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lttlfl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Classism and Cannibalism
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Racial slurs and Death
bmack's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
bookwormmelissa's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Gillian Flynn Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. I heard about this book from Modern Mrs. Darcy's Summer Reading Guide, and I was intrigued by the description and the cover. This is a story of Anisa, who wants to be a translator, and a secret school where one can be fluent in a new language in 10 days. Anisa attends this school and eventually learns the shocking secrets of how it works. This book reminded me a lot of Babel and Yellowface by RF Kuang and Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. I really enjoyed the commentary on India and Pakistan, language, translation, publishing, class, and appropriation. The twist is jaw-dropping, though now looking back I can see some clues. This was a captivating story that I won't forget anytime soon.
bookishconnections's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
tense
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
2.5
I’ve been wanting to read this book for ages and the premise sounded right up my street.
As I got more into it, the storyline just seemed to fragment.
The author was talking about lots of different issues via the character and then when the real issue of how the centre work came through, I was surprised and kind of horrified but by the end it ended so abruptly, any progress or conclusion made was gone.
I would recommend this book for fans of Mexican Gothic, Earthling or Burnt Sugar because it is very claustrophobic and focuses on body horror as well as a very uncomfortable sexual situation that may trigger some people.
Some of the tangents in the book were just not developed as much as they could be but the narrator made this book incredibly engaging which is why I rated it higher than I would have otherwise.
As I got more into it, the storyline just seemed to fragment.
The author was talking about lots of different issues via the character and then when the real issue of how the centre work came through, I was surprised and kind of horrified but by the end it ended so abruptly, any progress or conclusion made was gone.
I would recommend this book for fans of Mexican Gothic, Earthling or Burnt Sugar because it is very claustrophobic and focuses on body horror as well as a very uncomfortable sexual situation that may trigger some people.
Some of the tangents in the book were just not developed as much as they could be but the narrator made this book incredibly engaging which is why I rated it higher than I would have otherwise.
Graphic: Body horror and Cannibalism
Moderate: Sexual assault
moth_gf184's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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
2.75
charl's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This was fun!! Engaging read and some nice discourse, didn’t completely sweep me off my feet but I wanted to read it instead of watch telly and that’s something surely
tinkerer's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
eheidenreich's review against another edition
2.0