Reviews tagging 'Sexual harassment'

The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette's by Hanna Alkaf

4 reviews

kiwi_00's review

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emotional tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I enjoyed the book, I liked reading about the characters at this girls only school, I related with that and the atmosphere (though I'm not from Malaysia!). I liked the care taken to write about a character(s) who experienced
SA
and the fact that it could trigger some readers. 

I really wanted to rate this higher but I think the main gripe I have with this book is the pacing. For the first 50 pages, the scene was set and everything was really well written and described. Around 150 pages, it was beginning to feel a bit like I was slogging through the book especially since
there were so many character povs that were very similar and I don't feel like that they added much to the story.
And the at the end of the book, everything felt rushed and there was probably difficulty to wrap up all plot lines. I honestly wanted more about Khadijah, her sister, her mother and her friends. I think that would have made for a nuanced story about
SA and PTSD, especially that was the primary motivation for Khadijah to start investigating.
As for the mystery/investigating,
the ending was too vague (i'm aware that SA does not always end in the perpetrator going to prison, but the book feels unfinished)
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betweentheshelves's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Oh I wanted to like this more than I did. The premise was so interesting and it generally felt different than most YA thrillers out there. I do think the marketing did this one a disservice because it is marketed as dark academia, but it didn't read that way to me. Yes, it was taking place at a boarding school, but the academic aspect didn't necessarily play into the overall mystery/thriller plot taking place.

I did appreciate the way that this explores body automony, trauma, and relationships between teen girls. The relationships and characters are really what drive the main story in the book, which was definitely one of my favorite aspects of the story. 
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sophiehatters's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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ddnreads's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

I just finish this book a while ago and OMG there are so many things I want to share.

First, the characters' complexity. I LOVE HOW Kak Hanna addressed the issues because THE THINGS HAPPENED TO THEM HAPPENED TO A LOT OF YOUNG GIRLS. 
- Rachel. The have to be miss perfect. Who crumbled under her mother's pressure. I NEED TO HUG THIS GIRL:( hate how it's true this kind of girl is the most vulnerable to be in predator's den.
- Khad.... The mother-daughter relationship is sending me to a rollercoaster ride. How young teenager girl often has to pay with their bodies or even their lives is hurting. You're understood and loved, Khad. I love how even in her lowest condition, Khadijah is a fighter. 
- AND FLO AND SUMI DESERVED ALL THE BEST THINGS IN THE WORLD. Their friendship is the best of all 😭♥️
- Oh and how the headmistress prioritizing the school's reputation over literally everything else? Disappointed but not surprise. Hard pill to swallow. It just reflected the reality how bad our education system actually is. 

Second, the issues. I love how Kak Hana made it uncomfortable to read but handled sooo delicately. Surely, it didn't exploitative and the points came across quite well.

Third, the writing. It feels so atmospheric. It gave me goosebumps. It's uneasy (as it should).

Forth, the mystery, the pace, the clues. If you love or an avid reader of CTM, this book might not amaze you as much. Thing is the ending is either a hit or a miss. For me, St. Bernadette's is just so so. The first half was very intriguing. The second half could be faster and I'd love to have the ending and the explanation, the dots connecting to be more elaborated. It felt rushed in the end. But I personally still enjoy it. It's the journey that counts.

Last, the horror. I love horror stories. Urban legends. Mass Hysterical at all girl school. I can see it clearly happening. It felt so close to home. And I love how in the end it remains as a mystery.

Give this book ago. Thanks so much Kak Hana for the arc in exchange of honest reviews. I love it.
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