Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - The Bandit Queens

A darkly humorous novel with slapstick comedy and murderous mayhem aplenty, yet ultimately a novel about female empowerment and friendship, and the strength that power that wields.

For who will stand up for a woman in a society that treats them as baby makers and servants, things to be sold and bartered for, used and abused? Who will stand up and seek to right the wrongs done to them?

Why, they will of course, putting aside hostilities and broken friendships to support each other in their time of need. They may use each other, twist the narrative to serve their own purposes, but when it comes down to it, they have each others backs, willing to murder for each other, to take the blame, to put right all that has been done to them. The only question is, can they get away with it?

I loved this book, it had me gripped from the start and I was invested in each woman’s story, and murderous intents! Greeta especially, who finds herself central to each woman’s schemes, because she is already on the outside of their community, her husband disappearing in mysterious circumstances many years before. It is her that leads the narrative, and her I want to find the most peace and joy she deserves after all she’s been through.

But each story touched my heart, especially how much every woman has hidden their sadness and situation to some extent, they all think the others have the ideal life, but the truth is hard to see.

I applaud them for their bravery, even if I had to remember at times this was actual murder they were planning!

Content Warnings

karimorton33's review

Go to review page

emotional funny sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

I enjoyed this book, especially because the storyline was unlike anything I've read before. It was humorous but also serious and showed the real struggles the women in the town go through.

Content Warnings