lucyebradley7's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
thebookmonger's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
breysreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Rain City Lights was a blast from the past, showing the hardships of everyday life as well as life with a serial killer on the loose.
4.5/5 stars
Monti and Sasha became friends at a very young age when both of their terrible circumstances brought them together. As they grow older, and begin growing apart, life continues to throw curve balls at them.
The characters in this book were flawed, they had extreme difficulties, they were stubborn and I absolutely loved them. Both Sasha and Monti were excellent main characters. Their stories were extremely different, but also similar. I really enjoyed them, and I enjoyed the diversity in this book.
The murders happening was such a subtle background plot that becomes important. It was fun to have something in the background to play detective with, while also enjoying the main plot, which was the lives of Monti and Sasha. I didn’t see it coming and it was impressive.
The setting is primarily in the 1970s-1980s. I really enjoyed learning about life back then. iPhones didn’t exist and racial tensions were extremely high.
This book does deal with a lot of possible triggers. These are spoilers, so if you don’t have triggers or don’t want it to be spoiled, stop here. This book deals with addiction, overdose, suicide, murder, and mental health.
4.5/5 stars
Monti and Sasha became friends at a very young age when both of their terrible circumstances brought them together. As they grow older, and begin growing apart, life continues to throw curve balls at them.
The characters in this book were flawed, they had extreme difficulties, they were stubborn and I absolutely loved them. Both Sasha and Monti were excellent main characters. Their stories were extremely different, but also similar. I really enjoyed them, and I enjoyed the diversity in this book.
The murders happening was such a subtle background plot that becomes important. It was fun to have something in the background to play detective with, while also enjoying the main plot, which was the lives of Monti and Sasha. I didn’t see it coming and it was impressive.
The setting is primarily in the 1970s-1980s. I really enjoyed learning about life back then. iPhones didn’t exist and racial tensions were extremely high.
This book does deal with a lot of possible triggers. These are spoilers, so if you don’t have triggers or don’t want it to be spoiled, stop here. This book deals with addiction, overdose, suicide, murder, and mental health.
katreadstoomanybooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This gritty, atmospheric novel made me so homesick for Seattle, even though the main plot centers around a serial killer! Monti and Sasha are coming of age in the 1980s in Seattle, just as grunge music is kicking off. At the same time, a serial killer is targeting teen Black prostitutes.
In my opinion, the book would have been improved if the present day timeline was presented first, and then interspersed with flashbacks. Sometimes, it was hard to tell what year a scene was taking place. I would have also preferred just reading Monti’s story, but I do love a good chapter from the killer’s perspective! I was disappointed that there was only one.
The blurb references Seattle’s Underground but as far as I could tell, the book doesn’t mention this at all. I did love that Harrison focused on the birth of grunge music, teenage prostitutes working in Pike Place Market (rarely discussed), and that it features an interracial relationship.
Bottom line: too much was going on. It could have been tightened up. I applaud Harrison for trying to address race, class, poverty, religion, homophobia, abuse, addiction, and more in 370 pages, but it just didn’t mesh in a cohesive way.
prose_before_bros_'s review against another edition
5.0
This is an absolute must read novel. I loved almost everything about it and I already miss the characters.
It’s 1981 in Seattle and there’s been a string of murders targeting black prostitutes. But honestly while crucial to the storyline, it’s not the focal point. Monti, the protagonist, and her neighbor/best friend Sasha are coming of age in some of the most difficult circumstances. Both children of single parents for reasons explained in the book, Monti and Sasha’s story address racial discrimination, classism, gender inequality, prostitution, homelessness, and drug abuse, among many other issues. And of course the favorite ‘will they/won’t they’ storyline.
I think what I loved most about this book is that Harrison wove intensely rich characters and plot lines from beginning to end. There’s certainly a thriller aspect in that there’s a huge murder component but the way she developed the characters, both with flashbacks and by moving the storyline forward a decade, is what struck me as truly beautiful writing.
The only thing that made this slightly difficult to read was that the time jumped around and if a chapter started it in the past, it was always easy to note when it shifted back to the future. There was also a moment when it said it was 1981 and the trial was taking place, but I think that date was inaccurate? Regardless, the story was not affected and everything still flowed very well.
.
Please go read and fall in love with this book and these characters like I did so it gets all the attention it deserves. And pre-order it for when it’s officially published in October!
It’s 1981 in Seattle and there’s been a string of murders targeting black prostitutes. But honestly while crucial to the storyline, it’s not the focal point. Monti, the protagonist, and her neighbor/best friend Sasha are coming of age in some of the most difficult circumstances. Both children of single parents for reasons explained in the book, Monti and Sasha’s story address racial discrimination, classism, gender inequality, prostitution, homelessness, and drug abuse, among many other issues. And of course the favorite ‘will they/won’t they’ storyline.
