Scan barcode
jahr_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Sexual harassment, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Sexual assault
Minor: Self harm, Death of parent, and Suicide
touchingmyshelf's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a absolute CHONKER of a YA at a startling almost 600 pages so when this one arrived I was shocked to say the least 😅 I haven’t read a ya in a long time so it being so large concerned me, but the dark academia and mystery vibes gave me hope that I’d still enjoy it and I really did. I really enjoyed the twists and turns and found myself surprised by the characters at times. There was a chunk of the middle of the book where it felt a little like there was no progress was being made but if you push through that then it picks up after. Also the representation in this is absolutely lovely and so well done absolute chefs 💋 overall a great ya read!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Self harm, and Suicide
Minor: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Animal death
kikis_a_book_wh0r3's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
First and foremost thank you so much MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook by Faridah Abike-íyímídé narrated by Natalie Simpson.
This story follows Sade as she navigates becoming an orphan and choosing to still go off to an elite private boarding school (after having been home schooled her whole life). While she thinks her biggest struggle is going to be learning the social constructs of high school cliques, her room mate goes missing her first night there. We follow along as she follows clues, questions her sanity, and makes friends. Natalie Simpson does an amazing job at narrating this ever twisting mystery story.
As I got into the last 40% of the story it had a lot of twists that I NEVER saw coming!!! This story does heavily touch on sexual assault/rape so please make sure that if you have triggers involving that topic, you are putting your mental health first.
This story is sad and had me tearing up quite a few times as Sade's past is revealed slowly and as the girls stories all start to fall into place.
It is rather long winded at times and the length of the book is pretty long in general but its a good story that is well written and beautifully handles the sensitive topics.
I would recommend that anyone who loves a good mystery/revenge/conspiracy story listen to this audio!
This story follows Sade as she navigates becoming an orphan and choosing to still go off to an elite private boarding school (after having been home schooled her whole life). While she thinks her biggest struggle is going to be learning the social constructs of high school cliques, her room mate goes missing her first night there. We follow along as she follows clues, questions her sanity, and makes friends. Natalie Simpson does an amazing job at narrating this ever twisting mystery story.
As I got into the last 40% of the story it had a lot of twists that I NEVER saw coming!!! This story does heavily touch on sexual assault/rape so please make sure that if you have triggers involving that topic, you are putting your mental health first.
This story is sad and had me tearing up quite a few times as Sade's past is revealed slowly and as the girls stories all start to fall into place.
It is rather long winded at times and the length of the book is pretty long in general but its a good story that is well written and beautifully handles the sensitive topics.
I would recommend that anyone who loves a good mystery/revenge/conspiracy story listen to this audio!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Murder, Gaslighting, Rape, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Suicide, Death, Misogyny, Death of parent, Drug abuse, and Grief
justinekorson's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this story.
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
Happy Book Birthday to Faridah and this amazing story!
WOW. WHERE DO I EVEN START?!
I've been waiting for this story for A WHILE now. I loved reading Faridah's debut "Ace of Spades" and I knew I'd love this novel too because I'm a sucker for dark academia boarding schools. This story was a lot heavier than I thought it was going to be, as was made evident from the content warnings page, and all the twists and turns it took I did not see coming. Not sure if that's because I was listening to the audiobook or because I was just oblivious to the signs as I was listening.
Regardless, I really loved all of the characters in this book, NOT the Fishermen though, but all the girls in the Unholy Trinity, Bas, Sade, Kwame, Elizabeth. They all had a lot of depth and personality even though some of them weren't in the story as much as the others. I was even emphasizing with Francis at one point (which I didn't think I would). I enjoyed how the characters all interacted with each other and how they all had their own motives and goals for the story. Sometimes secondary characters can fall a bit flat if they're only used as plot devices and not treated as actual people but all of Faridah's characters in this story were incredibly written.
Sade having a twin sister was not something I anticipated and I doubly didn't realize Elizabeth's online friend was Sade's twin until Elizabeth revealed this. I was glad that by the end of the story the boys did end up facing consequences for their actions. I was worried towards the last few chapters that this story would end similarly to Ace of Spades where all of the perpetrators got off scot free. It's not often that I read a book on Netgalley and desire to have a physical copy of it but I'm definitely going to buy one for this story!
SPOILERS TO FOLLOW
Happy Book Birthday to Faridah and this amazing story!
WOW. WHERE DO I EVEN START?!
I've been waiting for this story for A WHILE now. I loved reading Faridah's debut "Ace of Spades" and I knew I'd love this novel too because I'm a sucker for dark academia boarding schools. This story was a lot heavier than I thought it was going to be, as was made evident from the content warnings page, and all the twists and turns it took I did not see coming. Not sure if that's because I was listening to the audiobook or because I was just oblivious to the signs as I was listening.
Regardless, I really loved all of the characters in this book, NOT the Fishermen though, but all the girls in the Unholy Trinity, Bas, Sade, Kwame, Elizabeth. They all had a lot of depth and personality even though some of them weren't in the story as much as the others. I was even emphasizing with Francis at one point (which I didn't think I would). I enjoyed how the characters all interacted with each other and how they all had their own motives and goals for the story. Sometimes secondary characters can fall a bit flat if they're only used as plot devices and not treated as actual people but all of Faridah's characters in this story were incredibly written.
Sade having a twin sister was not something I anticipated and I doubly didn't realize Elizabeth's online friend was Sade's twin until Elizabeth revealed this. I was glad that by the end of the story the boys did end up facing consequences for their actions. I was worried towards the last few chapters that this story would end similarly to Ace of Spades where all of the perpetrators got off scot free. It's not often that I read a book on Netgalley and desire to have a physical copy of it but I'm definitely going to buy one for this story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, Suicide, Drug use, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Death, Blood, Bullying, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Self harm, and Addiction
More...