marissalevien's review
3.0
This book has some really incredible ideas, and is built on an unbeatable pitch-- knife-wielding assassins in the Harlem Renaissance? Yes, please.
The book is broken into thirds, told from three different character POVs. And while I LOVED the first third told from Phyllis' POV, and it got me back in the last third with Tamara's chapters, the middle section told from Dev's POV was a bit of a slog. Lots of good things in this book, lots of interesting ideas regarding race and violence. But the pacing definitely leaves something to be desired.
The book is broken into thirds, told from three different character POVs. And while I LOVED the first third told from Phyllis' POV, and it got me back in the last third with Tamara's chapters, the middle section told from Dev's POV was a bit of a slog. Lots of good things in this book, lots of interesting ideas regarding race and violence. But the pacing definitely leaves something to be desired.
reindeerbandit's review against another edition
3.0
i think this was a great story, but it was told in the most convoluted way possible so i can’t really tell. i’m not even 100% sure i ever totally understood what “playing the numbers” meant, and that was truly the least of my worries.
wombat_88's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
2.0
the0bauman's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
amywoolsey_93's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
laurenhurley97's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
brueri's review
3.0
solid book! I wish I hadn’t read it so closely following Addie LaRue because I think I found myself wanting some of the depth that this book didn’t do for me since they’re within the same historical fiction/fantasy genre. I really enjoyed some of the themes the author explored here and I’d read another of their books :)
srfrq's review
3.0
i really wish the last half of the book was written like the first because it was HEAAAVYYY. but at the same time, i'm glad i got to enjoy the gritty glamour before the heaviness? i feel like plot wise it would have been better if it was heavier, but honestly the writing was good enough to keep me giong you know? it was okay as a whole, the ending was really good though.