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izypup's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
If you watched the show first, the book is almost an entirely different story. Rhi is a wannabe reporter, there is an AJ, there is a Julia, and her dad is dead. Character names are the same but that's almost it. I'm pleased to report that Tink doesn't die in this one
AJ is a teenager in this version but legally an adult so while iffy not technically anything wrong with it.
Rhi, to me, is both more and less likable in the book. And her actions make remotely more sense. Neither are better or worse, just different.
Focusing only on the book now:
Rhi obviouslyhas a TBI and PTSD that makes her 'unsettling' but as a neurodivergent woman I also relate to the aspect of trying to mimic social behaviors and fit in but still having something innately 'off' about you. Also the love of Sylvanian families.
Her killing the cab driver was really where we see that she uses killing predators as a way to justify and because it's what her dad taught her but she is not an anti-hero or vigilante at her core. The cab driver repeatedly denies her drunken advances and just wants to take her home but she 'sees' the smile of other men in him and kills him anyway.
There's no doubt that Rhi is an unreliable narrator. We hear only her side and the snippets of what characters say to her.
I didn't realize this was a series getting into it and I probably won't be reading them since I thought the snippets were a 'jokey' Rhi gets published after all and it's her fictionalized exploits. But I guess it was real.
I might have been too generous with the rating but it was overall a fun and interesting enough read.
There is a character who has self-harm scars and threatens/attempts suicide throughout the book and is generally referred to as crazy
AJ is a teenager in this version but legally an adult so while iffy not technically anything wrong with it.
Rhi, to me, is both more and less likable in the book. And her actions make remotely more sense. Neither are better or worse, just different.
Focusing only on the book now:
Rhi obviously
There's no doubt that Rhi is an unreliable narrator. We hear only her side and the snippets of what characters say to her.
I didn't realize this was a series getting into it and I probably won't be reading them since I thought the snippets were a 'jokey' Rhi gets published after all and it's her fictionalized exploits. But I guess it was real.
I might have been too generous with the rating but it was overall a fun and interesting enough read.
There is a character who has self-harm scars and threatens/attempts suicide throughout the book and is generally referred to as crazy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism, Confinement, Rape, Toxic relationship, Grief, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Self harm, Sexual content, Torture, Vomit, Kidnapping, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
vivjm's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
oookateooo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ellad15's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sunshinee_bear's review
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
novelnotions's review against another edition
2.0
The entire time I was listening to this I kept comparing it to the Deanna Madden series by A.R. Torre and sadly, found this book not as compelling. I'm glad I saw it through to the end to the 'twist' of how someone else was being punished for her crimes, but I don't think I'll be reading the other stories in this series.
oliveeebell's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
livtheloser'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
daisychick's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5