Scan barcode
agentlywildrebellion's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Slavery
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
Minor: Bullying and Pregnancy
bzliz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Zillah is a Free mixed race woman who is working at a variety show playing a caricature of an African woman for the entertainment of white Londoners. She’s never put much thought into who her performance was hurting because of her drive to support herself but when she sees another woman being abused by the show’s owner, she feels compelled to help.
Be prepared for the apathy and outright cruelty some characters display if you choose to pick up this book. I took a few days of a break in the middle of reading to decompress because although I enjoyed the book, it made me feel Stressed. If you are extremely sensitive to the mistreatment of others, it’s probably best to skip this one. Racism, racial slurs and classism are clear warnings of what to expect.
Be prepared for the apathy and outright cruelty some characters display if you choose to pick up this book. I took a few days of a break in the middle of reading to decompress because although I enjoyed the book, it made me feel Stressed. If you are extremely sensitive to the mistreatment of others, it’s probably best to skip this one. Racism, racial slurs and classism are clear warnings of what to expect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Slavery, Trafficking, Torture, and Sexual harassment
katieo156's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-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
3.0
Summary is definitely misleading but I enjoyed the book anyway! Pace was super rushed at the end and everything seemed to finish up too easily, but I'm glad Zillah didn't end up with Lucien but I wish she could have made up her mind to choose it for herself rather than being cornered into it. Another man wasn't going to fix her life and I liked that she had another path to choose- it was just a pity that path felt hastily put together in the final pages. . Zillah has especially limited agency as a woman of color in this time period but I wished we had seen her stand up for herself more rather than one man or another (friend or romantic interest) swooping in to save the day. Her fortitude and independence are alluded to but we don't get to witness them all that much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Racial slurs, and Racism
Moderate: Slavery and Sexual harassment
dionnesims's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I appreciate the internal journey that Zillah goes on throughout this book. Despite the historical setting, "what does it mean to be Black" is a question that remains relevant even in 2022.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, Trafficking, Slavery, Sexual harassment, and Sexism
Moderate: Bullying and Misogyny
Minor: Confinement and Drug use
More...