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chareadsss's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
When I'd attended @thecandidbookclub's event with @ela__lee to discuss her debut novel, 'Jaded', the discussion/s that it sparked really piqued my interest and I knew that this was going to be an important and hard-hitting read.
Despite the heavy and sensitive themes, 'Jaded' still felt like a digestible read to me. Lee mentions that it depicts the "nuances of recovery and it's non-linear nature", and she does a great job with this, showing the raw, complicated and uncomfortable feelings that can follow SA.
Whilst I sometimes struggled with Ceyda/Jade's character, and found her quite frustrating, I did find her engaging as a narrator and couldn't help but want better for her. It was heartwarming to see her start embracing more of her culture and her journey into self-acceptance, and I loved learning more about Korean and Turkish culture and customs.
Lee could've easily gone the sensationalised and OTT route, but I'm so glad she opted for a more subtle and sensitive portrayal. This approach felt more authentic and effective, and really captured the emotion and gravity of a traumatic situation that too many women have unfortunately experienced. I did have some qualms about one particular plot device but this didn't take much away from the story.
And, Kit...THIS GUY ๐ญ He really had me oscillating between ๐ and ๐ฎ, and that white male privilege was REAL.
Having read several books where different themes are (unnecessarily) thrown in left, right and centre, it was refreshing to read something where there was a clear focus and investment in the character development and experiences. The theme of identity fitted in well, along with the commentary on the pressures of corporate culture and the expectation of women in such environments.
'Jaded' doesn't play out as I expected, but I think this is important. Not everyone who's experienced/reported SA will think or respond the same, and not all perpetrators suffer the consequences ๐ This also has to have one of my favourite epilogues to date! Lee produced something so poignant here and I really felt for Jade.
โRatingโ - 4/5
Despite the heavy and sensitive themes, 'Jaded' still felt like a digestible read to me. Lee mentions that it depicts the "nuances of recovery and it's non-linear nature", and she does a great job with this, showing the raw, complicated and uncomfortable feelings that can follow SA.
Whilst I sometimes struggled with Ceyda/Jade's character, and found her quite frustrating, I did find her engaging as a narrator and couldn't help but want better for her. It was heartwarming to see her start embracing more of her culture and her journey into self-acceptance, and I loved learning more about Korean and Turkish culture and customs.
Lee could've easily gone the sensationalised and OTT route, but I'm so glad she opted for a more subtle and sensitive portrayal. This approach felt more authentic and effective, and really captured the emotion and gravity of a traumatic situation that too many women have unfortunately experienced. I did have some qualms about one particular plot device but this didn't take much away from the story.
And, Kit...THIS GUY ๐ญ He really had me oscillating between ๐ and ๐ฎ, and that white male privilege was REAL.
Having read several books where different themes are (unnecessarily) thrown in left, right and centre, it was refreshing to read something where there was a clear focus and investment in the character development and experiences. The theme of identity fitted in well, along with the commentary on the pressures of corporate culture and the expectation of women in such environments.
'Jaded' doesn't play out as I expected, but I think this is important. Not everyone who's experienced/reported SA will think or respond the same, and not all perpetrators suffer the consequences ๐ This also has to have one of my favourite epilogues to date! Lee produced something so poignant here and I really felt for Jade.
โRatingโ - 4/5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Racial slurs
marissanbullis's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
first half was decent (4 stars) the second half makes it all worth it (would rate this half 5 stars) crying, screaming, throwing up. recommending this to everyone i know
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Rape, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Racism, Racial slurs, Classism, and Panic attacks/disorders
of_fantasy_and_fibre's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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? No
5.0
I went into this book expecting a novel about how a 20 something's world is rocked in relation to her world views via a firing or a second hand experience, I was not prepared.
The event which happens to Jade takes her life as collateral damage. The story is told via flashback in parts to set up this relationship and how it has defined current Jade. There are no punches pulled and issues discussed in this are talked about quite frankly but it were never over the top or forceful. There was one character who I felt was a red flag in human form. Jade has created what she sees as a safety net and so she scrabbles to figure out how to survive as the threads of a life she has carefully woven starts unravelling. I really loved the exploration of her experience as a third generation kid and how she was a minority of a minority in not just her field but her firm. I was gripped and listened for hours on end. This is a strong debut and I look forward to this authors next novel
The event which happens to Jade takes her life as collateral damage. The story is told via flashback in parts to set up this relationship and how it has defined current Jade. There are no punches pulled and issues discussed in this are talked about quite frankly but it were never over the top or forceful. There was one character who I felt was a red flag in human form. Jade has created what she sees as a safety net and so she scrabbles to figure out how to survive as the threads of a life she has carefully woven starts unravelling. I really loved the exploration of her experience as a third generation kid and how she was a minority of a minority in not just her field but her firm. I was gripped and listened for hours on end. This is a strong debut and I look forward to this authors next novel
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, and Racial slurs
Minor: Eating disorder and Religious bigotry
heatherfielding's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
kirstym25's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Racism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Racial slurs
Minor: Vomit
sunandmoon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcohol and Eating disorder
Minor: Racial slurs and Vomit
annecarts's review
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A fantastic debut. Ceyda, known as Jade to 'fit in', works at a London top law firm and is assaulted after a work party. This book explores the reactions of Ceyda, her Turkish and Korean immigrant parents, boyfriend, friends, and work to the night in question.
Racism, sexism, elitism, nepotism all feature and are cleverly shown. I'm sure lots of people will relate to parts of this book depending on their experiences.
I was really rooting for Ceyda and this book took me on an emotional ride.
Racism, sexism, elitism, nepotism all feature and are cleverly shown. I'm sure lots of people will relate to parts of this book depending on their experiences.
I was really rooting for Ceyda and this book took me on an emotional ride.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Sexual assault
Moderate: Xenophobia, Sexism, and Racism
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