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ethanmmc's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.75
Interesting ideas about culture and friendship, but the sci-fi element (how do people become fluent in a new language in just 10 days) remains undeveloped. We're told, eventually, "it works like this" but with no plausible explanation of how or why "this" would work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cannibalism
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, and Islamophobia
riflelizards's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism and Racism
Moderate: Hate crime
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
ryuutchi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Cannibalism, and Sexual assault
anntharai's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Normally if I guess the twist it can't be a 5 star book for me, but even though I got it early on I thought this book was fantastic. Its also one of the best applications of audiobook production I've heard. Tiny bit obsessed.
It's the layering that gets me, it's not just about one thing. The esstereggs are there (including on the cover art, IMO but no idea if that's intentional or not)
It's the layering that gets me, it's not just about one thing. The esstereggs are there (including on the cover art, IMO but no idea if that's intentional or not)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Body horror, Cannibalism, and Classism
Moderate: Islamophobia, Sexism, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual content
not_another_ana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
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
3.25
3.25/5
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher
Anisa, a young Pakistani woman living in London, is in a bit of a slump. She has a crummy job subtitling Bollywood films, a boyfriend she doesn't care much for and an allowance from her wealthy parents. But she has big dreams, she wants to become a famous translator. When her lame white boyfriend suddenly learns to speak Urdu like a native in a week she confronts him and discovers the root of his linguistical success: an exclusive, expensive, invite only learning program known as The Center. And just like that her life is changed. But not everything is at it seems at The Center and Anisa will have to reckon the truth behind the program's sucess.
I enjoyed this book more when it was about Anisa, as a person, an immigrant, a young woman, and less when it focused on the mystery of The Center. I pretty much saw the big twist coming. The writing was quite earnest and sincere and I liked Anisa as the protagonist. I could relate to her struggles and to feeling like her life wasn't what she had envisioned. The descriptions were quite good too and the plot flowed nicely but it lost me at 70% or so. I did finish it, I just felt like the ending was rushed. Overall a great debut that I would recommend for anyone looking for something different to read.
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher
Anisa, a young Pakistani woman living in London, is in a bit of a slump. She has a crummy job subtitling Bollywood films, a boyfriend she doesn't care much for and an allowance from her wealthy parents. But she has big dreams, she wants to become a famous translator. When her lame white boyfriend suddenly learns to speak Urdu like a native in a week she confronts him and discovers the root of his linguistical success: an exclusive, expensive, invite only learning program known as The Center. And just like that her life is changed. But not everything is at it seems at The Center and Anisa will have to reckon the truth behind the program's sucess.
I enjoyed this book more when it was about Anisa, as a person, an immigrant, a young woman, and less when it focused on the mystery of The Center. I pretty much saw the big twist coming. The writing was quite earnest and sincere and I liked Anisa as the protagonist. I could relate to her struggles and to feeling like her life wasn't what she had envisioned. The descriptions were quite good too and the plot flowed nicely but it lost me at 70% or so. I did finish it, I just felt like the ending was rushed. Overall a great debut that I would recommend for anyone looking for something different to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Cannibalism
Moderate: Classism, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship
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