Reviews tagging 'Gore'

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

59 reviews

kimveach's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-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

4.0

I enjoyed this contemporary story. It's not so much a mystery or thriller as a book about relationships and family.  It was excellent on audio with the narrator's lovely accent.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

padi390's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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? It's complicated

3.5

Firstly, I haven't read a Nigerian book I felt as connected to as this one. As a Nigerian, born and bred, the setting took me back home. I could almost smell the food as It was described and the Yoruba took me back to the markets with my mum. As much as I liked the setting the only critique I have about it is that didn't feel like Lagos at times. The hustle and bustle of Lagos is something else, where it feels like no matter where you go there are just too many people and it didn't always feel like that when reading. But I suppose that was because things always happened either in their house or at the hospital.
As an older sister myself, this was a very apt (but exaggerated) way of describing what it is like being the eldest. Your siblings can do no wrong. Their messes are your fault. If they do something bad why didn't you teach them better, why weren't you there for them? You are supposed to be the confidant, the teacher, the help. You are supposed to be extraordinary so they can be ordinary. 
I would have loved it if the author had gone into more detail with some of the relationships. Such as that between Korede and her mum. I honestly wouldn't have minded if the book was longer so we could further explore some of the relationships. 

The man smiles. I smile back

I don't really believe this is a spoiler, but if it is I'm sorry. This line I had to sit with for a bit because it showcased what I feel a lot of the time. It is a never-ending cycle being the oldest sibling and it gets to the point where you just have to smile and bear it because what can you do but be there for them? Even if at times it is to our detriment. 
The ending wasn't as punchy as I hoped and I think fell flat. For a book that was fast-paced and packed with big emotions I just wish there had been something more. Don't ask me what but that was what I got from it.  
A very solid 3.5, maybe 3.75⭐. I would like to read other works from this author. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Death of parent, and Murder

narbine's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

That was an enjoyable read! Love this author’s writing style 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Gore, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Pedophilia, Sexism, Trafficking, and Classism

devemaya's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Blood, Murder, and Gaslighting

klhunter42's review against another edition

dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Gore, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Medical content

Minor: Classism

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

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 of

frustration

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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

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. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

josie2k's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder

ka_ke's review against another edition

challenging dark medium-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

3.0

It’s okay. I appreciate the complexity behind the need to protect ones sister, and protecting oneself by reporting the crime. It’s not easy to be in that position and I believe it was portrayed well. 

Otherwise the book gets very repetitive and eventually you figure out where it’s going 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Bullying, Gore, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Classism