Reviews with content warning for Murder - Wahala

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Wahala by Nikki May

54 reviews

zara89's review against another edition

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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

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sarahholliday's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious tense fast-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

The first thing I'll say is that Wahala is incredibly readable and fun—I got about halfway through on audio (mostly doing chores and driving to work) then switched to an e-book version because I just wanted to keep reading!

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.

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meganmsmart's review against another edition

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medium-paced

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

The characters are mostly terrible to each other, and there's so much racism, colorism, fatphobia, and general meanness of the main voices that it was hard to sympathize when their lives fell apart from their own choices. Only really liked Ronke, who deserves better than this book.

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lhodgson26's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad 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? It's complicated

4.0

This book was special, set around three friends who looked to all have perfect lives but which were actually falling apart. I loved how it explored Nigerian and British culture and the focus on food. I especially love how there were the recipes at the end and I definetly want to to Ronkes jollof rice. I liked how all three of them had completely chaotic lives and different storylines which were all intertwined. I loved Ronke the most as she was just trying to live her best life and be in love. Boo was the least likeable and very self absorbed as she cheated on her perfect husband and tried to blame other people but couldn't appreciate what she had. Simi was okay but the lying to Martin especially about the abortion wasn't okay and all the men in the book deserved better. Of course the worst was Isobelle and even though its heavily hinted throughout the book that she's a psycopath and clearly manipulating everyone especially Boo into doing things her way. The biggest shock was the ending though and the fact she murdered Kayode who deserved so much better. The fact that she was also responsible for the murder of Ronke's dad so hadn't Ronke been through enough! Then the biggest plot was that she was half sisters with Boo. I really didn't expect the huge twists especially when I thought it was going to be mainly based around the stories of the three main characters.

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lauraorourke's review against another edition

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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.

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kaceymarie13's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense 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

3.5

Way darker than it seemed from the description. I probably would have enjoyed it more if I had been adequately prepared for that.

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caitcosentino's review against another edition

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mysterious tense 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

4.0

Interesting & compelling
Gave me Big Little Lies vibes
Could have been shorter (felt like there was some filler in the middle)
Definitely interested in reading more from Nikki May in the future!

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jaimeeslitlife's review against another edition

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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!

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christinabijou's review against another edition

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challenging slow-paced

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

This book took quite a lot of time to build up, but the twist at the end was good! I wish the author had spent a little less time building up the plot/drama, and paid more attention to the ending. The ending felt rushed and abrupt.

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.

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ashyyy's review against another edition

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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.

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