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toribth's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
4.0
3.5-4 Stars
Well ... damn.
It's terrifying, and it really doesn't make you like humans all that much, and I think I lost the rest of my faith in humanity and especially men for the time being, but it was a very well written story nonetheless, and I was very interested to see where it was headed. I liked that we got both the POV of a women's rights activist as well as that of an incel and I think Liam's slow descend into radicalisation and the development of the whole plot were well crafted - even though in the beginning I was briefly worried that bullying could be used to explain and in a way "justify" Liam's hate for women. I'm still not entirely sure whether I think the book did that or not. I will have to think about that for a while.
I didn't really like the ending, but I guess that's what makes it a thriller and not a feel-good novel. Though generally I'd say there were not enough men in here that actually didn't hate women, which added to said loss of faith in humanity. A girl needs some light at the end of the tunnel, and the only one here was Callum.
Well ... damn.
It's terrifying, and it really doesn't make you like humans all that much, and I think I lost the rest of my faith in humanity and especially men for the time being, but it was a very well written story nonetheless, and I was very interested to see where it was headed. I liked that we got both the POV of a women's rights activist as well as that of an incel and I think Liam's slow descend into radicalisation and the development of the whole plot were well crafted - even though in the beginning I was briefly worried that bullying could be used to explain and in a way "justify" Liam's hate for women. I'm still not entirely sure whether I think the book did that or not. I will have to think about that for a while.
I didn't really like the ending, but I guess that's what makes it a thriller and not a feel-good novel. Though generally I'd say there were not enough men in here that actually didn't hate women, which added to said loss of faith in humanity. A girl needs some light at the end of the tunnel, and the only one here was Callum.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexism, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
library_of_lucyg's review
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nicola_2310's review
challenging
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
witchybitchybookworm's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
i went back and fourth on liking this book but it kept sending an underlying anti-feminist tinge that really left a bad taste in my mouth, especially at the last two-three chapters. it felt very victim/womxn blaming, almost sympathetic to incel ideology. extraordinarily surface level exportation of feminism.
it was pretty well written and for that i give it credit. also, when you’re being shot at, it doesn’t sound like explosions. it’s just little popping noises and buzzing as the bullets go by.
it was pretty well written and for that i give it credit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Murder, Hate crime, Bullying, Blood, Death, Alcohol, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Gaslighting
cassiecat's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
🎧4⭐️
I had the audiobook of this debut read by Hilary MacLean she is good, with distinct voices for the main characters. I would have liked a more developed accent for Frankie ( I love Scottish, Irish and Welsh accents)
Edinburgh reporter Frankie has finally been assigned a high profile crime story about sexual assaults. Frankie starts to get vitriolic abuse online.
The two main characters are Frankie and a young man Liam (17) who finds himself drawn into the dark online world of incels.
Bullet points for Open Your Eyes
📕enters the world of incels
📕shows the process of radicalisation
📕may have triggers for some
I’ve read a couple of books on this subject, it holds up well in comparison. Apologies I can’t bring a book title to mind which uses this subject matter.
It’s dark, got a good pace throughout maintaining plenty of interest. There’s a couple of bad decisions made along the way, but that’s a popular trope. I usually like a glossary, but found it didn’t sit well at the beginning of the audiobook, in a book you can flick back to read the terms if you need to. It came across suggesting that the tone of the book was going to be very heavy. I found Frankie likeable.
I thought the ending was well done.
It’s one that I enjoyed, the world of incel’s and toxic masculinity are not themes that generally grab my interest.
sharron_joy_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Frankie is a reporter in Edinburgh living with her boyfriend Todd and she gets her big break covering a series of sexual assaults, this attracts the attention of a group of men online who will stop at nothing to silence her but she will not back down, will her investigation be the death of her?
Alongside this there is 18yr old Liam who after being humiliated by his school friends and one girl in particular joins an internet group who plot their revenge on women online.
This story really does open your eyes to the prevalence of online grooming, manipulation, bullying and corruption, it questions how safe are women and how can we protect ourselves against something we will not see before it’s in front of us, ready to attack. The story is absolutely gripping from start to finish!
This is an fantastic story that highlights the rising prominence of groups of men who really hate women and how far they would go to silence the female voice. For a debut novel this is exceptionally well written.
I really enjoyed that I didn’t really like any of the characters, even Frankie I found difficult and I liked the fact this meant the story was the focus, the fight for the rights of women to move through the world without fear and the need to protect our young men from the dangers preying on them. Excellent read, 5 stars
Alongside this there is 18yr old Liam who after being humiliated by his school friends and one girl in particular joins an internet group who plot their revenge on women online.
This story really does open your eyes to the prevalence of online grooming, manipulation, bullying and corruption, it questions how safe are women and how can we protect ourselves against something we will not see before it’s in front of us, ready to attack. The story is absolutely gripping from start to finish!
This is an fantastic story that highlights the rising prominence of groups of men who really hate women and how far they would go to silence the female voice. For a debut novel this is exceptionally well written.
I really enjoyed that I didn’t really like any of the characters, even Frankie I found difficult and I liked the fact this meant the story was the focus, the fight for the rights of women to move through the world without fear and the need to protect our young men from the dangers preying on them. Excellent read, 5 stars
wolfchanreads's review
dark
reflective
sad
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
3.75
piperkitty's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Firstly thank you for the Introduction and explanation of the terms.
Frankie, and Todd area couple whom at times I won't of put together but I enjoy seeing thier realtionships dynamics.
I adored seeing the article which Frankie has written it made me connect to the character more.
Laim I enjoy the insight into his life.
I truly got invested in Laim and his part of this book. I truly see how Liam but something in this crowd.
You can tell us so much research put into this book because of the Context it just flows really well and I picked it up and been 2 days I was finished it absolutely loved it. Oh wow that is such a twist at the end.
Frankie, and Todd area couple whom at times I won't of put together but I enjoy seeing thier realtionships dynamics.
I adored seeing the article which Frankie has written it made me connect to the character more.
Laim I enjoy the insight into his life.
I truly got invested in Laim and his part of this book. I truly see how Liam but something in this crowd.
You can tell us so much research put into this book because of the Context it just flows really well and I picked it up and been 2 days I was finished it absolutely loved it. Oh wow that is such a twist at the end.
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