Books & Audiobooks
Canadian author Sierra Marilyn Riley’s debut Young Adult novel The Dark Cove Theatre Society is a creative love letter to both gothic literature and the theatre world. The story follows Violet, a second-year student at the infamous Dark Cove Arts Academy on the isolated Dark Cove Island, off the coast of British Columbia. After an unfortunate panic attack last year during a performance, Violet has a lot to prove if she wants to remain at the competitive arts school. Her only friend is fellow scholarship student and the school’s only Two-Spirit student, Kay. The pair support each other through the demanding academia and among the challenging social hierarchy of the school.
When Violet, against all odds, lands a lead role in the Dark Cove Theatre Society’s production of A Midsommer Night’s Dream, it seems like her luck is finally changing—that is, until her talented and privileged peers tell her about the curse: one cast member every year inevitably cracks under the pressure and drops out of Dark Cove Arts Academy with no notice. Given her reputation and social status, the obvious choice for the curse to fall upon this year is Violet. Desperate to prove herself to those who doubt her and to herself, Violet dives into the world of Shakespeare. Joining her on the stage are Frankie, the school’s undisputed star who she can’t quite figure out, and her ex-crush, Hunter.
With an atmospheric setting, intrigue, and just enough teen angst, The Dark Cove Theatre Society is highly enthralling. Woven into the narrative are mixed media pieces: newspaper articles, emails, and school notices. Riley also utilizes footnotes throughout the story which adds to the academic feel and sprinkles in some useful knowledge. These add a creative element to the novel I haven’t seen before. The characters are well developed and realistic, the narrative fast paced, and the whole novel a wonderful debut. As an actor herself, Riley intertwines the magic of stage performance with the story in a highly entertaining way. The Dark Cove Theatre Society is perfect for anyone looking for a unique Canadian read.