Scan barcode
cath_reads_books's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
4.25
This was a wild ride! I think it’s my favorite of Amanda Jayatissa’s so far.
The story follows Paloma, a Sri Lankan orphan, who is adopted by the Evans couple and moved to the United States. There’s clearly something in Paloma’s past that haunts her; she has a terrible relationship with her adoptive parents, she drinks on medication that have interactions with alcohol, and she doesn’t seem to have any real friends. She also judges every person she comes across extremely harshly, as though she’s the best person on the planet, when in reality she’s an absolute asshole. She’s also extremely manipulative and conniving, and will do anything to keep herself in a good position. I found myself wondering many times if she was legitimately a psychopath.
The book goes back-and-forth between telling the story of present day Paloma and young Paloma living at the Sri Lankan orphanage.As I continued to hear more of the experiences about the orphanage, I started to suspect that Paloma wasn’t really Paloma at all, but instead was a close childhood friend posing as her to get their shot at a better life. By the end of the book I found out that this was absolutely the case.
What I didn’t expect was that the real Paloma was still alive and had planned on elaborate revenge scheme to try to take her place back from the pretender. The REAL Paloma was even more insane than the pretend one too, and layered on her own schemes to make the pretend Paloma look unhinged. The last few chapters of this book were beyond intense, and I had no idea which Paloma I was actually reading about for a while there. The last chapter had me grinning ear to ear when I figured it out.
4.25 of 5 stars from me! Top-notch writing with an insane cat and mouse game between two psychopaths lol.
The story follows Paloma, a Sri Lankan orphan, who is adopted by the Evans couple and moved to the United States. There’s clearly something in Paloma’s past that haunts her; she has a terrible relationship with her adoptive parents, she drinks on medication that have interactions with alcohol, and she doesn’t seem to have any real friends. She also judges every person she comes across extremely harshly, as though she’s the best person on the planet, when in reality she’s an absolute asshole. She’s also extremely manipulative and conniving, and will do anything to keep herself in a good position. I found myself wondering many times if she was legitimately a psychopath.
The book goes back-and-forth between telling the story of present day Paloma and young Paloma living at the Sri Lankan orphanage.
What I didn’t expect was that the real Paloma was still alive and had planned on elaborate revenge scheme to try to take her place back from the pretender. The REAL Paloma was even more insane than the pretend one too, and layered on her own schemes to make the pretend Paloma look unhinged. The last few chapters of this book were beyond intense, and I had no idea which Paloma I was actually reading about for a while there. The last chapter had me grinning ear to ear when I figured it out.
4.25 of 5 stars from me! Top-notch writing with an insane cat and mouse game between two psychopaths lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual assault, Child abuse, Alcoholism, Vomit, Pedophilia, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
glkrose's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Admittedly, I'm not much of a thriller person, but I was very hooked by this one. I probably should have seen the twist earlier, but still I was super shocked by how everything turned out. Also, the unreliable narrator here worked very well! But some of the plot was upsetting given what those poor girls went through. Lots of mixed feelings, but if you're a thriller fan, I'd check it out!
phoebeonthehill's review against another edition
dark
tense
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
3.0
kangarugh's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Bad.
afinley11's review against another edition
3.5
Had a hard time sticking with this one. The twists were ok though
floating_sky's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Sri Lankan backdropped made story interesting. Novel was too long and nothing happened until end. Did not like profanity in story. Particular story line revelation was too dark for my preference.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Minor: Death of parent
jordyoboe's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
constant_reader's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kimmiereadsalot's review against another edition
3.5
I liked this one overall. And while I stayed mostly engaged the whole time, I did often feel like I wanted a bit more to happen. I wished for some earlier revelations or something.
I will also add that had I read this a few years ago (prior to my mystery/thriller rabbit hole of books), I’d have probably rated this higher. However, the two bigger twists of the book I had guessed pretty early on. I’m not sure if it’s because I’d read books with similar twists. Maybe. Maybe not.
Again, overall I liked it. And I thought the ending was interesting.
Recommend overall.
I will also add that had I read this a few years ago (prior to my mystery/thriller rabbit hole of books), I’d have probably rated this higher. However, the two bigger twists of the book I had guessed pretty early on. I’m not sure if it’s because I’d read books with similar twists. Maybe. Maybe not.
Again, overall I liked it. And I thought the ending was interesting.
Recommend overall.