Reviews

Impostor Syndrome by Kathy Wang

achay91's review against another edition

tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Violence

Moderate: Death, Infidelity, and Pregnancy

robinreads_'s review

mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kperetti's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Pretty boring. Took me forever to finish. Wouldn't suggest to anyone. 

froggebip's review

4.0

I can see how some folks would have been disappointed this wasn't a true thriller. However, as a white dude in software who also liked reading Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, I think Impostor Syndrome scratched an itch for "mundane intrigue" and gave me some perspective from the viewpoint of women in this field.

If you fall into that very specific niche, this book might be for you. This novel was engrossing for me, with a fast pace and superb characterization that never once pushed me out of the plot. I find myself wanting to know more about these characters after these events, though the story definitely stands on its own.

There was one tiny plot point that I found nigh impossible to believe, but I suppose worse security vulnerabilities have been blindly ignored in real life, so maybe it's not *that* wild

novelvisits's review

4.0

Don’t you just love it when you pick up a book that you haven’t really heard much about and end up loving it?

elcsparks's review

3.0

A perfectly good summer read! I read this in a few sittings while laid up with an injury and it was very enjoyable to consume all at once. This book is much more about character development and a sense of place than a thrilling, unpredictable storyline (especially if you’re used to mysteries). It had some interesting commentary on big tech, feminism, race, nationalism, and other relevant topics, though any of these were certainly not the main focal point.

smytester's review

3.0

so uh why do all the women in this book hate other women (including a lesbian character lol)

other than my issues w the narration, this was a generally enjoyable read

pinoygrigio's review

2.0

Main character should have been assassinated. It could have been good. But it was kinda lame with the happy ending. Like she literally became an American informant. Leo should have killed her on the beach in Santa Cruz.

natashia8911's review

4.0

This was an interesting read, for sure. I like the writing approach in that it follows both Alice and Julia's perspective. Both characters were relatable, making it difficult to dislike either. I ended up liking Julia more than Alice just because of her stronger personality. While the end was predictable, the journey to get there was not, so I appreciated the road the writer took to get there. Definitely a novel that I will recommend to others.

natmartinez08's review

mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5