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dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
SO close to being 5 stars but the climax felt a little weird/rushed to me, and the chapters leading up to it too drawn out. Still, what a crazy ass story. It was like watching a car crash and a train wreck unfold simultaneously for 300 pages and I loved every second of it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism
Moderate: Rape, Suicide
mysterious
tense
fast-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
This book is well-crafted, centering a villain protagonist. It’s supposed to be a short thriller, so it doesn’t go in-depth on some social issues and critiques of the publishing industry that some people wished it would. As it’s meant to be a quick thriller, I think it’s understandable that it only references certain subjects, enough to make readers think while still keeping the pace necessary for the genre. I understand, though, why some readers who were expecting more focus on those subjects would be disappointing.
I think the author gave nuance to the characters, including the main character, while still calling out the racism a lot of white individuals don’t acknowledge they have. It also critiques the publishing industry in a way that is accessible to readers unfamiliar with its workings.
This is the first book I have read from this author. I look forward to reading more of her work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Classism
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, Toxic friendship
Minor: Confinement, Incest, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Xenophobia, Colonisation, War
dark
tense
fast-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
Loved this book-couldn’t put it down.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Rape
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
challenging
dark
funny
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
a goodly portion of my love for this one comes from helen laser's diabolically accurate narration of the audiobook; she embodies the specific kind of white woman june hayward so well that most of this book was actually painful to listen to.
i did not really vibe with the "twist", and feel it cheapened a lot of the journey leading up to it. a "better" result would have been not finding out who was harassing june at all, but that is 100% my bias so please take it with a grain of salt.
i also don't think changing the "twist" would have changed how the book ultimately ends, which is that it lends EMPHATIC credence to black social media reframing the "would you rather encounter a man or a bear?" mental exercise to "would you rather encounter a man or a white woman?"
i also don't think changing the "twist" would have changed how the book ultimately ends, which is that it lends EMPHATIC credence to black social media reframing the "would you rather encounter a man or a bear?" mental exercise to "would you rather encounter a man or a white woman?"
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Classism
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault
the blurb will tell you everything you need to know about whether you will like, or even be able to handle, this book.
dark
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Best book I’ve read in a long time! I have never disliked a main character more… the constant microaggressions, the pettiness, the victimisation, and just the AUDACITY! It’s also the only book I’ve read where I actually enjoyed reading about characters I dislike and their POVs (main or side characters). It was just so interesting to read June’s thought processes and she creates narratives of being the good guy, even when she knows she’s wrong, tainting any good she could do/be. Her lack of self-awareness and accountability, how she justifies everything to herself and to others, and how harmful this is, was so infuriating and fascinating to read.
Highly recommend this book!
Highly recommend this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Racism, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Gaslighting
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I couldn't put this book down because of the writing style, but in some cases I was hoping for some more mystery and thrills (some reveals were anti climactic)
I Physically cringed (a positive of the writing) at some of the scenes because of how awkward they made me feel.
Hearing the MC justifying her actions in these moments was amusing at times just for how absurd it was.
I Physically cringed (a positive of the writing) at some of the scenes because of how awkward they made me feel.
Hearing the MC justifying her actions in these moments was amusing at times just for how absurd it was.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Suicide, Murder
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness, Racism, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War
Minor: Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
challenging
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My first R.F. Kuang book and it did not disappoint. It was great exploration of racism and sexism in the publishing industry as well as highlighting the role white women play in systemic racism and lack of gender solidarity. The book was so stressful in the best way (?). The entire time I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is it, she's gonna be found out finally".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault