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cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
1.0
This being sold like Crazy Rich Asians meets Gossip Girl is fraud.
sheisinquisitive's review against another edition
3.0
For a debut, this was a great start! As someone hoping to be published someday, it's always inspiring to see young authors put themselves out there. The synopsis was flavourful, blending the world of high fashion like "Devil Wears Prada" and a magazine writer like "Confessions of a Shopaholic" with the East-Asian customs and cultures like "Crazy Rich Asians." I felt like I was reading a "chick flick" (though an outdated term, I think you know what I mean). I just... I didn't love it, and here's why.
Our protagonist, Samantha, starts as a strong narrator. She's a relatable character to the average young adult working towards achieving a childhood dream while trying to stay afloat as she swims through financial instability. However, as her story goes on, her decisions feel rather harsh and unjustified. To forgive some, but not others. To hurt some, but let others get away. She's young, but not sixteen. Although it is made clear that she's easily influenced by the things and people around her, it's a bit upsetting to see the lack of character development and her inability to truly overcome that flaw. Personally, I found the ending to be a disappointment. It seemed too easy. Too unrealistic. It fell off compared to the rest of the hard-work Samantha put in to be a socialite.
As for the supporting characters, they were rather bland, cliche, and unrelatable. I don't want to say that their problems weren't really problems, but it's difficult to root for anyone who lacks gratitude and fails to recognize their privileges. They seemed childish and often apathetic. They oddly felt out-of-touch with the real world and sounded fake in a sense that felt unintentional. Rather than being merely ignorant, they spoke with a narcissism, a selfishness that caught me off guard and immediately made me say, "Samantha, find new friends" (though, she wasn't all that great either). I also didn't really like anyone's names. They were just so... unremarkable? I can't really recall them.
The romance was okay. It could've been better, but he was a red flag anyway, so she dodged a bullet (well... kind of).
A theme I really liked exploring in the text was the degree of influence by parental figures, one that varied well across social class and marital status. In particular, I looked forward to the interactions between Samantha and her mother. In those moments, I saw reflections of my parents and felt seen as a child of hard-working Asian parents who sacrifice much for their children and their dreams.
Finally, I must say that Zhao shows an incredible range of vocabulary and strong writing skills. Not only was "The Fraud Squad" an easy read (it's the fastest I've finished a book this year), but it was well-written and very well-researched. I could tell that Zhao did her homework, reading up on the fashion world and using relevant terminology to make Samantha's passion seem real and engrained. Even more so, her descriptions of the glam and lavish lifestyle of a socialite were more than believable. I could almost envision it, as if I were wearing the dresses, looking up at the high ceilings, and holding a glass of champagne that costs more than my car (despite being a non-drinker). My only point of criticism here is that "S Magazine" and "As Seen by Argus" were rather lame and, based on her skills and creativity, could've been much better.
Now, I may not be Singaporean, though I've read enough reviews to realize that there isn't much exploration of the culture, which is too bad. I wish I could comment on this further. I can only hope I read more texts that will expand my knowledge on other cultures and customs.
A fun read, though forgettable. I still believe it's a step in the right direction and a great beginning to building her career as a writer. I hope Zhao continues to tap into her ethnic background and experiences in her future work. It'll be nice to see a rise in representation by having those stories take place outside of the West.
Our protagonist, Samantha, starts as a strong narrator. She's a relatable character to the average young adult working towards achieving a childhood dream while trying to stay afloat as she swims through financial instability. However, as her story goes on, her decisions feel rather harsh and unjustified. To forgive some, but not others. To hurt some, but let others get away. She's young, but not sixteen. Although it is made clear that she's easily influenced by the things and people around her, it's a bit upsetting to see the lack of character development and her inability to truly overcome that flaw. Personally, I found the ending to be a disappointment. It seemed too easy. Too unrealistic. It fell off compared to the rest of the hard-work Samantha put in to be a socialite.
As for the supporting characters, they were rather bland, cliche, and unrelatable. I don't want to say that their problems weren't really problems, but it's difficult to root for anyone who lacks gratitude and fails to recognize their privileges. They seemed childish and often apathetic. They oddly felt out-of-touch with the real world and sounded fake in a sense that felt unintentional. Rather than being merely ignorant, they spoke with a narcissism, a selfishness that caught me off guard and immediately made me say, "Samantha, find new friends" (though, she wasn't all that great either). I also didn't really like anyone's names. They were just so... unremarkable? I can't really recall them.
The romance was okay. It could've been better, but he was a red flag anyway, so she dodged a bullet (well... kind of).
A theme I really liked exploring in the text was the degree of influence by parental figures, one that varied well across social class and marital status. In particular, I looked forward to the interactions between Samantha and her mother. In those moments, I saw reflections of my parents and felt seen as a child of hard-working Asian parents who sacrifice much for their children and their dreams.
Finally, I must say that Zhao shows an incredible range of vocabulary and strong writing skills. Not only was "The Fraud Squad" an easy read (it's the fastest I've finished a book this year), but it was well-written and very well-researched. I could tell that Zhao did her homework, reading up on the fashion world and using relevant terminology to make Samantha's passion seem real and engrained. Even more so, her descriptions of the glam and lavish lifestyle of a socialite were more than believable. I could almost envision it, as if I were wearing the dresses, looking up at the high ceilings, and holding a glass of champagne that costs more than my car (despite being a non-drinker). My only point of criticism here is that "S Magazine" and "As Seen by Argus" were rather lame and, based on her skills and creativity, could've been much better.
Now, I may not be Singaporean, though I've read enough reviews to realize that there isn't much exploration of the culture, which is too bad. I wish I could comment on this further. I can only hope I read more texts that will expand my knowledge on other cultures and customs.
A fun read, though forgettable. I still believe it's a step in the right direction and a great beginning to building her career as a writer. I hope Zhao continues to tap into her ethnic background and experiences in her future work. It'll be nice to see a rise in representation by having those stories take place outside of the West.
fatethefay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
fast-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
5.0
Picked this up because I loved the author’s other book and this confirmed she’s now an auto-buy author for me! The descriptions are so lush and all the plot twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat. That final twist!!
donnaratcliff's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this, it was a fast read with some humour and a little romance along the way and I could see it being made into a successful movie.
I was disappointed though that there wasn’t a better sense of ‘place’ it’s set in Singapore and yet despite the names of places that are mentioned it felt it could be set anywhere in the world.
I was disappointed though that there wasn’t a better sense of ‘place’ it’s set in Singapore and yet despite the names of places that are mentioned it felt it could be set anywhere in the world.
breeannamclovin's review against another edition
3.0
Ooh this book was lots of fun! I put it in my TBR at the start of the year and only just got around to reading it.
It was a fun book with a great scheme but the characters weren’t my favourite. I think I’d like a book on Daisy because she was the most likeable!
I could tell that Anya was going to be a backstabber just by the way she reacted to things. I also wish we got another run in with Lucia after Missy had told her she’s no longer going to be welcome by S magazine.
All in all, fun book that’s easy to read and easy to follow along.
It was a fun book with a great scheme but the characters weren’t my favourite. I think I’d like a book on Daisy because she was the most likeable!
I could tell that Anya was going to be a backstabber just by the way she reacted to things. I also wish we got another run in with Lucia after Missy had told her she’s no longer going to be welcome by S magazine.
All in all, fun book that’s easy to read and easy to follow along.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
5/5
I loved this book so much. The characters interactions with each other and the whole going into something unexpected was so fun to read. I loved Sam and Tim, the big events and fancy clothes. The drama! The magazine! It was such a fun time despite me taking a longer time to read a book.
I loved this book so much. The characters interactions with each other and the whole going into something unexpected was so fun to read. I loved Sam and Tim, the big events and fancy clothes. The drama! The magazine! It was such a fun time despite me taking a longer time to read a book.
miniibooks's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5 stars!
It's definitely giving that Crazy Rich Asians meets Gossip Girl for me. For these authors debut I really enjoyed the glitz and the glam of Singapore's wealthiest and most elite. Watching Samantha try and to fit into that world was entertaining to say the least. Overall, I thought the characters were fun to follow but I will say at times I felt the dialogue lacking in parts, but I felt the ending really made up for it!
Thanks, Netgalley for the E-arc for an honest review!
It's definitely giving that Crazy Rich Asians meets Gossip Girl for me. For these authors debut I really enjoyed the glitz and the glam of Singapore's wealthiest and most elite. Watching Samantha try and to fit into that world was entertaining to say the least. Overall, I thought the characters were fun to follow but I will say at times I felt the dialogue lacking in parts, but I felt the ending really made up for it!
Thanks, Netgalley for the E-arc for an honest review!
saturnineprincess's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75