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eleanoremarie's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Xenophobia, Rape, and Sexual harassment
scarlatte16's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Racism and Xenophobia
amgarrido's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Sexism, Xenophobia, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Racism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual violence and Rape
of_fantasy_and_fibre's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The event which happens to Jade takes her life as collateral damage. The story is told via flashback in parts to set up this relationship and how it has defined current Jade. There are no punches pulled and issues discussed in this are talked about quite frankly but it were never over the top or forceful. There was one character who I felt was a red flag in human form. Jade has created what she sees as a safety net and so she scrabbles to figure out how to survive as the threads of a life she has carefully woven starts unravelling. I really loved the exploration of her experience as a third generation kid and how she was a minority of a minority in not just her field but her firm. I was gripped and listened for hours on end. This is a strong debut and I look forward to this authors next novel
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Racial slurs
Minor: Eating disorder and Religious bigotry
annecarts's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Racism, sexism, elitism, nepotism all feature and are cleverly shown. I'm sure lots of people will relate to parts of this book depending on their experiences.
I was really rooting for Ceyda and this book took me on an emotional ride.
Graphic: Racial slurs and Sexual assault
Moderate: Xenophobia, Sexism, and Racism
ramreadsagain's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a proof copy of this book. The below is my honest review.
This was an incredible read about the intersection of race, gender, class and privilege, particularly in the aftermath of a horrific event, against the backdrop of the dog-eat-dog London world of legal firms.
Jade was a very compelling character, and seeing the world through her eyes was both difficult and really interesting. I liked having the perspective of a mixed race protagonist who isn't half white; Jade's mother is South Korean and her father is Muslim Turkish and it was refreshing to have this take on "protagonist feels like they don't belong to either half of themself" combined with Jade trying to exist in a white world.
The class commentary was really well done, particularly looking at the class solidarity among the social elite that takes priority over however "liberal" individuals may think they are. Wanting to be seen as feminist and anti-racist without putting in any work, and having the privilege of debating real people's lived experiences as a thought experiment.
The central theme though is rape, and how isolating this experience can be, and how the system is stacked to make it nearly impossible for anything to be done about it on both an individual and a systemic level.
I don't wish to explain/spoil the plot further, I will say that this was a very difficult read at times but done so incredibly well. I particularly loved some of the smaller details, such as the concept of a "starbucks name" and the law firm self-congratulating over having an 11% female workforce.
My only complaint is that it felt at times a bit too tell over show, particularly in the
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Racism, Xenophobia, and Toxic relationship