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

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I have so many thoughts about this book, but it’s also rendered me speechless. Holy shit. This is not for the faint of heart. It starts slow, with a sinister undertone of microagressions, racism, and gentrification, and then it builds to a truly harrowing climax and conclusion. I definitely understand some of the criticism, especially about pacing. While the slow build served to make the whole thing more unsettling, it did cause the ending to feel a bit rushed, and some details/points felt unresolved. The romance was also totally unnecessary. That being said, this story made my stomach hurt. The premise and writing are really well done, and it’s one of the most disturbing thrillers I’ve read. Worth the read — just proceed with caution. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings