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lochnessvhs's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
You might call me a connoisseur of unhinged women protagonists. I am lured to their stories like the proverbial moth to a flame. Their wildness, their unhinged-ness, it calls to me and makes me feel light and airy.
Sophia, light and innocence and forced smiles as she may seem, is made almost purely of this wildness. And when an unhinged woman starts working at a company owned and operated by women even MORE unhinged, that's when the real weird shit begins.
You'll likely read many reviews about how this is a critique of the modern beauty and wellness community. How young influencers are devoured for their beauty and easily discarded the second they have a frown line. And on the surface, that is exactly what's happening in this story.
But Sophia's story goes much deeper than that. And we are treated to an additional 2008 timeline, where 16-year-old Sophia first unfurls her own wildness, takes chances, and pushes her own boundaries.
I loved this book from start to finish. I love any story where you know people are doing objectively bad things but you can't help but root for them anyway. Those are my women. Those are my ladies. So get yourself a night cream and an oat milk latte and settle in for this look into the the dark and horrible female subconcious.
I was provided a copy of youthjuice through NetGalley in return for my honest review. My thanks to NetGalley and E.K. Sathue.
Sophia, light and innocence and forced smiles as she may seem, is made almost purely of this wildness. And when an unhinged woman starts working at a company owned and operated by women even MORE unhinged, that's when the real weird shit begins.
You'll likely read many reviews about how this is a critique of the modern beauty and wellness community. How young influencers are devoured for their beauty and easily discarded the second they have a frown line. And on the surface, that is exactly what's happening in this story.
But Sophia's story goes much deeper than that. And we are treated to an additional 2008 timeline, where 16-year-old Sophia first unfurls her own wildness, takes chances, and pushes her own boundaries.
I loved this book from start to finish. I love any story where you know people are doing objectively bad things but you can't help but root for them anyway. Those are my women. Those are my ladies. So get yourself a night cream and an oat milk latte and settle in for this look into the the dark and horrible female subconcious.
I was provided a copy of youthjuice through NetGalley in return for my honest review. My thanks to NetGalley and E.K. Sathue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Body horror, Self harm, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Vomit, Drug abuse, Mental illness, and Toxic friendship
lauren_reads_outside's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you NetGalley for this audiobook
This book is absolutely bonkers, and I really liked it. Is it realistic? No but that's not the point is it. Taking the pursuit for beauty and youth in a modern company to the furthest possible extent with visuals that will have you flinching and nauseated. The narrator absolutely nailed the vapid unhinged voice and it made the book come to life. I will say that in audiobook I did lose track of a few of the characters because they seemed vaguely interchangeable but it also felt intentional that they were described that way in a sort of fever dream haze.
This book is absolutely bonkers, and I really liked it. Is it realistic? No but that's not the point is it. Taking the pursuit for beauty and youth in a modern company to the furthest possible extent with visuals that will have you flinching and nauseated. The narrator absolutely nailed the vapid unhinged voice and it made the book come to life. I will say that in audiobook I did lose track of a few of the characters because they seemed vaguely interchangeable but it also felt intentional that they were described that way in a sort of fever dream haze.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Self harm, Drug abuse, Gore, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Dysphoria, Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Addiction, Murder, Mental illness, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Body horror, and Bullying
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