Madame Eldridge’s Wayward Home for Unruly Boys was the 5th place finalist in BBNYA 2024. It is a YA fantasy and mystery that keeps you gripped to the end.

Blurb

Deep in the heart of Virginia’s dense backwoods, the Wayward Home for Unruly Boys hides more than just troubled youth. Under Madame Eldridge’s watchful eye, three strict rules govern their behavior

1. What happens here stays here.

2. You must complete all eight steps—no exceptions allowed.

3. Forget your name; you’ll be known only by your problem.

But, there’s one unspoken rule that sends shivers down the boys’ never enter the forbidden third-floor bedroom of the boy who vanished, leaving nothing behind but whispers.

When Vandalize and Stealer defy this warning, they uncover a treasure trove of bewitched artifacts, each with a strange and powerful ability. Using these relics, the boys tackle Madame Eldridge’s whimsical—and often bizarre—challenges, only to learn magic always demands its price.

Amidst the chaos, Fibbsy stumbles upon a peculiar object that sends him hurtling back in time, revealing an unfathomable truth about Madame Eldridge, the eerie town, and the missing boy’s fate. But who will trust the words of a liar?

Bound by the house’s darkest mysteries, Fibbsy, Defiance, Slob, and Secret form an unlikely friendship as they race to unveil the shrouded secrets surrounding the Wayward Home. Together, they confront their deepest fears, uncovering that the real magic lies in facing their own personal demons—and each other.

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Review

Excellent writing style. Great pacing. Well edited.The plot pulled me in and made me want to keep reading. I believe the story is original as I have read a lot of YA books and not read anything similar.

Elliot’s character was well established and his feelings and reasons for being at the Home were clear. He is a rather spoilt boy with a misguided view about lying, which gives a lot of scope for character development and a strong character arc. I also like the way we were shown Sassy’s (Ishir’s) character through his actions and dialogue.

The book takes a dark turn with a lot of gratutious violence when Madame Eldridge enters the story. She wastes no time in renaming the boys, giving them unsettling new titles like Fibbsy, Stealer, Bully, Cheater and Defiance. Each name reflects a personal flaw and signals the beginning of a deeper transformation that each boy must face.

As the story progresses, the boys are drawn into a series of unusual and often dangerous trials. The setting, a shadowy Victorian residence, becomes a place of mystery and tension. The boys must learn to cooperate and think independently if they are to uncover the truth behind Madame Eldridge’s increasingly cruel and puzzling tasks.

The narrative moves between the ordinary and the fantastic. There are moments of fear and bravery, innocence and insight, as the boys’ journey becomes more surreal. Vivid scenes and sharp dialogue keep the pace brisk, while each answer they find leads to more questions and an unsettling sense that more is always just out of reach.

This debut novel stands out for its originality and strong character development. Themes of loyalty, perseverance and self-discovery give the story heart. The writing is richly visual, with a cinematic quality that suggests real potential for adaptation. Readers of fantasy, mystery and coming-of-age stories will find much to enjoy.

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Links to More Reviews

Amazon Link: https://a.co/d/2xhAZT8 (Canada) https://a.co/d/gy4ZbEk (USA) https://amzn.eu/d/6gb1kDI (UK)

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221648688-madame-eldridge-s-wayward-home-for-unruly-boys

The Story Graph Link: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/dae36be6-672b-4648-9308-594850a53715

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About BBNYA

BBNYA is a yearly competition where book bloggers from all over the world read and score books written by indie authors, ending with 15 finalists (16 in 2024) and one overall winner.

If you want some more information about BBNYA, check out the BBNYA Website https://www.bbnya.com/ or take a peek over on Twitter @BBNYA_Official. BBNYA is brought to you in association with the book blogger support group @The_WriteReads.

Author Bio

Once upon a time, there was a military brat named Benjamin Ryan, who traveled the world and embraced every unique experience he encountered. Being the new kid in town wasn’t always easy, and as he struggled with weight issues, he also had to deal with the hardships of teasing, male friendship, and acceptance. But, he was determined to find his place in the world and used his love for writing to create adventures that would transport him to a different world, where he could see things from a new perspective.

Through his writing, Benjamin Ryan discovered his authentic self and found a way to inspire others. Armed with degrees in Art History, Education and World Religions, he became a New York City public Special Ed teacher, where he uses whimsy, creativity, and acceptance to inspire the youth of tomorrow. And thus, Benjamin Ryan was born—an author that embraces the power of storytelling to inspire and create change. With a deep understanding of the struggles that come with being different, Benjamin Ryan creates content that speaks to the heart and soul of their audience. He is active on twitter in the writing community (@BRClothwrites), hosting writing prompts, engaging with life’s unique perspectives, and inspiring others to create their truths.