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ihssu0624's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racial slurs, Murder, and Blood
teeclecticreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Gosh this was good! When I finally got to read the book without distractions I ended up finishing it in one whole day. It was giving me serious Squid Games/Hunger Games meets Bridgerton vibes. I must admit that the pacing was too slow in the beginning and there was a lot of talking in riddles until we got to the action. Adina was also annoying me a lot with all the terrible decisions she was making, but I enjoyed her determination to succeed. The juiciness of the plot and the ending made up for all of that though. I just love that it also highlighted a serious issue that minority groups, especially black people, face where we try to work twice as hard in a world with an uneven playing field just to get a chance at making a better life for ourselves. Definitely a fav read of the year so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Infidelity, Violence, Cursing, Gore, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Blood, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
honestlyyours77's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a great read! It took a bit to get into the story as the beginning was a bit unpolished and repetitive. However, about 1/8th into the book it picked up a bit and swelled to where you didn’t want to put it down.
I love the twists as the story played out and the strength of the protagonist. Giving anything more would give spoilers which I do not care to do.
While this is YA fiction it is definitely fit for any reader who enjoys suspense.
*a note on diversity. While the book isn’t filled with diverse characters with the exception of the protagonist and a few others, it is intentional. It is a glimpse of the real world impacts on people of color. So while the story is thankfully fictional, the real world
Message and impact is not.
I love the twists as the story played out and the strength of the protagonist. Giving anything more would give spoilers which I do not care to do.
While this is YA fiction it is definitely fit for any reader who enjoys suspense.
*a note on diversity. While the book isn’t filled with diverse characters with the exception of the protagonist and a few others, it is intentional. It is a glimpse of the real world impacts on people of color. So while the story is thankfully fictional, the real world
Message and impact is not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Racism, Sexism, Racial slurs, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, Violence, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
klpage's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Wow wow wow!! I absolutely loved this! I read this as part of a Tandem Collective read along so I just want to say thank you for letting me be part of this.
As for the book; I loved Joelle Wellington’s writing style. She made the book feel dark and atmospheric and creepy throughout the whole story and I was here for it!
We follow Adina who wants nothing more to go to Yale, but an event happens which puts this dream into jeopardy. She is invited to something called The Finish which could change her whole life if she is to win.
The book covers topics such as racism, social class and hierarchy but it is done in a way which makes you think “wow people still treat people like this!”
I was rooting for Adina the whole way through this book just to prove that because she’s black doesn’t mean you shouldn’t count her out of anything.
Intense, edge of your seat reading. Absolutely loved it!
As for the book; I loved Joelle Wellington’s writing style. She made the book feel dark and atmospheric and creepy throughout the whole story and I was here for it!
We follow Adina who wants nothing more to go to Yale, but an event happens which puts this dream into jeopardy. She is invited to something called The Finish which could change her whole life if she is to win.
The book covers topics such as racism, social class and hierarchy but it is done in a way which makes you think “wow people still treat people like this!”
I was rooting for Adina the whole way through this book just to prove that because she’s black doesn’t mean you shouldn’t count her out of anything.
Intense, edge of your seat reading. Absolutely loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Vomit, Racial slurs, Gun violence, and Racism
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