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ashleysbookthoughts's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really didn’t like this book at first. I thought it was kind of boring and that the characters lacked depth. BUT! About 100 pages in, the narrative shifted away from the present and into Dava’s past, giving tons of insight into her business, her relationships, and her flaws. And she was so damn relatable. I adored this part of the book, where I got to really be in Dava’s life and experience the ups and downs through her eyes.
Up until the last 100 pages or so, I was always less invested in the present timeline with Dava’s adult children. They took a long time to get fleshed out and often felt a little one dimensional to me. Though part of me wonders if this was intentional, as until late in the book the siblings really don’t know each other.
By the end, though, the characters learned important truths about each other and themselves, resulting in an emotional, heartwarming read.
All in all, though it has its flaws, this is a solid debut. I’ll definitely check out whatever Ramisetti writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Infidelity
Moderate: Cancer and Emotional abuse
2treads's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
What will be said about you when you die? How will you know? Maybe you could tweak the date of your death, as long as you had the opportunity and the power/money.
That's all Dava Shastri wants, pioneering music mogul and feminist philanthropist, so when the opportunity presents itself, she takes it. But then secrets start emerging and we get to see the real Dava, and she has definitely been untruthful and deceptive to those she loves.
I enjoyed the idea behind this narrative, I just wish it had been less self-serving, but then again wanting to know what the world thinks of you points to what seemed to me self-esteem issues. Which as a very successful mature woman, Dava should have moved beyond by now. But then again she is human and vulnerable.
What I disliked was the constant squabbling of the siblings, I wanted to smack the back of their heads and even though you could see sibling support, most times their interactions started out with snide jabs. And the fallout from their mother's announcement seemed to only enhance it.
What was done brilliantly was the opulent lifestyle and the privilege of never having wanted for anything. And although Dava had every right to provide for her kids, she never let them experience life without their cushions of wealth.
That's all Dava Shastri wants, pioneering music mogul and feminist philanthropist, so when the opportunity presents itself, she takes it. But then secrets start emerging and we get to see the real Dava, and she has definitely been untruthful and deceptive to those she loves.
I enjoyed the idea behind this narrative, I just wish it had been less self-serving, but then again wanting to know what the world thinks of you points to what seemed to me self-esteem issues. Which as a very successful mature woman, Dava should have moved beyond by now. But then again she is human and vulnerable.
What I disliked was the constant squabbling of the siblings, I wanted to smack the back of their heads and even though you could see sibling support, most times their interactions started out with snide jabs. And the fallout from their mother's announcement seemed to only enhance it.
What was done brilliantly was the opulent lifestyle and the privilege of never having wanted for anything. And although Dava had every right to provide for her kids, she never let them experience life without their cushions of wealth.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Terminal illness
Minor: Domestic abuse
soobooksalot's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-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
Dava Shastri's Last Day is a entirely different slant on a Christmastime novel.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy for review.
Dava Shastri is one of the richest women in the world, having carved out a name for herself in the music tech world. She is a well-known philanthropist and holds her share of secrets from her storied life.
Her five children and extended family gather for Christmas at her estate on her private island, and are presented with news - Dava is dying of a brain tumour and the public announcement of her death precedes her actual death.
She wishes to control not only how she passes, but how the world presents information about her from past and present.
Readers are treated to the portrait of this unique and strong woman of colour, in a story with tinges of humour and many a pop culture reference. It's of a life lived, a life about to be lost, and a legacy left.
The one element I didn't quite feel was necessary was the setting of the story in the year 2044.
Regardless, debut author Kirthana Ramisetti has created a detailed, well-crafted world of characters. I look forward to reading her future work. Recommended!
Released on Nov. 30.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy for review.
Dava Shastri is one of the richest women in the world, having carved out a name for herself in the music tech world. She is a well-known philanthropist and holds her share of secrets from her storied life.
Her five children and extended family gather for Christmas at her estate on her private island, and are presented with news - Dava is dying of a brain tumour and the public announcement of her death precedes her actual death.
She wishes to control not only how she passes, but how the world presents information about her from past and present.
