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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
A book that deals with a very difficult topic of girls sold into prostitution, and fighting for freedom and dealing with trauma. I really liked the characters, and the POV of the main character. The plot was fast paced and action-packed. I look forward to seeing what develops in the next book.
I loved this book. I found it triggering, but also empowering. I was impressed by each character's different, but realistic, response to their own trauma. It's an admirable story of survival and learning to trust both others and your own instincts.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
3.5 I wanted to love this book. And I did enjoy it overall. The writing was alright and the story good. I just didn’t care about most of the characters. There are characters who are annoying but getting irritated with them is part of the enjoyment of reading. Most of these characters were just so annoying and whiny that I was wishing death on some of them after a few chapters.
But I finished it. I would read a sequel depending on who was the focus.
But I finished it. I would read a sequel depending on who was the focus.
I was gifted a copy of this one from the publisher in exchange for review.
I was really excited about this one, I'd seen quite a bit of hype around this book and the synopsis was really intriguing to me however, unfortunately I think my expectations were a little bit too high and I was a little bit disappointed overall.
As I said the synopsis sounded super intriguing and I did enjoy the overall plot in the end. There is a big focus throughout this book on fighting back against societal expectations and I really liked that about this story. The themes in this book are really important however, I think the execution let it down a little bit. The writing style was okay, it was descriptive and reasonably paced but the plot was quite predictable in places. There were things that happened in the plot that seemed very coincidental and seemed like they were only there to move the plot along. I also felt the ending was quite rushed. There was a big build up and our main characters were travelling on a long journey that lasted the majority of the book and then all of a sudden everything was wrapped up in a few pages.
I did enjoy the characters though. Each of our cast of characters brought something different to the story and I really liked that about them. I particularly liked Aster, who I would say is our main character. She's described in the synopsis as the protector and I completely agree with that statement. She's strong and determined and strives to keep everyone safe. I loved the development of her character alongside Zee as he challenges her view on men and she learns to trust him. As I said the other characters all brought something individual to the story too however, none of them were as strong as Aster.
Overall I enjoyed the story and I really liked the characters but the predictable nature of the plot and the rushed ending left this one feeling a bit lacklustre for me.
3.5
I was really excited about this one, I'd seen quite a bit of hype around this book and the synopsis was really intriguing to me however, unfortunately I think my expectations were a little bit too high and I was a little bit disappointed overall.
As I said the synopsis sounded super intriguing and I did enjoy the overall plot in the end. There is a big focus throughout this book on fighting back against societal expectations and I really liked that about this story. The themes in this book are really important however, I think the execution let it down a little bit. The writing style was okay, it was descriptive and reasonably paced but the plot was quite predictable in places. There were things that happened in the plot that seemed very coincidental and seemed like they were only there to move the plot along. I also felt the ending was quite rushed. There was a big build up and our main characters were travelling on a long journey that lasted the majority of the book and then all of a sudden everything was wrapped up in a few pages.
I did enjoy the characters though. Each of our cast of characters brought something different to the story and I really liked that about them. I particularly liked Aster, who I would say is our main character. She's described in the synopsis as the protector and I completely agree with that statement. She's strong and determined and strives to keep everyone safe. I loved the development of her character alongside Zee as he challenges her view on men and she learns to trust him. As I said the other characters all brought something individual to the story too however, none of them were as strong as Aster.
Overall I enjoyed the story and I really liked the characters but the predictable nature of the plot and the rushed ending left this one feeling a bit lacklustre for me.
3.5
The Good Luck Girls follows a group of girls that have escaped from a ‘Welcome House’, which I’ve understood to be the equivalent of a brothel. The girls working in these ‘Welcome Houses’ do so against their will - they’re sold out of poverty and into the life of, first, ‘daybreak girls’ (responsible for cleaning, cooking etc.), and then when they come of age (16), they become ‘sundown girls’; responsible for entertaining the men that visit these houses.
Clementine and Aster are two sisters that have been living in such a Welcome House for years. On Clementine’s 16th birthday she’s meant to bed a man for the first time, and given no choice about it. She gets overwhelmed and realises how much she doesn’t want to, but when the man continues to force himself on her, she fights back and accidentally kills him.
Clementine asks her older sister for help, and together with 3 other girls that have gotten involved, they end up escaping - running away from their prison at the ‘Welcome House’ and towards a mythical women whom they hope to be more than just a story.
Charlotte Nicole Davis managed to fit some
pretty serious topics into her book, in quite a subtle way. Whilst there is never a clear mention of racism, the terms ‘fairbloods’ and ‘dustbloods’ are given to people of a certain descend, and it is made abundantly clear that dustbloods are continually discriminated against, and seen as lesser people. She never mentions skin-colour as the differentiating factor, and I don’t think she means to, but in this way the problems of racism and discrimination are clearly expressed and touched upon, without becoming the main focus of the book.
I think Davis did an incredible job at painting a scenario in which, technically speaking, these girls have broken all kinds of laws and are criminals, and yet they are merely fighting for the right to exist and be free. Things aren’t as black and white in real life as they seem to be on paper, which I think again links in to the undertones about racism - in our world black people don’t always receive the same treatment or benefit of the doubt by the law as white people do.
At least - that is the essence of what I picked up while reading her book.
I also think she did a great job of portraying the ‘sundown’ girls. Aster and Violet are the only two girls of the five on the run that have become sundown girls in the establishment. I think Davis did a great job of weaving that into the story without repeatedly stating it. The two girls are more reserved and skeptical than the other three - they seem to understand each other just a little better than the others, despite not always being on the best terms. I personally think it speaks to the authenticity of the characters and the book that Davis doesn’t just erase their past, but instead shows how deeply and inherently scarring it is to experience sexual assault from a young age; how it affects your personality and interpersonal relationships.
