Reviews with content warning for Rape - The Bandit Queens

Okay, wow. I’ve just finished this. Read the last 110-ish pages without much of a break - it was just a propulsive, almost addictive read! Really glad I kept at it as I started off thinking it might have been the “wrong time” for me to read this, but I thankfully kept at it and it really didn’t take long for me to be so engrossed in this.
Amazing and fascinating characters, folklore beautifully interwoven, social commentary through caste and gender and religious discourse. I really enjoyed this.
If you have thought about picking up this book, you will be glad you did.
It is just fab and for many reasons; there is the thriller-y vibes, the dark humour, the dark themes included as well, the friendships, miscommunication, mystery, character development, the spotlight on isolation and loneliness as well. Yeah, so much is included and done very well imo.

I looooved Kareem and his son. And Saloni’s son. And Saloni. The joy they brought to Geeta’s life and this story was the most adorable thing that made this book have a special place in my memory for a very long while, I suspect. I’m so happy that Farah ended up a bonobo, iykyk. And Bandit was the cutest addition ever!! Made such a massive difference.

Content Warnings

stevie_in_the_stacks's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

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jammons's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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louise010's review against another edition

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adventurous funny slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

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mkreads's review against another edition

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challenging dark funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

I loved this. The characters are well drawn and interesting. The status quo of how thier lives function is sometimes bad and sometimes horrendous. This book manages to deal with difficult subjects with a dark humour and clever insight. These ladies do awful things for good reasons. The characters often ask each other difficult questions and examine thier actions. The humour is woven into the story wonderfully. It illustrates the characters personalities without being mocking or degrading. A super enjoyable read.

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