Rosh's Reviews > She's a Killer
She's a Killer
by
by
In a Nutshell: A dystopian cli-fi satire that is wacky in myriad ways. If you go in with the right expectations, you might enjoy the book. Just be prepared for a slow start. Not a thriller!
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Plot Preview:
Bookish Yays:
🍓 The dystopian world: So like the usual dystopia we read and yet so very different! We hear of the climate crisis and see the impact of the ‘wealthugees’, but instead of making the dystopia the prominent feature, it serves only as the foundation for the main plot.
🍓 Alice: Alice is unlikeable to the core yet it is tough to hate her because of the writing. An excellently sketched character whose sarcastic remarks make the narration entertaining.
🍓 Simp: Alice’s imaginary friend and master of retorts. Loved “her”!
🍓 The ‘wealthugee’ concept: Ridiculous to the point of being believable! Enjoyed the upside-down take on “privileged refugees”. It was all very clever!
🍓 The satirical elements: A lot of the plot left me wondering whether to laugh or to be horrified. Satire at its best!
🍓 The New Zealand setting: The location cant be used in the typical sense as this is a futuristic tale. But the author still manages a accurate portrayal of what could be dystopian NZ.
🍓 The indigenous Maori rep in the plot: So twisted and yet so clever!
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🍍Needs a lot of patience at the start because Alice’s first person narrative sounds like an endless bitchy ramble and is terribly slow. But once you begin to see where the plot is going (which is around the halfway mark), the build-up makes sense.
🍍The title tells you that “she’s a killer”. But it takes a long time to understand the validity of this claim in context of the book.
🍍The proceedings are outrageous! This shouldn’t be said as the book is meant to be a satire, but better to go in prepared for bizarre developments that come out of nowhere. This does work for the book, but will it work for every reader?
Bookish Nays:
🍊 Alice doesn’t sound like someone in her late thirties; her narration is almost YA in style. This could be because of her sheltered life and self-absorbed life choices, but it still feels odd.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 10 hrs 38 min, is narrated by Eva Seymour. She does an amazing job keeping so many characters distinct in out head. If you want to try this, the audiobook is a great option, though it will take you a while to realise where the story is going.
All in all, I felt like I would hate this book until about the one-third mark, it was so amorphous until then. But once the story threads started coming together, I began to enjoy it better.
Definitely recommended, but to only a specific set of readers. This is a very intelligent novel that might be a tad too esoteric for typical dystopian fiction fans. But if you are fond of satire or dark humour, this ought to be on your reading list. It is a go-with-the-flow kind of story, so don’t overthink; just enjoy the ride.
This is promoted as a “satirical dystopian cli-fi thriller”, but it is more like a ‘literary thriller’, so you will be on a slowburn journey to the thrills. Not for those who want believable plots or likeable characters or clean content or fast-paced writing or happy stories.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to NetGalley, Gallic Books for the DRC, and Bolinda Audio for the ALC of “She's a Killer”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Wellington, sometime in the future. Thirty-seven-year-old Alice, who has an IQ of 159 (missing the ‘genius’ mark by just 1 point), is stuck in a dead-end job and frustrated of the change wrought about by the climate change. The situation is worsened by the wealthy immigrants – ‘wealthugees’ – who are flocking to New Zealand and affecting the local economy by purchasing land and driving up prices, making the situation worse for residents. But Alice is a slacker, and does nothing to change the situation except complain.
When one hot wealthugee asks Alice to take care of his fifteen-year-old daughter Erika for a few days in exchange for a large sum, Alice readily quits her job. But she doesn’t realise that Erika is a fellow genius, and carries many more secrets. Alice’s life isn’t going to be the same anymore.
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Alice.
Bookish Yays:
🍓 The dystopian world: So like the usual dystopia we read and yet so very different! We hear of the climate crisis and see the impact of the ‘wealthugees’, but instead of making the dystopia the prominent feature, it serves only as the foundation for the main plot.
