Reviews

Bad Fruit by Ella King

Only show reviews with written explanations

averyannett's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

HAPPY PUB DAY TO THIS BANGER!!!!!

Thank you Astra Publishing House and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.

Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 5/5

TRIGGER WARNING: rape, self-harm, domestic violence

THE PLOT

Lily lives to appease her ruthless, abusive mother. She doesn't try to understand her mother's behaviour, just survive it, but when she starts having flashbacks about her mother's past, she is forced to peel back layers of generational abuse.

MY OPINION

DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a thriller. This is a literary novel exploring the nuanced, complex relationships between a family riddled with generational abuse. DO NOT pick this up expecting some whodunit type novel.

OOHHWEEE my therapist is gonna get an earful when I see her next. I don't want to reveal too much about my family life—I mean I'm wearing a ski mask in my profile pic so that should give you an idea of my desire to be incognito—but this particular story was difficile to get through.

IF YOU HAVE A DIFFICULT RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR MOTHER OR FATHER OR BOTH, CONSIDER YOURSELF WARNED. If you don't have the coping mechanisms to deal with being #triggered by family abuse, don't self-harm by forcing yourself to read this. Mental health >>>>>>

I didn't look into the author too much before reading—I just checked to make sure if she was Asian because ain't no way I'm reading a story about an Asian tiger mom on bath salts and her half-asian daughter written by some white chick from North Dakota (more on this later). But, after I finished, I read the author was not only Asian, but a corporate lawyer involved in anti-human trafficking and child abuse. Her expertise shone through. I could tell she understand the many, MANY layers of domestic abuse; the sick Stockholm Syndrome, the bargaining (I'll take it because they'll pay for my school), the guilt...she nailed it.

It was important to me the author is Asian because I'm TIREDT of white people only including Asian women to be petite, trophy wives to fat, rich white guys. I loved [b:The Darkest Web|57911729|The Darkest Web (Allison Barton, #2)|Kristin Wright|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1627651180l/57911729._SY75_.jpg|91289938]—but literally the only POC in the entire book was a shrewd Asian woman mooching off her lawyer husband. NEXT. And since this book got deep with it and the way culture influences family dynamics, understanding that on a genetic level is necessary. Now, I'm not saying all Asian moms are like this, or only Asian moms can be like this—but let's just put it this way, if you know, you know. And Ella King KNOWS.

The writing was just okay—a lil too try hard in some areas, but damn she nailed that plot and the ending. I'm glad it was a positive ending. I don't think I could've taken any more sadness tbh. And I loved how the author included two characters that actually cared and helped. You need people outside of your situation to get you out the other side.

No snark here. Just feels. This book will weigh heavy on my heart for a long time.

PROS AND CONS

Pros: heart-wrenching but on-point depiction of fucked up family dynamics at its best, great depiction of Asian culture and values influencing said dynamics

Cons: writing was a little OD at some points

indiindi's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

4.0

takin492's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

sannesbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Going into this I didn't know this is not a traditional thriller or mystery. It is a very dark and emotional book. Search up trigger warnings if you are sensetive to certain topics. If you are not a sensetive reader, I wouldn't look up trigger warnings since I feel it might spoil the story, especially with 'thrillers'.

Beginning starts off relatively slow in comparison to the rest of the book but I don't mind that too much since the story is gripping from the very beginning. It helped me get out of my reading slump. Especially later on, I wanted to keep reading! What I find the best thing about this book are the characters. They are great, super complex characters.

This book provoked emotions in me, which makes a book really good in my opinion. It was so dark, it sometimes gave me the chills and made me tense. It also me worried and sad. This disturbing story will definitely hunt me for some time.

Content Warnings