Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Wahala by Nikki May

24 reviews

bonnie9595's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• 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

4.0

This is a really fab book, but it isn't the book it is marketed as - unless you have a very different interpretation of SATC from me. The characters feel very real; sometimes, when an author writes in multiple voices, they can start to feel samey, but I thought each of the 3 girls was consistent and convincing. I also really enjoyed the unfolding of the drama! I was raised on crime so I look for twists where there often aren't any, but there is plenty to unravel here. The multiple narratives also help to create suspense, and it is quite gratifying to be able to see different perspectives on the same event.

What I didn't like:
The end feels almost abrupt - I could have used another 100 pages to flesh it out. The main characters arcs are wrapped up, but it feels a bit superficial; you don't get the satisfaction of seeing their conflicts resolve, and so it feels a bit unsatisfying. Some of the characters get more than they deserve, and others less, which is a bit frustrating as a reader, but I do think if given longer to digest the events of the climax and the ensuing carnage it would have been more palatable. Also, the fatphobia towards Ronke, who I think at one point is said to be a size 14 was a bit off-putting - the way her friends talked about her was so unkind in a way that made me really dislike them.

Very excited to see the TV adaptation and to see if they expand on anything! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Fatphobia, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual assault

bookishkellyn'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

3.0

Simi daftly reconnects with her former childhood best friend–her alobam–and brings her into the fold. It was obvious from the beginning that Isobel was a weirdo and that a friend group established from being mixed race was already a shaky foundation, so the chaos she cooked up was light work. The way Boo & Simi downrated Ronke was infuriating, because she was truly the most likeable character. She was the only one satisfied with her life but suffered the most. I liked the first half of the book, but the plot got more unbelievable as it went on. I didn’t like the ending at all.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Murder

Moderate: Classism, Emotional abuse, Xenophobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Racism, and Body shaming

Minor: Pregnancy, Abandonment, Abortion, Bullying, Violence, Stalking, Domestic abuse, and Infertility

mariana27's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

• 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

4.5

Wahala was a great read. Incisive look into female friendships. Very frustrating at times though, be warned. Extremely well-written characters.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder and Violence

mayahill22's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.5

OMG i looked this book. Usually I don’t go for a slow paced book but once it picked up it was riveting. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Toxic friendship, Infidelity, and Murder

Moderate: Violence and Pregnancy

Minor: Suicide

zara89's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

Moderate: Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Body shaming, Abortion, Death of parent, Violence, Infidelity, Alcohol, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Infertility, Physical abuse, Stalking, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, and Police brutality

lauraorourke's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• 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

4.5

I like to go into my books knowing next to nothing, and that is what I did going into this one. I think it was the right choice. I didn't even know what genre it supposedly is in (and I'm glad I didn't). In fact, I still don't know what genre I would consider this to be, but I do know that it is a great book to read if you like Liane Moriarty: Contemporary literary fiction with complex characters and something insidious brewing below the surface. I started feeling similar vibes as soon as I felt something may be off in what seemed like an ordinary book about friendship drama.

This was a great debut and would make a great book club book. Beyond the surface-level story, I'd love to dive into the themes of racism and identity deeper in conversation.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Racism, Death of parent, Infidelity, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Violence

jaimeeslitlife's review against another edition

dark emotional funny tense fast-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

Wahala took me on an emotional JOURNEY! Nikki May is a powerhouse writer and sweeps the reader up in this story of friendship, flaws, vengeance, and forgiveness. I absolutely devoured this book - I can't wait to see what Nikki May does next!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic friendship and Murder

Moderate: Alcohol, Racism, Fatphobia, Violence, and Abortion

Minor: Stalking

ashyyy's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious 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

3.5

The writing was easily digestible and I loved the three main friends' dynamic. Although the ending was incredible and made me want to yell at the characters for their choices, I found the beginning a little slower than I'd have liked.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Grief, Violence, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders

peachani's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Violence, Death, Blood, Infidelity, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Grief

Moderate: Classism, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Alcohol, Stalking, and Gaslighting

Minor: Bullying, Abandonment, Fatphobia, Abortion, Body shaming, and Pregnancy

theunfinishedbookshelf's review

dark emotional mysterious 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

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence

Minor: Abortion