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There is a YA book, Shine that covers similar ground but in the world of K-pop groups. This is more adult, with two twentysomethings given the opportunity to join the Dollhouse -- a remote Catskills compound-cum-studio that trains actors-dancers-singers. It's like getting to be on Nickelodeon or Disney mixed with the old studio system, where the the corporation owns your image and, eventually, your life. There's creepy stuff going on, but our innocent Ramona is convinced that she can figure out a way to succeed, even though she's been surpassed by her BFF Grace (oops! Gracie). Intercut with Ramona's story is a diary written by Ivy, the Dollhouse's biggest star, exposing some of the secrets that the management is trying to hide. Sadly, the pacing is frequently off, particularly the ending.

Calling this a boarding school is just wrong: these are not teen girls, they're college graduates. Ditto calling this "dark academia": it's theatre boot camp, not an actual school (or, more accurately, while there might be teens there we meet none of them).

eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss.