A Drowned Maiden’s Hair Review

A Drowned Maiden’s Hair by Laura Amy Schlitz  

“Maud realised that she had become something far worse than a secret child.”

Maud is an 11 year old deprived of love, too old to be adopted from her orphanage.  That is until the day two sisters come along looking to adopt a young child, someone younger than Maud. Miss Hyacinth the younger sister hears Maud sing and instantly knows she’s the one, its love at first sight for Maud. Living her dream; nice dresses, books and someone who cares Maud doesn’t wish for anything else. Well except for the part where she doesn’t have to be kept hidden but it’s not for too long, right? 

Maud was a decent main character the only thing that really bugged me was her idolisation for Hyacinth. Though I do know why she did obsess over her and why that was key to the plotline it got really annoying at most points in the story. But other than that I quite liked her and the different stages she went through both physically and emotionally.

At first there’s the mystery surrounding why she was adopted and is a secret child. I was expecting something different to be the reason but the actual reason was actually a good surprise. The idea is quite weird but interesting when you see the things Maud and the sister’s do to prepare and trick people.

The second half of the book was much better than the first as Maud got more independent and realised things for herself. I did pity the situation she was in both regarding Hyacinth and Mrs Lambert but I did like the way things played out near the ending.

But that ending was too perfect and it didn’t suit the book because it was expected, I knew it was going to happen.

★★★☆☆