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k_lupin's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Addiction, Death, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Violence, Adult/minor relationship, Drug abuse, and Gaslighting
bisexualcrises's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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? No
4.0
Really liked the first two thirds of this, but the last third made some narrative choices that I didn’t like. It felt like it was dragging things out for too long, and then the ending was pretty rushed. It’s a rough read because of the topic, but a good one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Adult/minor relationship
angelaptrice's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Sexual violence
spicycronereads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This is the first Tiffany D. Jackson book that I didn’t love. It’s also the first time I found myself yelling at or talking back to an audiobook. Apologies to voice actress Joniece Abbott-Pratt for all the yelling I did at her. For better or worse, she made the story come alive.
The book opens with main character, Enchanted, waking up, covered in blood, with no memory of how she got that way. In the room with her is a man who is dead and it is someone whom she clearly fears. The narrative, then goes back in time and starts to relay the events that led to the situation. it was extremely stressful. Because you can see exactly how things were going to go. It may be because I’m an adult woman, but the manipulation tactics seemed so transparent. It was difficult to remind myself that the target audience is young women, who might be more likely to fall pray to these tactics. It was also infuriating to see how the victims of intimate partner violence were treated both by people in their lives, and by the system.
The author does a good job of addressing the nuances and social attitudes around these issues, from the over-sexualization of Black girls, to the systemic failures for survivors of intimate partner violence, to the differential treatment of perpetrators based on their race. Definitely check your trigger warnings though, this is a rough one!
Overall, the audio performance was really great. It is a story that needs to be told. It would probably less frustrating for the target demographic (it is a YA novel). I liked it but didn’t love it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The book opens with main character, Enchanted, waking up, covered in blood, with no memory of how she got that way. In the room with her is a man who is dead and it is someone whom she clearly fears. The narrative, then goes back in time and starts to relay the events that led to the situation. it was extremely stressful. Because you can see exactly how things were going to go. It may be because I’m an adult woman, but the manipulation tactics seemed so transparent. It was difficult to remind myself that the target audience is young women, who might be more likely to fall pray to these tactics. It was also infuriating to see how the victims of intimate partner violence were treated both by people in their lives, and by the system.
The author does a good job of addressing the nuances and social attitudes around these issues, from the over-sexualization of Black girls, to the systemic failures for survivors of intimate partner violence, to the differential treatment of perpetrators based on their race. Definitely check your trigger warnings though, this is a rough one!
Overall, the audio performance was really great. It is a story that needs to be told. It would probably less frustrating for the target demographic (it is a YA novel). I liked it but didn’t love it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Racism, Mental illness, and Stalking
samirareads24's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
This book was amazing. Could not put it down. It flowed so well and touched on some very tense and controversial topics. Events that happen often in the music industry sadly and to woman of color. The real world comparisons hit so close to current societal struggles and told with a perspective that can be thoroughly understood. Tiffany D. Jackson does it again yall, one of my favorite writers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Mental illness
fkshg8465's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
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? Yes
5.0
********** I don’t consider these spoilers, but you may *********
This may be an extreme and even glamour filled version of a reality that happens everyday to millions of women, especially BIPoC women and young women. Millions of us have been/are being assaulted (myself included), and probably just as many or more of us are beaten and brutalized and victimized and gaslighted by men, especially men with power, money, and influence. It doesn’t even have to be a lot of any of the three - so long as it’s just a little more than what we have. This story is my story. It’s an exaggerated version, but it happened to me under different circumstances. I also suspect the entertainment industry is probably as toxic as written. Bravo to Tiffany Jackson for writing with courage and gentleness and for killing off a character who should’ve been raised differently and could’ve brought so much beauty into the world if he had.
This may be an extreme and even glamour filled version of a reality that happens everyday to millions of women, especially BIPoC women and young women. Millions of us have been/are being assaulted (myself included), and probably just as many or more of us are beaten and brutalized and victimized and gaslighted by men, especially men with power, money, and influence. It doesn’t even have to be a lot of any of the three - so long as it’s just a little more than what we have. This story is my story. It’s an exaggerated version, but it happened to me under different circumstances. I also suspect the entertainment industry is probably as toxic as written. Bravo to Tiffany Jackson for writing with courage and gentleness and for killing off a character who should’ve been raised differently and could’ve brought so much beauty into the world if he had.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Misogyny, Violence, Bullying, Confinement, Infidelity, Stalking, Classism, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Gore, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Child abuse, Drug use, Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Racism, Torture, Rape, and Sexual harassment
crybabybea's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Basically a cautionary tale wrapped up in a murder-mystery thriller. The story really only focuses on one character, Enchanted, a 17-year-old aspiring singer, and her toxic relationship with a powerful older singer named Korey Fields. Even though there are other characters, they don't play a huge part in the story and therefore aren't as fleshed out as Enchanted. It didn't affect my experience but might be a deal-breaker for some.
