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sarahmhall's review against another edition
4.0
Things I liked:
- This may be an unpopular opinion idk but I liked that there weren't perfectly wrapped up happy endings. It felt realistic because life doesn't always work out perfectly. I was left speechless at the end and I can't wait for the second book to come out so I can keep reading more of this story.
- I liked that the story shows that your socioeconomic status can't really protect you from racism. Whether you're poor, work very hard and climb your way up the corporate ladder, or end rich af you can't escape racism & the harms that come from way the world perceives you
- The plot twist with Jonny & his interest in Brittany
- I loved how the author's use of foreshadowing
Things I didn't like:
- It just made me sad that Kemi & Brittany didn't become friends, I was rooting for them!
- I wished that Muna's story connected with Kemi/Brittany more.
Note: Such a good and important story about being a black woman existing in white spaces
- This may be an unpopular opinion idk but I liked that there weren't perfectly wrapped up happy endings. It felt realistic because life doesn't always work out perfectly. I was left speechless at the end and I can't wait for the second book to come out so I can keep reading more of this story.
- I liked that the story shows that your socioeconomic status can't really protect you from racism. Whether you're poor, work very hard and climb your way up the corporate ladder, or end rich af you can't escape racism & the harms that come from way the world perceives you
- The plot twist with Jonny & his interest in Brittany
- I loved how the author's use of foreshadowing
Things I didn't like:
- It just made me sad that Kemi & Brittany didn't become friends, I was rooting for them!
- I wished that Muna's story connected with Kemi/Brittany more.
Note: Such a good and important story about being a black woman existing in white spaces
tomilola's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-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
3.0
vexyspice's review
4.0
I am actually at a sort of loss of words. I found Brit Kemi and Muna such engaging characters. I wondered how they would all interact having vastly different life circumstances, and the author somehow intertwined it all beautifully.
I think I liked Kemi the most. Her life was more relatable to me than anyone else.
I think I liked Kemi the most. Her life was more relatable to me than anyone else.
sydneyhylland's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book deserves more than 5 stars. Incredible writing and storytelling by Lola.
ayeesharbrts's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
serranok's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lchatham9's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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? No
5.0
slaveryontatooine's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.25
Everybody in this book was dislikable except for Muna, who's ending I hated personally. I personally didn't enjoy Brittany-Rae, I thought she really ruined her life for no good reason. It was inexplicable to me honestly. And Kemi is a self-sabotager and neither of them are particularly likable. Also, the optics of the narrative being like Jonny was like this because he's autistic and nobody wanted to admit it, put a bad taste in my mouth. Even with the caveat that it's because he comes from a place of privilege doesn't really cancel out the implications of that. But what really dragged the book down for me was the ending. I truly disliked it to that much of a degree. But this is all a personal opinion, and so, can take it with a grain of salt.
popgoesbitty's review against another edition
2.0
I saw another review of In Every Mirror She's Black that said something along the lines of, "an ambitious book that didn't quite land," and that pretty much sums it up for me. The subject matter is unquestionably powerful, and along with some uniquely well-crafted characters, that's about the only thing that held my interest.
Despite what's promised in the blurb, the book is comprised of three loosely connected narratives that make a weak crossover early in the novel and then...don't go much further than that. Yes, there's an obvious yet less-than-palpable "link" between the three women, but it feels like the book is constantly tensing up toward an actual connection that never happens. One narrative, though heart-wrenching, is particularly weak and almost never centers itself on the core conflict despite comprising what feels like most of the pages of the book. The other two are a bit more compelling and feel a tad more focused, but still fail to nurture a cohesive plot.
Many endorsements for In Every Mirror She's Black promise a quick pace and, oddly enough, that's true. But quick-paced doesn't mean well-paced, and it doesn't always mean compelling. For most of the book, I had no idea if the narratives were on a linear timeline. In a few spots, I knew they weren't. An event would happen, then the perspective would switch and rewind a couple hours so we could see it from a different angle--a narrative style one rarely sees and for good reason. On some occasions one narrator's timeline jumps a couple months when the others seemingly don't? That observation could be inaccurate, but it gives you an idea of how scattered and incohesive this book is that I can't be sure...
An intriguing piece of the novel is the complexity of the antagonist. I appreciate that Jonny (rich white dude at the alleged center of the three women's narratives) isn't a "loud" villain. He could've easily been built as an obviously aggressive, violent, cheating man, but the subtlety of his antagonizing behavior is really, truly powerful. He also is neurodivergent and, according to some in the novel, autistic, which is another interesting layer of complexity.
Overall, I was just disappointed by this book. I moved all my other reads aside to dive into it, and it failed to deliver in almost every way promised.
Despite what's promised in the blurb, the book is comprised of three loosely connected narratives that make a weak crossover early in the novel and then...don't go much further than that. Yes, there's an obvious yet less-than-palpable "link" between the three women, but it feels like the book is constantly tensing up toward an actual connection that never happens. One narrative, though heart-wrenching, is particularly weak and almost never centers itself on the core conflict despite comprising what feels like most of the pages of the book. The other two are a bit more compelling and feel a tad more focused, but still fail to nurture a cohesive plot.
Many endorsements for In Every Mirror She's Black promise a quick pace and, oddly enough, that's true. But quick-paced doesn't mean well-paced, and it doesn't always mean compelling. For most of the book, I had no idea if the narratives were on a linear timeline. In a few spots, I knew they weren't. An event would happen, then the perspective would switch and rewind a couple hours so we could see it from a different angle--a narrative style one rarely sees and for good reason. On some occasions one narrator's timeline jumps a couple months when the others seemingly don't? That observation could be inaccurate, but it gives you an idea of how scattered and incohesive this book is that I can't be sure...
An intriguing piece of the novel is the complexity of the antagonist. I appreciate that Jonny (rich white dude at the alleged center of the three women's narratives) isn't a "loud" villain. He could've easily been built as an obviously aggressive, violent, cheating man, but the subtlety of his antagonizing behavior is really, truly powerful. He also is neurodivergent and, according to some in the novel, autistic, which is another interesting layer of complexity.
Overall, I was just disappointed by this book. I moved all my other reads aside to dive into it, and it failed to deliver in almost every way promised.
tbaileythomp's review against another edition
5.0
I’m giving 5 stars, because the characters were very unique. This story is about 3 black women, all with different ethnic, national, and cultural backgrounds, experiencing life in Sweden.
All 3 women feel lonely in this country that is projected to the rest of the world as perfect. Their lives intersect in sad ways, and I often wished throughout the story that the 3 would eventually form a bond and give each other the sisterhood support that all 3 needed in Sweden.
The character development was also interesting, and not too perfect as you find with most contemporary fictions. They didn’t automatically turn into perfect people, and get all of their desires. You could actively see their flaws and issues to the very end.
Brittany’s plot twist was crazy too. This was more heavy than I thought. I try not to read too many racial stories, where black people’s mistreatment is at the center of the plot. Dont read if you are looking for a happy ending/ pick me up.
Also wanted to follow up with that I couldn’t stop once I started. I actually enjoyed moving through this book.
All 3 women feel lonely in this country that is projected to the rest of the world as perfect. Their lives intersect in sad ways, and I often wished throughout the story that the 3 would eventually form a bond and give each other the sisterhood support that all 3 needed in Sweden.
The character development was also interesting, and not too perfect as you find with most contemporary fictions. They didn’t automatically turn into perfect people, and get all of their desires. You could actively see their flaws and issues to the very end.
Brittany’s plot twist was crazy too. This was more heavy than I thought. I try not to read too many racial stories, where black people’s mistreatment is at the center of the plot. Dont read if you are looking for a happy ending/ pick me up.
Also wanted to follow up with that I couldn’t stop once I started. I actually enjoyed moving through this book.