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kjm19's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A totally unlikeable character justifying their actions situated in a world of industry decline and cancel culture.
Fascinating to see a character go through the highs and lows of becoming a successful author. A true liberal at heart, Juniper simply thinks that she is a victim of circumstance and that so-called social justice warriors and their tales are steeped in reverse racism and jealousy. Juniper’s conversation with Candace at the end reinforces the reality of a situation like this - you can try to convince yourself that diversity gives underrepresented communities a better chance than cis white het men and women, but the reality is that their success is still often seen as a tick box exercise by corporations. Diversity is one thing, inclusivity is another. And Juniper Song Haywood is completely oblivious to this because she is a self-centred, narcissistic writer who also suffers with crippling self doubt and an inferiority complex.
The story itself is compelling. The unabashed and shameless POV is contemporary and refreshing. Seeing her success and demise through her own eyes was insightful.
Favourite scenes:
- Athena’s death (you knew it was happening but how and seeing that she did it, she took the manuscript!)
- Seeing the first manipulation, of Athena’s mother
- The old man who thanked the protagonist for remembering and telling this story vs how she reacts to it (runs away and thinks it’s too much for no reason other than self loathing, didn’t take it reassuringly)
The last few chapters weren’t the best part of the book, but I appreciate the way in which the protagonist spiralled and seeing how it affected her clarity of thought. It was good to see how she was still trying to convince herself that in the end, she would still be able to find the upper hand by manipulating her version of the story. I feel that the execution of it as a thriller with a puppet master in the end takes away from how strong the writing is because it’s not executed in the best way. Still, really strong and I will recommend it to avid readers.
Graphic: Death, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
r_kennedy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Stalking, Murder, and Sexual harassment
bridgeca2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment
lottie1803's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Death, Racism, Cultural appropriation, and Colonisation
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
libreadsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual assault, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
emmarhian's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Racism, Xenophobia, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Murder, and Sexual harassment
susiilove's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Minor: Rape, Violence, Blood, and Sexual harassment
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Stalking
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Sexism, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Sexual harassment
mromie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Death, Cultural appropriation, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
imperaitrice's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Deadnaming, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment