A review by girlreading
Everyone's Thinking It by Aleema Omotoni
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Mean Girls meets Dear White People meets Ace of Spades in this standout debut from Aleema Omotoni.
At the core of Everyone's Thinking It, is a compelling mystery that propelled the plot forward with intrigue and drama but what I think truly makes this debut shine is its examination of topics such as blackface and blackfishing, biphobia, systemic racism and both the courage and risk that comes with discussing and calling out these injustices when you're Black.
Everyone's Thinking It expertly balances multiple elements of storytelling; it's got romance, mystery, family and friendship dramas, academic pressures, LGBTQIA+ and mental illness representation and more and yet at no point does any element seem to be unnecessary or monopolising the story. The same goes for the characters. Both Kitan and Iyanu's perspectives are equal in their time and intrigue and both have their own stories that, whilst brilliantly intertwined, give both girls a distinct and strong voice. The side characters were equally endearing (or awful but in a good way) and memorable.
All in all, Everyone's Thinking It is a truly compulsive read and one I found myself unable to look away from. Aleema writes in a way that left me almost feeling as though I'd watched this book as a TV show or movie. Her writing is immersive, visual, exciting and so incredibly readable and I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next.
At the core of Everyone's Thinking It, is a compelling mystery that propelled the plot forward with intrigue and drama but what I think truly makes this debut shine is its examination of topics such as blackface and blackfishing, biphobia, systemic racism and both the courage and risk that comes with discussing and calling out these injustices when you're Black.
Everyone's Thinking It expertly balances multiple elements of storytelling; it's got romance, mystery, family and friendship dramas, academic pressures, LGBTQIA+ and mental illness representation and more and yet at no point does any element seem to be unnecessary or monopolising the story. The same goes for the characters. Both Kitan and Iyanu's perspectives are equal in their time and intrigue and both have their own stories that, whilst brilliantly intertwined, give both girls a distinct and strong voice. The side characters were equally endearing (or awful but in a good way) and memorable.
All in all, Everyone's Thinking It is a truly compulsive read and one I found myself unable to look away from. Aleema writes in a way that left me almost feeling as though I'd watched this book as a TV show or movie. Her writing is immersive, visual, exciting and so incredibly readable and I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cultural appropriation