Scan barcode
teryn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Grief, Drug abuse, Rape, Suicide, Murder, Addiction, Misogyny, and Sexual assault
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.bookishevy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
I finished this book just before 7am because I needed answers.
Sade Hussein was home schooled her entire life until unfortunate events led to her beginning her third year at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy. When her roommate Elizabeth Wang disappears after Sade's first night at ANA, students suspect Sade.This draws the attention of popular girls April, Juliette, and Persephone (nicknamed the Unholy Trinity) who welcome Sade to their group. Sade is drawn to Persephone, and when it seems no one else in the school is interested in finding out what happened to Elizabeth, it's up to Sade, Persephone and Elizabeth's bestie Baz to figure out what happened. The trio discover something a lot more sinister is going on at ANA when another student is found dead.
This story takes place over the course of just six weeks, but it seems like it covers a longer period because it is a torturously slow burn. At one point, I asked myself if it needed to be this long, but when it becomes obvious that Elizabeth's disappearance is part of a bigger issue on campus, I was committed.
There are flashbacks to the circumstances leading to Sade ending up at ANA, and the reader discovers that she has secrets, and honestly, that's what kept me reading. Sade suffered a lot of loss, which affects her mental health. She becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Elizabeth, who, it turns out, has her own secrets.
This story is an onion, and Sade's past life is one layer that comes into play. The culture of the school is another layer. I came to the realization that a lot of students have secrets, and many of them are connected to toxic masculinity that has gone unchecked because money and social status reigns supreme.
Something I thought was cool is Sade being Muslim and attracted to the same sex, because that intersection exists and representation matters, however subtle. We also get a glimpse into how being in a white run institution affects some aspects of her life.
The questions that had me up at ungodly hours:
Why is the Unholy Trinity so interested in the new girl?
Who is this ghostly figure Sade keeps seeing?
What is Elizabeth hiding, and is she even alive?
How is Sade's past connected to recent events?
Sade Hussein was home schooled her entire life until unfortunate events led to her beginning her third year at the prestigious Alfred Nobel Academy. When her roommate Elizabeth Wang disappears after Sade's first night at ANA, students suspect Sade.This draws the attention of popular girls April, Juliette, and Persephone (nicknamed the Unholy Trinity) who welcome Sade to their group. Sade is drawn to Persephone, and when it seems no one else in the school is interested in finding out what happened to Elizabeth, it's up to Sade, Persephone and Elizabeth's bestie Baz to figure out what happened. The trio discover something a lot more sinister is going on at ANA when another student is found dead.
This story takes place over the course of just six weeks, but it seems like it covers a longer period because it is a torturously slow burn. At one point, I asked myself if it needed to be this long, but when it becomes obvious that Elizabeth's disappearance is part of a bigger issue on campus, I was committed.
There are flashbacks to the circumstances leading to Sade ending up at ANA, and the reader discovers that she has secrets, and honestly, that's what kept me reading. Sade suffered a lot of loss, which affects her mental health. She becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Elizabeth, who, it turns out, has her own secrets.
This story is an onion, and Sade's past life is one layer that comes into play. The culture of the school is another layer. I came to the realization that a lot of students have secrets, and many of them are connected to toxic masculinity that has gone unchecked because money and social status reigns supreme.
Something I thought was cool is Sade being Muslim and attracted to the same sex, because that intersection exists and representation matters, however subtle. We also get a glimpse into how being in a white run institution affects some aspects of her life.
The questions that had me up at ungodly hours:
Why is the Unholy Trinity so interested in the new girl?
Who is this ghostly figure Sade keeps seeing?
What is Elizabeth hiding, and is she even alive?
How is Sade's past connected to recent events?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Rape
Minor: Death, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
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
lisashelves's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Drug use, Grief, Rape, Drug abuse, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Murder, Suicide, and Death of parent
bookishholly's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Misogyny, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Child death, and Suicide
Moderate: Rape, Bullying, Addiction, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Racism, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Animal cruelty
More...