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melissa_h's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
Another dreamlike book by Mona Awad. It is probably my favorite of the three that I have read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror and Medical content
gondorgirl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Body shaming, Death of parent, Dysphoria, Fatphobia, Body horror, and Toxic friendship
ohennui's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death of parent, Grief, and Gore
nathiddles_106's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
3.25
This book was a trip.
I didn't quite enjoyed this book compared to her other works like bunny. The MC was a bit hard to root. Quite a passive character. Too much characters was introduced in this story and with the rambling storyline, can be hard to follow through the characters.
I Like the interaction between Belle and Hud.
I find the ending quite bittersweet.
Book have the suspiria vibe.
The book is a critique to the beauty/skincare industry but falls flat compared to another contemporary, 'natural beauty'. Recommended that book more for the beauty/aesthetic horror.
Anyway, Tom Cruise was mentioned a lot in this book. Be warn.
I didn't quite enjoyed this book compared to her other works like bunny. The MC was a bit hard to root. Quite a passive character. Too much characters was introduced in this story and with the rambling storyline, can be hard to follow through the characters.
I Like the interaction between Belle and Hud.
I find the ending quite bittersweet.
Book have the suspiria vibe.
The book is a critique to the beauty/skincare industry but falls flat compared to another contemporary, 'natural beauty'. Recommended that book more for the beauty/aesthetic horror.
Anyway, Tom Cruise was mentioned a lot in this book. Be warn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror and Grief
Copious mentioning of tom cruisebooksbeyondthebinary's review against another edition
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Racism, and Animal death
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Domestic abuse, and Religious bigotry
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As a fan of Mona Awad's previous work, I was excited to pick up this latest book.
"Rouge" follows a woman named Belle who is trying to work through her own insecurities about beauty, as well the recent death of her mother. Belle has always sought to be fairy tale beautiful, and she has the complicated skin routine to prove it. Her mother seemed to have an effortless glow about her that Belle was always envious of. After her sudden death, Belle returns to her mother's home to get her affairs in order, and stumbles upon the world of beauty that finally offers her the opportunity to reach her true beauty potential.
This book was weird, riveting, and sharp all in one. I think the commentary about the beauty industry and how fixated we as a society are on looks is spot on. Belle does not feel beautiful, and she is willing to spare no expense when it comes to buying any and all serums, lotions, or other fads to try to make herself beautiful. The transformative spa, La Maison de Méduse, is equal parts dark and beautiful. The promises the people at this spa make are outlandish, but for someone so desperate to be beautiful, their promises are tantalizing.
I felt like I did not know what was going on half of the time, and I loved every second of it. Watching Belle's descent into obsession and witnessing her loss of self was like watching a car wreck. I wanted to scream at Belle to step back and see what was going on, but this was a listen she had to learn on her own.
The ultimate reveal about what was going on was entirely entertaining. I did not anticipate how everything would play out and how Belle's story would come to a resolution, but I was very pleased with where the story ultimately went.
I am so excited that I loved this book so much, and I am looking forward to seeing what Mona Awad writes next.
"Rouge" follows a woman named Belle who is trying to work through her own insecurities about beauty, as well the recent death of her mother. Belle has always sought to be fairy tale beautiful, and she has the complicated skin routine to prove it. Her mother seemed to have an effortless glow about her that Belle was always envious of. After her sudden death, Belle returns to her mother's home to get her affairs in order, and stumbles upon the world of beauty that finally offers her the opportunity to reach her true beauty potential.
This book was weird, riveting, and sharp all in one. I think the commentary about the beauty industry and how fixated we as a society are on looks is spot on. Belle does not feel beautiful, and she is willing to spare no expense when it comes to buying any and all serums, lotions, or other fads to try to make herself beautiful. The transformative spa, La Maison de Méduse, is equal parts dark and beautiful. The promises the people at this spa make are outlandish, but for someone so desperate to be beautiful, their promises are tantalizing.
I felt like I did not know what was going on half of the time, and I loved every second of it. Watching Belle's descent into obsession and witnessing her loss of self was like watching a car wreck. I wanted to scream at Belle to step back and see what was going on, but this was a listen she had to learn on her own.
The ultimate reveal about what was going on was entirely entertaining. I did not anticipate how everything would play out and how Belle's story would come to a resolution, but I was very pleased with where the story ultimately went.
I am so excited that I loved this book so much, and I am looking forward to seeing what Mona Awad writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Body shaming, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Mental illness and Death of parent
_bailey_reads_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was mind-bending, bone chilling, and the perfect level of creep for someone just getting into horror.
Even though I barely had any grasp of what what happening most of the time I could not put it down! It was gripping! I am sad it’s over!
Totally made me think of looking in a mirror in a whole new way!
Mona Awad highlights the perils of vanity to the max! I loved every second!
Even though I barely had any grasp of what what happening most of the time I could not put it down! It was gripping! I am sad it’s over!
Totally made me think of looking in a mirror in a whole new way!
Mona Awad highlights the perils of vanity to the max! I loved every second!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Death, Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Adult/minor relationship, and Grief
aileron's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief and Animal death
Minor: Racism, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail
savvylit's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Rouge is yet another Awad book that felt like entering a fugue state. The main character doesn't know what the hell is happening and neither does the reader. In Rouge, Awad has created some of the trippiest and most menacing scenes that will linger with me long after reading. I have consistently loved Awad's gothic writing style and Rouge was no exception. I also really appreciated the way that Rouge critiqued both beauty norms/culture and difficult mother-daughter relationships.
That being said, I finished the book a bit frustrated. So, like Awad herself, Mirabelle is half-Egyptian. This comes into play with the critiques of Western beauty standards but also with some of the ...entities that Mirabelle interacts with such as Seth (Set) and Horus. However, I felt like those two entities, while clearly connected to the central cult, were never explained as well as I would have liked. How did Horus know that Seth would be after Mirabelle? And what was Noelle's relationship to Horus and Seth? (If you've read the book and have answers/theories, help me out).
Thank you to @netgalley and @marysueruccibooks for the advanced reader copy of Rouge in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own
That being said, I finished the book a bit frustrated. So, like Awad herself, Mirabelle is half-Egyptian. This comes into play with the critiques of Western beauty standards but also with some of the ...entities that Mirabelle interacts with such as Seth (Set) and Horus. However, I felt like those two entities, while clearly connected to the central cult, were never explained as well as I would have liked. How did Horus know that Seth would be after Mirabelle? And what was Noelle's relationship to Horus and Seth? (If you've read the book and have answers/theories, help me out).
Thank you to @netgalley and @marysueruccibooks for the advanced reader copy of Rouge in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Grief, and Body horror
orla_h's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Body horror, Gaslighting, Grief, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Religious bigotry and Racism
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