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kyriannaj's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Hate crime, Racism, Kidnapping, Stalking, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Colonisation
lizzym126's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Gun violence, Violence, and Police brutality
tetedump's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Racism, Stalking, and Gaslighting
katharina90's review against another edition
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
The story felt very slow. While there was at times a sense of unease or dread, there was no thrill. The main character lacked oomph and likeability and the ending was dissatisfying.
The portrayal of office politics and racism in the workplace with all its micro-aggressions and gaslighting was well done though.
Moderate: Racism, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Police brutality
lay_kone's review against another edition
3.5
Graphic: Racism, Stalking, and Gaslighting
haileyhardcover's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
While I was reading, I wondered if maybe there was something I was missing. Some context that I, as a white woman, could not understand that made this book - its plot and especially its characters - better than I was perceiving them to be. After finishing it and looking up reviews written by Black women, I think my gut instinct was right. This book reads like it was written by an “OBG.”
I will not comment further on the lived experience of the characters or real Black women. I encourage you to read reviews written by Black readers, especially Black women, if you’d like more thoughts on that.
I will say more about the writing, though. This book is rough. It’s slooooooow going, and then all of the action takes place in the last 50 or so pages. I can see what the author was going for with the ending, but it didn’t hit the way I believe she intended. I think 60% of the first 300 pages could have been cut entirely, and the ending would’ve made a great mid-point, leading up to the rising action and either a MORE shocking climax or a more triumphant one. Comparing this to The Devil Wears Prada (as a quote from The Washington Post does on the cover) is inaccurate and bizarre - the only similarity is that the fmc is an assistant, but her circumstances, the industry, her boss, everything else is completely different from TDWP. I think a better comparison would be to Jordon Peele’s Get Out - there is even a reference to the sunken place in the book. You’re gettjng conspiracy, evil white people, suspicious substances, altered states… it could’ve been SO. GOOD. But sadly, it’s just not.
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Bullying and Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing, Gun violence, Hate crime, Police brutality, and Murder
foresturken's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Police brutality, Cultural appropriation, and Gaslighting
elisalasater's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Racism and Stalking
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Police brutality
bookishmillennial's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
I think they did a really good job with the tv show on Hulu so if you want to just watch that, that's fine too. No judgment lol. However, this was just as gripping and tense as the show! I will definitely read more from ZDH in the future!
Graphic: Racism, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Racial slurs
Minor: Police brutality
alexture's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I truly hope fanfic writers will write the conspiracy arc I need to read. This is excellent material for, well, something else.
Graphic: Gaslighting