Reviews with content warning for Medical content - My Sister, the Serial Killer

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.

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nightfell's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-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

3.5

I moderately enjoyed this book, but I wanted more from it. Maybe the way it was marketed to me (by tiktok) was why it felt anticlimactic, but I was expecting more female rage, more anger, emotion, development from the main character but she barely reacted to the events unfolding around her and by the end of the story, it was made clear that she always would, because of her role as the eldest sister; her sister is her responsibility and will always be. Her sister also never changes, the novel is more a look into their lives at the time it is set.

But I did like some aspects of the book, such as her frustration with her sister which links into their relationship with their father and her relationship with Tade.

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blackcatkai's review against another edition

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dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

RTC

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particledamage's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I've seen this book described as biting satire but while it was abundant in commentary--on colorism and beauty standards, on misogyny, on codependency and the construction of the family unit, on wealth--it feels more like "satire" here just means "Everyone is one-dimensional to make a point" rather than anything more biting, nuanced, or funny.

The book goes at a break neck pace but only because of its short chapters and time jumps, not because anything meaningful actually happens or changes. You see everything coming; it's easy to see that that may be intentional but ultimately that changes nothing, you still want to just skip ahead to have it confirmed. There is little to be lost if your eyes glaze over waiting for confirmation rather than taking in what little story this book has to offer.

That said, this book is oozing with potential. The sisterly relationship--and sometimes lack thereof--is compelling and I would have loved to seen it explored more with two fully realized characters. The idea of them both ultimately being their sister's keeper is interesting but when the story is so rote, you never see the boundaries of that relationship tested in any meaningful way. The high takes of this story and their relationship feels much like jumping out of a third story window except you're wearing a safety harness and a bungee rope, knowing you'll never hit the ground.

I think if this book committed more to being a short story, I could forgive its shallowness and lack of peak a bit more. But instead this book half-commits to being a full story and loses its steam halfway through, overextending itself with details that don't add much to the moral questions its asking (and sometimes answering).

Still, the premise alone is so refreshing and new I can't resent it for not reaching the highs I wanted it to.

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jazhandz's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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ruthmoog's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense medium-paced

4.25

I took a while to get into it but about midway through the excitement ramped up.

It was really good to experience more diversity of life in Nigeria - and, surely, the serial killing is somewhat atypical!

The thread from upbringing to how Ayoola and Korede behave and interact was interesting, but sad, to unravel.

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_stephbroom_'s review against another edition

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dark tense fast-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? Yes

3.5

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nrogers_1030's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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