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bookswithsoumi's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Vomit
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Medical content, Sexism, Mental illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual assault
eamily's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Vomit, and Sexual content
jamesjoyc's review
CW: Sexual assault, non-consensual behaviour, sexual detail, spoilers.
As someone who absolutely loved the previous three books of The Rajes, I am incredibly disappointed in Dev when it comes to 'The Emma Project'. A scene in chapter 11 includes serious breaches of consent, but instead of characterising it as such, Dev romanticises the act, which also makes the following chapters incredibly uncomfortably to read. I wanted to write this review as I believe it's important to talk about it, and point out the problematic behaviour (both of the characters and that of those involved in the creation of this book) so that hopefully some learning can come from it.
In chapter 10, Naina becomes extremely drunk and it is strongly expressed how this leads to her being completely unable to think straight, being emotionally unstable, and uncoordinated (so, again: very, very drunk). Vansh (not drunk) takes her home and a dry humping sex scene unfolds that results in them both orgasming. While Naina initiated the sex, she was clearly too intoxicated to provide consent. Vansh on the other hand, did absolutely nothing to stop the situation from occuring, was instead actively arroused, and allowed them both to reach the point of cumming.
The story goes on to treat this scene as little more than "embarrassing for Naina". Vansh, while later thinking to himself, makes some sexual jokes and follows them with the thought, that "They were grown ass adults and what happened between them was not a crime"... When you recognise the dry humping scene for what it was, the rest of the book really does read as incredibly uncomfortable.
'The Emma Project' is frankly, insulting to survivors of r*pe and sexual assault. Those who have been assaulted while drunk already deal with stigma and shame, and people belittling the traumatic experiences they've had. Intoxicated people cannot provide consent. That is not up for debate.
Treating scenes like this as "romantic" and "simply embarrassing" comes off a lot like gaslighting of survivors who were unable to provide consent. It perpetuates r*pe culture and I'm genuinely shocked that it was included in this book.
At halfway through, I've decided to leave 'The Emma Project' as a very upsetting did-not-finish. If these topics are triggering or upsetting to you at all, I strongly recommend NOT reading this book.
As someone who absolutely loved the previous three books of The Rajes, I am incredibly disappointed in Dev when it comes to 'The Emma Project'. A scene in chapter 11 includes serious breaches of consent, but instead of characterising it as such, Dev romanticises the act, which also makes the following chapters incredibly uncomfortably to read. I wanted to write this review as I believe it's important to talk about it, and point out the problematic behaviour (both of the characters and that of those involved in the creation of this book) so that hopefully some learning can come from it.
In chapter 10, Naina becomes extremely drunk and it is strongly expressed how this leads to her being completely unable to think straight, being emotionally unstable, and uncoordinated (so, again: very, very drunk). Vansh (not drunk) takes her home and a dry humping sex scene unfolds that results in them both orgasming. While Naina initiated the sex, she was clearly too intoxicated to provide consent. Vansh on the other hand, did absolutely nothing to stop the situation from occuring, was instead actively arroused, and allowed them both to reach the point of cumming.
The story goes on to treat this scene as little more than "embarrassing for Naina". Vansh, while later thinking to himself, makes some sexual jokes and follows them with the thought, that "They were grown ass adults and what happened between them was not a crime"... When you recognise the dry humping scene for what it was, the rest of the book really does read as incredibly uncomfortable.
'The Emma Project' is frankly, insulting to survivors of r*pe and sexual assault. Those who have been assaulted while drunk already deal with stigma and shame, and people belittling the traumatic experiences they've had. Intoxicated people cannot provide consent. That is not up for debate.
Treating scenes like this as "romantic" and "simply embarrassing" comes off a lot like gaslighting of survivors who were unable to provide consent. It perpetuates r*pe culture and I'm genuinely shocked that it was included in this book.
At halfway through, I've decided to leave 'The Emma Project' as a very upsetting did-not-finish. If these topics are triggering or upsetting to you at all, I strongly recommend NOT reading this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
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