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jaynovara's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death
Moderate: Abortion, Alcohol, Cannibalism, Gore, Mental illness, and Stalking
laughinglibra84's review against another edition
3.0
The fortune teller title lures you in as the reader, as the fly on the wall among the rich and the famous. Astrid is a new comer to New York. The only person she knows is Carmen. And that's all who matters. Carmen is this cool, takes no sh**, beautiful gal. Astrid wants this person's attention, but she learns how to pull back, so Carmen will take an interest. The side story is about the one or two lovers Astrid manages to hook all on her own. There is drama..What she said. What he said. What they did. Those parts take up a lot of this book. The telling of people's fortune in a unique way brought me in, but I found myself doing other things while I listened to it on audiobook. It was a nice way to spend 8 1/2 hours. Not great. Not riveting. But nice.
foreveryoungadult's review against another edition
Graded By: Sarah
Cover Story: Too Shy
BFF Charm: Come OnEileen Phoebe
Swoonworthy Scale: 3
Talky Talk: Sidewalk Talk
Bonus Factors: Early ’80s NYC, Female Friendship
Relationship Status: Head Over Heels
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Too Shy
BFF Charm: Come On
Swoonworthy Scale: 3
Talky Talk: Sidewalk Talk
Bonus Factors: Early ’80s NYC, Female Friendship
Relationship Status: Head Over Heels
Read the full book report here.
kjoyce187's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
foxandbooks's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting book! It is based in the late 70's, early 80's in New York City. During that time it was all about the music, drugs and sex... especially for Phoebe. Phoebe is young, around 22/23 and trying to survive in the city. Phoebe gets some bad news and hurries home to Baltimore. Her Dad is sick and passes away. She stays as long as she can but New York is calling and she feels the need to get back and try to make it there. She hooks up with her friend Carmen and they get lost in the drug/art scene of that time. Phoebe gets a job telling fortunes at a club on New Years Eve. She tells fortunes by shaking a box of ticket stubs from movies she has seen, and uses those to tell her customers their "future". Phoebe calls herself Astrid the Star Girl and she turns what was supposed to be a one night gig into a more permanent job.
Phoebe continues to spiral out of control so much so that she hurts her friend Carmen and puts herself in harm's way. Phoebe has spent so much time running...running from her dad's death and running from herself, and finally she has her moment of clarity.
This book is New York of the 80's. From the people, JFK Jr., to the clubs and the drugs, it is just as gritty as it sounds. Good, fast read and sometimes you just need a gritty book! 3.5 ⭐
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the eARC and hard copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.
Phoebe continues to spiral out of control so much so that she hurts her friend Carmen and puts herself in harm's way. Phoebe has spent so much time running...running from her dad's death and running from herself, and finally she has her moment of clarity.
This book is New York of the 80's. From the people, JFK Jr., to the clubs and the drugs, it is just as gritty as it sounds. Good, fast read and sometimes you just need a gritty book! 3.5 ⭐
Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the eARC and hard copy of this book, in exchange for my honest review.
nightowljulie's review against another edition
5.0
I am trying to be more discerning with my 5s, but I couldn’t think of a reason to give anything less! A perfect first book to read upon moving to NYC.
Astrid takes us on an adventure through 1980s Manhattan- drugs, poverty, grief are the themes here. It was exciting, entertaining and had some elements of a crime novel.
The characters are not particularly likable but I still found myself routing for Astrid.
Astrid takes us on an adventure through 1980s Manhattan- drugs, poverty, grief are the themes here. It was exciting, entertaining and had some elements of a crime novel.
The characters are not particularly likable but I still found myself routing for Astrid.
imamandajulius's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 rounded down. While I enjoyed the book and found the characters fascinating, I don't think it will be one to stick with me for very long.
smd's review against another edition
2.0
This was a quick read and I liked the 80s nostalgia and the near normalization of seediness. The seediness also made it feel a little empty and depressing as seediness will do. It read almost more like a YA novel, which sort of makes sense given the age of the characters?
Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
sarahsbookstack's review against another edition
3.0
This is a long anthem to the partying of the 80s, to drugs, to friends, to New York.
Phoebe and her friend Carmen go to live in New York. They are soon caught up in the drug and party scene. Phoebe has this thing she does where she saves every movie ticket stub and uses them to "tell the future" or her interpretation of it. She gets a job in a club telling people's fourtunes and starts calling herself Astrid. At some point, Carmen how missing and all Phoebe wants is to find her again.
I thought this was a very slow moving novel. There is no action. I took a long time to get through it. It's more of a character study than anything i think.
Phoebe and her friend Carmen go to live in New York. They are soon caught up in the drug and party scene. Phoebe has this thing she does where she saves every movie ticket stub and uses them to "tell the future" or her interpretation of it. She gets a job in a club telling people's fourtunes and starts calling herself Astrid. At some point, Carmen how missing and all Phoebe wants is to find her again.
I thought this was a very slow moving novel. There is no action. I took a long time to get through it. It's more of a character study than anything i think.