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A review by afterplague
They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
dark
tense
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
4.75
I really liked this book, and I think those who know my tastes by now are completely unsurprised. A story about a woman revenge killing men who deserve it, a great twist, and bit of sapphic sprinkle on top? Yeah, this is a new favorite.
I feel like I can't really talk about a lot of the things I enjoyed with this novel without spoiling some of my favorite parts, so I think I'm going to keep this review very short. I will say that this is one of the best twists I've read all year, maybe ever. There were so many little hints, but just as many redirections and I can say I completely did not see it coming.
I really liked Scarlett as a character. She's so smart, detail-oriented, and she's also extremely in the right. Rape revenge stories get a lot of criticism, and a lot of the time that's for very good reason. Until recently, the person getting the revenge was not the woman, but instead a male relative or loved one (husband, father, brother, etc.) There's a much more personal sense when the character seeking this revenge is a woman. More than that, Scarlett is seeking revenge in a very "cold" way. She's many years detached from her own experiences, and so she's able to get away with murder again and again and again. It's a take I haven't personally seen before.
Carly's storyline is a little less interesting but that's because it's very difficult to compete with "serial killer trying to avoid detection." Her story is about friendship, and the complexities of how that friendship can be changed negatively by men. I think there's a lot to say about how without the actions of the men around them Carly and Allison could've been very happy together.
I don't want to spoil any more of this book because I truly believe you should read it! I was concerned because I generally don't like reading about sexual assault, but if you also have that worry I would say I think it's handled pretty well, and nothing is as explicit as I feared. I listened to the audiobook and I would highly recommend it!
I feel like I can't really talk about a lot of the things I enjoyed with this novel without spoiling some of my favorite parts, so I think I'm going to keep this review very short. I will say that this is one of the best twists I've read all year, maybe ever. There were so many little hints, but just as many redirections and I can say I completely did not see it coming.
I really liked Scarlett as a character. She's so smart, detail-oriented, and she's also extremely in the right. Rape revenge stories get a lot of criticism, and a lot of the time that's for very good reason. Until recently, the person getting the revenge was not the woman, but instead a male relative or loved one (husband, father, brother, etc.) There's a much more personal sense when the character seeking this revenge is a woman. More than that, Scarlett is seeking revenge in a very "cold" way. She's many years detached from her own experiences, and so she's able to get away with murder again and again and again. It's a take I haven't personally seen before.
Carly's storyline is a little less interesting but that's because it's very difficult to compete with "serial killer trying to avoid detection." Her story is about friendship, and the complexities of how that friendship can be changed negatively by men. I think there's a lot to say about how without the actions of the men around them Carly and Allison could've been very happy together.
I don't want to spoil any more of this book because I truly believe you should read it! I was concerned because I generally don't like reading about sexual assault, but if you also have that worry I would say I think it's handled pretty well, and nothing is as explicit as I feared. I listened to the audiobook and I would highly recommend it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment