A review by bookburdy
The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

This was rather boring.  The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqui was a peculiar one. I had high hopes and wanted to love it. I had just finished reading "The Drowning Kind" and was still in the mood for gothic horror, thinking this book would satisfy that craving. Unfortunately, it did not. Initially, The Centre was intriguing, but the majority of the book (about 95%) turned out to be a contemporary story with a main character who was not only sad but also slightly annoying, and not in a fun way. It wasn't until we reached the twist that I was genuinely shocked. It caught me off guard and was not what I was expecting, but it was only mentioned in one sentence before moving on. However, the book continued with the annoying characters, dragging on until it finally concluded its main message. I almost gave up on this book at around 80%. I gave it two stars solely because of the twist. I wouldn't categorize it as horror; it felt more like a contemporary mystery. It was definitely a book with a distinct "vibe." If you're in the mood for a melancholic, gothic, mysterious contemporary read, you can give this one a try. 
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