A review by bettinab
Jaded by Ela Lee

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

What an astonishing novel. This is a heartbreaking, multi-layered, complex and at times hard to read book that covers a lot of major issues. The author wastes no time throwing us into it all and writes with incredible maturity, finesse and sensitivity. This is a story about questions of identity and how we can suddenly lose everything we thought we were, without knowing who we want or actually can be. It deals with the traumatic, far-reaching aftermath of assault. It deals with power, privilege, subtle and not so subtle racism and widespread institutionalized misogyny. That may seem like a lot and in a way is - but Lee is exceptional at weaving all of it together. The characters are well developed and beautifully complicated yet relatable. 

Throughout the book, I was horrified, sad, not the least bit surprised with most of what Jade experienced, a little shook and above all, it all made me think and reflect. There's also a little humor in it, most notably the DEI initiative that - as someone too familiar with that kind of corporate nonsense - made me laugh out loud. 

Ela Lee is superbly talented, has written a fantastic debut and one can only hope to read more from her. 
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