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hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death
Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship
Minor: Racism
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
One of the worst books I've ever read. Not interesting plot, characters are completely over the top and unbelievable, and the pacing makes it just plain boring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Terminal illness
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder
Moderate: Ableism
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Domestic abuse, Infidelity
Minor: Death
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Misogyny
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Death, Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Deportation
mysterious
tense
medium-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
The Maid by Nina Prose follows the story of Molly, a young maid who works in a high-class hotel with some dark secrets. Molly knows she thinks differently from everyone else and is grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother, who helped her navigate the complexities of society. When Molly finds a VIP dead in his room, a series of events unfold that place Molly at the center of a very dangerous plot.
I thought this book was very good. From the first pages, I really connect to and felt for Molly. I honestly thought that she was the best part of the book, and the fact that Molly does not see the same connections as the reader truly heightened the tension. However, that does not mean that the story is foreseeable in its conclusion, as we quickly learn that though Molly has some difficulty in dealing with social situations due to how her mind works, she is also capable and cunning. I like how this book didn’t portray Molly as a victim due to her differences, but rather as someone in need of support and companionship as she makes her own way.
The plot was pretty standard, but I don’t see that as an overall negative. With the main focus being on Molly, how she views the world, and how she navigates it, I think having a fairly standard plot is okay. As I mentioned, it really added to the tension to see and know things that Molly did not or didn’t pick up on because of her different way of viewing the world. I could see this being frustrating to some, but I thought it made for a more character-driven story.
Overall, I give this book 5 stars. I think if you’re looking for a character-focused mystery that gives agency to someone is neurodivergent, this is a good choice for you.
I thought this book was very good. From the first pages, I really connect to and felt for Molly. I honestly thought that she was the best part of the book, and the fact that Molly does not see the same connections as the reader truly heightened the tension. However, that does not mean that the story is foreseeable in its conclusion, as we quickly learn that though Molly has some difficulty in dealing with social situations due to how her mind works, she is also capable and cunning. I like how this book didn’t portray Molly as a victim due to her differences, but rather as someone in need of support and companionship as she makes her own way.
The plot was pretty standard, but I don’t see that as an overall negative. With the main focus being on Molly, how she views the world, and how she navigates it, I think having a fairly standard plot is okay. As I mentioned, it really added to the tension to see and know things that Molly did not or didn’t pick up on because of her different way of viewing the world. I could see this being frustrating to some, but I thought it made for a more character-driven story.
Overall, I give this book 5 stars. I think if you’re looking for a character-focused mystery that gives agency to someone is neurodivergent, this is a good choice for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent
I listened to this book through audible and I’m not sure I would have made it through this book if I didn’t. The main character is very two dimensional and naive at times and sharp at others, and yet still other times, completely oblivious. She only realized something when it was convenient for the plot. There were also random twists in this book that just seemed out of place due to the lack of foreshadowing or any hint of this making sense. The narration was great, the story, not so much. 3 out of 5 stars for the audio. 0.5 for the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Racism