Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole

181 reviews

d0505's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Addiction, Hate crime, Medical trauma, Racism, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Murder, and Gun violence

Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Police brutality

alindeman's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This is an absolutely chilling read. Incredible storytelling, harrowing subject matter, with incredible relevance to todays world and society at large. Without giving too much away, this book explores the depths and malevolence of systemic racism, the people perpetuating it, the people victimized by it, and those watching it all unfurl from a distance. It very much feels like a Jordan Peele movie. The first half or maybe even 2/3 of the book you don’t really know what’s going on and nothing *majorly* scary has happened yet. It’s a series of unsettling events that could be coincidences… or are they? This book does an INCREDIBLE job at leaving you feeling unsettled, without exactly knowing why, and an insatiable desire to continue reading. I cannot overstate the skill of the writing and storytelling- I felt gaslit right alongside the characters: “did that really happen?” “Was that a coincidence?” “Am I going crazy?!” Which no doubt was exactly the effect the author was going for, and succeeded at. I must say despite the thriller aspect holy shit is this depressing. I think it’s so depressing because it reflects the real life horrors white supremacy has inflicted upon black people for centuries (and continues to). The most terrifying part of this book is it is not far-fetched fiction at all. Honestly I would love an authors note speaking to the historical phenomena referenced in the book, or I suppose recommendations for further reading since there is so much to unpack. This book really makes me want to learn more about the historical practice of gentrification, redlining, and the connection btwn slave owners and banks, though I’ll admit I’m afraid of what I will learn. I think this is an incredible, beautifully written book  that everyone should read. I think it’s especially impactful for white people to read as it gives insight into what it’s like to be black in America and the dangers they have faced and continue to face. 

PS- I also really enjoyed the romance (side plot) and the growth of the white character, Theo.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence and Violence

Moderate: Gaslighting and Racism

neverlandpages4's review against another edition

dark emotional funny informative inspiring mysterious sad tense 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

4.0

• The cover is what first made me want to read it, but when I saw it was inspired by “Get Out”, I knew I had to read it because I love that movie. 

• I will say that there aren’t many resemblances, but they both have that energy of suspense and dread throughout the entire book/movie. 

• If you’re a fan of Get out or Ace of Spades, then I’d recommend this!

• I’ll be honest and say that I had no idea what gentrification was before I read this, so it was a very informative and interesting book that was unlike anything I’ve read before. 

• I absolutely loved how the writing was so casual and witty, it’s definitely very easy to read because it was like every day conversations that you hear, so the dialogue flowed easily. 

• I also liked the main character, Sydney. I loved reading from her perspective, seeing the world through her eyes to truly understand the way she felt. 

• This had so many great discussions about history, gentrification, racism, slavery, segregation, and so much more that I thought was very important and eye opening, and a lot of it was just heartbreaking to read, knowing that those things actually did happen. 

• I also adored the community and neighborhood in this book, the way that the neighbors looked out and cared for each other was really wholesome. It was like a big, loving family. 

• I was looking forward to the ending the entire book because I was constantly seeing people talk about the shocking twist at the end, and for me, a lot of it was predictable. There were still some shocking parts, but it was nothing I couldn’t see coming tbh. 

• Aside from the twist, the ending was really infuriating. I won’t spoil anything but some of the characters had my blood boiling. Just the audacity and the lack of humanity that they had was disgusting. 

• Overall, I’d highly recommend this book, and I think that it would be informative for everyone, but check the trigger warnings because it deals with a lot of heavy topics.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Violence, Slavery, Sexual content, Police brutality, Murder, and Gun violence

genny's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

I enjoyed both Sydney's and Theo's POVs. It took a bit too long for the plot to really "get going", IMO, and I considered DNF'ing. However, the moments of sudden tension were effective, and the final 20% of the book was very fun! It was like Alyssa Cole snapped her fingers and went "alright, it's the last stretch, let's pull out all the craziness". I just wish the story had better pacing overall so that the finale didn't feel so rushed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, Sexual content, Gun violence, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Stalking

cpachet's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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? No

4.0

This book starts off very slow, but builds into a solid story. Not a traditional thriller, but excellently written with some twists that will shock. Never been relieved with an ending.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Colonisation, Racism, Death of parent, and Gun violence

Moderate: Grief, Slavery, Mental illness, Police brutality, Hate crime, and Gaslighting

wackly93's review against another edition

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Hate crime, Gun violence, Forced institutionalization, Confinement, Classism, Torture, Grief, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual content, Police brutality, Murder, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content

Minor: Slavery

jojo_'s review

dark emotional 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Violence, Classism, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Racism, and Sexual content

Moderate: Blood, Grief, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Kidnapping, and Medical content

Minor: Genocide, Suicide, Alcohol, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Infidelity, and Slavery

mandi_lea's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Forced institutionalization, Racism, and Violence

Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Suicide, Death, Kidnapping, Confinement, Medical trauma, and Torture

Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Infidelity, and Panic attacks/disorders

halebugs's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny informative tense fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Murder, Gun violence, Police brutality, Hate crime, and Death of parent

Moderate: Suicide, Domestic abuse, and Drug abuse

laguerrelewis's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

WHEEEEEEW. This book fucked me UP in the best way possible. Thrillers are an excellent medium to work through/depict/teach about the insidiousness of racism, and I’m glad that this trend is being picked up by intelligent and talented creators like Jordan Peele, Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, and now Alyssa Cole. This book keeps you on the farthest edge of your seat, but also manages to inspire and warm your heart with a tale of communal aid and resistance. Cole writes characters and a community that are complex, storied, and palpable, adding to the stress when they are threatened by powers seemingly beyond their control. A read I would recommend for anyone looking for a cathartic, informative, and nervewracking take on gentrificaction.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Grief, Slavery, Sexual content, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Police brutality, Blood, Cultural appropriation, Violence, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Colonisation, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Alcohol, Kidnapping, Racism, and Death of parent