A review by alexmanzo
When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole

adventurous dark informative mysterious tense medium-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? N/A

3.5

Overall, I enjoyed this read. I loved the layering of actual history and learned a lot. Cole tells the story of gentrification in a compelling manner.

The pacing in the book was strange. It was slow for the first 60% and then listening fast in the final act. I felt like
the plot quickly devolved from something that could happen in real life to cartoonish villain. The story would have been more chilling with the nuance and subtlety on display earlier in the book.


In regards to the “tour”,
I wish the book had come full circle with our characters leading a tour focused on Black history, gentrification, etc. It got lost in the giant conspiracy but would have been a nice bookend
Expand filter menu Content Warnings