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n0rmann's review against another edition
3.0
Good solid read, although I think it would have benefited with more length. The characters are strong and I think it would have been better to give them more time.
djohan's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
kkehoe's review against another edition
3.0
Average revenge thriller a la "Avenging Angel" film series.
errantdreams's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
3.5
The quality of the Rewind or Die books is variable; I’ve given everything from a 3 to a 5 for the ones I’ve read so far. Hooker (Rewind or Die), written by M. Lopes da Silva, gets a 3.5 out of 5. It’s fairly short. It’s a story about sex workers in Los Angeles and a serial killer stalking them, in 1984. Penny is a sex worker, while her older sister Sylvia is trying to study law. Sylvia ends up stalking the serial killer even as the killer stalks others, while getting help from a journalist named Crystal and a couple of other sex workers.
One thing I really love is that the serial killer is not centered in this tale. The author never even dignifies him with a name, nor a terribly in-depth description. He isn’t the important part of the story, and there’s nothing with which to lionize him. I also liked the positive depiction of sex work–that not everyone does it because they have no choice, and it would be a lot safer for sex workers if the work was legalized. It would also help if the cops didn’t ignore someone just because they’re a sex worker and thus have no perceived value. There’s not a single positive interaction with a male in this book, and I suspect that for female sex workers that’s pretty true-to-life. The police don’t even seem to be all that interested in catching the killer until he kills a john. There’s also a hilarious mansplaining incident that I quite loved.
Overall this was a good book, but the dialogue often felt pretty unnatural, and some of the characters were a bit stiff.
Content note: there’s a little bit of gore, but not much. Most stuff is off-the-page. There’s a nice lesbian relationship in here, though.
One thing I really love is that the serial killer is not centered in this tale. The author never even dignifies him with a name, nor a terribly in-depth description. He isn’t the important part of the story, and there’s nothing with which to lionize him. I also liked the positive depiction of sex work–that not everyone does it because they have no choice, and it would be a lot safer for sex workers if the work was legalized. It would also help if the cops didn’t ignore someone just because they’re a sex worker and thus have no perceived value. There’s not a single positive interaction with a male in this book, and I suspect that for female sex workers that’s pretty true-to-life. The police don’t even seem to be all that interested in catching the killer until he kills a john. There’s also a hilarious mansplaining incident that I quite loved.
Overall this was a good book, but the dialogue often felt pretty unnatural, and some of the characters were a bit stiff.
Content note: there’s a little bit of gore, but not much. Most stuff is off-the-page. There’s a nice lesbian relationship in here, though.
findingmontauk1's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
3.25
HOOKER has a lot going on for a short novella: a serial killer targeting sex workers, a woman seeking vengeance for her murdered sister using actual hooks to take down the patriarchy and advocate for sex work, and some bonus queer love, too!
M. Lopes da Silva told a story that had me invested in the lives of these sex workers, their families and friends, and their dreams. There is and has been such a stigma against this work, but like so many other marginalized groups, this is one that needs advocacy, too. There is work to be done, but this author is putting this very real topic back on our minds. While the story takes place in the 80s, the issues these women face in the industry are still heavily dominant in today's world.
If you haven't been reading the Rewind-or-Die books, what are you waiting for!? Check this one out!
M. Lopes da Silva told a story that had me invested in the lives of these sex workers, their families and friends, and their dreams. There is and has been such a stigma against this work, but like so many other marginalized groups, this is one that needs advocacy, too. There is work to be done, but this author is putting this very real topic back on our minds. While the story takes place in the 80s, the issues these women face in the industry are still heavily dominant in today's world.
If you haven't been reading the Rewind-or-Die books, what are you waiting for!? Check this one out!
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