🍓 Alice: Alice is unlikeable to the core yet it is tough to hate her because of the writing. An excellently sketched character whose sarcastic remarks make the narration entertaining.
🍓 Simp: Alice’s imaginary friend and master of retorts. Loved “her”!
🍓 The ‘wealthugee’ concept: Ridiculous to the point of being believable! Enjoyed the upside-down take on “privileged refugees”. It was all very clever!
🍓 The satirical elements: A lot of the plot left me wondering whether to laugh or to be horrified. Satire at its best!
🍓 The New Zealand setting: The location cant be used in the typical sense as this is a futuristic tale. But the author still manages a accurate portrayal of what could be dystopian NZ.
🍓 The indigenous Maori rep in the plot: So twisted and yet so clever!
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🍍Needs a lot of patience at the start because Alice’s first person narrative sounds like an endless bitchy ramble and is terribly slow. But once you begin to see where the plot is going (which is around the halfway mark), the build-up makes sense.
🍍The title tells you that “she’s a killer”. But it takes a long time to understand the validity of this claim in context of the book.
🍍The proceedings are outrageous! This shouldn’t be said as the book is meant to be a satire, but better to go in prepared for bizarre developments that come out of nowhere. This does work for the book, but will it work for every reader?
Bookish Nays:
🍊 Alice doesn’t sound like someone in her late thirties; her narration is almost YA in style. This could be because of her sheltered life and self-absorbed life choices, but it still feels odd.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 10 hrs 38 min, is narrated by Eva Seymour. She does an amazing job keeping so many characters distinct in out head. If you want to try this, the audiobook is a great option, though it will take you a while to realise where the story is going.
All in all, I felt like I would hate this book until about the one-third mark, it was so amorphous until then. But once the story threads started coming together, I began to enjoy it better.
Definitely recommended, but to only a specific set of readers. This is a very intelligent novel that might be a tad too esoteric for typical dystopian fiction fans. But if you are fond of satire or dark humour, this ought to be on your reading list. It is a go-with-the-flow kind of story, so don’t overthink; just enjoy the ride.
This is promoted as a “satirical dystopian cli-fi thriller”, but it is more like a ‘literary thriller’, so you will be on a slowburn journey to the thrills. Not for those who want believable plots or likeable characters or clean content or fast-paced writing or happy stories.
3.75 stars.
My thanks to NetGalley, Gallic Books for the DRC, and Bolinda Audio for the ALC of “She's a Killer”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || X/Twitter || Facebook ||
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She's a Killer.
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Reading Progress
September 6, 2023
– Shelved
September 6, 2023
– Shelved as:
arcs-not-started
February 16, 2024
–
Started Reading
February 20, 2024
– Shelved as:
3-75-stars
February 20, 2024
– Shelved as:
audiobook
February 20, 2024
– Shelved as:
netgalley
February 20, 2024
–
Finished Reading
Comments Showing 1-50 of 79 (79 new)
message 1:
by
Tina
(new)
Feb 20, 2024 11:15AM
Glad you ended up enjoying it. Great review Rosh! 🍍
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Sounds like the right amount of wacky. And I quite like how the dystopian society enhances but not overshadows the story.
I’ve just started a book set in New Zealand myself, so that’s quite the coincidence. Good review, Rosh.
I’ve just started a book set in New Zealand myself, so that’s quite the coincidence. Good review, Rosh.
Killer review, Rosh!
For some reason, I love the unlikable characters since they aren't textbook perfect. They frustrate us with their choices but that makes them feel real. Selfish, self absorbed and egotists bring a nice tadka to the story with their actions. We may not agree but it sure is fun to read.
For some reason, I love the unlikable characters since they aren't textbook perfect. They frustrate us with their choices but that makes them feel real. Selfish, self absorbed and egotists bring a nice tadka to the story with their actions. We may not agree but it sure is fun to read.
