Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

211 reviews

stellahadz's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Despite its dark themes, this was a fast-paced, entertaining read. The prose is simple yet effective in capturing the essence of each character within a relatively short number of pages. I actually wish the book had been a bit longer so the ending could have tied up some loose ends, but I still really enjoyed it. It subverts expectations of its genre - it's less about the serial killer herself, and more about the narrator, her sister Korede, who feels a sense of duty and protection towards her. Ultimately, it's less a story about crime and more a story about sibling dynamics and the question of how far you would go to protect someone you love.  

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Medical content and Death of parent

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

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. 

---

Content Warnings

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

botanicpanic's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Blood

Minor: Bullying, Pedophilia, Medical content, and Death of parent

ta_ma_ra_gj's review against another edition

dark lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder

Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent

wanderingwonderbread's review against another edition

dark emotional 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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Medical content and Grief

cateycat's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

julierambaeck's review against another edition

tense fast-paced

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

3.0

I find it really interesting how the author is able to construct characters and relationships in such a short amount of time. That said, this was an average book for me.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Death of parent

kendal_reads's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Blood

Minor: Pedophilia and Death of parent

eve_kadou's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Death of parent, and Murder

rosie_valadez's review against another edition

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Murder

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Blood

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Death of parent