(While it is never explicitly stated in the book, instances of sexual assault and rape are heavily implied)
The story really centers on the friendship that grows between the five girls - the need for company and trust. Their journey of discovering who they really are, and what the world really has to offer beyond the confines of the Welcome House, while simultaneously being on the run from the law.
I will admit, there were a couple of minor instances in the book that made me cringe just a little... It was mainly once or twice when one of the girls gave a snarky reply after being immensely shaken up or beaten down - I just didn’t find it realistic at some points. It felt a little like she was trying too hard to make the characters appear aloof and sarcastic, which in my opinion wasn’t necessary as it shone through enough in the rest of her writing. However - that’s just my opinion. While it did contribute to me not rating this book 5 stars, I absolutely do NOT think it should withhold you from reading it!
But then again, I am a sucker for a good ‘girls-supporting-girls’ story, which always warms my heart more than some romance of one kind or another manages to do...
Clementine and Aster are two sisters that have been living in such a Welcome House for years. On Clementine’s 16th birthday she’s meant to bed a man for the first time, and given no choice about it. She gets overwhelmed and realises how much she doesn’t want to, but when the man continues to force himself on her, she fights back and accidentally kills him.
Clementine asks her older sister for help, and together with 3 other girls that have gotten involved, they end up escaping - running away from their prison at the ‘Welcome House’ and towards a mythical women whom they hope to be more than just a story.
Charlotte Nicole Davis managed to fit some
pretty serious topics into her book, in quite a subtle way. Whilst there is never a clear mention of racism, the terms ‘fairbloods’ and ‘dustbloods’ are given to people of a certain descend, and it is made abundantly clear that dustbloods are continually discriminated against, and seen as lesser people. She never mentions skin-colour as the differentiating factor, and I don’t think she means to, but in this way the problems of racism and discrimination are clearly expressed and touched upon, without becoming the main focus of the book.
I think Davis did an incredible job at painting a scenario in which, technically speaking, these girls have broken all kinds of laws and are criminals, and yet they are merely fighting for the right to exist and be free. Things aren’t as black and white in real life as they seem to be on paper, which I think again links in to the undertones about racism - in our world black people don’t always receive the same treatment or benefit of the doubt by the law as white people do.
At least - that is the essence of what I picked up while reading her book.
I also think she did a great job of portraying the ‘sundown’ girls. Aster and Violet are the only two girls of the five on the run that have become sundown girls in the establishment. I think Davis did a great job of weaving that into the story without repeatedly stating it. The two girls are more reserved and skeptical than the other three - they seem to understand each other just a little better than the others, despite not always being on the best terms. I personally think it speaks to the authenticity of the characters and the book that Davis doesn’t just erase their past, but instead shows how deeply and inherently scarring it is to experience sexual assault from a young age; how it affects your personality and interpersonal relationships.
(While it is never explicitly stated in the book, instances of sexual assault and rape are heavily implied)
The story really centers on the friendship that grows between the five girls - the need for company and trust. Their journey of discovering who they really are, and what the world really has to offer beyond the confines of the Welcome House, while simultaneously being on the run from the law.
I will admit, there were a couple of minor instances in the book that made me cringe just a little... It was mainly once or twice when one of the girls gave a snarky reply after being immensely shaken up or beaten down - I just didn’t find it realistic at some points. It felt a little like she was trying too hard to make the characters appear aloof and sarcastic, which in my opinion wasn’t necessary as it shone through enough in the rest of her writing. However - that’s just my opinion. While it did contribute to me not rating this book 5 stars, I absolutely do NOT think it should withhold you from reading it!
But then again, I am a sucker for a good ‘girls-supporting-girls’ story, which always warms my heart more than some romance of one kind or another manages to do...
Ok, what a book! This was beautiful.
The characters were so well written, each unique and had depth but they connected so well together. The plot was just so well thought out, with little twists and turns to keep you tuned in. And the writing style - wow! Davis has written a beautiful, easy read which completely captivated me. I was drawn into this story so easily and didn’t want to put the book down.
Found-family and friendships are strong themes in this book, as it independence and self-worth.
Please check this book for trigger warnings. Some, but not all, are death, drug use and sexual assault.
The characters were so well written, each unique and had depth but they connected so well together. The plot was just so well thought out, with little twists and turns to keep you tuned in. And the writing style - wow! Davis has written a beautiful, easy read which completely captivated me. I was drawn into this story so easily and didn’t want to put the book down.
Found-family and friendships are strong themes in this book, as it independence and self-worth.
Please check this book for trigger warnings. Some, but not all, are death, drug use and sexual assault.
How can a book that has both incredible writing and even better characters be so much fun to read? Insightful and beautiful. #FhoxicBookClubPick2021
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
The Good Luck Girls was a great first book! I really enjoyed the feel of it, a nice mix of adventure and pressure. I think Aster is a really good MC to follow, and I think the world was well built and compelling. There’s definitely a lot to think deeper on in terms of a few concepts in the story, such as the dust blood and fair blood metaphor. The ending was satisfying, and I’m honestly hyped to read the sequel. If you’re fan of adventure, I highly recommend!
Representation: Two black MCs, two brown MCs (one of indigenous descent)
One black side character, one indigenous side character
One side wlw relationship
Representation: Two black MCs, two brown MCs (one of indigenous descent)
One black side character, one indigenous side character
One side wlw relationship
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Trafficking, Murder