Reviews tagging 'Police brutality'

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

35 reviews

courtsbooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Stalking, Racism, and Hate crime

Moderate: Police brutality

internalnonsense's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense slow-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

2.5

This is an intimate look at the intense pressure black women feel in spaces pushing against them. It is about racism through microaggressions, ignorance, exclusion, specifically in publishing. The story works best in the minutia of that, but stumbles in building the larger conspiracy that ultimately drives the plot. Similarly, the tone wobbles--not quite unsettling, not quite satirical, not quite righteous, the writing mostly washes by without a lasting impression. It's worth a read, but ultimately more for its potential than its pay off. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Racial slurs, Toxic friendship, and Trafficking

Minor: Police brutality and Sexual content

The main threat of the novel is mind control, with the MC being unknowingly targeted, hence the trafficking tag. A character is even snatched off the street and forced into a car, though she's ultimately fine. The trafficking isn't graphic or violent or sexual, but there's a lot of potential unpleasant subtext to it.

chinama's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

The writing was fresh and engaging, characters were all interesting and well-developed. The book's conspiracy theme is one that's been popular lately (think Get Out, Bad Hair, Sorry To Bother You), but still managed its own original take. All the twists and turns had me hooked. Plus, it's always great to see Black experiences centered like it was in this novel. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Racism, Stalking, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Bullying and Police brutality

bella_cavicchi's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-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? Yes

3.0

Hmmm, a curious read. After finishing it this afternoon, I'm struggling to articulate WHY it didn't entirely land for me (or even who the book is for?) -- but I also recognize that my reading is going to be filtered by my own positionality. Would still gladly read Harris' next book, if only to see where she takes her writing!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Toxic friendship

Minor: Police brutality and Racial slurs

apeck's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny tense medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Racism, and Stalking

Minor: Police brutality and Racial slurs