Since this is YA, it's definitely dark and does get pretty graphic. I did find some of the twists a little silly, but I think the point of the story was more the warning to young readers and exploration of rape culture, especially the silencing of Black women. Because of this, it felt a bit like a literary fiction with a murder-mystery thrown in.
I think Tiffany D. Jackson did a great job showing what it looks and feels like to be groomed and taken advantage of, and how quickly a toxic relationship can spiral out of control into violence. Definitely an important read for (teens and young adults especially) people who might be experiencing the same thing. I especially liked how the author captured the intense feelings of self-doubt and justification that goes through a victim's mind, without romanticizing the "good" moments, and the confusion that comes from manipulation and gaslighting. There was always a looming sense of danger in Enchanted's narration, which I appreciated. Also, she included content warnings in the beginning of the book and a list of resources for anyone struggling at the end, which I think should be done more often, especially in YA.
The pace is lightning fast and the simple prose makes it easy to breeze through. Overall an anxiety-inducing murder-mystery with a satisfying enough ending.
Since this is YA, it's definitely dark and does get pretty graphic. I did find some of the twists a little silly, but I think the point of the story was more the warning to young readers and exploration of rape culture, especially the silencing of Black women. Because of this, it felt a bit like a literary fiction with a murder-mystery thrown in.
I think Tiffany D. Jackson did a great job showing what it looks and feels like to be groomed and taken advantage of, and how quickly a toxic relationship can spiral out of control into violence. Definitely an important read for (teens and young adults especially) people who might be experiencing the same thing. I especially liked how the author captured the intense feelings of self-doubt and justification that goes through a victim's mind, without romanticizing the "good" moments, and the confusion that comes from manipulation and gaslighting. There was always a looming sense of danger in Enchanted's narration, which I appreciated. Also, she included content warnings in the beginning of the book and a list of resources for anyone struggling at the end, which I think should be done more often, especially in YA.
The pace is lightning fast and the simple prose makes it easy to breeze through. Overall an anxiety-inducing murder-mystery with a satisfying enough ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Cursing, Pedophilia, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Rape, Sexual assault, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Addiction, Sexual violence, Stalking, Body shaming, Blood, Kidnapping, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Murder
sp00ky_girl28's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Gaslighting, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Stalking
minayana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.75
This book was phenomenal and gut wrenching. From the first word, your eyes are glued to the page and you can’t help but keep reading and reading. It’s absolutely heartbreaking and horrifying as you watch Enchanted get groomed and her circumstances get worse and worse. This is such an important read, and I loved the spotlight on how black girls and women are treated when they are in abusive situations-not being believed, and being blamed for being too “grown.” I liked how the novel explores how a situation like this would affect the family as well, but in the end the focus is still on Enchanted. Your heart just breaks for her the whole novel, and you keep rooting for her to get her out of this situation. This didn’t get a 5 star cause unfortunately, the ending was a bit rushed and I’m not quite sure how I feel about the last two pages. I’ve read White Smoke by this author as well, and I’ve noticed that she tends to put a tad too many plot twists at the end.
I really did not like how the author literally states in her authors note that the relationship between Gab and her bf is ok…..NO, it is NOT ok for an 18 year old to date a 15 year old just because the older one treats the younger one nicely like what the fuck….that really rubs me the wrong way. The whole point of the novel is the fact that it is the adults job to recognize that relations with a minor is wrong and disgusting!!! It literally goes against the whole message of the novel!!! It doesn’t matter that the older one was 17 in the beginning!!! A 14 year old and a 17 year old??? Gross!!! Ugh. Unfortunately, I just can’t give the book 5 stars for that.. Ignoring that one major flaw, this was an amazing book and I would highly recommend. Please check the trigger warnings first! This is a YA novel, but the content can be very triggering. This is definitely an older YA novel.
I really did not like how the author literally states in her authors note that the relationship between Gab and her bf is ok…..NO, it is NOT ok for an 18 year old to date a 15 year old just because the older one treats the younger one nicely like what the fuck….that really rubs me the wrong way. The whole point of the novel is the fact that it is the adults job to recognize that relations with a minor is wrong and disgusting!!! It literally goes against the whole message of the novel!!! It doesn’t matter that the older one was 17 in the beginning!!! A 14 year old and a 17 year old??? Gross!!! Ugh. Unfortunately, I just can’t give the book 5 stars for that.. Ignoring that one major flaw, this was an amazing book and I would highly recommend. Please check the trigger warnings first! This is a YA novel, but the content can be very triggering. This is definitely an older YA novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Rape and Racism
ardenfairie1's review
emotional
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Rape, Torture, and Toxic relationship