You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Rouge by Mona Awad

49 reviews

drownedsewerrat's review against another edition

Go to review page

Tom Cruise subplot was gross. Also why do we have to keep relisting the skincare routine just leave it in a note somewhere at the top of the book. Kept throwing new subplots in without making progress on literally any of the other ones already happening. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

quotecj's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

aliyachaudhry's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional funny mysterious sad 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

4.0

need to read mona awad's review of top gun: maverick

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

bdingz's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark 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

4.0

This one took me longer to finish because the depiction of body dysmorphia, especially at the beginning, hit me really hard. 

Mona Awad writes like a fever dream every time and I love her for it.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

samanthaleereads's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-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

2.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

novelswithariana's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional 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

4.5

🌸 ARIANA'S BOOK REVIEW 🌸

⭐⭐⭐⭐✨/5

Genre: Horror, Gothic, Thriller, Contemporary, Adult, Fantasy

If you're a fan of horror fiction or enjoy a spine-chilling read, "Rouge" by Mona Awad should be at the top of your must-read list. Awad's gripping tale takes readers on a dark and suspenseful journey, leaving them both enthralled and unnerved.

In "Rouge," Awad seamlessly combines elements of horror and psychological suspense, crafting an unsettling atmosphere that captivates from the very first page. The story is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats, eager to devour every word.

At its core, this story reflects on the beauty industry and media's exploitation of people's insecurities from a young age. "Rouge" exposes the damaging narrative that women are only valuable if they conform to specific standards. It also sheds light on the manipulation and fascination of older men with young girls, highlighting the power dynamics and the pervasive nature of such relationships.

What sets "Rouge" apart from other horror novels in the genre is Awad's unique ability to blend the supernatural with everyday experiences and emotions. The sense of dread and unease seeps off the pages, making even the most mundane activities feel unsettling. As the story unfolds, readers will question the boundaries between reality and nightmare.

This thought-provoking and captivating read leaves a lasting impact. "Rouge" goes beyond surface-level scares, delving into important social commentary while challenging traditional narratives. Awad artfully crafts a narrative that demands attention, prompting readers to question societal expectations and the damaging effects of the beauty industry. With its intricate exploration of mother-daughter relationships, manipulation, and the dark truths of society, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally charged experience.

People who have read ‘Silver Nitrate’ (Silvia Moreno-Garcia), ‘Black Sheep’ (Rachel Harrison) and ‘Death Valley’ (Melissa Broder) may like this book. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

kek513's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

booksandteatime's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-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

3.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

theliteraryhooker's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

As expected, this was a very strange read. However, Awad's writing is so weird and haunting and effective that it absolutely carried my attention through the entire bizarre plot. Do I fully understand what I just read? Not at all. But I've accepted that Awad's books are all about the weird, creepy, ambiguous journey and less about the destination. I found this one to be a bit too repetitive at times, which made it less hard hitting for me than Bunny, but still a good read. The fact that there's a Tom Cruise facsimile at the heart of a skincare cult situation is also just *chef's kiss* perfection. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

mmccombs's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark funny mysterious reflective slow-paced

3.5

This was quite weird and unexpected, even for a Mona Awad book! I didn’t know anything going in to this, so to say this was a Journey may be an understatement. It’s a fever dream of a fairy tale and a grief-induced fugue state that analyzes a brutal mother-daughter relationship and the beauty industry, there was just a lot going on. And it was also way too long, there were multiple parts where I felt like I had already read a section almost exactly like it before, so I think it could have been paired down in the middle. The ending was satisfying and I came away from it feeling lots of feelings about how much we are forced to focus on beauty, on never aging, on “whitening and brightening,” on comparing ourselves to our mothers or our daughters and never quite feeling like you’re enough. Really interesting topics covered in this book, it’ll leave you feeling a bit disoriented (and feeling a bit weird[er] about Tom Cruise).

Expand filter menu Content Warnings