Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Book Club Read May 2025
I really want to like this book, I do, but somehow between the cultural debate/commentary, Anisa's personal relationships and their issues as well as the whole plot hook of The Centre, everything felt so all over the place - like trying too much with too little of a story.
I would have liked to dive deeper into the whole mystery of "The Centre" and a bit more of how it works, how it came to be and the logistics of keeping this system running, but instead I got pages of Anisa dealing with her inability of being a good friend/partner. Reading about her personal struggles outside of The Centre would have been totally fine as a book, I love a flawed MC, if it wasn't marketed to mainly be about something that barely fills 30% of the book.
I really want to like this book, I do, but somehow between the cultural debate/commentary, Anisa's personal relationships and their issues as well as the whole plot hook of The Centre, everything felt so all over the place - like trying too much with too little of a story.
I would have liked to dive deeper into the whole mystery of "The Centre" and a bit more of how it works, how it came to be and the logistics of keeping this system running, but instead I got pages of Anisa dealing with her inability of being a good friend/partner. Reading about her personal struggles outside of The Centre would have been totally fine as a book, I love a flawed MC, if it wasn't marketed to mainly be about something that barely fills 30% of the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
I enjoyed this a lot! I think the characters personal bias and privilege was portrayed so accurately through her reactions and choices. I really appreciate that she also actually has a personality and is a flawed and normal individual, I am definitely a fan of good character writing.
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
informative
mysterious
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