need to confront the rot hiding behind closed doors.

Wallach doesn’t pull punches. This book is as thoughtful as it is thrilling—addressing the horrors of institutional abuse, generational secrets, and the ways girls are gaslit into silence. But there’s also hope here: in Hazel’s fight, in the friends who rise beside her, and in the possibility that truth, once unearthed, can be a form of justice.

💥 4.5/5 stars – The Silenced is an unflinching paranormal thriller for fans of Sadie, A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, and The Girls Are Never Gone. It’s a must-read for anyone who loves ghost stories with teeth—and refuses to look away from the real-life hauntings in our history.

The silenced is a YA horror, it’s not just any horror though it’s also a gripping, raw look into the truth of the so called “ troubled teen industry programs” this author brings the truth about these programs to light. I was hooked since the beginning I loved the plot, the writing and the twist at the end! I really enjoyed the character growth, and reading about the battles each character faced. Overall the silenced is a strong and impactful story that many horror fans will enjoy.

I originally was hooked by the cover and description alone.
Each chapter left me wanting more and in suspense.This was a quick read for me. I
especially enjoyed how it alternated between past and present day.

As heavy as the subject of juveniles who have suffered institutional abuse, especially through the Troubled Teen Industry (TTI), I feel like the author handled it respectfully and it’s incredibly important to shed light on.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Wow! This one was INTENSE, but I still found it to be an engaging and (dare I say) enjoyable read. It was difficult at times - particularly reading Hazel's chapters - but the subject matter and storytelling were so powerful that I found myself compelled to continue even when her treatment was its most disturbing. I was fascinated to see how the dual narrative worked itself out, and to eventually realize the interconnectedness of it all. It's difficult to stomach, but an important part of our recent (and long-standing) history to understand. This one won't be for everyone, but it's an incredible story blending the supernatural, family, and abuse of power into a whole that is infinitely more complex than the sum of its parts.

This book, 30 pages in, sank it's teeth into m. I knew it was going to take me on an emotional roller coaster, exposing the exploitation and abuse of teenagers in these so called behavior modification programs. This story brings the elements of horror, mystery, and what it's like to be someone who constantly sits under the radar, too timid and shy to speak up and out for herself.

This book, 30 pages in, sank it's teeth into m. I knew it was going to take me on an emotional roller coaster, exposing the exploitation and abuse of teenagers in these so called behavior modification programs. This story brings the elements of horror, mystery, and what it's like to be someone who constantly sits under the radar, too timid and shy to speak up and out for herself.

really well done horror about the horrors of these reformatory schools. 5 stars. tysm for the arc. would recommend.

This was just supposed to be a run of the mill school project for Hazel Perez. However after a late-night research expedition to Oakwell Farms School for Girls results in her falling unconscious she awakens not entirely alone. As Hazel digs deeper into the history of the Farm the secrets get twisted and dark. While Oakwell Farms has been abandoned for decades it becomes clear that there are restless spirits still trapped waiting for justice for what happened to them.

The Silenced by Diana Rodriguez Wallach is a haunting story inspired by too many real experiences in the troubled teen industry. The main character has to deep dive into the secrets the owners of Oakwell Farms have tried to bury, and these secrets share similarities with many court cases we have seen in the media today. While this story is not for the faint of heart, it is important and shares perspectives from young girls who are all too often villainized for making mistakes. The scenes painted by the Rodriguez Wallach are all too real, you can almost smell the strawberries...

Hazel Perez is doing a group history project on the Oakwell Farms School For Girls. Unfortunately, her group includes her former best friend Becca whose family has a connection to ‘The Farm’. After a prank goes wrong on a nighttime research trip to the Farm, an injured Hazel starts acting strangely. Her life starts to unravel after out of character, violent outbursts at school.

As Hazel explores deeper into the entity that is haunting her, she uncovers the true horrific past of the Farm and the secrets her own family has kept from her. With the help of her sister and group mates, Hazel sets out to bring light to the suffering of the girls at the Oakwell Farms School before the troubled ghost haunting her takes over for good.

Told in alternating narratives, The Silenced evokes the sinister nature of the Troubled Teen Industry and the truth that has been hidden about these ‘schools’ for the decades. Hazel makes a great protagonist for the reader to discover this hidden history through. A few of the twists were rather obvious, and I wish the author had leaned in a bit more on the horror, but I enjoyed the overall story.

Thank you to Random House Children’s/Delacorte Press and NetGalley for providing the e-arc for my honest review.

A gripping horror story with a terrifying message.
Be scared and learn at the same time!

I will always be a sucker for books that reference my home state.

The Silenced by Diana Rodriguez Wallace gave me chills I wasn’t expecting. The haunted Oakwell Farms School for Girls feels like a place that’s still alive—and not in a good way. Hazel’s investigation into the past uncovers dark secrets and spirits that seem to cling to you long after you’ve finished reading. Wallach masterfully weaves a tale of betrayal, corruption, and supernatural terror that kept me turning pages late into the night. The haunted visions and eerie whispers make your skin crawl, especially when Hazel begins to see the ghostly girl staring back at her in the mirror… a girl with stories to tell—and a thirst for justice. The storyline is intense, with some genuinely creepy moments that will leave you second-guessing every shadow. It’s not a cozy read—more like walking through a fog of malevolence that might just follow you home. A hauntingly good story, but definitely one to read with the lights on. Just be prepared—it’s not just a ghost story; it feels like these spirits might still be lurking...long after you’ve closed the book.

This was a really intriguing premise that pulled me in right away. I couldn't put it down. Very powerful.

The Silenced gave me witchy vibes I did not even know I was craving. I could not put this book down. I was reading it before bed, during lunch, even while sitting under the dryer at the salon. That is how good this book is.

What really pulled me in was how the story jumps between the present and the past. It kept me hooked, always wanting to know what piece of the puzzle would drop next. The abuela in the story reminds me of my husband’s grandmother. Just like her. I related so much to Hazel. She reminded me of my own high school days when I felt invisible. And Deidre was the queen that embodied what a hero is. She was fierce and unforgettable.

If you are into stories that blend mystery, witchy vibes, and timelines that shift between then and now, The Silenced is absolutely worth reading.

An eerie ghost story that had was an absolute page turner but at the same time making me want to look away. Ever since reading this book I’ve been trying very hard to not look into mirrors, or anything with a reflection, with the fear I’d see something. It even had my heart rate increase because the descriptions were just chilling. I absolutely loved this book, it was heart wrenching reading what these girls went through and how much pain they felt even after death. If you’re looking for a spooky revenge ghost story that has you looking over your shoulder constantly as you read it, but isn’t too scary this one is for you!

Thank you again to @netgalley and @delacortepress for this advanced copy!

A school for juvenile delinquency that ended in death while the others just thought they were in the bucket aka solidarity. Hazel and Maddie had discovered so much about the reason why Hazel couldn’t be friends with someone she considered her best friend and the behavior she started to have after her incident and the death of her sister. All information started to pour out entirely.

This is my first book by this author but, if the others or any more in the future will have me wanting to go to the next pages like this one did, I am all for it. I loved this book and I really hate the way the bad guy was in this book trying to get everyone else to do his bidding just so he could have a clear conscious and have the other person with regret. He was a narcissistic hypocrite and I hated that for him because a truth goes a long way. The apple didn’t go to far from the poisonous tree.

I always love books that shine a light on often overlooked and devastating parts of history. I also like how this author made the creep factor and unfairness of this institution without outright and blatant SA. It felt more impactful and not at all gratuitous. Well written and a great story that leaves you aching for the characters, knowing that they've probably actually existed in some form in the world.