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paedynsgf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
4.0
“can i kiss you?”
“i’m leaving. won’t that complicate things for you?”
“complicate them.”
~ ♡ 4/5
this book was so good, the writing was absolutely incredible. i’ll admit the start was incredibly slow, and it felt like nothing was really happening. and there was a bunch of plot that i thought wasn’t needed.
but in part two you start to learn more and see certain friendships grow. that i absolutely love.
part three was my favourite though, everything came full circle and you really got to see how much of an impact people can have on certain situations.
i hope the girls in this book grew to heal in this universe. and i hope sade can grapple with her guilt more.
“i’m leaving. won’t that complicate things for you?”
“complicate them.”
~ ♡ 4/5
this book was so good, the writing was absolutely incredible. i’ll admit the start was incredibly slow, and it felt like nothing was really happening. and there was a bunch of plot that i thought wasn’t needed.
but in part two you start to learn more and see certain friendships grow. that i absolutely love.
part three was my favourite though, everything came full circle and you really got to see how much of an impact people can have on certain situations.
i hope the girls in this book grew to heal in this universe. and i hope sade can grapple with her guilt more.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault, Physical abuse, and Drug abuse
ghostlyprince's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child death, Death, Bullying, Gaslighting, Grief, and Rape
Moderate: Addiction, Sexism, Stalking, Death of parent, Dementia, Drug abuse, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Confinement, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Classism, Drug use, Suicide, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny
Minor: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Body shaming, Lesbophobia, Animal death, and Physical abuse
shadeyc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
relaxing
sad
tense
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
3.75
3.75
Well. That was intense. Oooooh did that give me the feels, and unsurprisingly made me mad at the patriachy all over again.
I loved the beginning, that first chapter really got me, I'm always sucked in by Àbíké-Íyímídé's writing. But, and it's kind of a half hearted but, I did feel like this book went on a bit long.
I was right there with Sade for most of it, and then I started getting tired. And then I got frsutrated, and then mad, and then tired again.
I get the slow burn suspense is what drives this book, but I think the middle got a little bogged down, and we would still get hit by all th revelations and impact even if this was a little shorter.
PS. Persephone for Prime Minister!
Well. That was intense. Oooooh did that give me the feels, and unsurprisingly made me mad at the patriachy all over again.
I loved the beginning, that first chapter really got me, I'm always sucked in by Àbíké-Íyímídé's writing. But, and it's kind of a half hearted but, I did feel like this book went on a bit long.
I was right there with Sade for most of it, and then I started getting tired. And then I got frsutrated, and then mad, and then tired again.
I get the slow burn suspense is what drives this book, but I think the middle got a little bogged down, and we would still get hit by all th revelations and impact even if this was a little shorter.
PS. Persephone for Prime Minister!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Death of parent, Alcohol, Bullying, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Drug use, and Suicidal thoughts
I've put certain types of assault down as graphic because the impact of them feels that way. However, while the book deals with assault it is not explictly graphic, the discussion of or act is generally talked of, not detailed.littlecozyreaderr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is for sure an auto buy author for me now!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Grief, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Sexual assault
warlocksarecool21's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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? Yes
2.75
Where Sleeping Girls Lie had been an anticipated read for me but I was ultimately disappointed. I didn’t hate it, there were a few elements that I liked but I had enough issues with it that I couldn’t rate it any higher. I think the author was trying to tell an important story about rape culture and misogyny but it just wasn’t executed that well for me. There are various reasons for that but I’ll start with the pacing. It was interesting for about the first 25% or so but the middle of the book was soooo slow. I think the author was trying to give more time with the characters and to build up tension but there were so much random and mundane stuff happening that I couldn’t even tell where the book was going for a while it was just so drawn out and overwritten. It did pick up in the last section of the book and I was compelled to actually finish it but the ending was so messy. There were so many things going on that all had to be tied up at the end and a few of the big reveals felt so contrived to me that I wish the author spent more time with those things instead of all the filler in the middle of the book. This book also did the thing I hate in mysteries and thrillers where very vital information about the protagonist’s backstory and motivations is kept a secret from the audience until it’s convenient to reveal and it almost never works for me and unfortunately that happened with Sade’s character. I won’t say what it was but it felt really cheap to me to hide Sade’s motivation for everything because it’s such a tonal shift for her character and the story and it doesn’t make sense why the audience wouldn’t get to know that earlier in the story. I can appreciate the message the author was trying to get across but it didn’t work for me. Honestly the only thing that I consistently enjoyed what Baz’s character he was a delight. Aside from that, this book was kind of a flop for me between the messy plot and craft issues.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Animal death, Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Addiction, Mental illness, and Murder
Minor: Suicide, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, and Child abuse
pm_me_book_recs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Yes. This is finally an urban YA with realistic dialogue, believable teens, chilling horror, anxiety inducing mystery, all wrapped up in social commentary. We get Muslim representation, Queer representation, Neurodivergence, Black representation, without focusing on those identities being othered or the target of bullying. Rather, the dynamic focused on is the rift between class and gender, and the predatory actions of "frat" boys and systemic symptoms of racism and misogyny. As a survivor, this also felt like a rare accurate showing of how that trauma of having your autonomy denied you can be so silent and internalized. The different portrayals of PTSD were also great, not everyone processes and shows trauma the same way and I find authors tend to only show one or two sides instead of a spectrum.
I loved the characters, I loved their dynamic stories and moral greyness (i.e. realistic people), I loved the claustrophobic setting, I loved how Àbíké-Íyímídé spun tropes and then completely swiveled away from them, and the subplots and understory were so wonderfully intertwined and unpredictable. And a resolved ending showing healing. I love a solid resolution.
CW: Descriptions of experiencing "roofies", mentions of rape, descriptions of stalking, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, instances of death, threats, sexual harassment, violence, and blood.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I loved the characters, I loved their dynamic stories and moral greyness (i.e. realistic people), I loved the claustrophobic setting, I loved how Àbíké-Íyímídé spun tropes and then completely swiveled away from them, and the subplots and understory were so wonderfully intertwined and unpredictable. And a resolved ending showing healing. I love a solid resolution.
CW: Descriptions of experiencing "roofies", mentions of rape, descriptions of stalking, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, instances of death, threats, sexual harassment, violence, and blood.
Thank you Netgalley for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Drug abuse, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Murder, Rape, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
getlitwithamy_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé has done it again! This sophomore follow up to ACE OF SPADES was immaculate.
We're brought back to school as our main character starts a new year at a prestigious academy. in girls fashion, Sade was previously homeschooled and is brought into a world of cliques. However, the aspect of her missing roommate raises the stakes from the jump.
I think what I loved most about this book is that it kept me on my toes. One minute, I thought I knew what was going to happen but then my theory would be proven false 20 pages later. The last third of the book was jaw dropping on its own.
Sade's found family she makes is adorable! She's able to find a solid support system during all of the chaos ensuing at the school. Baz and Persephone are especially wonderful.
Thank you Feiwel & Friends and herself for granting me the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for a review! This is my favorite book of 2024 so far.
We're brought back to school as our main character starts a new year at a prestigious academy. in girls fashion, Sade was previously homeschooled and is brought into a world of cliques. However, the aspect of her missing roommate raises the stakes from the jump.
I think what I loved most about this book is that it kept me on my toes. One minute, I thought I knew what was going to happen but then my theory would be proven false 20 pages later. The last third of the book was jaw dropping on its own.
Sade's found family she makes is adorable! She's able to find a solid support system during all of the chaos ensuing at the school. Baz and Persephone are especially wonderful.
Thank you Feiwel & Friends and herself for granting me the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for a review! This is my favorite book of 2024 so far.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Bullying, Death of parent, Alcohol, Misogyny, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Death, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Racism, Rape, and Suicide
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