The Silenced by Diana Rodriguez Wallace is a gripping revenge-driven YA ghost story. Hazel Perez gets stuck in a project group with her former bestie Becca. The subject of their research is Oakwood Farms, a former reform school for troubled girls that now sits in ruins. Oh, and it was founded and run by Becca’s family who still own the rundown property. When the students go to check out “The Farm”, Hazel hears singing and smells smoke. Is it just a prank by the others in the school group? Things get serious when she falls through the roof which lands in the hospital with a concussion and a broken wrist. But who was it calling Hazel and why are they now haunting her? As she digs deeper into the history of the farm, Hazel literally unearths some deeply disturbing facts and long held secrets.

The narrative switches between Hazel in the present day and the traumatic and abusive events suffered by the young girls at Oakwood Farms 30 years ago.

The novel brings to light the reality of the troubled teen industry that is still making news today. You need to follow author Dianna Rodriguez Wallock on socials because she actually walks you through the graffiti covered abandoned reform school that inspired her novel. Super creepy! Warning; the book and the author’s videos are sure to bring nightmares.

The plot of this book is multi-layered and an absolute rollercoaster of a read. Wallach has certainly done her research, and the way that she weaves history and fiction together is masterful. I loved the characters in the book. I loved the message of this book. I loved how I was forced to think about the Troubled Teen Industry in a new light. I think students will definitely gain a new perspective after reading this book-I already purchased a copy for my library.

@dianawallachauthor I just finished The Silenced. A horror/thriller inspired by The Sleighton Farm Shock and its siste school The Glen Mills School for Boys. Hazel is working on a group history project about landmark. Her group decides on the “The Farm”. After falling while exploring the school one night, Hazel leaves with more than a headache. She learns a spirit of a girl who died at the school has attached itself to her. The spirit is slowly trying to gain control of her body and mind. Hazel must research the school and why this spirit is with her before it’s too late. This book is fast paced, full of mystery and unease surrounding The Farm. I could not put it down. A voice for all children subjected to abuse in these types of schools, laced with some DelCo love and humor along the way.

Based off of two real reform schools, Glen Mills and Sleighton Farm, The Silenced gives voices back to those who lost them in the troubled teen industry.

In 1995, a teenaged girl is kidnapped and sent to The Farm, a reform camp for troubled girls like her. Suffering unimaginable abuse, she begins to plot her escape. In modern day, Hazel is an ordinary teen girl, just trying to get through highschool, but when she’s added to her former friend’s history project group, nothing is very ordinary anymore.

After a prank gone wrong when researching the abandoned Farm, a spirit attaches herself to Hazel. She can’t control anything when this girl takes over- and Hazel is going to need to find out answers in order to free her. But more things are buried in the soil at The Farm than just the remains of crops, and in both family’s pasts….

The Silenced was an absolutely incredible horror story with a powerful message. Make sure you check this one out! Thank you to Delacorte Press and Netgalley for the e-arc!

Goodreads link is up and review will be edited when up on other socials!

The Silenced is a chilling blend of ghost story, historical mystery, and personal reckoning that grips from its eerie opening and doesn’t let go. Diana Rodriguez Wallach crafts a tale that feels both timely and timeless, weaving together the horrors of the past with the personal struggles of her protagonist.

Hazel Perez is an engaging lead whose school project quickly spirals into something much darker than she expected. The way she inherits vengeful urges and visions from a spirit adds an unsettling twist, blurring the line between her own identity and the trauma of the girl trapped in her reflection. Her determination to uncover the truth behind Oakwell Farms School—and the corruption tied to it—keeps the tension high and the stakes personal.

The atmosphere is another standout. From the abandoned school’s suffocating presence to the lingering spirits Hazel encounters, the sense of dread is palpable. Wallach deftly balances supernatural scares with real-world horrors, particularly the abuse and silencing of the girls who once lived at the Farm. These layered revelations make the story resonate on a deeper emotional level.

If there’s a drawback, it’s that the pacing occasionally dips during the investigative stretches, with certain details of Oakwell Farms’ history feeling repeated rather than escalating. Still, the climax delivers a satisfying mix of catharsis and unease, bringing both closure and lingering chills.

Verdict: Dark, atmospheric, and haunting, The Silenced is a gripping supernatural thriller that entwines personal history with ghostly vengeance. Perfect for readers who enjoy mysteries rooted in both the past and the paranormal.

I thought this book was great, I generally like suspense and not knowing what is going to happen next. Hazel the main character is being haunted by a girl who lived and most likely dies at The Farm... What is The Farm? its a place where they sent troubled teens. But you hear what people say happens at these place right? Also Hazels ex best friend's family owns the land it was on and her Grandfather was present for what was going on.. we also get 2 different time lines with the chapters which helps set a mood ( I think thats the best way to put it} All in all I loved the plot and the way the book was wriiten.

I received a copy from NetGalley and Penguin Teen Canada in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 rounded up.

Such an important topic for people to learn about. Wallach incorporates the past and present through the spirit realm when present day Hazel begins to be haunted by a ghost that died at the “Farm”.

Told through present day and flashbacks, I would have appreciated more flashbacks with more mention of life in the trouble teen industry. This is really only thing holding it back from the full four stars. However, many of the mentions of the troubled team industry that do make the book are based on facts which the author explains in her author’s note at the end with specific troubled teen location examples.

A complicated story with a few twists and turns that will keep you engaged

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️️ 5/5 STARS

i LOVE this book. it's creepy, emotional, tragic, devastating, horrifically vivid, and is derivative of real-life experiences from survivors. The Silenced's main story sheds light on the torture and ab*se experienced by teens who were "sent away" by their parents (or judge-ordered) for "bad" behavior. you've probably heard stories about the Troubled-Teen Industry, might have even seen documentaries, read about it somewhere, or heard Paris Hilton talk about her own personal experience as a survivor... and all of it is shocking and atrocious. but i'm sure none will ever compare to the stories of those whose humanity was stripped and voices silenced eternally.

this book focuses on Hazel Perez and her ties to "The Farm", a place that is owned by her former bestfriend's family; a place that previously housed teenage girls sent there by their families. after a harrowing accident there, Hazel is being haunted by a girl who lived, and possibly died, at The Farm. this haunting leads Hazel to unlocking this mysterious girl's experiences and the dark truths about the place, simultaneously causing her to lose control of herself and act on the anger of spirit that's latched on to her.

there's a lot of grief in this book that is palpable and well written. it isn't just grief of losing a loved one, it's loss of friendships/relationships, loss of freedom, or just losing time to spend with loved ones. it's layered with anger for similar reasons. one of my many favorite things about "The Silenced" is the cast of characters. they all have a personality that's real and believable, which allows the reader to like, love, or hate them. you're able to truly empathize with so many characters, and i praise the author for that. i loved Maddie and Abuela, especially when it came to supporting Hazel when she needed them most. Maddie is a true ride or d*e sister, foreal!

i enjoyed how this book touches on the practice of Espiritismo, or spiritualism, taught to Hazel and Maddie by their grandmother. it's something very similar to how it is practiced in my culture (i'm Filipino). how everything unravels is absolutely gut wrenching. you're angry for the girls, and, more so, you're angry for all the hidden truths and lies. i ugly sobbed at the end.

all in all, i HIGHLY recommend this book for everyone. i think this is something worth reading for future generations in hopes to create a void in the Troubled-Teen Industry. places like this should not exist. young men and women shouldn't be treated worse than criminals for acting like teens, their sexual identity, or for simply existing. it's inhumane. this author touched this subject so well in a way i feel would be easy to digest for anyone. she could have gone into darker stories, but she didn't.

thank you to the publisher and author for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy via NetGalley. i leave this review of my own volition. all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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...