I think what I loved most about this book is that Harrison wove intensely rich characters and plot lines from beginning to end. There’s certainly a thriller aspect in that there’s a huge murder component but the way she developed the characters, both with flashbacks and by moving the storyline forward a decade, is what struck me as truly beautiful writing.
The only thing that made this slightly difficult to read was that the time jumped around and if a chapter started it in the past, it was always easy to note when it shifted back to the future. There was also a moment when it said it was 1981 and the trial was taking place, but I think that date was inaccurate? Regardless, the story was not affected and everything still flowed very well.
.
Please go read and fall in love with this book and these characters like I did so it gets all the attention it deserves. And pre-order it for when it’s officially published in October!
kpthebookworm's review against another edition
4.0
This book is so beautifully written. The descriptions are stunning. The scenes were painted so vividly that I could see everything playing out like a movie.
I also loved the characters. I thought they were so well developed & I really enjoyed watching them change from teenagers into adults. Sometimes their interactions positively broke my heart. Monti is a great character who undergoes such an amazing transformation. I really feel like I developed an attachment to them over the course of the book & I’m kind of sad to let them go now.
I also loved the characters. I thought they were so well developed & I really enjoyed watching them change from teenagers into adults. Sometimes their interactions positively broke my heart. Monti is a great character who undergoes such an amazing transformation. I really feel like I developed an attachment to them over the course of the book & I’m kind of sad to let them go now.
thatgirljamie's review against another edition
5.0
This book is raw and real. Drug abuse, murder, and poverty all come together to shape the story of Monti and Sasha. This is a coming of age story about two friends who grow up on the streets. I'm not usually drawn to stories like this, but I couldn't put this book down. Marissa really knocked it out of the park with this one. There is enough twists and turns to keep you guessing and keep you drawn in. Overall, I can't wait to see what else Marissa Harrison has up her sleeve!
I received this book for an honest review.
I received this book for an honest review.
bookish_heidi's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't know what to expect from this book. I saw a pretty cover and serial killer, of course I wanted to read it. The beginning was a bit rough, but once it picked up, it was a beautiful story!
Coming of age, harsh city living, real and raw characters full of flaws.
Check it out! You won't be sorry!
Coming of age, harsh city living, real and raw characters full of flaws.
Check it out! You won't be sorry!
softestreader's review against another edition
5.0
I could not put this book down.
It was uncomfortable to read, and i thought that was brilliant. It was necessary, and hard, and brutal, and i stayed up all night to finish it.
I felt for the characters. They deserved a better life, and the life they lead was shared - is still shared - by far too many people. It broke my heart.
Also, every character was deeply, three-dimensionally, human. They weren’t nice, and most weren’t even good people, but they were *real people* and it was so powerful.
There were times when i felt genuinely scared reading it. It’s not a horror book, but the reminder in the back of your head saying ‘this really happens’ makes it beyond poignant.
And the ending? Talk about pulling on your heartstrings, I’m still not over the emotional rollercoaster of the last 10% of the book - it was just incredible.
This book will stay with me for a long time.
TWs: abuse, drug abuse, murder, overdose, prostitution, violence
It was uncomfortable to read, and i thought that was brilliant. It was necessary, and hard, and brutal, and i stayed up all night to finish it.
I felt for the characters. They deserved a better life, and the life they lead was shared - is still shared - by far too many people. It broke my heart.
Also, every character was deeply, three-dimensionally, human. They weren’t nice, and most weren’t even good people, but they were *real people* and it was so powerful.
There were times when i felt genuinely scared reading it. It’s not a horror book, but the reminder in the back of your head saying ‘this really happens’ makes it beyond poignant.
And the ending? Talk about pulling on your heartstrings, I’m still not over the emotional rollercoaster of the last 10% of the book - it was just incredible.
This book will stay with me for a long time.
TWs: abuse, drug abuse, murder, overdose, prostitution, violence
nparentela's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars!
I loved how relatable Monti is as a character. Her home life, friend life, everything about her is pure. Only small thing that bothered me was I didn’t feel as though the killings were really a main focus on. More so a friendship that was being focused on. Which could be my own misunderstanding of the book. But WHAT AN ENDING! The last 50 pages or so were phenomenal. Go out with a bang.
I loved how relatable Monti is as a character. Her home life, friend life, everything about her is pure. Only small thing that bothered me was I didn’t feel as though the killings were really a main focus on. More so a friendship that was being focused on. Which could be my own misunderstanding of the book. But WHAT AN ENDING! The last 50 pages or so were phenomenal. Go out with a bang.