taylorgarcia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
This was really good! I’m conflicted about how I feel about the pace, because on one hand not a lot happens in this book that is ostensibly a thriller, but on the other, I did love being immersed in Nella’s psychological world. Same with some of the characters feeling a little flat—that’s how they were to Nella, at this point in her life where she’s obsessed with Hazel, who really is the only character besides Nella that didn’t feel flat to me. At the same time, I felt somewhat distant from Nella because of the close third, and way more connected to characters like Shawnee and Kendra Rae and Diana, who all had sections where they were the pov character. But again, every time I come upon something I didn’t like so much, I have a counter argument. The whole book feels like an homage to Passing (down to the main character’s name being Nella) and that novel is an absolute masterclass in close third. While I wouldn’t say TOBG is Passing levels of quality, Harris definitely evoked some of that psychological horror with her use of close third, distancing us just enough from Nella that we can see what’s happening to her just before she does. I don’t know. I definitely liked it a lot, and I’m excited to see the adaptation!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
cirrenamarie's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Not very thrilling. The mystery is there but the pace makes it hard to stay engaged.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
wordsofclover's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
3.25
Nella is the only Black person working in Wagner publishing house and she's sick of being the token person of colouring and dealing with the microaggressions she encounters every day. So she's delighted when new girl Hazel, a Black girl from Harlem, starts and they become friends. But soon Nella notices that Hazel is acting differently, and in ways is making Nella look bad and her job performance is suffering. As things get tenser, and creepier, can Nella figure out what' up with Hazel?
I liked the writing style of this book and the atmosphere that was slight intense, unsettling and creepy at times. The environment of Wagner was created really well I think, and learning more about the publishing world in many ways from difficult authors and temperamental cover artists was quite fun at times, as well as getting a look at what's like to be a Black woman in a predominantly white environment and how some people behave and the microaggressions she has to deal with and sometimes ignore for an easier time with her colleagues.
I do feel like so much of this story was build up, and when we really start figuring out what is happening, the book is already 90% finished so I was a bit disappointed with the conclusion feeling very rushed then, and then the epilogue was twisty and fun but also slightly depressing and not the ending I would have wanted for Nella obviously.
I liked the writing style of this book and the atmosphere that was slight intense, unsettling and creepy at times. The environment of Wagner was created really well I think, and learning more about the publishing world in many ways from difficult authors and temperamental cover artists was quite fun at times, as well as getting a look at what's like to be a Black woman in a predominantly white environment and how some people behave and the microaggressions she has to deal with and sometimes ignore for an easier time with her colleagues.
I do feel like so much of this story was build up, and when we really start figuring out what is happening, the book is already 90% finished so I was a bit disappointed with the conclusion feeling very rushed then, and then the epilogue was twisty and fun but also slightly depressing and not the ending I would have wanted for Nella obviously.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
nataliegray's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
nialiversuch's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Grief, Cultural appropriation, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, and Misogyny
jj_tj's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Toxic friendship
dragongirl271's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
joymeikle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
parasolcrafter's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
oh, i really did love this book so much <3 i dont read many thrillers like this book, but as far as i can remember this is the only thriller-esque book ive ever read that ive actually been able to figure things out myself without plot points being either completely explained to me, or with the plot points actually having nothing to do with the book. i enjoyed being on the journey this book took me on because as i read it i was able to piece things together with the information we were given, and it lead to the book unfolding in a very realistic way. its also a unique take on, slightly, horror. its not really a scary book per se, but the reality of what happens in it is its own Kind of horror. this is one of those stories im going to remember for a long time because its just so well-crafted and written and, sadly, believable. the ending was also good, too; very worrying!!! definitely very worrying and made me sad, but it was also where i knew the book was going to lead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Gun violence, Gaslighting, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Cursing
chloemcintyre's review against another edition
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism