Something was missing from this book for me, and I still can't quite put my finger on what it was. The novel covers Ines' whole time at Catherine House, which is 3 years. And that's a lot of  time to fit into a single ~350 page book. Part of my trouble with this may have been the time period. I think focusing on about 1 year at CH would have allowed a deeper connection with the week-to-week experiences of the characters. But I also understand that Ines' journey of finding out what was goin' on at this place would make sense to take several years. I didn't love that we don't

ever get the full backstory of Ines' life before CH

. I guess feeling like Ines kind of didn't care about anyone or anything made me not deeply care about folks either. I think the creepy "What the hell is going on??" feeling is hard to achieve because an author has to give a little and withhold a little. And I think there was too much withholding. I'm still not sure I get the whole plasm deal. So, for me, the end

was really unsatisfying. I am fine with an ambiguous ending, but when the whole book has felt ambiguous, it just feels like more of the same.

I would try this author again, but this one wasn't quite what I was looking for. Like why was Ines there? How did she get away with so much?

Wowza. This book has ambiance coming out its ears. Very moody. I'm obsessed with the personification of Catherine and with the wood character development of the narrator. Not exactly my type of book but it hooked me. 

 - CATHERINE HOUSE is modern gothic, dark academia deliciousness with a bit of a sci-fi twist.
- Ines is a bit of a disaster bi and I think many readers may not like her. Additionally, the plot takes its time getting going, but the imagery and atmosphere along the way was worth it for me.
- Also, so many people told me nothing happens in this book, which...did we read the same book? So much happens! There's just a lot of drunken partying inbetween plot points, which, as someone who attended a small, cultish college, feels accurate. 

As soon as I started reading, I was trapped in Catherine House, and it only got better. If you are up for a dark, setting-driven story with casual queer and poc representation, and a sprinkle of science fiction, can't recommend it enough.
It doesnt really have a plot, but i loved that.