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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I liked the tangents the author would go on but sometimes they seemed so random that I was fully pulled out of the book. The first part of the book was excellent, the second part and the reveal could have been weirder and more out there.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
This book blew my mind in the best way. What starts as a compelling, slow-burn literary mystery quickly transforms into something much darker and more chilling—there’s a twist (no spoilers!) that completely reorients how you see everything that came before.
The Centre follows Anisa, a woman who learns of a mysterious language training school that promises fluency in just two weeks. At its core, The Centre is a sharp meditation on the power of language—how it shapes identity, access, and belonging—and the seductive, sometimes dangerous pull of mastery and ambition. Siddiqi expertly weaves in themes of privilege, cultural erasure, and the costs of assimilation in ways that are both eerie and thought-provoking.
If you liked R.F. Kuang’s Babel or Ling Ling Huang’s Natural Beauty, you’ll find something to like here too. It’s unlike anything I’ve read in a while.
The Centre follows Anisa, a woman who learns of a mysterious language training school that promises fluency in just two weeks. At its core, The Centre is a sharp meditation on the power of language—how it shapes identity, access, and belonging—and the seductive, sometimes dangerous pull of mastery and ambition. Siddiqi expertly weaves in themes of privilege, cultural erasure, and the costs of assimilation in ways that are both eerie and thought-provoking.
If you liked R.F. Kuang’s Babel or Ling Ling Huang’s Natural Beauty, you’ll find something to like here too. It’s unlike anything I’ve read in a while.
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Intriguing premise but disappinting execution.
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Interesting concept and overall engaging book. I didn’t love the ending, but I do think it was an interesting way to reveal the narrator’s decision, assuming I’m interpreting correctly . Some of the sub-plots also ended it ways that I didn’t love specifically, the argument with Adam and Naima’s marriage (should’ve broken up with the guy, but whatever) . Overall though, I liked the story and some of the concepts that were explored.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book had a very interesting concept, but its pacing was too rushed towards the end for me to really appreciate the twist. Also, the main character was kind of annoying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Cannibalism
dark
reflective
medium-paced
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
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