Scan barcode
devynreadsnovels's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Drug use, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Cannibalism, and Alcohol
bdingz's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
4.0
This one took me longer to finish because the depiction of body dysmorphia, especially at the beginning, hit me really hard.
Mona Awad writes like a fever dream every time and I love her for it.
Mona Awad writes like a fever dream every time and I love her for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Body shaming and Racism
Minor: Violence, Blood, and Alcohol
Graphic CW for body dysmorphiasamanthaleereads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Blood and Sexual harassment
novelswithariana's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
đ¸ ARIANA'S BOOK REVIEW đ¸
âââââ¨/5
Genre: Horror, Gothic, Thriller, Contemporary, Adult, Fantasy
If you're a fan of horror fiction or enjoy a spine-chilling read, "Rouge" by Mona Awad should be at the top of your must-read list. Awad's gripping tale takes readers on a dark and suspenseful journey, leaving them both enthralled and unnerved.
In "Rouge," Awad seamlessly combines elements of horror and psychological suspense, crafting an unsettling atmosphere that captivates from the very first page. The story is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, eager to devour every word.
At its core, this story reflects on the beauty industry and media's exploitation of people's insecurities from a young age. "Rouge" exposes the damaging narrative that women are only valuable if they conform to specific standards. It also sheds light on the manipulation and fascination of older men with young girls, highlighting the power dynamics and the pervasive nature of such relationships.
What sets "Rouge" apart from other horror novels in the genre is Awad's unique ability to blend the supernatural with everyday experiences and emotions. The sense of dread and unease seeps off the pages, making even the most mundane activities feel unsettling. As the story unfolds, readers will question the boundaries between reality and nightmare.
This thought-provoking and captivating read leaves a lasting impact. "Rouge" goes beyond surface-level scares, delving into important social commentary while challenging traditional narratives. Awad artfully crafts a narrative that demands attention, prompting readers to question societal expectations and the damaging effects of the beauty industry. With its intricate exploration of mother-daughter relationships, manipulation, and the dark truths of society, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally charged experience.
People who have read âSilver Nitrateâ (Silvia Moreno-Garcia), âBlack Sheepâ (Rachel Harrison) and âDeath Valleyâ (Melissa Broder) may like this book.
âââââ¨/5
Genre: Horror, Gothic, Thriller, Contemporary, Adult, Fantasy
If you're a fan of horror fiction or enjoy a spine-chilling read, "Rouge" by Mona Awad should be at the top of your must-read list. Awad's gripping tale takes readers on a dark and suspenseful journey, leaving them both enthralled and unnerved.
In "Rouge," Awad seamlessly combines elements of horror and psychological suspense, crafting an unsettling atmosphere that captivates from the very first page. The story is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, eager to devour every word.
At its core, this story reflects on the beauty industry and media's exploitation of people's insecurities from a young age. "Rouge" exposes the damaging narrative that women are only valuable if they conform to specific standards. It also sheds light on the manipulation and fascination of older men with young girls, highlighting the power dynamics and the pervasive nature of such relationships.
What sets "Rouge" apart from other horror novels in the genre is Awad's unique ability to blend the supernatural with everyday experiences and emotions. The sense of dread and unease seeps off the pages, making even the most mundane activities feel unsettling. As the story unfolds, readers will question the boundaries between reality and nightmare.
This thought-provoking and captivating read leaves a lasting impact. "Rouge" goes beyond surface-level scares, delving into important social commentary while challenging traditional narratives. Awad artfully crafts a narrative that demands attention, prompting readers to question societal expectations and the damaging effects of the beauty industry. With its intricate exploration of mother-daughter relationships, manipulation, and the dark truths of society, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally charged experience.
People who have read âSilver Nitrateâ (Silvia Moreno-Garcia), âBlack Sheepâ (Rachel Harrison) and âDeath Valleyâ (Melissa Broder) may like this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body shaming and Racism
phantompansy's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
gracekatreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
A little slow and characters feel weak, but the idea is interesting and beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Grief
Grooming is a really prominent part of the book.booksandteatime's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Racism, Grief, and Death of parent
theliteraryhooker's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
As expected, this was a very strange read. However, Awad's writing is so weird and haunting and effective that it absolutely carried my attention through the entire bizarre plot. Do I fully understand what I just read? Not at all. But I've accepted that Awad's books are all about the weird, creepy, ambiguous journey and less about the destination. I found this one to be a bit too repetitive at times, which made it less hard hitting for me than Bunny, but still a good read. The fact that there's a Tom Cruise facsimile at the heart of a skincare cult situation is also just *chef's kiss* perfection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Abandonment
Moderate: Racism, Death of parent, and Cultural appropriation
ripxreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse
mmccombs's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
This was quite weird and unexpected, even for a Mona Awad book! I didnât know anything going in to this, so to say this was a Journey may be an understatement. Itâs a fever dream of a fairy tale and a grief-induced fugue state that analyzes a brutal mother-daughter relationship and the beauty industry, there was just a lot going on. And it was also way too long, there were multiple parts where I felt like I had already read a section almost exactly like it before, so I think it could have been paired down in the middle. The ending was satisfying and I came away from it feeling lots of feelings about how much we are forced to focus on beauty, on never aging, on âwhitening and brightening,â on comparing ourselves to our mothers or our daughters and never quite feeling like youâre enough. Really interesting topics covered in this book, itâll leave you feeling a bit disoriented (and feeling a bit weird[er] about Tom Cruise).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism and Medical content