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buer's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The first time that Korede's sister calls her, desperate for help, after killing her boyfriend, Korede rushes to help. Gradually, though, the list of dead boyfriends increases and Korede finds it more difficult to see her sister as an innocent young woman guilty only of self-defense. When her sister begins a relationship with a doctor at the hospital Korede works at she needs to decide if she will continue to protect her sister or if it is time to come clean - and possibly save the life of the doctor she loves.
Considering the premise, this is not nearly as graphic of a text as I might have expected. Most of the violence is suggested rather than described in explicit detail, so unless the idea of murder in the abstract really bothers you, most people can probably handle reading it.
Overall, I really liked this book. It's a quick read (under three hours if you listen speeded up on audiobook) that efficiently bumps between the sisters' childhoods and their current lives as adults. Oyinkan Braithwaite is an efficient storyteller - you'd swear the book is longer than it is even as you're blazing through it - and Adepero Oduye is a gifted narrator.
My biggest quibble with the book is arguably one of personal preference, so I only took away half a star. I dislike the "ugly sister" vs "beautiful sister" dichotomy that is is the fuel to most of the conflict between the two women at the center of the story. Although I'm sure the trope rings true for plenty of readers, watching the ugly sister be bitter and the beautiful sister be oblivious just gives me the yuck.
I recommend this for people who like combative but ultimately loving sister stories and folks who like a good old fashioned moral quandry.
Considering the premise, this is not nearly as graphic of a text as I might have expected. Most of the violence is suggested rather than described in explicit detail, so unless the idea of murder in the abstract really bothers you, most people can probably handle reading it.
Overall, I really liked this book. It's a quick read (under three hours if you listen speeded up on audiobook) that efficiently bumps between the sisters' childhoods and their current lives as adults. Oyinkan Braithwaite is an efficient storyteller - you'd swear the book is longer than it is even as you're blazing through it - and Adepero Oduye is a gifted narrator.
My biggest quibble with the book is arguably one of personal preference, so I only took away half a star. I dislike the "ugly sister" vs "beautiful sister" dichotomy that is is the fuel to most of the conflict between the two women at the center of the story. Although I'm sure the trope rings true for plenty of readers, watching the ugly sister be bitter and the beautiful sister be oblivious just gives me the yuck.
I recommend this for people who like combative but ultimately loving sister stories and folks who like a good old fashioned moral quandry.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse and Child abuse
aliteracja's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child abuse
lay_kone's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder, and Child abuse
gwenswoons's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Murder, Police brutality, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Physical abuse, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, and Medical content
leligavi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Wow ..I really didn't like this book. I thought it was going to be about a sister no longer going with the delusions and disgusting actions of a younger, spoiled sister and that just didn't happen. I was truly rooting for the happiness and liberation of the main character but she didn't get it, but was FINE with it. I think while I am rating this book super low, I do acknowledge that the book made me feel how I'm guess the author intended. So kudos to them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Murder, and Toxic relationship
tiddlerrr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-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
4.25
Very interesting, and an incredible depiction of how complicated familial (particularly sisterly) relationships can be. The narrator is simultaneously fiercely protective and adores her younger sister but seems to hold a lot of contempt and resentment for her and struggles with holding both of those things within herself. I also loved Korede’s friendship with Muhtar!
Not the sort of book I expected it to be when I first picked it up but I was pleasantly surprised by it!
Not the sort of book I expected it to be when I first picked it up but I was pleasantly surprised by it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Medical content, Sexism, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Toxic friendship
annamariesreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I'll be honest, I thought everyone's reviews of this would be 5 stars across the board because I loved it.
I feel bad deducting points because of the feeling offrustration I felt at the end. Ultimately I think it's realistic that Ayoola would get away with it (again) as Korede's devotion to her was nothing short of incredible.
However, what I liked most about this novel is that that the relationship between the two sisters is nuanced fascinating. Worried my above comment makes it sound simplified.
I have read alot of slow paced books year so far and this one zoomed by. Just what I needed to get out of the slump.
Although the characters weren't lovable, they were fascinating. I would like to shout-out Weruche Opia on the audiobook. The sheer number of voices she did... Astounding!
I leave this review with one final comment-alot of the time with serial killers, you don't get their 'why.' So I think this is the perfect ending for Ayoola and Korede.
I feel bad deducting points because of the feeling of
However, what I liked most about this novel is that that the relationship between the two sisters is nuanced fascinating. Worried my above comment makes it sound simplified.
I have read alot of slow paced books year so far and this one zoomed by. Just what I needed to get out of the slump.
Although the characters weren't lovable, they were fascinating. I would like to shout-out Weruche Opia on the audiobook. The sheer number of voices she did... Astounding!
I leave this review with one final comment-
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
abicaro17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really liked this book. I think the premise was interesting and the development of the story was cool. My issues stems from characters. Neither sister is particularly likable and neither is anyone else in this story. Pretty much everyone is a villain in my eyes. The doctor leads the main character on, the sister manipulates everyone, the mom coddles the younger sister, all of the coworkers seem either lazy or rude, the dad needs no explanation, and the main character can't decide whether to defend her sister or tell on her. I think this is another case of a book benefiting from some more content. It's still a good book just not the best.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Classism, Death, Body horror, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Medical content, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Blood, Grief, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic relationship, and Violence
missdeaddoll's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
2.5 stars. This was a cute and funny story. Less about murder, more about the relationship between Korede, the resentful and enabling older sister, and Ayoola, the beautiful younger sister that’s a serial killer. This is a mild thriller, not suspenseful or scary. I liked the format of this, with the short chapters that are almost like diary inputs. Makes this a good casual read. I didn’t like the tropes used nor the ending.
Content Warnings
Minor: Gaslighting, Murder, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
unwise_samwise's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse and Violence