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lizzym126's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Police brutality
icartermccurry's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The story is very slow and many unimportant characters are given a lot of time in the novel. I feel like if the book was half as long I would appreciate it more. I love the concept, but the execution could have been better. I wanted to read before I watch the show on Hulu.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Addiction
tetedump's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Stalking, and Gaslighting
pagebypage21's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
katharina90's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
A unique and creative premise but I struggled with the execution.
The story felt very slow. While there was at times a sense of unease or dread, there was no thrill. The main character lacked oomph and likeability and the ending was dissatisfying.
The portrayal of office politics and racism in the workplace with all its micro-aggressions and gaslighting was well done though.
The story felt very slow. While there was at times a sense of unease or dread, there was no thrill. The main character lacked oomph and likeability and the ending was dissatisfying.
The portrayal of office politics and racism in the workplace with all its micro-aggressions and gaslighting was well done though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Racism, and Gaslighting
Minor: Police brutality
emilyatthelibrary's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Police brutality
gellyreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
5.0
I have such mixed feelings about this book. I really enjoyed it, overall. I do feel like the pacing is a bit off, however? I’m not sure how much of this is because I did an audiobook vs a physical book, but it just seemed like everything was happening at the end. Normally, I don’t mind this, but I spoke to a friend who said you knew the secret to the control earlier in the show. I
Also feel like I had a hard time when we would see random scenes from the other people’s POV. I also really liked Nell? And my bestie hated her in the show, so that’s interesting. I wish this wasn’t marketed as Get Out as a book, but it is in a way. It’s more nefarious and has a lot to say. I will watch the adaptation. I will recommend this book. I will re-read this book. And the fact that I know I already will plan so much time in my brain to this book, and want to stay with this story and concept, bump this from a 4 to a 5 star book for me, despite its flaws.
Also feel like I had a hard time when we would see random scenes from the other people’s POV. I also really liked Nell? And my bestie hated her in the show, so that’s interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, and Racial slurs
lay_kone's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Racism, and Stalking
filmnoirz's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
wish i’d liked this more because i love black sci-fi/horror
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
haileyhardcover's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I wish that I had read Black women’s reviews of this book before I purchased it…
While I was reading, I wondered if maybe there was something I was missing. Some context that I, as a white woman, could not understand that made this book - its plot and especially its characters - better than I was perceiving them to be. After finishing it and looking up reviews written by Black women, I think my gut instinct was right. This book reads like it was written by an “OBG.”
I will not comment further on the lived experience of the characters or real Black women. I encourage you to read reviews written by Black readers, especially Black women, if you’d like more thoughts on that.
I will say more about the writing, though. This book is rough. It’s slooooooow going, and then all of the action takes place in the last 50 or so pages. I can see what the author was going for with the ending, but it didn’t hit the way I believe she intended. I think 60% of the first 300 pages could have been cut entirely, and the ending would’ve made a great mid-point, leading up to the rising action and either a MORE shocking climax or a more triumphant one. Comparing this to The Devil Wears Prada (as a quote from The Washington Post does on the cover) is inaccurate and bizarre - the only similarity is that the fmc is an assistant, but her circumstances, the industry, her boss, everything else is completely different from TDWP. I think a better comparison would be to Jordon Peele’s Get Out - there is even a reference to the sunken place in the book. You’re gettjng conspiracy, evil white people, suspicious substances, altered states… it could’ve been SO. GOOD. But sadly, it’s just not.
While I was reading, I wondered if maybe there was something I was missing. Some context that I, as a white woman, could not understand that made this book - its plot and especially its characters - better than I was perceiving them to be. After finishing it and looking up reviews written by Black women, I think my gut instinct was right. This book reads like it was written by an “OBG.”
I will not comment further on the lived experience of the characters or real Black women. I encourage you to read reviews written by Black readers, especially Black women, if you’d like more thoughts on that.
I will say more about the writing, though. This book is rough. It’s slooooooow going, and then all of the action takes place in the last 50 or so pages. I can see what the author was going for with the ending, but it didn’t hit the way I believe she intended. I think 60% of the first 300 pages could have been cut entirely, and the ending would’ve made a great mid-point, leading up to the rising action and either a MORE shocking climax or a more triumphant one. Comparing this to The Devil Wears Prada (as a quote from The Washington Post does on the cover) is inaccurate and bizarre - the only similarity is that the fmc is an assistant, but her circumstances, the industry, her boss, everything else is completely different from TDWP. I think a better comparison would be to Jordon Peele’s Get Out - there is even a reference to the sunken place in the book. You’re gettjng conspiracy, evil white people, suspicious substances, altered states… it could’ve been SO. GOOD. But sadly, it’s just not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Bullying and Gaslighting
Minor: Gun violence, Hate crime, Police brutality, Cursing, and Murder