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3.31 AVERAGE
3.31 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Sexual content
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault
tense
Not the ending I expected or wanted.
This felt like it was a lot of build up for not a satisfying finish.
It was well written though
This felt like it was a lot of build up for not a satisfying finish.
It was well written though
I really enjoyed this book, and basically read it in one sitting because it was that good. The Favorites tells the story of Jessie, an Irish law student who has come to the US to seek revenge on a professor who somehow harmed her sister (we slowly find out what happened during the course of the novel). Jessie is a fascinating character! Of course we empathize with her desire to seek justice, but what does that really mean, and how far can she justifiably go? Jessie and the other characters are really well-developed and multi-dimensional. This was a remarkable combination of slow-burning thriller and meditation on the difference between justice and revenge.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review!
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought this would be an absolute hit for me based on the premise: a girl goes to grad school to seek revenge on the professor she suspects is behind her sister's death. A campus novel mixed with a revenge plot? SOLD. Sadly, the execution of this wasn't quite what I was hoping for. A lot of the book felt overwritten and too philosophical at times. The pacing was slow, and while the novel's commentary on justice, consent, and rape culture was smart, it felt like the plot was secondary to these observations. The voice of the narrator got pretty sinister at times, and I wanted the author to lean into this a bit more! Instead, she felt a little bland and unlikable, and didn't have much personality outside of seeking revenge.
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
fast-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
This novel fell really flat for me. It was full of cliche characters, dialogue and plot development and felt very repetitive. It’s an attempt at a #metoo story with a main character who lies about sexual assault and hinges on another alleged assault that the author never makes entirely clear happened or not. It just left a sour taste in my mouth and doesn’t live up to the comp titles it’s compared to.