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alexkudej's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, and Misogyny
thaliareads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
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
4.0
I still loved this book, but I do think that it was one of my least favorite of the series. This could be because I personally don't enjoy age-gap romances, and while it works fairly well in this story most of the time, there are still quite a few areas where it is apparent how different their ages make them.
However, I was happy to see Naina - who I'd previously disliked - become a fully developed and deep character who I felt for and resonated with. I also loved the causes that the characters worked toward in the book. Causes that they saw a real need to address and that they didn't abandon when things got hard.
I also loved the unexpected side story involving Esha and Sid, that was so exciting to see, and I was glad that we got to see Esha grow into someone she really wanted to be and past what others thought of her.
However, I was happy to see Naina - who I'd previously disliked - become a fully developed and deep character who I felt for and resonated with. I also loved the causes that the characters worked toward in the book. Causes that they saw a real need to address and that they didn't abandon when things got hard.
I also loved the unexpected side story involving Esha and Sid, that was so exciting to see, and I was glad that we got to see Esha grow into someone she really wanted to be and past what others thought of her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Sexual content, Confinement, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
Minor: Pregnancy
The death occurred outside of this story, but is relevant to character's backgrounds and is discussed. One of the parents, I think without fully realizing it, is emotionally abusive and constantly body shaming her child. Pregnancy relates just to a periodically appearing side character.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
bethbaty's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
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
purplepenning's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Death of parent, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Mental illness, Misogyny, Alcohol, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexism
Minor: Colonisation, Drug abuse, Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Pregnancy
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