Reviews with content warning for Sexism - In My Dreams I Hold a Knife

I was not a fan of this book.
The plot isn't half bad, and the pacing is actually pretty good; it really starts to move, and once it starts it doesn't stop. That's about all I can say for it, though.
None of the characters are likable. At all. It's more than being "morally grey;" these characters are all so fundamentally unlikable that it makes it genuinely difficult to root for any of them or get invested in their lives. The dialogue is stilted and unnatural at points, and the narration is far too padded for a first-person narrator; she feels less like a character and more like a mouthpiece for the author at times. Establishing the occasional switch from first- to third-person narration over twenty chapters in was also a jarring change. Many of the twists felt unearned or unpredictable, like there wasn't enough (or any) preamble or foreshadowing for us to reasonably figure out how or why we got there. The final chapter also really undercut the main character's entire narrative arc and it robbed her of what little impactful growth she could have had.
I wouldn't recommend this one. It's a quick read, but it's not terribly well done, and I really only finished it out of spite.

I was also not thrilled by the author's seemingly unconscious homophobia and internalized misogyny. It's all fine and good to critique the 00s brand of misogyny and homophobia, but to then fall into standard biphobic stereotypes (cheating bisexual) and rampant unironic "I'm not like other girls" characterization makes any real critiques ring hollow.

Content Warnings

vaguely_pink's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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yafi's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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bootsmom3's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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cady_sass's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Holyyyyyyyy. That was a rollercoaster! I am not usually a fan of an unreliable narrator, and the only thing keeping me from giving this 5 stars is that. You will go back and forth the whole book on whether or not you think she’s trustworthy, and I won’t spoil it, but it’s maddening and that’s intentional. This is a master class in unlikable characters, they’re all absolutely horrible including and most particularly the narrator. Do I hate her? Do I like I her? Do I think she’s guilty? What is she not telling me? Lots of dark and twisty turns and absolutely no stone is left unturned. I spent my entire day reading this and I have no regrets

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mklein319's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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jjames_mal's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A fast-paced thriller following Jessica Miller, a super likably unlikable protagonist. Both narcissistic and self-deprecating, Jessica is returning to her alma mater, a semi-prestigious university, a decade after a girl in her friend group was brutally murdered. The case remains unsolved, but might not stay that way after the group reunites 10 years later.

A dark academia thriller? A bit. the atmosphere isn't really the main focus, this book is all about plot twists and revelations. A chapter doesn't go by without something earth-shattering being revealed making this one of the fastest reads I finished this year. Another reason might be that I skimmed a lot. Look, none of the characters' perspectives were that interesting, most of the drama really petty arguments, and melodramatic romances. This book might not be for you if the friendship/romantic troubles of the (somewhat) rich don't interest you.

HOWEVER, this book was completely saved for me by the ending. Without saying anything, it was interesting and made sense, which is all I ask for from thrillers. And with how quick this book was, it felt worthwhile.

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ayeonia's review against another edition

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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

3.0

some of the twists really had me GASPING but the final reveal was a bit???? to me
i also skimmed through a LOT of stuff because jessica's mind was UNBEARABLE at some points like girl shut up we get itttttt
if you have nothing better to read and love seeing rich people fuck up go ahead and pick this one up!

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