I don’t really know what to say about this book. The words that come to mind:

Unhinged
Gluttonous
Visceral
Predatory
Obsessive
Incredible!

I love hating the characters in books. I at times will actively look for books where I have the opportunity to really despise the protagonist. And I went through so much of this book wanting to hate Irina. Ultimately I did not hate her. Was she fucked up? Completely. Did she do some really terrible things? You bet she did! But I loved every single minute of this book.

I cringggge when the subject of an "unlikable female character" comes up, because, in my experience, the discourse is used to refer to, like, a woman who doesn't want to have children. But Irina is definitely an unreliable, unlikable narrator, and that makes this story so much more interesting. She is a rape victim who continually violates the consent of others and includes that violation in her art. She is a woman who is unapologetically aware of how attractive she is and the effect her looks have on those around her. She gaslights and manipulates even her best friend. She seems incapable of real feelings, and even when she has a crush on someone, she doesn't seem to really care what happens between them. She is frequently disassociated from both reality and her own emotions.

SPOILER ALERT

Not that she's always dishonest--she flat-out tells a man on a date that she murdered someone and he's just like, "oh haha sure, my beautiful nymphet" (not a direct quote). Irina is smart and self-aware and FUNNY, and while I didn't root for her per say, I did enjoy her at times. I would like maybe 10% of her confidence but zero percent of her heartlessness and sociopathy.

Thanks netgalley for the chance to read this novel! To be honest, I really didn’t enjoy this read. I am into darker books which the book portrayed but it was… boring in my opinion. I couldn’t wait to get to the end but nothing really drew my attention. I did like how the roles were reversed in the book and it was different than anything I’ve read but it missed the mark for me.

Oh my god! This is one of the best books I’ve read in such a long time. I have immediately hand sold this book to anyone that comes into my store ten fold. This book is wild and feral and creepy and hard! A definite if you love feral unreliable female characters. Please read!

Placeholder. Will update when the Harper Collins union new contract is finalized. Thank you again to the publisher for the copy.

i genuinely have no words for this book. it is one of the most interesting i have ever read. the narrator is terrible and awful but i was addicted to her. i really loved the writing style and the descent into insanity and the methods of coping with trauma. i would recommend going in blind because it is CRAZY. i highly highly recommend!! i want to reread asap.
LOOK UP TW!!!!