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amandagrzski's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Self harm
Minor: Domestic abuse and Pedophilia
bree_of_the_woods's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.75
Truly a bizarre read.
Very slow going, with disturbed MC who has very dark, violent thoughts about others and engages in self-harm.
All of the characters are unpleasant in varying degrees. Towards the end, Jayatissa begins throwing in so many plot twists/fact reveals that feel like a few too many. Ending was an abrupt, bizarre wrap-up, that left one major line of facts out of the final “whodunnit story” and none of the characters ask about it, and then you get more layers of unpleasant characters that by the last page I was left with a very “what the heck did I just read” sort of bad taste in my mouth.
Very slow going, with disturbed MC who has very dark, violent thoughts about others and engages in self-harm.
All of the characters are unpleasant in varying degrees. Towards the end, Jayatissa begins throwing in so many plot twists/fact reveals that feel like a few too many. Ending was an abrupt, bizarre wrap-up, that left one major line of facts out of the final “whodunnit story” and none of the characters ask about it, and then you get more layers of unpleasant characters that by the last page I was left with a very “what the heck did I just read” sort of bad taste in my mouth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Gun violence and Self harm
Minor: Pregnancy and Pedophilia
eleber's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Self harm, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Pedophilia
misslaurenreads's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This had a strong start and strong ending, but the middle left me bored. Any time someone asked me what kind of book I was reading I said “It’s a murder mystery, except I’m not sure if there was a murder.” Definitely a lot of twists and turns!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Death, and Classism
maregred's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Cancer, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
maeenads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
TW: Self Harm
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.
<i> You’re Invited </i> follows the story of Amaya, a Sri-Lankan woman in her late twenties living in the USA who travels back to her home country to stop her ex-best friend from marrying her ex-boyfriend. Jayatissa’s portrayal of obsession, desire, craving, infatuation, and mania was profound and remarkable. However, I felt the depiction of self harm wasn’t done well and lacked any relevance to the book/plot.
The start was a bit slow but it picked up quickly. I liked the the twists and there were many! One of the things I liked most about this book was Jayatissa’s talent to maintain the suspense throughout the story: from the beginning to the very end; almost every chapter had me racking my brain for clues and answers and every time I thought i had it figured out there was something else missing — it was very engaging.
As for the writing, it was direct and had many cultural elements to it (sinhala dialect). I particularly liked the descriptions of loss and pain, may it be platonic or romantic relationships. In addition, Jayatissa’s introduction to Sri Lanka, the customs and traditions related to weddings, the society dynamics between the rich and poor, the typical Sri Lankan “Aunty” crowd was spot on and had me laughing at times but also missing home.
Overall, this would’ve been a five star for me if not for the self harm mentions as i personally felt it was unnecessary. However, if you’re looking for a suspenseful thriller set in Sri Lanka to read this summer I highly recommend <I> You’re Invited. </I>
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.
<i> You’re Invited </i> follows the story of Amaya, a Sri-Lankan woman in her late twenties living in the USA who travels back to her home country to stop her ex-best friend from marrying her ex-boyfriend. Jayatissa’s portrayal of obsession, desire, craving, infatuation, and mania was profound and remarkable. However, I felt the depiction of self harm wasn’t done well and lacked any relevance to the book/plot.
The start was a bit slow but it picked up quickly. I liked the the twists and there were many! One of the things I liked most about this book was Jayatissa’s talent to maintain the suspense throughout the story: from the beginning to the very end; almost every chapter had me racking my brain for clues and answers and every time I thought i had it figured out there was something else missing — it was very engaging.
As for the writing, it was direct and had many cultural elements to it (sinhala dialect). I particularly liked the descriptions of loss and pain, may it be platonic or romantic relationships. In addition, Jayatissa’s introduction to Sri Lanka, the customs and traditions related to weddings, the society dynamics between the rich and poor, the typical Sri Lankan “Aunty” crowd was spot on and had me laughing at times but also missing home.
Overall, this would’ve been a five star for me if not for the self harm mentions as i personally felt it was unnecessary. However, if you’re looking for a suspenseful thriller set in Sri Lanka to read this summer I highly recommend <I> You’re Invited. </I>
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
getlitwithamy_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I had the pleasure of reading this as an early release through Book of the Month!
The first thing you’d imagine when reading a book about an obsessive woman who plans to stop her best friend’s wedding at all costs, especially when she’s marrying your ex boyfriend, you normally know where things will go. But that was not the case here.
I ZIPPED through this book! There were times where I was sure I knew where the plot was going but was still left surprised when a new twist came up. Amanda Jayatissa really knows how to impact a reader!
The one downside is that the characters were hard to like. The main character Amaya seemed unlikeable for most of the book, but that was probably intended so we can see into her true intentions.
Overall, this is a great read about traumatic pasts, gossip, and the things people will do to get their way.
The first thing you’d imagine when reading a book about an obsessive woman who plans to stop her best friend’s wedding at all costs, especially when she’s marrying your ex boyfriend, you normally know where things will go. But that was not the case here.
I ZIPPED through this book! There were times where I was sure I knew where the plot was going but was still left surprised when a new twist came up. Amanda Jayatissa really knows how to impact a reader!
The one downside is that the characters were hard to like. The main character Amaya seemed unlikeable for most of the book, but that was probably intended so we can see into her true intentions.
Overall, this is a great read about traumatic pasts, gossip, and the things people will do to get their way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Mental illness, Murder, Self harm, Violence, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, and Sexual assault
kinesixtape's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Alcoholism
Minor: Pedophilia
neniacorcoran's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Self harm
elouise1029's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm