Reviews

Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

traitorjoes's review against another edition

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3.0

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zoemqb's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

flori_faith's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

sammaich's review

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

legallyblue's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

annieeeveee11's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Was I able to put the book down? No. Would I buy it? Likely not. 

A very inspirational story of a Queen believing she is the Queen she was meant to be. Overcoming generational trauma, misogyny, racism & fetishization. I felt seen in many ways & also wanted to shake the main character & some of her friends. 

It was written in a structure I enjoyed with present & past intertwining to show how the character got to where she was & did appreciate what an easy read this was in many ways. 

rebecca_simard's review against another edition

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4.0

Found this book at the perfect time. Made me absolutely sob while listening to the audiobook in the car. Beautifully describes the experience of not being okay. Sometimes it feels like it's trying to do too much and some topics feel rushed but the main themes the book tackles feel incredibly real.

sarah_readinglog's review against another edition

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challenging inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

ahomelibrary's review against another edition

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My thoughts on Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams (2019). I finished this a week or so ago.

Immediately, I give several positive points to the fact that this book is 1) set in London, 2) feature a Jamaican-British main character, 3) use modern London slang. Alright, I love London slang, a lot of which derives from patois. So, I was loving the idea of this book from the start. Also, the cover is awesome.

Yes, however, I agree with the harsher criticism that Queenie is not a lovable character. Imo, there are no lovable characters in this book. But that’s okay. Not every story has to be positive or flawless. You don’t have to have a checklist of people, characteristics, and plot points.

With that being said, of course I found Queenie’s self-destructive behavior concerning but familiar. I’m sure we have all known a person who has engaged in similar behavior, especially in the “rock bottom” or spiraling stages of a mental health crisis. This book reflects an unfortunate reality — whereas Queenie may CHOOSE to sleep around with people who disrespect her, fail in her career, and totally disregard her friends’ autonomy and feelings, she needs to learn 1) boundaries, 2) self esteem, 3) respect for others. You’d be lying if you said you were born perfect in all these categories, myself very much so included in that.

My criticism on the writing — at first, I didn’t fancy the texting. I thought the side characters were very unrealistic in that they constantly were putting up with Queenie’s poor behavior and lack of attention to their own lives, and at the point where she realizes she has harmed one of her friends, I think that it boils over for the friend. All the men were trash. Everything is everybody else’s fault. Same story with a destructive person.

Mentions of sexual content (including some potentially triggering material), abortion/miscarriage, racism, abuse, gentrification (not a content warning just a general theme), sexual health, interracial relationships, adulterers. Good for mature teen to young adult readers.

lysh_'s review

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emotional funny hopeful slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25