A review by quietturnover
The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Heartbreaking story told from multiple different perspectives. The perspectives are woven together in an engaging manner. Not an easy read, there are aspects I would have liked the author to explore further and the narrative felt disjointed at times, leaving me with unanswered questions. But overall remarkable job with excellent prose. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Bullying, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Police brutality, Medical content, Murder, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Animal death, Gore, Excrement, and Religious bigotry