Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

My Sister, the Serial Killer, by Oyinkan Braithwaite

128 reviews

kateea7536's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense 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

3.75

A really quick read that I was gripped to. I loved the short chapters and the different time periods and characters perspectives that were shown. Such an innovative and interesting plot and I couldn’t stop reading. I feel like the end happened so quickly though - I wanted there to be more to it in some way perhaps… 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, Medical content, Death of parent, Infidelity, Physical abuse, and Blood

mel_j's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, and Blood

Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Racism

sosavn's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Medical content

Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse

natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Grief

cnicoles6's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-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

3.75

The entire premise gives me a stomach ache, but I couldn't put it down. Super quick read that kept me on the edge of my seat. Check the trigger warnings on this one.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Child abuse, Murder, Violence, Blood, and Death

Moderate: Medical content, Death of parent, and Grief

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

rosenau's review against another edition

challenging dark 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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Physical abuse, Murder, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse

_rowan_'s review against another edition

dark funny 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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Death, Medical content, Blood, Gore, and Murder

copiani's review against another edition

dark funny sad tense fast-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: Toxic relationship, Death, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Death of parent, Infidelity, and Murder

Minor: Medical content and Body shaming

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.

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