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A review by literarycrushes
Nightshift by Kiare Ladner
3.0
Nightshift is a story of obsession and idolization. It’s the late ‘90s. It’s East London. Meggie is a formless character whose main personality trait is that she doesn’t have one. Her opinions are easily swayed by the slightest suggestions, and she lives her life as though it were a thing happening to her rather than something she’s actively participating in (of her two-year relationship she says, “You know when you’re in a relationship that keeps going because you don’t get round to ending it?”).
Then Sabine shows up. She is ‘exotic’ (She speaks French. She’s been to Morocco. She refers to her exes as “past lovers.”) and Meggie develops a visceral crush-cum-obsession with her that overtakes her life. When Sabine suggests Meggie joins her in joining the nocturnal world of the nightshift, she follows. Meggie lets her life unravel as she allows Sabine to toy with her (mostly for her own entertainment) as she explores the shadows of a life lived entirely in the dark and the new facets of herself that they bring out.
The premise of the book was fun and unique, but never quite took off. I liked that the pacing felt like a thriller, but the stakes were never that high. The characters felt formless in a way that was difficult to engage with, but at the same time, they were unlike any I’ve read in recent releases, and I imagine they’ll stay with me longer than other ones in books I did enjoy. Honestly, I feel like I need to sit with this one a little longer and let it digest but would love to hear the thoughts of anyone who’s read it!
Then Sabine shows up. She is ‘exotic’ (She speaks French. She’s been to Morocco. She refers to her exes as “past lovers.”) and Meggie develops a visceral crush-cum-obsession with her that overtakes her life. When Sabine suggests Meggie joins her in joining the nocturnal world of the nightshift, she follows. Meggie lets her life unravel as she allows Sabine to toy with her (mostly for her own entertainment) as she explores the shadows of a life lived entirely in the dark and the new facets of herself that they bring out.
The premise of the book was fun and unique, but never quite took off. I liked that the pacing felt like a thriller, but the stakes were never that high. The characters felt formless in a way that was difficult to engage with, but at the same time, they were unlike any I’ve read in recent releases, and I imagine they’ll stay with me longer than other ones in books I did enjoy. Honestly, I feel like I need to sit with this one a little longer and let it digest but would love to hear the thoughts of anyone who’s read it!