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jtpgdavey's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism, Fatphobia, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Murder, and Death of parent
Minor: Police brutality, Pregnancy, Car accident, Blood, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, and Stalking
runlaurarun'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
5.0
Moderate: Stalking, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Minor: Murder
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
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
graceev's review against another edition
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Car accident, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Stalking and Abortion
Abusive relationshipzara89's review against another edition
- 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
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
sarahholliday's review against another edition
- 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
The Sex and the City-meets-murder-mystery billing is spot on, and is a large part of why the story is so enjoyable. Three incredibly different women navigating modern life together? Sign me up.
But where SATC forces its characters to grow as a result of being friends with people who have different priorities and values, Wahala leans a bit too far into the women's foibles. Instead of relying on, listening to, and learning from one another, Ronke, Boo, and Simi judge each other with a viciousness that makes their years-long friendship hard to believe.
As far as the murder mystery goes, the opening vignette offers a completely different tone and understanding of events than what actually, eventually transpires, leaving readers feeling either confused or tricked.
Overall, I don't regret reading Wahala and look forward to reading May's future work. Like the friendship at the center of the story, Wahala is a compelling and enjoyable—as long as you don't look too closely.
Graphic: Death, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Racism, Infidelity, Murder, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, and Stalking
Moderate: Body shaming, Xenophobia, Blood, and Abortion
meganmsmart's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Moderate: Death, Xenophobia, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Racism, Classism, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Toxic friendship
lauraorourke's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Moderate: Abortion, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Racism, Death of parent, Infidelity, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Violence
jaimeeslitlife's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Murder
Moderate: Alcohol, Racism, Fatphobia, Violence, and Abortion
Minor: Stalking
christinabijou'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
4.0
Most of the main characters are unlikeable, oblivious, and childish. I can appreciate when authors develop a few unlikeable characters because—hey, that’s life. You won’t like everyone and not everyone is good intentioned—but good God. These women were insufferable at some points. At times, I was left wondering whether any of them were actually friends with one another considering how they talked to and treated each other (and their other family/friends). Oddly, the most redeemable character seemed to get the shortest stick at the end.
However, I will credit the author for placing so much attention on the characters’ flaws. I was too busy ranting and raving over them to see the twist at the end coming. Maybe that was her plan all along, who knows. But +1 for the surprise.
One final note—throughout the book, the women made a number of colorist, racist, and xenophobic comments that I wish the author would have addressed. The anti-Blackness was teeming from them in almost every chapter.
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Domestic abuse