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mybestfriendisabook's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
pretty quick entertaining read. helped thru reading slump. mostly read in slightly sleep deprived delusion states. enjoyed the weirdness and body horror. plot is like Rogue by Mona Awad and this one came thru.
touches on beauty standards and the lengths we’ll go, chinese immigrant parents
touches on beauty standards and the lengths we’ll go, chinese immigrant parents
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death of parent, Medical content, Torture, Violence, Rape, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Cannibalism
mfrisk's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This book is equal parts a reflection on living up to the standards of parents and navigating our relationships with family as it is a critique on predatory business practices and people in the beauty industry and spaces which prey on those with insecurities or areas of perceived weakness.
There were so many quotable moments related to beauty, grief, and art and we really get into the head of our unnamed narrator through her experience which with time becomes gradually more horrific. That aspect I liked but I do wish there had been less characters to keep track of besides our main narrator. That to me got confusing though I can understand why they may have made that choice. The book really goes off the rails with its ending which in some ways I enjoyed but in other ways left me feeling confused/wanting more.
A few things that made me unsure how I feel about this book. I genuinely may have missed this but the book alluded that our narrator had something to do with her parents’ car accident however I’m still confused about that part. I’m also a bit stumped by the implication of who is writing the weird letters at the end and wish more had been wrapped up about Connor and hers experiences at the conservatory. They didn’t need to spell everything out but I do feel like I needed slightly more spelled out for me to fully get all that was being alluded to.
There were so many quotable moments related to beauty, grief, and art and we really get into the head of our unnamed narrator through her experience which with time becomes gradually more horrific. That aspect I liked but I do wish there had been less characters to keep track of besides our main narrator. That to me got confusing though I can understand why they may have made that choice. The book really goes off the rails with its ending which in some ways I enjoyed but in other ways left me feeling confused/wanting more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Sexual violence, Vomit, Rape, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Car accident, and Body horror
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Torture, and Animal cruelty
megansmith's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
3.0
I....i'm kind of speechless. I have so many thoughts but this book was also a mindf*ck of a last 50 or so pages, and I don't know if it's in a good way or a bad way?
Pro for this book: I've read a lot of fiction and nonfiction in the "terrible workplace" category, and this definitely turns that concept on it's head. It's unique and surprising as you work your way towards the end, which I think these books tend to lack in this category - shock-filled descriptions of workplace abuse with flat, predictable endings plague this genre. This is not that...but also, what even is this? It almost catapults into an entirely opposite direction, flipping from weird moments of surprise and intrigue to complete shock and disgust. I want to find the meaning in why the author chose to go this route, but the direction feels SO stark and graphic that it feels done more as a means to shock over saying something meaningful or going to those violent extremes for a purpose.
The ending also, for all the violence it built up to, fittered out in the most important moment. Even just a few more pages of struggle, or not a random cut when Victor finally catches up to the narrator and has his hands around her throat, to suddenly her safe in a hospital? I don't think there was even a mention of her passing out, no struggle or anything, just sudden touch and the next chapter. .
The writing building up to this moment was well done, and thoughtful in building out the character's back story before bringing her to the main conflicts. But the ending just frankly ruined any hard work done by the beginning of the book, all in the name of shock value. I wanted to like this more but I'm not really sure how to feel other than kind of disappointed by the ending.
Pro for this book: I've read a lot of fiction and nonfiction in the "terrible workplace" category, and this definitely turns that concept on it's head. It's unique and surprising as you work your way towards the end, which I think these books tend to lack in this category - shock-filled descriptions of workplace abuse with flat, predictable endings plague this genre. This is not that...but also, what even is this? It almost catapults into an entirely opposite direction, flipping from weird moments of surprise and intrigue to complete shock and disgust. I want to find the meaning in why the author chose to go this route, but the direction feels SO stark and graphic that it feels done more as a means to shock over saying something meaningful or going to those violent extremes for a purpose.
The ending also, for all the violence it built up to, fittered out in the most important moment. Even just a few more pages of struggle, or not a random cut
The writing building up to this moment was well done, and thoughtful in building out the character's back story before bringing her to the main conflicts. But the ending just frankly ruined any hard work done by the beginning of the book, all in the name of shock value. I wanted to like this more but I'm not really sure how to feel other than kind of disappointed by the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Torture, Pregnancy, and Rape
goatsrsexy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
This was a fantastic read! I absolutely loved the writing/narrative style, how it starts off running and feels super confusing and almost surreal but as the book goes on it actually starts to make more sense and feel more realistic despite the insane subject matter. There is definitely some scathing commentary on western beauty standards and the beauty industry, but the story stands on its own, I was totally riveted. Will definitely be looking to see what this author does next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Rape, Cannibalism, Torture, Death, Sexual violence, Animal cruelty, Sexual content, and Death of parent
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
HOLY SHIT WHAT DID I JUST READ?! I am still processing and I am completely creeped out😭
Our nameless Chinese American main character/first-person narrator takes a new job at Holistik, a wellness and beauty store (and infamous empire!) to make more money, after her parents get into a horrible accident and she is months late on their care facilities rent. She was once a promising classical music ingenue, but gave it up because of her parents’ tragedy. From the beginning, Holistik emits a bit of a cult-like aura, and it only gets darker and darker as the novel goes on! She starts to “drink the Kool Aid,” as one would say, as she gets more and more procedures done and implements hours-long nighttime skincare routines.
Our narrator (who takes on the name Anna to appease customers/her employers) takes on a second night job within a different branch of Holistik, but she never remembers what happens during those sessions and typically just wakes up in her bed a bit woozy. She begins to uncover darker and darker secrets about the company, at dire consequences for herself and those she loves dear. I had such a dreadful feeling reading this, just knowing something more sinister was waiting for her around the corner (not an *actual* monster, but moreso the monster of beauty standards, the wellness industry & the constant sell of achieving eternal youth & beauty!
Huang's writing of the narrative voice was searing, unimpressed and straightforward. She posited our narrator as deeply caring towards her parents, but once their accident happens, she is clearly deep in the wells of her grief. I can’t say too much else without spoiling this, but I will say that I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book, and for some reason, the scene with “Anna” having to tell an unhoused man who looked like her Ba to move from the Holistik storefront has stayed with me. She became so pulled to what Holistik wanted her to be, that she strayed so far from being the kind of person that her parents would be proud of. It’s an all too familiar push and pull of being a first-generation child of immigrants who is cautiously towing the line between wanting to assimilate and feel as if they belong in predominantly white spaces, like at Holistik, or be a child that your parents are proud of, and to prove that their sacrifice paid off in you. That moment really pained me.
Anyway, I will absolutely read more of LLH’s work, and am so impressed with this piece of dark, haunting horror!
HOLY SHIT WHAT DID I JUST READ?! I am still processing and I am completely creeped out😭
Our nameless Chinese American main character/first-person narrator takes a new job at Holistik, a wellness and beauty store (and infamous empire!) to make more money, after her parents get into a horrible accident and she is months late on their care facilities rent. She was once a promising classical music ingenue, but gave it up because of her parents’ tragedy. From the beginning, Holistik emits a bit of a cult-like aura, and it only gets darker and darker as the novel goes on! She starts to “drink the Kool Aid,” as one would say, as she gets more and more procedures done and implements hours-long nighttime skincare routines.
Our narrator (who takes on the name Anna to appease customers/her employers) takes on a second night job within a different branch of Holistik, but she never remembers what happens during those sessions and typically just wakes up in her bed a bit woozy. She begins to uncover darker and darker secrets about the company, at dire consequences for herself and those she loves dear. I had such a dreadful feeling reading this, just knowing something more sinister was waiting for her around the corner (not an *actual* monster, but moreso the monster of beauty standards, the wellness industry & the constant sell of achieving eternal youth & beauty!
Huang's writing of the narrative voice was searing, unimpressed and straightforward. She posited our narrator as deeply caring towards her parents, but once their accident happens, she is clearly deep in the wells of her grief. I can’t say too much else without spoiling this, but I will say that I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book, and for some reason, the scene with “Anna” having to tell an unhoused man who looked like her Ba to move from the Holistik storefront has stayed with me. She became so pulled to what Holistik wanted her to be, that she strayed so far from being the kind of person that her parents would be proud of. It’s an all too familiar push and pull of being a first-generation child of immigrants who is cautiously towing the line between wanting to assimilate and feel as if they belong in predominantly white spaces, like at Holistik, or be a child that your parents are proud of, and to prove that their sacrifice paid off in you. That moment really pained me.
Anyway, I will absolutely read more of LLH’s work, and am so impressed with this piece of dark, haunting horror!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Body horror, Death, Sexual violence, Racism, Blood, Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Cannibalism, Torture, Rape, Medical trauma, Gore, Gaslighting, Grief, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Eating disorder, and Cursing
clairebau's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
Oh, wow. I knew I'd like this book because it's so conceptually fascinating, but I liked it more than I thought I would, despite it being in first person.
I'll start with my issues: the pacing was off. The ending felt rushed. I was disappointed by this.
This book reminded me why I love reading women written by women. The characters are rich and well-defined yet described simplistically in a quick, punchy writing style that I just adore. I'm not generally into mysteries, but I had a ton of fun piecing together details to try to solve the plot of this horror/thriller combo. Gorgeously, gorgeously done. Exposition was provided in a perfect steady drip that captivated me. The characters are awesome. The gore is written so effectively; the horror is intrinsic, and never did I have to be told how scared or unnerved to feel. God, I love weird books. As someone who struggles with her relationship to beauty as a "hobbyist" and willing participant but still identifies as a more radical-leaning feminist, this was the book for me. Everyone quotes this, but I'll drop it here too:
"Beauty has always been one of the ways women have been able to access power, and I can't fault any of them for wanting more of it."
I'll start with my issues: the pacing was off. The ending felt rushed. I was disappointed by this.
This book reminded me why I love reading women written by women. The characters are rich and well-defined yet described simplistically in a quick, punchy writing style that I just adore. I'm not generally into mysteries, but I had a ton of fun piecing together details to try to solve the plot of this horror/thriller combo. Gorgeously, gorgeously done. Exposition was provided in a perfect steady drip that captivated me. The characters are awesome. The gore is written so effectively; the horror is intrinsic, and never did I have to be told how scared or unnerved to feel. God, I love weird books. As someone who struggles with her relationship to beauty as a "hobbyist" and willing participant but still identifies as a more radical-leaning feminist, this was the book for me. Everyone quotes this, but I'll drop it here too:
"Beauty has always been one of the ways women have been able to access power, and I can't fault any of them for wanting more of it."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Violence, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Torture, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Vomit
rainbowarpaint's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Torture, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual violence, Body horror, Mental illness, Rape, and Racism
Moderate: Cannibalism
malsbang's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Physical abuse, Murder, Blood, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Cannibalism
marinabkat's review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending this ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book.
I’m hot off finishing this book and ultimately give it a score of 2.75 stars. I think it’s entertaining, but not a must-read. Pros are that it’s a fast-paced, thrilling, thematically rich, cinematic book that creates quick-buy in. It’s really a great concept. I appreciated the incorporation of discussions of race, Western beauty standards, counterculture, and business ethics. The plot pacing was good, and it looks like this book has already gotten picked up for a screen adaptation, which I see a lot of potential in. Writing wise, I liked the egg and mirror motifs, but beyond that, I really struggled to enjoy this as a book. The execution left a lot to be desired. The surreal parts are hard to follow. A lot of the sentences are short-ish in length and stay that short length, which really affected the flow especially during pivotal horror points. The flow was off. I found the climactic scene REALLY difficult to follow. The anticipation isn’t built that well. For example, the character when the main character begins to see a lot of what’s going on and is in a room she knows she’s not supposed to be in, we don’t get any of her feeling of panic until she’s caught: “What was I thinking? I should not be in this room.” In moments like that, more of the main character’s reactions would have added to the horror and clarified the scene. Some of the scenes, even late in the book, felt conveniently timed and crafted for exposition.
Still, if you like Ottessa Moshfegh, Ling Ma, George Saunders, or the song Faceshopping by SOPHIE, you might enjoy this book. To others, I’d recommend waiting for the screen adaptation!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Infertility, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Body horror, Vomit, Eating disorder, and Body shaming
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexual assault, Cannibalism, Torture, Miscarriage, Medical content, and Medical trauma
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