Great review. I don’t normally read dystopian but I’m intrigued by one set in NZ and the rep of Māori 🥰
A very helpful review, Rosh. I would have thought this was a thriller from the title. Glad you could enjoy this wacky read. 🍍
I'm not going to read your review because I've got this one coming up - but your four stars greatly excites me. Can't wait to come back and read your review!
I'm very tempted Rosh, as I like all those things, satire, dystopian, cli-fi, New Zealand, dark humour and I even don't mind narration from unlikeable characters. Captivating review!
Immediately added it to my tbr. The premise feels like everything I'd like. I've said this before but thank you so much for bringing these cool books under my radar! I never see them anywhere else. Gorgeous review, once again!
Ah, this full version explains more. Welthugees are a real problem in some places (it seems). I remember an article about the demographic changes and the increase in the cost of living due to this phenomenon.
Terrific review, Rosh. This goes to my later TBR. Someday, I'll read it.
Terrific review, Rosh. This goes to my later TBR. Someday, I'll read it.
This one sounds like a mixed bag to me. Glad you managed to more or less enjoy it! :) And it's a plus that the audiobook was good.
Great review, Rosh!
Great review, Rosh!
message 17:
by
Bec (becbingesbooks) - sorry, behind with lots of catching up to do
(new)
Excellent review— gotta admit that dystopian sci-fi pretty much checks all my least favorite boxes!! I may not read it, but I enjoyed your review just the same!!
I've been know to like dystopian novels. That fact that it is a slow burn and set in NZ make it sound interesting. Enjoyed the review. When I see a Rosh fiver that is similar, I'll add it. 😀
Wonderful review, Rosh💕and you know I love dystopian fiction but I don’t believe this would be a good match for me for several reasons. I’m glad you enjoyed it more than you didn’t.
Not a huge fan of wacky thrillers or dark humor usually, but the pineapple cover has me so intrigued! Great review, Rosh. Glad you didn't end up hating it like you thought you would!
I am curious how a slow burn is managing to be a thriller! Excellent review, Rosh. I always jump to the yay's section of your review as I am always looking for positives about a book.
This sounds rather fun, actually. I had never heard the term cli-fi before. Thanks for enlightening me, Rosh.
I'd probably pick this one up based on the title, but I'm not sure it's for me. Fab review, as always, Rosh!
And now I have that Queen song stuck in my head! Glad this turned out to be an ok read for you, Rosh! Good to know it has a slow start. Fab review!
I have come to look forward to your revires, Rosh! This one was wonderful as usual. I don’t know if this is the right book for me but I appreciated all your insights and thoughts about it.
I'm not drawn to dystopian stories, but the 'wealthugee' concept is bizarrely fascinating. Great review, Rosh! 💗
Tina wrote: "Glad you ended up enjoying it. Great review Rosh! 🍍"
Thanks much, Tina! I was pleasantly surprised I liked it so much! 💙
Thanks much, Tina! I was pleasantly surprised I liked it so much! 💙
Thibault wrote: "Sounds like the right amount of wacky. And I quite like how the dystopian society enhances but not overshadows the story.
I’ve just started a book set in New Zealand myself, so that’s quite the co..."
That's a nice coincidence! I hope your NZ book works even better, Thibault. Thanks. :)
I’ve just started a book set in New Zealand myself, so that’s quite the co..."
That's a nice coincidence! I hope your NZ book works even better, Thibault. Thanks. :)
Blair (KK's version) wrote: "Killer review, Rosh!
For some reason, I love the unlikable characters since they aren't textbook perfect. They frustrate us with their choices but that makes them feel real. Selfish, self absorbed..."
Thanks much, Blair! I see what you did there! :D
I am with you on that! Unlikeable characters make books challenging but fun. It's so boring to see only good characters. Loved the use of the word 'tadka', my dear fellow Indian! :D
For some reason, I love the unlikable characters since they aren't textbook perfect. They frustrate us with their choices but that makes them feel real. Selfish, self absorbed..."
Thanks much, Blair! I see what you did there! :D
I am with you on that! Unlikeable characters make books challenging but fun. It's so boring to see only good characters. Loved the use of the word 'tadka', my dear fellow Indian! :D
Alexandra wrote: "Hmmm, a slow burn thriller with dark humour and dystopia? Fun! Great review, Rosh :)"
Absolutely, Alexandra! It has the right mix of ingredients. :D
Absolutely, Alexandra! It has the right mix of ingredients. :D
Margaret M - Back properly in Feb - wrote: "I like the idea of a ‘literary thriller’ but not the dystopian kind😁 Wonderful review Rosh 💖"
Haha, I get that! Thanks, Margaret! 💙
Haha, I get that! Thanks, Margaret! 💙
Christy wrote: "Great review. I don’t normally read dystopian but I’m intrigued by one set in NZ and the rep of Māori 🥰"
Thanks, Christy! Ditto for me. Plain dystopian isn't my cup of tea, but the satirical part and the NZ setting were appealing. :)
Thanks, Christy! Ditto for me. Plain dystopian isn't my cup of tea, but the satirical part and the NZ setting were appealing. :)
Darla wrote: "A very helpful review, Rosh. I would have thought this was a thriller from the title. Glad you could enjoy this wacky read. 🍍"
Thanks much, Darla! Oh yes, the title does indicate a thriller, and it is one, I suppose, but not the popular kind that most thriller readers want.
Thanks much, Darla! Oh yes, the title does indicate a thriller, and it is one, I suppose, but not the popular kind that most thriller readers want.
A wrote: "I'm not going to read your review because I've got this one coming up - but your four stars greatly excites me. Can't wait to come back and read your review!"
I am very curious to see what you think of it! Hope you enjoy it, A!
I am very curious to see what you think of it! Hope you enjoy it, A!
Sportyrod wrote: "Haha wealthugees, I’ve never heard of that. Sounds like there are lots of good parts of the story."
That's a lovely coined word, right? I loved the idea! :D
That's a lovely coined word, right? I loved the idea! :D
Federico wrote: "Not a fan of satire or dark humor really, I think I'll pass for now. Wacky review Rosh!"
No worries! This will work only for a select set of readers. Thanks, Federico! :)
No worries! This will work only for a select set of readers. Thanks, Federico! :)
Esta wrote: "I'm very tempted Rosh, as I like all those things, satire, dystopian, cli-fi, New Zealand, dark humour and I even don't mind narration from unlikeable characters. Captivating review!"
Thanks, Esta! In that case, this ought to be on your read list for sure! 💙
Thanks, Esta! In that case, this ought to be on your read list for sure! 💙
Mrinalini wrote: "Immediately added it to my tbr. The premise feels like everything I'd like. I've said this before but thank you so much for bringing these cool books under my radar! I never see them anywhere else...."
Thanks, dear M! I hope you enjoy it even more than I did. :) 💙
Thanks, dear M! I hope you enjoy it even more than I did. :) 💙
Srivalli wrote: "Ah, this full version explains more. Welthugees are a real problem in some places (it seems). I remember an article about the demographic changes and the increase in the cost of living due to this ..."
Yeah, the full version becomes too long for FB. :D
I hadn't heard of this concept, but it does make sense. In a way, it's like when brainy qualified people from India emigrate to more developed countries and grab the jobs there. Has to be tougher on the locals!
I hope you enjoy it if and when you get to it. Thanks, Sri. :)
Yeah, the full version becomes too long for FB. :D
I hadn't heard of this concept, but it does make sense. In a way, it's like when brainy qualified people from India emigrate to more developed countries and grab the jobs there. Has to be tougher on the locals!
I hope you enjoy it if and when you get to it. Thanks, Sri. :)