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sarah3492's review against another edition
dark
fast-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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Murder, Drug abuse, Abortion, Alcoholism, Kidnapping, Violence, Gun violence, and Sexual assault
breacommelafromage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
I really REALLY enjoyed this book and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it for days.
I found the ending to be quite unsatisfying but not in a bad way if that makes sense? The author was very intentional with how they ended it and it makes perfect sense for the story but at the same time I wanted more!! I was just so engrossed with the lives and story of each character I didn’t want a vague ending — but that is just me being greedy as a reader and not a short coming of the writing.
I don’t know that this book will be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think the people it’s meant for, it will leave them reeling and with a massive book hang over the way it left me.
I found the ending to be quite unsatisfying but not in a bad way if that makes sense? The author was very intentional with how they ended it and it makes perfect sense for the story but at the same time I wanted more!! I was just so engrossed with the lives and story of each character I didn’t want a vague ending — but that is just me being greedy as a reader and not a short coming of the writing.
I don’t know that this book will be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think the people it’s meant for, it will leave them reeling and with a massive book hang over the way it left me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Car accident, and Gun violence
Minor: Fatphobia and Sexual violence
15ash's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
This is a much more violent read than I am use to, but I couldn’t get enough of it. The end has me wanting more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Classism, Drug use, Gun violence, Murder, Suicide, Trafficking, Rape, Sexual content, Abortion, Addiction, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Torture, and Violence
booksbeyondthebinary's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I know it’s still early in the year, but this is one of the best books I’ve read so far in 2023.
It takes place in India and features the main characters of Ajay, Sunny and Neda. They all have their own stories but are all intrinsically linked and it follows their lives as they all navigate the social and political tensions stemming from Sunny’s family and their dealings with organized crime.
This book reminded me of Succession in some ways, in regards to Sunny being the heir to his fathers wealth and not always being worthy of that from the viewpoint of his father.
I heard that this is the first book of a trilogy and I will absolutely be waiting for the next two books because I am dying to see what happens next with these characters.
It takes place in India and features the main characters of Ajay, Sunny and Neda. They all have their own stories but are all intrinsically linked and it follows their lives as they all navigate the social and political tensions stemming from Sunny’s family and their dealings with organized crime.
This book reminded me of Succession in some ways, in regards to Sunny being the heir to his fathers wealth and not always being worthy of that from the viewpoint of his father.
I heard that this is the first book of a trilogy and I will absolutely be waiting for the next two books because I am dying to see what happens next with these characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Gun violence, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Sexual violence, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Abortion and Trafficking
hilaryreadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Violence, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Sexual violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Cursing, Confinement, Rape, Gun violence, Drug use, Death, Self harm, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
amandalorianxo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A rollercoaster with a slow, cliffhanger finish. I just found out that this is supposed to be a trilogy so I am excited to see where the story goes. I definitely am glad I did the audio route because I feel if I did the physical version, I may not have been able to keep up. The speed is kind of like a loopy di-loop type of novel - we experience the trials and tribulations of Ajay then veer toward Sunny (who I honestly could have done without but his voice was also essential but my least favorite) Then we do a complete 180 to Sunny's love interest Neda who is a journalist who is way over her head when getting close to Sunny. High paced in the beginning, slow in the middle and picks right back up towards the end. I reccomend this to anyone who is a fan of The Sopranos, heavily character driven, slower paced novels set in diverse places such as India.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence and Rape
zoeelizaking's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Age of Vice is a searing examination of wealth, corruption, privilege, poverty and politics in Delhi. Spanning multiple narrative styles and voices, this is a fast-paced thrilling book that’ll remain with you. Polemical without being overly didactic, it’s a staggering eye-opener into the real “power” of power, family and money. Be warned it is action packed with lots of graphic, unsettling content; but if you can see past that, it is a stunning read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Murder, Sexual violence, Gun violence, and Drug use
cc_shelflove's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oh, Ajay. Sweet, complacent Ajay. What have you done?
Can we just talk about the fact that I finished this beast in 36 hours? Who am I? Kapoor’s writing makes it so easy for the reader to picture everything in his or her head so vividly. I was flying through pages because I felt like I was literally watching everything unfold before my eyes. You can imagine my excitement, then, when I heard this was already selected by FX to be a television series. There will also be two more books in the saga… sign me up! In short, Age of Vice is like Sons of Anarchy without the motorcycles (but maybe there are just a few motorcycles sprinkled in…).
I started getting serious Anakin vibes about a quarter of the way through the novel. If you’re a Star Wars fan, you know what I mean. The reader faces a man who will go to any means to get his revenge. Actually, several of these men. These people are pretty fucked up.
If I had to pick one thing that made this book stand out to me, it would be the multiple points of view. Instead of alternating chapters between characters as is typical of this writing style, Kapoor writes the same events through different eyes. Very interesting!
Another book I likely never would have read if not for Book of the Month. A juicy delight.
Can we just talk about the fact that I finished this beast in 36 hours? Who am I? Kapoor’s writing makes it so easy for the reader to picture everything in his or her head so vividly. I was flying through pages because I felt like I was literally watching everything unfold before my eyes. You can imagine my excitement, then, when I heard this was already selected by FX to be a television series. There will also be two more books in the saga… sign me up! In short, Age of Vice is like Sons of Anarchy without the motorcycles (but maybe there are just a few motorcycles sprinkled in…).
I started getting serious Anakin vibes about a quarter of the way through the novel. If you’re a Star Wars fan, you know what I mean. The reader faces a man who will go to any means to get his revenge. Actually, several of these men. These people are pretty fucked up.
If I had to pick one thing that made this book stand out to me, it would be the multiple points of view. Instead of alternating chapters between characters as is typical of this writing style, Kapoor writes the same events through different eyes. Very interesting!
Another book I likely never would have read if not for Book of the Month. A juicy delight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Murder, Drug use, and Gun violence
Moderate: Trafficking, Abortion, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Suicide
meganwhitis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Car accident, Animal death, Gore, Kidnapping, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Violence, Addiction, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Death, Murder, and Rape
katiemack's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This leans more postmodern than I was expecting, but that lends itself to the absurdity of the excess, crime, and corruption of the Wadia family and their associates. I would have been perfectly happy to read a book written entirely in Ajay's POV, as he's the most compelling (and, to be fair, the best-intentioned and least corrupt) character, but including Neda to act as Sunny's foil is an inspired and refreshing choice.
It's an impressive epic that falls apart a bit at the end but is a thrilling ride nonetheless. If you like reading about terrible people doing terrible things and want to learn more about India's socio-cultural landscape, don't let the 500+ page count intimidate you.
This leans more postmodern than I was expecting, but that lends itself to the absurdity of the excess, crime, and corruption of the Wadia family and their associates. I would have been perfectly happy to read a book written entirely in Ajay's POV, as he's the most compelling (and, to be fair, the best-intentioned and least corrupt) character, but including Neda to act as Sunny's foil is an inspired and refreshing choice.
It's an impressive epic that falls apart a bit at the end but is a thrilling ride nonetheless. If you like reading about terrible people doing terrible things and want to learn more about India's socio-cultural landscape, don't let the 500+ page count intimidate you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual violence