I finished this one a few days ago, and I have been thinking about it since. I have never read anything quite like this- it is (kind of?) speculative fiction, kind of a heist caper, and kind of a satire- it has important things to say about society, race, class, and predatory capitalism-but is never preachy.
The writing is so witty. The characters are relatable, and up against it. How can you not relate to a story about women being pushed too far (especially at this specific point in time)?
I do not want to say too much, because I would hate to spoil it, but this is a wild ride. I was emotionally invested in the characters' struggles immediately and as things began to escalate, even more so. The ending wraps in a satisfying way; along the way you will laugh out loud, possibly cry a bit, then become enraged, and finally, feel relieved and vindicated.
This was an intense (sometimes) difficult read for me-I definitely cannot call it a "feel good" or "comfort read". Does not mean you should not read it, I highly recommend this one. It is not a perfect book, but you will not be bored.
Highly recommend.
PS I am off to look for this author's earlier work.

The Payback by Kashana Cauley (author of The Survivalists) is a brilliant blend of black comedy and speculative fiction that delivers biting commentary on race, capitalism, and the struggles of modern working life.

Meet Jada Williams, a woman with an uncanny ability to assess people’s fashion needs and measurements at a glance—a talent that once made her a rising star in Hollywood’s costume design world. But those days are long gone, asJada finds herself stuck in a minimum wage job at the Glendale mall.

When her boss dies at work and Jada is unceremoniously fired, she’s left dodging the brutal Debt Police—pink-badged enforcers who humiliate and attack citizens unable to pay off their mounting debts. Refusing to succumb to despair, Jada ropes in her coworkers to hatch an audacious heist: a plan to erase their crushing student loans and take control of their lives.

What follows is a sharp, darkly humorous exploration of friendship and survival. Jada and her two partners-in-crime grow closer as they navigate a dystopian world that feels uncomfortably familiar. Cauley dissects the predatory nature of capitalism with wit and precision, creating a story as thought-provoking as it is laugh-out-loud funny.

The Payback is more than a heist novel—it’s a searing critique of systemic inequality and an ode to the power of resilience and community. With its unforgettable characters and razor-sharp prose, this is a must-read for fans of smart, socially conscious fiction.

#Atria #ThePayback #KashanaCauley

The pacing in this book is so slow. About 43% in, I realized that nothing had really happened yet. Took another 5-10% before any action started. And action is a bit of an exaggeration.

Honestly, if this wasn't an ARC, I would have DNF'd before this point. Since it's an ARC, I pushed through.

I will sheepishly admit that I originally thought this book was a straight up comedy. It's a dark comedy, which would have made a difference in my approach had I realized this before starting to read the story.

The debt police are a bunch of astrology-lovers & gemstone-loving moon-healers who love to talk about the most ridiculous topics, while actively & brutally beating people up for not paying their student debt. The severe violence was only appalling to me. The cop uniforms get more & more turquoise as the story progresses, which is meant to be funny, but I couldn't get past all the terrible stuff.

Overall, the story was just really weird and, as mentioned above, incredibly slow-moving. The book could have been really good if tackled differently. The author was trying to show how Black women are vulnerable in a society that hates them. But this was overshadowed by the funny bits which felt inappropriate. I guess dark comedy just isn't for me.

I did enjoy the relationship between the three Black women co-workers & the evolution of their friendship. The interactions felt genuine.

Immediately after finishing the book, I gave it 2 stars. But the more I think about it, the more I think it deserves 3.