Readers are treated to the portrait of this unique and strong woman of colour, in a story with tinges of humour and many a pop culture reference. It's of a life lived, a life about to be lost, and a legacy left.
The one element I didn't quite feel was necessary was the setting of the story in the year 2044.
Regardless, debut author Kirthana Ramisetti has created a detailed, well-crafted world of characters. I look forward to reading her future work. Recommended!
Released on Nov. 30.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Infidelity, and Medical content
katiemack's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The premise alone was enough to intrigue me--a powerful matriarch from a multicultural family who isolates her relatives at her giant private island residence for the holidays and fakes her own death? Count me in!--and the execution certainly delivers. Ramisetti's writing reminds me a bit of Taylor Jenkins' (specifically, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo). She's great at establishing family drama and intrigue while ensuring that her characters are still relatable and have depth and development. While Dava isn't a likeable character (and I cringed at some of her attributes), Ramisetti establishes enough sympathy for her that I was invested in her and her family.
This is a strong debut and well worth your time, especially if you enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
The premise alone was enough to intrigue me--a powerful matriarch from a multicultural family who isolates her relatives at her giant private island residence for the holidays and fakes her own death? Count me in!--and the execution certainly delivers. Ramisetti's writing reminds me a bit of Taylor Jenkins' (specifically, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo). She's great at establishing family drama and intrigue while ensuring that her characters are still relatable and have depth and development. While Dava isn't a likeable character (and I cringed at some of her attributes), Ramisetti establishes enough sympathy for her that I was invested in her and her family.
This is a strong debut and well worth your time, especially if you enjoyed The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Death of parent
spinesinaline's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
Officially the first book I've read with a brief mention of the pandemic. Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for an ARC! Full review at spinesinaline.wordpress.com
This one has been comped to Crazy Rich Asians and while I’ve only watched the movie, not read the book, I could immediately see the connections. An incredibly rich family and the son’s new partner who’s introduced into their world. However, the ‘newcomer’ is not the main focus of the story here, which I appreciated not only because it would be too similar. Here, the title character is the most important one in the story to watch as we learn her patterns, beliefs, and failures.
The switch between multiple perspectives was a surprise at first but it does give us a good understanding of each family member. The family has more problems to deal with at the moment than usual and seeing the way that each of them reacts to the news, along with the additional context we gain from their 3rd person narration, makes for a much more well-rounded cast of characters.
From the blurb and in my initial reading, I started to expect more of an The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibe, especially as each of the main characters are high-profile celebrities, enjoying for the most part the fame that their careers have brought them. I found it interesting that the author has a media and pop culture background as I’m sure that informed the way she wrote her main character.
Unfortunately, there weren’t the same thrilling reveals in Dava. I thought we’d get big surprising reveals, especially based on the blurb, but the book is instead a quieter family drama and it is emotional if predictable.
I did enjoy following this family even if I could see where it was going and it makes for a great holiday read (though it’s sad!) as it all takes place around Christmas in the middle of a snowstorm.
This one has been comped to Crazy Rich Asians and while I’ve only watched the movie, not read the book, I could immediately see the connections. An incredibly rich family and the son’s new partner who’s introduced into their world. However, the ‘newcomer’ is not the main focus of the story here, which I appreciated not only because it would be too similar. Here, the title character is the most important one in the story to watch as we learn her patterns, beliefs, and failures.
The switch between multiple perspectives was a surprise at first but it does give us a good understanding of each family member. The family has more problems to deal with at the moment than usual and seeing the way that each of them reacts to the news, along with the additional context we gain from their 3rd person narration, makes for a much more well-rounded cast of characters.
From the blurb and in my initial reading, I started to expect more of an The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo vibe, especially as each of the main characters are high-profile celebrities, enjoying for the most part the fame that their careers have brought them. I found it interesting that the author has a media and pop culture background as I’m sure that informed the way she wrote her main character.
Unfortunately, there weren’t the same thrilling reveals in Dava. I thought we’d get big surprising reveals, especially based on the blurb, but the book is instead a quieter family drama and it is emotional if predictable.
I did enjoy following this family even if I could see where it was going and it makes for a great holiday read (though it’s sad!) as it all takes place around Christmas in the middle of a snowstorm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Physical abuse
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