amyvcaroline's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Death
Moderate: Child abuse and Blood
missrosymaplemoth's review against another edition
4.0
Fun to read and fast-paced. I didn’t understand the point of a lot of the middle of the book. I also thought the ending was slightly anticlimactic. I still enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child abuse, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Blood
maxlexn02's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Medical content, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Murder, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Death, and Injury/injury detail
twistykris's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book is marketed as a thriller/mystery with some dark comedy, but I honestly found very little thrill or mystery. It's definitely more of a dark humor family drama. The beginning was enthralling and I really hoped that dark atmosphere would stick throughout the book, but it quickly turned into family drama, with Korede cleaning up after Ayoola and then Ayoola going after the man Korede is in love with.
To be frank, I would have liked to know more about how Korede became the clean-up crew for Ayoola's murders. Past murders are briefly mentioned, but I was hoping to get more of a suspenseful build-up of Murder #1 looking like self-defense, with each of the following murders looking more suspicious, and Korede debating her own morals as she starts to recognize her sister as a Black Widow of sorts.
I appreciated the looks into their traumatic past, perhaps painting a picture as to why they are so close as sisters. And I could understand- to a point- Korede's frustration as the role of the oldest sister. She's in charge, she's to blame for anything happening to Ayoola, she's the protector and the role model. As the oldest sister: I get it. A lot of pressure and blame gets thrust on to us, regardless of our involvement or not.
To be frank, I would have liked to know more about how Korede became the clean-up crew for Ayoola's murders. Past murders are briefly mentioned, but I was hoping to get more of a suspenseful build-up of Murder #1 looking like self-defense, with each of the following murders looking more suspicious, and Korede debating her own morals as she starts to recognize her sister as a Black Widow of sorts.
I appreciated the looks into their traumatic past, perhaps painting a picture as to why they are so close as sisters. And I could understand- to a point- Korede's frustration as the role of the oldest sister. She's in charge, she's to blame for anything happening to Ayoola, she's the protector and the role model. As the oldest sister: I get it. A lot of pressure and blame gets thrust on to us, regardless of our involvement or not.
I acknowledge that not every ending is a "good" or "happy" ending. Sometimes, the best ending is one that leaves you angry, frustrated, shaking your head in disappointment. This is one of those books.
Spoiler
I really was disappointed that Korede just fell in line behind her sister, continuing to cover for her, to never spill their secrets, even after the man she loved was falsely accused. But also, screw Tade for not believing her anyways. I understand the idea being that blood is blood, and to be a sister is to protect her at all costs. And Korede will follow Ayoola to the ends of the earth for her.However, still a fun listen (~4 hours) and would recommend, even if I am disappointed in the lack of thrills or suspense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Infidelity
fraise's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Infidelity, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Blood, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Grief, and Medical content
Minor: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Classism, Drug use, and Animal death
psistillreadyou's review against another edition
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Child abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Sexism
Minor: Drug abuse and Sexual assault
emilyreads15's review against another edition
dark
fast-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? Yes
3.0
I wasn’t super excited to read this book as it’s not something I would normally pick out. However, it was chosen for my book club so I gave it a chance. It started off really well, I thought it was unique and interesting. I also really loved the short chapters and fast paced. However, at times the short chapters were too short and choppy. The book skipped around a lot but I didn’t hate it. I thought the author’s writing style was pretty good and I was really hoping for some big twist or something exciting to happen. That would have made this a 4 or 4.5 star read. Unfortunately I was deeply disappointed when the ending ended up not being good at all. I hated it and it was boring but I shouldn’t have expected something so big from a book that was so short. By the time I got half way through and nothing really happened I could tell nothing would. I’m pretty disappointed with this read. Hopefully my next one is better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death
Moderate: Physical abuse, Blood, Injury/injury detail, Medical content, and Murder
Minor: Drug use and Adult/minor relationship
scouto's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Murder
sup3r_xn0va_maya's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is he story of Korede and Ayoola, two sisters, one of which is a serial killer. The other sister provides unwavering support because she feels that as the eldest child she should protect the younger child.
I really enjoyed this and the way it was written and the twists and turns were very enjoyable and well placed.
I can't think of one think I didn't like about this book, it's definitely worth the read.
I give this 5 out of 5 stars.
I really enjoyed this and the way it was written and the twists and turns were very enjoyable and well placed.
I can't think of one think I didn't like about this book, it's definitely worth the read.
I give this 5 out of 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Death, Murder, and Death of parent
notapenguin's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Child abuse, and Death of parent