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The Take
Ambition always has a price.
Maggie Wang, a broke young Asian American writer, needs a lifeline. Ingrid Parker, a veteran white Hollywood producer with her career on the edge, offers an impossible $3 million for ten experimental medical sessions promising to turn back time, using Maggie as a transfusion partner.
For Ingrid, it's a chance to reboot her fading career. For Maggie, it's freedom - money to support her parents and finally finish her novel.
What starts as a professional transaction exchanging blood, quickly becomes a complex psychological dance. Maggie gains unprecedented access to Ingrid's hard-earned wisdom, while Ingrid sees in Maggie a potential protégé - and a weapon against an industry that's been trying to sideline her.
As their relationship intensifies, they're forced to confront the harsh realities of race, age, and success. Who has the power to tell stories? And what are they willing to sacrifice to succeed?
Maggie Wang, a broke young Asian American writer, needs a lifeline. Ingrid Parker, a veteran white Hollywood producer with her career on the edge, offers an impossible $3 million for ten experimental medical sessions promising to turn back time, using Maggie as a transfusion partner.
For Ingrid, it's a chance to reboot her fading career. For Maggie, it's freedom - money to support her parents and finally finish her novel.
What starts as a professional transaction exchanging blood, quickly becomes a complex psychological dance. Maggie gains unprecedented access to Ingrid's hard-earned wisdom, while Ingrid sees in Maggie a potential protégé - and a weapon against an industry that's been trying to sideline her.
As their relationship intensifies, they're forced to confront the harsh realities of race, age, and success. Who has the power to tell stories? And what are they willing to sacrifice to succeed?
368 pages, Hardcover
First published April 14, 2026
About the author
Kelly Yang
32 books2,541 followersKelly Yang is the New York Times bestselling, award-winning author of the FRONT DESK series, winner of the 2019 Asian Pacific American Award for Children's Literature. Her books include FRONT DESK, THREE KEYS, ROOM TO DREAM, PARACHUTES, NEW FROM HERE, and other middle grade and young adult novels. She was born in China and grew up in Los Angeles. She went to college at the age of 13 and graduated from UC Berkeley at the age of 17 and Harvard Law School at the age of 20. After law school, she founded The Kelly Yang Project, a writing and debating program for children in Asia. Prior to becoming a novelist, she wrote for many years for the South China Morning Post, The New York Times, Washington Post, and the Atlantic. She lives in Los Angeles with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
January 15, 2026
What a book! I haven't been so engrossed in fiction in a long time!
Pre-Read Notes:
I really like Kelly Yang. I've only read one of her middle grade books (something I will now remedy) but as a human being, an activist, and a leader in the reading community, she's just awesome sauce. I'm through the first third of this one, Yang's adult debut, and I'm so entertained.
"Cassie guzzled the chocolate balsamic vinegar and asked how it was possible that chocolate could be so sour. Ingrid laughed and told her that anything sweet could turn sour, too. Once again, she thinks of Maggie’s script and how disastrous it will be for her if it turns out mediocre." p251
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) I am really impressed with Kelly Yang's first adult novel. It doesn't read like a thriller to me, but there is a great deal of suspense and mystery, so I can see why that choice was made. These two women, Ingrid and Maggie, are unforgettable characters-- morally complex, driven by their (competing) ideals, and bold in their actions and statements. I never knew what was coming because the relationship between these two is so rife with conflict.
In fact, together, they represent something bigger than either could do independently. Together, they represent power and clearly illustrate how power is preserved.
This is a political book, even if it strives not to be. I agree with Yang's worldview, so for me this was an engaging, enlightening read. If I'm honest, I think she handled the political stuff brilliantly. She represented her political ideas *through* her elements--characters, setting, themes--and not in front of them. If you're concerned about this aspect, just check my content notes. I try to be objective with those.
I recommend The Take for fans of feminist women's fiction, characters who blur the lines, and stories with a moral.
My 3 Favorite Things:
✔️ Well to begin with, this epigraph on p9: "There are only two ways to get ahead in this world— you either make something or take something."
✔️ I think Yang handles the tough subjects well. Delicately. She makes us think about things without swatting us for whatever beliefs she might think are unacceptable. This approach succeeds where being didactic fails.
✔️ A lot of deep irony in this book, some funny, some dark. I love a writer who can write irony *without* pointing it out to the reader.
✔️"For the first time ever, Maggie feels lightness. She feels relief.... The joy of finally getting to be a full human! Flawed. Messy." p292 Yes, and *this* has been my favorite theme. Perfection doesn't exist and perfectionism is an impossible life. Perfectionism can drive people to terrible ends.
Notes:
1. content notes: blood, medical procedures, experimental medicine, infidelity, institutional bigotry, misogyny, racism, political book (skews left), feminism
Thank you to Kelly Yang, Berkeley, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of THE TAKE. All views are mine.
Pre-Read Notes:
I really like Kelly Yang. I've only read one of her middle grade books (something I will now remedy) but as a human being, an activist, and a leader in the reading community, she's just awesome sauce. I'm through the first third of this one, Yang's adult debut, and I'm so entertained.
"Cassie guzzled the chocolate balsamic vinegar and asked how it was possible that chocolate could be so sour. Ingrid laughed and told her that anything sweet could turn sour, too. Once again, she thinks of Maggie’s script and how disastrous it will be for her if it turns out mediocre." p251
Final Review
(thoughts & recs) I am really impressed with Kelly Yang's first adult novel. It doesn't read like a thriller to me, but there is a great deal of suspense and mystery, so I can see why that choice was made. These two women, Ingrid and Maggie, are unforgettable characters-- morally complex, driven by their (competing) ideals, and bold in their actions and statements. I never knew what was coming because the relationship between these two is so rife with conflict.
In fact, together, they represent something bigger than either could do independently. Together, they represent power and clearly illustrate how power is preserved.
This is a political book, even if it strives not to be. I agree with Yang's worldview, so for me this was an engaging, enlightening read. If I'm honest, I think she handled the political stuff brilliantly. She represented her political ideas *through* her elements--characters, setting, themes--and not in front of them. If you're concerned about this aspect, just check my content notes. I try to be objective with those.
I recommend The Take for fans of feminist women's fiction, characters who blur the lines, and stories with a moral.
My 3 Favorite Things:
✔️ Well to begin with, this epigraph on p9: "There are only two ways to get ahead in this world— you either make something or take something."
✔️ I think Yang handles the tough subjects well. Delicately. She makes us think about things without swatting us for whatever beliefs she might think are unacceptable. This approach succeeds where being didactic fails.
✔️ A lot of deep irony in this book, some funny, some dark. I love a writer who can write irony *without* pointing it out to the reader.
✔️"For the first time ever, Maggie feels lightness. She feels relief.... The joy of finally getting to be a full human! Flawed. Messy." p292 Yes, and *this* has been my favorite theme. Perfection doesn't exist and perfectionism is an impossible life. Perfectionism can drive people to terrible ends.
Notes:
1. content notes: blood, medical procedures, experimental medicine, infidelity, institutional bigotry, misogyny, racism, political book (skews left), feminism
Thank you to Kelly Yang, Berkeley, and NetGalley for an accessible digital arc of THE TAKE. All views are mine.
March 14, 2026
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have read an ARC of this novel. Although I was super excited about the approval and about the novel’s premise, I am afraid that…well…it just didn’t “take” for me, unfortunately.
I had high expectations for a sort of Freaky Friday/It’s a Wonderful Life type of journey, but I thought the novel just got kind of silly, with a goofy ending, and plot points that really didn’t add up. For instance, the “science” (and ethics) behind the swapping procedure was scant and frankly ridiculous, especially given that both women jump on board with it immediately, and upon scrutiny it seems difficult to understand how either person thought the procedure was going to help address their primary concerns (except for financially, in Maggie’s case). (As another reviewer said, they would have continued to be known by their respective chronological ages, despite any changes to external appearance or internal health status.)
Something about the writing seemed awkward and clunky or belabored to me, and I truly did not care for or about either of the main characters. Although both blamed their ages for the challenges they faced in their careers and their romantic lives — frankly, it seemed to me that their struggles were at least also in part due to a number of other factors, including being totally brand-new and just out of the gate, yet entitled, in working at their art form (Maggie - poor baby, nobody likes your very first draft of your very first novella, so it’s the end of the world); potentially being out of touch with current trends in film, or overly rigidly stuck on the merits of their own idea, to put it politely (Ingrid - aka, Hollywood may be sexist and ageist, but that doesn’t mean you’re not also a jerk); and choosing to work in incredibly competitive, often shallow, difficult, flawed fields with difficult, flawed people, as well as dating or being married to the same.
I was hoping this novel would have something challenging or innovative to say about ways to confront gender and age-based stereotypes, but it was all just more of the same tired thing. (In fact, it really bothered/confused me that the characters and their relationship also seemed to reinforce stereotypes.) I’m sad to say that I just really did not enjoy this one at all, despite the scintillating concept, and I was confused as to who or what I was supposed to be rooting for, connected to, or invested in. It didn’t seem to succeed for me on the level of satire, thriller, or speculative fiction. Maybe it should have focused more on any one of these specific directions? I did like Willa!
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC of this book, due out April 14, 2026.
I had high expectations for a sort of Freaky Friday/It’s a Wonderful Life type of journey, but I thought the novel just got kind of silly, with a goofy ending, and plot points that really didn’t add up. For instance, the “science” (and ethics) behind the swapping procedure was scant and frankly ridiculous, especially given that both women jump on board with it immediately, and upon scrutiny it seems difficult to understand how either person thought the procedure was going to help address their primary concerns (except for financially, in Maggie’s case). (As another reviewer said, they would have continued to be known by their respective chronological ages, despite any changes to external appearance or internal health status.)
Something about the writing seemed awkward and clunky or belabored to me, and I truly did not care for or about either of the main characters. Although both blamed their ages for the challenges they faced in their careers and their romantic lives — frankly, it seemed to me that their struggles were at least also in part due to a number of other factors, including being totally brand-new and just out of the gate, yet entitled, in working at their art form (Maggie - poor baby, nobody likes your very first draft of your very first novella, so it’s the end of the world); potentially being out of touch with current trends in film, or overly rigidly stuck on the merits of their own idea, to put it politely (Ingrid - aka, Hollywood may be sexist and ageist, but that doesn’t mean you’re not also a jerk); and choosing to work in incredibly competitive, often shallow, difficult, flawed fields with difficult, flawed people, as well as dating or being married to the same.
I was hoping this novel would have something challenging or innovative to say about ways to confront gender and age-based stereotypes, but it was all just more of the same tired thing. (In fact, it really bothered/confused me that the characters and their relationship also seemed to reinforce stereotypes.) I’m sad to say that I just really did not enjoy this one at all, despite the scintillating concept, and I was confused as to who or what I was supposed to be rooting for, connected to, or invested in. It didn’t seem to succeed for me on the level of satire, thriller, or speculative fiction. Maybe it should have focused more on any one of these specific directions? I did like Willa!
My sincere thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC of this book, due out April 14, 2026.
November 29, 2025
Branching out, prolific middle grade author Kelly Yang debuts her first adult novel that, like her titles for young readers, has roots in her own experiences as a AAPI child of immigrant parents.
23 year old Maggie struggles with the seemingly opposing goals of pleasing her Chinese immigrant parents and becoming a writer. Currently, her efforts to expand an autobiographical novella into a full length novel are stalled and her writing program is not helping. Neither are her parents frequently voiced suggestions to try something more financially lucrative or the fact that many of her friends from college have already found agents and have books in various stages towards publication. Her hopes are shattered by a successful writer who flat out dismisses her work in progress and tells her she is too young to have lived enough for her writing to have any depth. On the other end of the spectrum, Ingrid is a 53 year old successful movie producer with money to spare and awards that should validate her career choices but is tormented by feelings of worthlessness, fears that she is aging out of her position of authority and with her advancing age, losing her husband to younger women with smoother skin and tighter tushes. An experimental blood exchange treatment and their shared passion for writing and the arts brings the two together but what seems like a perfect partnership for both, goes horribly wrong.
Yang’s book establishes an exciting story of mentorship gone bad but also incorporates threads of discrimination against females in movie production and all the job fields within that large industry plus the ever-present under-representation of BIPOC, AAPI and other groups in literature and the arts. Adding to those continuing struggles in our society, she throws in the difficulty of both the young 20somethings and those over 50 to stay or be viewed as relevant. Adult readers will thrill as they read but may be lead to do some thinking as they eagerly turn the pages as well.
Personal note: Ingrid sees herself as old and sagging at the age of 53 and struggles with sex being painful and libido fading and while I am not saying that is not representative of some in that decade of life, it is not the experience of all at that age. In fact, many of us in our 60s are still hiking, traveling and enjoying all of life’s pleasures and are looking forward to what exciting things will happen in the next decade.
Yang’s text contains some profanity but it is not heavy-handed, nor are there any F-bombs. Violence is virtually non-existent and while there is infidelity, a cheating boyfriend, and several sexual encounters, the handful of “spicy” passages do not go on and on at any great length. Main characters are Caucasian and Chinese with supporting characters coming from a cross-section of people of color. Maggie’s roommate works in the video sex trade to finance her pursuit of a career in acting. Target age-post high school adults.
23 year old Maggie struggles with the seemingly opposing goals of pleasing her Chinese immigrant parents and becoming a writer. Currently, her efforts to expand an autobiographical novella into a full length novel are stalled and her writing program is not helping. Neither are her parents frequently voiced suggestions to try something more financially lucrative or the fact that many of her friends from college have already found agents and have books in various stages towards publication. Her hopes are shattered by a successful writer who flat out dismisses her work in progress and tells her she is too young to have lived enough for her writing to have any depth. On the other end of the spectrum, Ingrid is a 53 year old successful movie producer with money to spare and awards that should validate her career choices but is tormented by feelings of worthlessness, fears that she is aging out of her position of authority and with her advancing age, losing her husband to younger women with smoother skin and tighter tushes. An experimental blood exchange treatment and their shared passion for writing and the arts brings the two together but what seems like a perfect partnership for both, goes horribly wrong.
Yang’s book establishes an exciting story of mentorship gone bad but also incorporates threads of discrimination against females in movie production and all the job fields within that large industry plus the ever-present under-representation of BIPOC, AAPI and other groups in literature and the arts. Adding to those continuing struggles in our society, she throws in the difficulty of both the young 20somethings and those over 50 to stay or be viewed as relevant. Adult readers will thrill as they read but may be lead to do some thinking as they eagerly turn the pages as well.
Personal note: Ingrid sees herself as old and sagging at the age of 53 and struggles with sex being painful and libido fading and while I am not saying that is not representative of some in that decade of life, it is not the experience of all at that age. In fact, many of us in our 60s are still hiking, traveling and enjoying all of life’s pleasures and are looking forward to what exciting things will happen in the next decade.
Yang’s text contains some profanity but it is not heavy-handed, nor are there any F-bombs. Violence is virtually non-existent and while there is infidelity, a cheating boyfriend, and several sexual encounters, the handful of “spicy” passages do not go on and on at any great length. Main characters are Caucasian and Chinese with supporting characters coming from a cross-section of people of color. Maggie’s roommate works in the video sex trade to finance her pursuit of a career in acting. Target age-post high school adults.
July 27, 2025
What would you choose: youth or wealth?
👧🏻
At twenty-three Maggie Wang is desperate for her big writing break, but when her writer boyfriend cheats on her with someone Maggie considered an inspiration and mentor, she feels like the opportunities he’s getting will never going to happen for her. Ingrid Parker is an aging, white Hollywood producer trying to rebound from a potentially career-ending movie. She’s trying to keep her marriage in tact after her husband cheated on her and then she finds out she has precancerous cells. When her doctor shares a cutting-edge experimental procedure that takes the blood of a younger person and transfuses it into Ingrid, it will reverse the aging process. For $3 million Maggie knows this might change the trajectory of her entire career so she signs up only to realize she might have agreed to something she can’t ever take back: years of life.
👵🏻
What a phenomenal adult debut by Yang! This woman can write everything from picture books to adult titles. I’m really enjoying authors with MG and YA backgrounds venturing into the adult area. I adored the concept—so original, while also touching on important topics such as race, feminism, classism and sex work. If you’re looking for a book club book grab this one on April 14!
CW: classism, poverty, cheating, adultery, medical content, racism, microaggressions, toxic friendship, toxic relationship
👧🏻
At twenty-three Maggie Wang is desperate for her big writing break, but when her writer boyfriend cheats on her with someone Maggie considered an inspiration and mentor, she feels like the opportunities he’s getting will never going to happen for her. Ingrid Parker is an aging, white Hollywood producer trying to rebound from a potentially career-ending movie. She’s trying to keep her marriage in tact after her husband cheated on her and then she finds out she has precancerous cells. When her doctor shares a cutting-edge experimental procedure that takes the blood of a younger person and transfuses it into Ingrid, it will reverse the aging process. For $3 million Maggie knows this might change the trajectory of her entire career so she signs up only to realize she might have agreed to something she can’t ever take back: years of life.
👵🏻
What a phenomenal adult debut by Yang! This woman can write everything from picture books to adult titles. I’m really enjoying authors with MG and YA backgrounds venturing into the adult area. I adored the concept—so original, while also touching on important topics such as race, feminism, classism and sex work. If you’re looking for a book club book grab this one on April 14!
CW: classism, poverty, cheating, adultery, medical content, racism, microaggressions, toxic friendship, toxic relationship
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It's not a bad book and I liked the premise and much of the discourse but I found it clumsy and imperfect. We follow Ingrid, a 50-ish author and movie producer, who finds her age is getting in the way of her projects, and Maggie, a 23 year old writing student who finds she isn't getting the recognition she craves because she is deemed too young. The premise is the blood transfusion that they go through so that Ingrid gets younger and Maggie older, Maggie being paid 3 million dollars and receiving professional advice from Ingrid.
Both character is very unlikeable - but I liked the themes of white feminism, racism, privilege and wealth, aging... I didn't love the writing. It was witty and funny but also at times trying too hard, full of exclamation marks! Absolutely everywhere! To reflect the characters enthusiasm! "To circle back" is used in a non-ironic way. The resolution of the book was a bit expected.
It was fun... But could have been executed better.
Free ARC sent by Netgalley.
Both character is very unlikeable - but I liked the themes of white feminism, racism, privilege and wealth, aging... I didn't love the writing. It was witty and funny but also at times trying too hard, full of exclamation marks! Absolutely everywhere! To reflect the characters enthusiasm! "To circle back" is used in a non-ironic way. The resolution of the book was a bit expected.
It was fun... But could have been executed better.
Free ARC sent by Netgalley.
April 4, 2026
Also: Side Note: this isn’t a jaw-dropping, twisty-turny kind of read. The one major twist I clocked immediately - no idea how, but I just knew. But that doesn’t matter, because this book isn’t about outsmarting us readers; it’s about the journey we take. It’s about being a woman and navigating every wall the world puts in front of us and exploring that - while also still hitting all those thriller markers.
It’s been a few days since I read this book, and I’m still thinking about it. Every book I’ve picked up since has just sucked - that’s how I know this book is GOLD.
#ad much love for my advance copy @berkleypub #berkleypartner #berkley
& @prhaudio #partner for the ALC
🆃🅷🅴 🆃🅰🅺🅴
< @kellyyanghk >
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇꜱ: ᴀᴘʀɪʟ 𝟣𝟦, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟨
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒…
𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑎ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑—𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑒𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔.
CALLING ALL BOOK CLUBS!! HERE IS YOUR NEXT READ! I promise it’ll be a great discussion and read.
Blood transfusions for anti-aging…it’s a whole new level of wtffffff.
The Take by Kelly Yang is based on two women: Maggie, dismissed for being too young, and Ingrid, dismissed for being too old. Two women on opposite ends of the spectrum each have something to offer the other - 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗐𝗂𝗌𝖽𝗈𝗆 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗆𝗒 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗍𝗁.
They’re both at a turning point in their lives, both wanting what the other has. These characters - and their lives - will pull every emotion out of you. Yang’s writing is sharp and engaging and begs for a larger conversation.
When an experimental treatment for aging opens up, both Ingrid and Maggie, think this could be the solution to both of their problems. 10 transfusions over 10 weeks. They’re about to really get to know each other.
One of my favorite themes in this book is the narrow window of time women are given to matter. We’re either too young or too old, and we never get the same grace boys do. It’s BS - and it’s one of the central tensions Yang builds the whole story around.
I also loved that the story is based in the writing world - books, TV/film, etc. This aspect of the story made it such a fun read.
What stood out to me the most was Ingrid. She knows women are worth more at every age - she feels this to her core - and yet, she treats Maggie (and everyone else) the exact same way she’s always despised being treated. Consciously or not, she repeats the very patterns she hates. I don’t think she even realizes she’s doing it; it’s something she’s internalized so deeply it’s become part of how she sees the world.
She reminded me so much of Tyra Banks - someone who genuinely wants to change the industry, but ends up perpetuating the same ridiculous standards onto other women anyway.
🎧 Also followed along with the audio and loved everything about it. Emily Woo Zeller is always phenomenal, but she’s especially good here. Highly recommend.
This book was perfect - literally perfect. From the character building to the message it sends. It keeps you engaged throughout.
𝕄𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖:
Playing shuffleboard 😂😂
Hemorrhoid-level intimacy
"I just love golf courses that violate the Fourteenth Amendment.” 😂😂👏🏼
95% of books sell less than 1,000 copies (generally true)
50% of books sell fewer than 12 (not so true - some say the data was misunderstood)
Random House Simon & Schuster DOJ trial
Toilet paper snowball - we all been there 😭😩
𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
Writing off young authors (pun intended) is just ridiculous to me. I suffered through more in my younger years than my older ones. Also, old souls.. it’s a thing. My 16-year-old spits more wisdom and truth than most 60 year olds I know. Yet, I’ve heard this from so many authors. They’re told to go live their life, get some experiences, then write that book. Are men also told this?
It’s been a few days since I read this book, and I’m still thinking about it. Every book I’ve picked up since has just sucked - that’s how I know this book is GOLD.
#ad much love for my advance copy @berkleypub #berkleypartner #berkley
& @prhaudio #partner for the ALC
🆃🅷🅴 🆃🅰🅺🅴
< @kellyyanghk >
ʀᴇʟᴇᴀꜱᴇꜱ: ᴀᴘʀɪʟ 𝟣𝟦, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟨
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑖𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑚𝑦 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒…
𝑅𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟, 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑜𝑛𝑙𝑦 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑒𝑡 𝑎ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑙𝑑—𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑒𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑜𝑟 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑠𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔.
CALLING ALL BOOK CLUBS!! HERE IS YOUR NEXT READ! I promise it’ll be a great discussion and read.
Blood transfusions for anti-aging…it’s a whole new level of wtffffff.
The Take by Kelly Yang is based on two women: Maggie, dismissed for being too young, and Ingrid, dismissed for being too old. Two women on opposite ends of the spectrum each have something to offer the other - 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗐𝗂𝗌𝖽𝗈𝗆 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗆𝗒 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗍𝗁.
They’re both at a turning point in their lives, both wanting what the other has. These characters - and their lives - will pull every emotion out of you. Yang’s writing is sharp and engaging and begs for a larger conversation.
When an experimental treatment for aging opens up, both Ingrid and Maggie, think this could be the solution to both of their problems. 10 transfusions over 10 weeks. They’re about to really get to know each other.
One of my favorite themes in this book is the narrow window of time women are given to matter. We’re either too young or too old, and we never get the same grace boys do. It’s BS - and it’s one of the central tensions Yang builds the whole story around.
I also loved that the story is based in the writing world - books, TV/film, etc. This aspect of the story made it such a fun read.
What stood out to me the most was Ingrid. She knows women are worth more at every age - she feels this to her core - and yet, she treats Maggie (and everyone else) the exact same way she’s always despised being treated. Consciously or not, she repeats the very patterns she hates. I don’t think she even realizes she’s doing it; it’s something she’s internalized so deeply it’s become part of how she sees the world.
She reminded me so much of Tyra Banks - someone who genuinely wants to change the industry, but ends up perpetuating the same ridiculous standards onto other women anyway.
🎧 Also followed along with the audio and loved everything about it. Emily Woo Zeller is always phenomenal, but she’s especially good here. Highly recommend.
This book was perfect - literally perfect. From the character building to the message it sends. It keeps you engaged throughout.
𝕄𝕖𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕓𝕝𝕖:
Playing shuffleboard 😂😂
Hemorrhoid-level intimacy
"I just love golf courses that violate the Fourteenth Amendment.” 😂😂👏🏼
95% of books sell less than 1,000 copies (generally true)
50% of books sell fewer than 12 (not so true - some say the data was misunderstood)
Random House Simon & Schuster DOJ trial
Toilet paper snowball - we all been there 😭😩
𝔽𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
Writing off young authors (pun intended) is just ridiculous to me. I suffered through more in my younger years than my older ones. Also, old souls.. it’s a thing. My 16-year-old spits more wisdom and truth than most 60 year olds I know. Yet, I’ve heard this from so many authors. They’re told to go live their life, get some experiences, then write that book. Are men also told this?
April 15, 2026
Sharp, charged, and compelling!
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 is a simmering, layered novel that follows Maggie, a young woman with dreams of becoming a famous writer, whose life is suddenly upended when she becomes entangled with the vain, middle-aged, highly successful Hollywood producer Ingrid Parker, who initially appears generous and supportive, but soon reveals a darker edge marked by ruthless ambition and an obsessive fixation on youth.
The writing is confident and direct. The characters are competitive, driven, and vulnerable. And the plot weaves an intriguing mix of life, love, family, betrayal, desire, dreams, manipulation, lies, secrets, deception, and fame.
Overall, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 is a cunning, entertaining, sinister debut adult novel by Yang that is a highly satisfying read and an eerie reminder of just how far some people are willing to go to get what they want.
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 is a simmering, layered novel that follows Maggie, a young woman with dreams of becoming a famous writer, whose life is suddenly upended when she becomes entangled with the vain, middle-aged, highly successful Hollywood producer Ingrid Parker, who initially appears generous and supportive, but soon reveals a darker edge marked by ruthless ambition and an obsessive fixation on youth.
The writing is confident and direct. The characters are competitive, driven, and vulnerable. And the plot weaves an intriguing mix of life, love, family, betrayal, desire, dreams, manipulation, lies, secrets, deception, and fame.
Overall, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄 is a cunning, entertaining, sinister debut adult novel by Yang that is a highly satisfying read and an eerie reminder of just how far some people are willing to go to get what they want.
April 10, 2026
This adult debut novel from best-selling middle grade author Kelly Yang was such a fun ride! It’s told from two alternating perspectives. Maggie is a 22 year old aspiring writer struggling to support herself. Ingrid meanwhile is a Hollywood producer in her 50s who has been very successful but whose career seems to have peaked. Then Ingrid’s doctor tells her about a brand new cutting edge procedure that involves simultaneous blood transfusions between a younger person and an older person - the older one may thus get younger and the younger one get older. When Maggie answers Ingrid’s ad looking for an assistant, Ingrid ends up offering her to undergo this experimental procedure in exchange for a large sum of money.
I went into this one totally blind and did not know what to expect, and I was immediately hooked and could not put it down! The premise is crazy and pretty original, but it’s not body horror nor is it one of those totally unhinged books. Rather, it’s a smart and thought-provoking book about so many things - sexism, class, aging, families, relationships, trust and loyalty, writing, Hollywood, the way women both lift each other up and push each other down, and so much more. A little satirical and a lot entertaining! This would definitely make a great book club book as there is a lot to dig into!
I first heard about this book when I saw Kelly was going to be interviewed at the Totally Booked With Zibby live podcast taping I was going to attend, and I’m so glad it put the book on my radar! And the interview was great too and gave some great insights into her inspiration so I recommend looking for it once it posts!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-ARC (out 4/14); all opinions are my own.
I went into this one totally blind and did not know what to expect, and I was immediately hooked and could not put it down! The premise is crazy and pretty original, but it’s not body horror nor is it one of those totally unhinged books. Rather, it’s a smart and thought-provoking book about so many things - sexism, class, aging, families, relationships, trust and loyalty, writing, Hollywood, the way women both lift each other up and push each other down, and so much more. A little satirical and a lot entertaining! This would definitely make a great book club book as there is a lot to dig into!
I first heard about this book when I saw Kelly was going to be interviewed at the Totally Booked With Zibby live podcast taping I was going to attend, and I’m so glad it put the book on my radar! And the interview was great too and gave some great insights into her inspiration so I recommend looking for it once it posts!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-ARC (out 4/14); all opinions are my own.
August 14, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC of The Take by Kelly Yang!
This was an addictive story-I literally didn't stop reading it once I had started. The overall theme was very similar to R.F Kuang's Yellowface and posed the ultimate question of "what would you do to make your goals come true?"
While I enjoyed the areas of the story that surrounded Ingrid and Maggie in relation to the screenwriting and book writing world, I had a bit of a hard time with the blood transfusion scenes. While I understand the sci-fi vibe to it, it just didn't make a lot of sense to me and I feel like this part was a bit underdeveloped.
Similar to how I felt reading Yellowface, I really enjoyed reading about the behind the scenes that goes into book writing, something that I as a reader do not think much about.
This was an addictive story-I literally didn't stop reading it once I had started. The overall theme was very similar to R.F Kuang's Yellowface and posed the ultimate question of "what would you do to make your goals come true?"
While I enjoyed the areas of the story that surrounded Ingrid and Maggie in relation to the screenwriting and book writing world, I had a bit of a hard time with the blood transfusion scenes. While I understand the sci-fi vibe to it, it just didn't make a lot of sense to me and I feel like this part was a bit underdeveloped.
Similar to how I felt reading Yellowface, I really enjoyed reading about the behind the scenes that goes into book writing, something that I as a reader do not think much about.
April 14, 2026
"The Take" is a solid piece of women's fiction. The blurb describes the novel well, so I won't duplicate that effort. Suffice it to say that the novel focuses on two female protagonists fighting women’s battles. Its themes include sexism, ageism, and misogyny (especially in Hollywood); feminism; friendship between women; and decentralizing romantic relationships with men. It’s a good choice for readers interested in those issues. I have a feeling it may be a very successful novel.
However, I didn’t enjoy “The Take” as much as I might have. It seemed to me that author Kelly Yang, at times, favored making the points she wanted to make over good storytelling. This resulted in characters and plot points I sometimes found not believable.
My thanks to NetGalley, author Kelly Yang, and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.
However, I didn’t enjoy “The Take” as much as I might have. It seemed to me that author Kelly Yang, at times, favored making the points she wanted to make over good storytelling. This resulted in characters and plot points I sometimes found not believable.
My thanks to NetGalley, author Kelly Yang, and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.
Want to Read
February 22, 2026i met kelly yang yesterday so obviously i have to read this!
July 24, 2025
Being completely honest, as a Gen-Z Asian woman with a similar background to the author, I hated this book.
I read most of Kelly Yang's Front Desk series when I was younger, and I was very enticed by this speculative, provocative concept. However, the execution just wasn't there and I didn't appreciate the overt political messaging - it pulled me out of the story.
Essentially, this novel revolves around two women: Maggie, a Chinese-American aspiring author struggling to get her work out there, and Ingrid, a seasoned, ambitious, white Hollywood producer worried about fading out of relevancy. Ingrid and Maggie enter into a rather unconventional deal. Ingrid will pay Maggie $3 million in exchange for 10 experimental blood transfusions
I think Yang is a talented, creative writer; this book just didn't do it for me. Before I get into my critiques, here's what I enjoyed about the book: the ending scene is a pleasure to read, the concept is very creative, the addition of the Faustian-bargain-like element to the plot provokes thought, and the cover design is bold and striking. The quote "How much can one take from another?" also stuck out to me.
Alright, unfortunately, I must now deliver my honest critiques. First, Maggie, supposedly a brilliant luminary, possesses incredible stupidity. For instance, she's totally ignorant to the basic workings of the publishing industry despite her personal acquaintances with many up-and-coming authors and her partially finished MFA degree. I understand that part of this may be intentional - it illustrates how one's naivete can be exploited - but it's just downright irritating to read. Second, there's overt political messaging everywhere you turn. I hate to comment on things of political nature, and I love reading books that fundamentally oppose my political views, but it's difficult to enjoy a novel where I'm being overtly fed positions on everything from race/gender relations to sex work to climate change (okay - the last one is a bit of a stretch). For these two reasons, I thought I was going to DNF the book as it was so painful to read; I was only able to continue when I started interpreting the story as a satire piece parodying politicians I dislike. Also, certain elements of the story seemed extremely hypocritical and morally relativistic. Those are my major critiques, but as a STEM nerd, I have to mention that the whole experimental blood transfusion procedure that forms the premise of the novel seems wholly scientifically implausible; I would have preferred a nebulous treatment involving some form of induced pluripotent stem cells instead. I will additionally note that I was able to easily predict the events of the plot far in advance, so any plot twists/surprises had reduced effect.
I'm sorry this review took such a critical turn. Kelly Yang is a wonderful writer with great potential in the adult fiction space. Her writing style is candid and relatable while still carrying powerful themes. I look forward to reading her future works - this one just didn't hit the mark.
Note that the version I read was an uncorrected proof, so nothing is final.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! :)
I read most of Kelly Yang's Front Desk series when I was younger, and I was very enticed by this speculative, provocative concept. However, the execution just wasn't there and I didn't appreciate the overt political messaging - it pulled me out of the story.
Essentially, this novel revolves around two women: Maggie, a Chinese-American aspiring author struggling to get her work out there, and Ingrid, a seasoned, ambitious, white Hollywood producer worried about fading out of relevancy. Ingrid and Maggie enter into a rather unconventional deal. Ingrid will pay Maggie $3 million in exchange for 10 experimental blood transfusions
I think Yang is a talented, creative writer; this book just didn't do it for me. Before I get into my critiques, here's what I enjoyed about the book: the ending scene is a pleasure to read, the concept is very creative, the addition of the Faustian-bargain-like element to the plot provokes thought, and the cover design is bold and striking. The quote "How much can one take from another?" also stuck out to me.
Alright, unfortunately, I must now deliver my honest critiques. First, Maggie, supposedly a brilliant luminary, possesses incredible stupidity. For instance, she's totally ignorant to the basic workings of the publishing industry despite her personal acquaintances with many up-and-coming authors and her partially finished MFA degree. I understand that part of this may be intentional - it illustrates how one's naivete can be exploited - but it's just downright irritating to read. Second, there's overt political messaging everywhere you turn. I hate to comment on things of political nature, and I love reading books that fundamentally oppose my political views, but it's difficult to enjoy a novel where I'm being overtly fed positions on everything from race/gender relations to sex work to climate change (okay - the last one is a bit of a stretch). For these two reasons, I thought I was going to DNF the book as it was so painful to read; I was only able to continue when I started interpreting the story as a satire piece parodying politicians I dislike. Also, certain elements of the story seemed extremely hypocritical and morally relativistic. Those are my major critiques, but as a STEM nerd, I have to mention that the whole experimental blood transfusion procedure that forms the premise of the novel seems wholly scientifically implausible; I would have preferred a nebulous treatment involving some form of induced pluripotent stem cells instead. I will additionally note that I was able to easily predict the events of the plot far in advance, so any plot twists/surprises had reduced effect.
I'm sorry this review took such a critical turn. Kelly Yang is a wonderful writer with great potential in the adult fiction space. Her writing style is candid and relatable while still carrying powerful themes. I look forward to reading her future works - this one just didn't hit the mark.
Note that the version I read was an uncorrected proof, so nothing is final.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! :)
September 15, 2025
This is the first book I have read by Kelly Yang and supposed to be her first adult book, but it still read like a YA book. I say this because there was a lot of over explaining on many different subjects throughout the book.
The two main characters were both annoying but at the same time I liked their interactions with each other. Ingrid was definitely written to be the monster and Maggie was the naive girl who didn't understand the adult world. Which was weird considering her upbringing and one would assume with how she grew up you would think she had more street smarts. Ingrid's character is more believable because you hear the horror stories of how people in Hollywood tend to exploit people who are as naive as Maggie. Ingrid's husband and daughter (Kyle and Cassie) were characters that made sense in the book, but I don't understand why the son was even mentioned as he didn't add anything to the story. Then there is Bryce who just randomly shows up a couple times in the book after the beginning and he has no depth and just talks about his book with no real dialogue. I did like Willa’s character as Maggie’s BFF.
There was also the whole medical experiment, which seemed like a huge plot of the book and it just kind of ended with no closure on what happens to Maggie especially with the ethical issue that Kyle brought up many times at the start of the book.
I really wanted to like this book because from my understanding her YA books are great but this one just didn’t do it for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advanced copy.
The two main characters were both annoying but at the same time I liked their interactions with each other. Ingrid was definitely written to be the monster and Maggie was the naive girl who didn't understand the adult world. Which was weird considering her upbringing and one would assume with how she grew up you would think she had more street smarts. Ingrid's character is more believable because you hear the horror stories of how people in Hollywood tend to exploit people who are as naive as Maggie. Ingrid's husband and daughter (Kyle and Cassie) were characters that made sense in the book, but I don't understand why the son was even mentioned as he didn't add anything to the story. Then there is Bryce who just randomly shows up a couple times in the book after the beginning and he has no depth and just talks about his book with no real dialogue. I did like Willa’s character as Maggie’s BFF.
There was also the whole medical experiment, which seemed like a huge plot of the book and it just kind of ended with no closure on what happens to Maggie especially with the ethical issue that Kyle brought up many times at the start of the book.
I really wanted to like this book because from my understanding her YA books are great but this one just didn’t do it for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the advanced copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2025
I absolutely adore Kelly Yang's middle grade fiction and went into her first adult book with high hopes. Some of those hopes were realized; others were not. The premise (exchanging youth/health for ambition/success/financial security) was intriguing, although the scientific plausibility seemed far-fetched (not to mention against any medical ethics codes!). The main characters, Maggie and Ingrid, alternated between annoying and sympathetic, which was likely intentional. I just never completely connected to them. I very much appreciated the issues tackled in this book but at times felt like it was biting off more than it could chew (such as classism, racism, spousal trauma, sex work, etc.). Is the book thought-provoking and readable? Absolutely. Did I love it as much as Yang's middle grade fiction? Unfortunately not.
Thanks to NetGalley for an e-arc of this book.
Thanks to NetGalley for an e-arc of this book.
August 20, 2025
While I enjoyed the writing style and the flow of this novel, I didn’t really like the story much.
I started off being annoyed by how pushy and bold Maggie was, and by the end I found it uncomfortable to read Ingrid being shady at every turn. I didn’t find either main character likable, and that always makes a book difficult for me.
**ARC review. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read it early.
I started off being annoyed by how pushy and bold Maggie was, and by the end I found it uncomfortable to read Ingrid being shady at every turn. I didn’t find either main character likable, and that always makes a book difficult for me.
**ARC review. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read it early.
2026
September 30, 2025ANHPI TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley
April 5, 2026
I had to stay Switzerland on this one. Both women were right. Both were wrong.
What started as a medical transaction evolved into a complex mentor-mentee relationship between Maggie and Ingrid. I heard Maggie's frustration - being told she needs more experience, harsh feedback crushing her dreams as an aspiring writer. At the same time, I heard Ingrid's struggles with aging, her vanity and insecurity coming to the forefront as she tried to stay relevant in an industry that's sidelining her for younger voices.
When these two collide, I was hooked.
Yang makes us question whose experience counts - the young writer told she lacks experience, or the older producer being pushed aside? Maggie's Asian immigrant story - the cruelty she endured, her need to support her parents - added cultural depth that resonated. Even Ingrid's entitled daughter, desperate to escape her mother's shadow, felt necessary to the story.
Yang has a way of fleshing out her characters. They came through as relatable people. This is exactly why I wanted to see it through to the end.
The ending landed. I loved the message about taking control of your own narrative.
Reading experience: I paired the print book with the audiobook, and it was more fun hearing the voices. Emily Woo Zeller's interpretation heightened Maggie's excitable nature and anxiousness, and Ingrid's confidence and insecurities. Her performance made both women jump off the page. It's 10 hours and 35 minutes following this complex relationship between two women juxtaposed with each other - young, inexperienced, struggling against older, experienced, powerful.
You'll love this if: You want complex relationships between women, mentor-mentee dynamics that go wrong, stories about power and who gets to tell stories, and morally gray characters you can't help but root for.
Thanks to Berkley and Penguin Random House Audio for the advance copies.
What started as a medical transaction evolved into a complex mentor-mentee relationship between Maggie and Ingrid. I heard Maggie's frustration - being told she needs more experience, harsh feedback crushing her dreams as an aspiring writer. At the same time, I heard Ingrid's struggles with aging, her vanity and insecurity coming to the forefront as she tried to stay relevant in an industry that's sidelining her for younger voices.
When these two collide, I was hooked.
Yang makes us question whose experience counts - the young writer told she lacks experience, or the older producer being pushed aside? Maggie's Asian immigrant story - the cruelty she endured, her need to support her parents - added cultural depth that resonated. Even Ingrid's entitled daughter, desperate to escape her mother's shadow, felt necessary to the story.
Yang has a way of fleshing out her characters. They came through as relatable people. This is exactly why I wanted to see it through to the end.
The ending landed. I loved the message about taking control of your own narrative.
Reading experience: I paired the print book with the audiobook, and it was more fun hearing the voices. Emily Woo Zeller's interpretation heightened Maggie's excitable nature and anxiousness, and Ingrid's confidence and insecurities. Her performance made both women jump off the page. It's 10 hours and 35 minutes following this complex relationship between two women juxtaposed with each other - young, inexperienced, struggling against older, experienced, powerful.
You'll love this if: You want complex relationships between women, mentor-mentee dynamics that go wrong, stories about power and who gets to tell stories, and morally gray characters you can't help but root for.
Thanks to Berkley and Penguin Random House Audio for the advance copies.
April 14, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own.
Thank you
📖 Book Review 📖 It’s impossible to imagine that in 2026, our biological makeup continues to carry such a force in how we are treated in life and there’s no way around the fact that being a female in this culture is not easy. Women are held to a different standard than men; simultaneously withheld from positions of influence and power while still being held to a higher standard than me. And as we maneuver all this, factor in age and then it’s a whole new layer of complexity. It’s exhausting and frustrating but Kelly Yang tackles this all with a fresh take in her first adult novel.
There’s probably not many places where the pressure to stay young and relevant is higher than in Hollywood, the perfect setting amidst this captivating story. The Take uniquely blends genres as two women from different generations, cultures, and walks of life come together for a scientific and sociological experiment that raises goosebumps…and so many ethical questions. How far are you willing to go to accomplish your dreams and hold onto them? Kelly Yang unapologetically pushes boundaries and creates layered characters, reminding us that stories have power…and with great power comes great responsibility. It’s a cautionary tale about choosing to chase your dreams wisely.
And a huge thank you to Kelly Yang for being the first author to EVER have a character with a name in print) spelled the same way as mine (Meagan), she may go by a nickname but that was fun to see 💕
Thank you
📖 Book Review 📖 It’s impossible to imagine that in 2026, our biological makeup continues to carry such a force in how we are treated in life and there’s no way around the fact that being a female in this culture is not easy. Women are held to a different standard than men; simultaneously withheld from positions of influence and power while still being held to a higher standard than me. And as we maneuver all this, factor in age and then it’s a whole new layer of complexity. It’s exhausting and frustrating but Kelly Yang tackles this all with a fresh take in her first adult novel.
There’s probably not many places where the pressure to stay young and relevant is higher than in Hollywood, the perfect setting amidst this captivating story. The Take uniquely blends genres as two women from different generations, cultures, and walks of life come together for a scientific and sociological experiment that raises goosebumps…and so many ethical questions. How far are you willing to go to accomplish your dreams and hold onto them? Kelly Yang unapologetically pushes boundaries and creates layered characters, reminding us that stories have power…and with great power comes great responsibility. It’s a cautionary tale about choosing to chase your dreams wisely.
And a huge thank you to Kelly Yang for being the first author to EVER have a character with a name in print) spelled the same way as mine (Meagan), she may go by a nickname but that was fun to see 💕
April 19, 2026
I couldn’t put it down and finished it in just a few days. It’s one of those rare books that’s genuinely a page-turner from start to finish. Even once the central threads start coming together, it never loses momentum or intrigue, which is something a lot of books struggle with. This one keeps you hooked all the way through the final pages.
What really stood out to me, though, was how deeply relatable the themes were. The exploration of aging, womanhood, and feminism felt incredibly relevant and personal. It didn’t just feel like an interesting premise. It felt real in a way that sticks with you.
The overall story and structure were very well done. The plot moves smoothly and confidently, and everything fits together in a way that makes the reading experience feel effortless.
My only small nitpick is with the sentence-level writing style. At times, the prose felt a bit staccato, with short, start-and-stop sentences that didn’t always flow as seamlessly as the plot itself. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment, but it was noticeable.
Overall, this was a compelling, fast-paced, and highly engaging read that I would absolutely recommend.
What really stood out to me, though, was how deeply relatable the themes were. The exploration of aging, womanhood, and feminism felt incredibly relevant and personal. It didn’t just feel like an interesting premise. It felt real in a way that sticks with you.
The overall story and structure were very well done. The plot moves smoothly and confidently, and everything fits together in a way that makes the reading experience feel effortless.
My only small nitpick is with the sentence-level writing style. At times, the prose felt a bit staccato, with short, start-and-stop sentences that didn’t always flow as seamlessly as the plot itself. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment, but it was noticeable.
Overall, this was a compelling, fast-paced, and highly engaging read that I would absolutely recommend.
March 10, 2026
Front Desk is such an important and well-written Middle Grade novel that I jumped at the chance to read Yang’s debut in the adult novel word! Especially after reading the blurb. Two morally complex, driven characters grapple with their age, class, and sexism in the business. Past the concepts which are so intriguing, this fell a little flat for me. The dialogue was forced and clunky, the characters were over the top, and I found myself rolling my eyes more than I’d care for. Some of this tone is most likely intentional, I’ve seen this billed in some places as «satirical» and even a «psychological thriller.» It did not read as either of those genres to me? Maybe if I had gone in expecting that I would have experienced it differently? Not sure.
Great concepts from a fantastic author. I did not love the execution.
Great concepts from a fantastic author. I did not love the execution.
April 12, 2026
4.5 stars
April 18, 2026
Loved this!!!! Read it so fast. Kelly Yang is on 🔥
October 2, 2025
Holy moly, what a great adult debut! We love her middle grade books so I was so excited to hear about this and to get the ARC from Berkley!
The premise:
Maggie is a broke young Asian American writer, that is down in the dumps trying to break through. Ingrid, a famous white Hollywood producer with her career teetering, offers an irresistible deal: $3 million and exclusive mentorship/access for ten experimental medical transfusions to reverse her aging. For Maggie, this is a huge opportunity for access and financial freedom—money to support her hard working immigrant parents and to finally make her writing dreams come true.
What starts as a professional transaction exchanging blood quickly becomes a complicated web of power plays, deception, and uncovering secrets. They both have to ask, what are they willing to sacrifice to succeed?
As a mom in her 40s and child of immigrant parents, there were so many hard hitting themes for me. Regardless of race, this was such a relevant discussion about women aging, the discrimination that lies there, opportunities provided based on your race or privilege, and the extent to which people will go to get ahead.
I really liked the discussion around youth and exploring how much we would be willing to do for "success" and to squash what we are insecure about. However, it's also a great lesson that just because you get younger on the outside or get more money, does NOT get rid of those insecurities or take away your problems. If anything, it may actually add more!! As they say, mo money mo problems in some cases, especially when we don't know how to handle it or are willing to sacrifice our health or our values to get it. Also as a mom, imagining her as a daughter, I was going GIRL WHAT ARE YOU DOING??? That would never be worth your youth/health but there are so many things desperation will make you do!
-------SPOILER ALERT!!!! Don't read on if you haven't read it! -------
Here are some things I didn't love.
1. I didn't feel like I got closure on the whole Estelle/boyfriend thing, but I guess it was just that she left it and was done with it forever. Case closed. It just felt like a big part of the beginning, and then it was gone.
2. I also didn't love is how much Ingrid's insecurity about every young woman her husband was nice to came up. I was wanting to not see her as just a villain but it just kept getting worse with what she did and what she thought, that I just couldn't empathize with her. My heart did break for her with the part where her husband said I didn't want her to hate you... EEEEEK
3. I wish there were more side characters that I came to really really adore. Willa/her parents were there but then disappeared, then came back. It just wasn't super deep or people that I came to root for. Maybe Cassie was starting to, but even then I wasn't invested in anybody except maybe Maggie, Ingrid, and Kyle.
I enjoyed it and can't wait to have conversations with people about this book! Thanks Berkley!
The premise:
Maggie is a broke young Asian American writer, that is down in the dumps trying to break through. Ingrid, a famous white Hollywood producer with her career teetering, offers an irresistible deal: $3 million and exclusive mentorship/access for ten experimental medical transfusions to reverse her aging. For Maggie, this is a huge opportunity for access and financial freedom—money to support her hard working immigrant parents and to finally make her writing dreams come true.
What starts as a professional transaction exchanging blood quickly becomes a complicated web of power plays, deception, and uncovering secrets. They both have to ask, what are they willing to sacrifice to succeed?
As a mom in her 40s and child of immigrant parents, there were so many hard hitting themes for me. Regardless of race, this was such a relevant discussion about women aging, the discrimination that lies there, opportunities provided based on your race or privilege, and the extent to which people will go to get ahead.
I really liked the discussion around youth and exploring how much we would be willing to do for "success" and to squash what we are insecure about. However, it's also a great lesson that just because you get younger on the outside or get more money, does NOT get rid of those insecurities or take away your problems. If anything, it may actually add more!! As they say, mo money mo problems in some cases, especially when we don't know how to handle it or are willing to sacrifice our health or our values to get it. Also as a mom, imagining her as a daughter, I was going GIRL WHAT ARE YOU DOING??? That would never be worth your youth/health but there are so many things desperation will make you do!
-------SPOILER ALERT!!!! Don't read on if you haven't read it! -------
Here are some things I didn't love.
1. I didn't feel like I got closure on the whole Estelle/boyfriend thing, but I guess it was just that she left it and was done with it forever. Case closed. It just felt like a big part of the beginning, and then it was gone.
2. I also didn't love is how much Ingrid's insecurity about every young woman her husband was nice to came up. I was wanting to not see her as just a villain but it just kept getting worse with what she did and what she thought, that I just couldn't empathize with her. My heart did break for her with the part where her husband said I didn't want her to hate you... EEEEEK
3. I wish there were more side characters that I came to really really adore. Willa/her parents were there but then disappeared, then came back. It just wasn't super deep or people that I came to root for. Maybe Cassie was starting to, but even then I wasn't invested in anybody except maybe Maggie, Ingrid, and Kyle.
I enjoyed it and can't wait to have conversations with people about this book! Thanks Berkley!
January 13, 2026
In “The Take”, 23 year old, struggled author, Maggie is hired by famous produced, Ingrid, to take part in a revolutionary new blood transfusion process to age Ingrid down by 10 years. Both women agree to this process for many reasons: appearance, status, exposure, relationship issues, money, etc. The partnership quickly becomes tense when Maggie tries to work with Ingrid on a new movie, and realizes just how controlling and manipulative she can be. At the same time, Maggie starts rapidly aging while Ingrid is looking younger than ever.
Unfortunately this debut adult novel fell flat for me. Yang has previously written many successful middle fiction books, but that level of writing does seep into this novel. Although there are many adult scenes written, the writing feels very basic and the pacing reminded me a lot of a young adult book. Details are often skipped over and rushed to get to the next conflict. Everything felt a bit unrealistic and I really struggled to like any of the characters. They were all deeply flawed, but without any depth to them, so they just ended up reading as really annoying. Most of all, it was just impossibly to believe that Maggie could be successful despite Ingrid’s sabotage, because she seems to know nothing about the film industry or professionalism.
I appreciated the commentary on age, being a woman in Hollywood, and race. I just didn’t quite connect with the arguments made around age and womanhood, because I don’t think the transfusion actually changes what both women seem to think it will. Their appearances may change, but the heart of ageism is their actual age. Everyone in the industry knows them to be 23 and 53, and if they don’t that could easily be found out. Ingrid may look young, and that could help her in many ways, but she’s a famous producer who’s known to be in her 50s, so I doubt her reputation as an older woman will change much. I just found the arguments hard to believe.
Unfortunately this debut adult novel fell flat for me. Yang has previously written many successful middle fiction books, but that level of writing does seep into this novel. Although there are many adult scenes written, the writing feels very basic and the pacing reminded me a lot of a young adult book. Details are often skipped over and rushed to get to the next conflict. Everything felt a bit unrealistic and I really struggled to like any of the characters. They were all deeply flawed, but without any depth to them, so they just ended up reading as really annoying. Most of all, it was just impossibly to believe that Maggie could be successful despite Ingrid’s sabotage, because she seems to know nothing about the film industry or professionalism.
I appreciated the commentary on age, being a woman in Hollywood, and race. I just didn’t quite connect with the arguments made around age and womanhood, because I don’t think the transfusion actually changes what both women seem to think it will. Their appearances may change, but the heart of ageism is their actual age. Everyone in the industry knows them to be 23 and 53, and if they don’t that could easily be found out. Ingrid may look young, and that could help her in many ways, but she’s a famous producer who’s known to be in her 50s, so I doubt her reputation as an older woman will change much. I just found the arguments hard to believe.
April 20, 2026
The Take by Kelly Yang hit me like a slow-motion train wreck you can’t look away from, equal parts ambition, desperation, and the kind of chaos that makes you question what you’d sacrifice to finally “make it.” Berkley, thank you so much for the gifted copy—I went in intrigued by the premise and came out completely consumed by the emotional fallout.
This isn’t really about science, even though there’s an eerie, almost too-plausible anti-aging procedure at the center of it. It’s about ambition in its rawest form. The kind that keeps you up at night, whispering that you’re behind, that you’re running out of time, that everyone else is getting ahead while you’re still waiting to be chosen. Reading this felt less like following a plot and more like sitting front row to a psychological unraveling between two women who both believe they deserve more—and aren’t willing to walk away empty-handed.
Maggie is impossible not to feel for at first. She’s broke, overlooked, and quietly desperate in a way that feels uncomfortably familiar. Her hunger to be seen, to be validated, to finally have something to show for all her effort—it aches in a very real way. And then there’s Ingrid, who, on the surface, has already “made it,” but is clinging tightly to relevance in an industry that has no patience for aging women. Watching her navigate fear, pride, and control made me equal parts furious and fascinated. She’s the kind of character you want to hate, but can’t fully dismiss because you understand exactly what she’s afraid of losing.
Their relationship is where this story really sharpens its teeth. What starts as transactional slowly twists into something far more complicated—part mentorship, part manipulation, part quiet power struggle. There’s a constant push and pull between them that made me feel tense in the best way, like something could snap at any moment. And honestly, sometimes it does.
“There are only two ways to get ahead in this world—you either make something or take something.” That line lingers like a warning. The entire book circles around that idea, poking at it from every angle, asking whether success is ever truly clean—or if there’s always a cost, even if we don’t want to admit it.
What really stayed with me wasn’t just the plot, but the questions underneath it. Who gets to tell stories? Who gets listened to? And how much of success is talent versus timing, privilege, or pure willingness to take what you need? The book doesn’t hand you easy answers, which I appreciated. It lets the discomfort sit.
The reading experience itself was completely addictive. I flew through it, not because it’s fast in a flashy, twisty way, but because I couldn’t look away from the emotional tension building between Maggie and Ingrid. Even when things edged into the slightly unbelievable, I didn’t care—I was too invested in where it was all going. This is one of those reads where you keep thinking about it after, replaying moments and wondering what you would have done differently.
For me, this is a solid 5-⭐️ read. Not because it’s perfect, but because it got under my skin, made me feel something sharp and complicated, and refused to let go even after I finished.
If you love morally gray characters, messy relationships between women, and stories that dig into ambition, race, aging, and power in creative industries, this one is absolutely for you. It’s especially perfect for readers who enjoy books that spark conversation—the kind you immediately want to text someone about because you need to unpack it.
So I have to ask—if you were given a real shot at everything you’ve ever wanted, but it meant giving up a piece of yourself you could never get back… would you take it, or would you walk away?
#TheTake #KellyYang #BookReview #Bookstagram #CurrentlyReading #BookishThoughts #LiteraryFiction #WomenInFiction #MorallyGrayCharacters
This isn’t really about science, even though there’s an eerie, almost too-plausible anti-aging procedure at the center of it. It’s about ambition in its rawest form. The kind that keeps you up at night, whispering that you’re behind, that you’re running out of time, that everyone else is getting ahead while you’re still waiting to be chosen. Reading this felt less like following a plot and more like sitting front row to a psychological unraveling between two women who both believe they deserve more—and aren’t willing to walk away empty-handed.
Maggie is impossible not to feel for at first. She’s broke, overlooked, and quietly desperate in a way that feels uncomfortably familiar. Her hunger to be seen, to be validated, to finally have something to show for all her effort—it aches in a very real way. And then there’s Ingrid, who, on the surface, has already “made it,” but is clinging tightly to relevance in an industry that has no patience for aging women. Watching her navigate fear, pride, and control made me equal parts furious and fascinated. She’s the kind of character you want to hate, but can’t fully dismiss because you understand exactly what she’s afraid of losing.
Their relationship is where this story really sharpens its teeth. What starts as transactional slowly twists into something far more complicated—part mentorship, part manipulation, part quiet power struggle. There’s a constant push and pull between them that made me feel tense in the best way, like something could snap at any moment. And honestly, sometimes it does.
“There are only two ways to get ahead in this world—you either make something or take something.” That line lingers like a warning. The entire book circles around that idea, poking at it from every angle, asking whether success is ever truly clean—or if there’s always a cost, even if we don’t want to admit it.
What really stayed with me wasn’t just the plot, but the questions underneath it. Who gets to tell stories? Who gets listened to? And how much of success is talent versus timing, privilege, or pure willingness to take what you need? The book doesn’t hand you easy answers, which I appreciated. It lets the discomfort sit.
The reading experience itself was completely addictive. I flew through it, not because it’s fast in a flashy, twisty way, but because I couldn’t look away from the emotional tension building between Maggie and Ingrid. Even when things edged into the slightly unbelievable, I didn’t care—I was too invested in where it was all going. This is one of those reads where you keep thinking about it after, replaying moments and wondering what you would have done differently.
For me, this is a solid 5-⭐️ read. Not because it’s perfect, but because it got under my skin, made me feel something sharp and complicated, and refused to let go even after I finished.
If you love morally gray characters, messy relationships between women, and stories that dig into ambition, race, aging, and power in creative industries, this one is absolutely for you. It’s especially perfect for readers who enjoy books that spark conversation—the kind you immediately want to text someone about because you need to unpack it.
So I have to ask—if you were given a real shot at everything you’ve ever wanted, but it meant giving up a piece of yourself you could never get back… would you take it, or would you walk away?
#TheTake #KellyYang #BookReview #Bookstagram #CurrentlyReading #BookishThoughts #LiteraryFiction #WomenInFiction #MorallyGrayCharacters
April 12, 2026
Happy Early #pubdate to The Take by @kellyyanghk! This fantastic book hits shelves tomorrow and TAKE it from me, you'll definitely want to grab a copy!
The Take alternates POVs between two FMCs, Maggie Wang, a broke young Asian American writer, and Ingrid Parker, a veteran white Hollywood producer. Ingrid finds out she has pre-cancer cells, a devastating blow when she knows how difficult her mother's battle was. Her doctor offers her an experimental medical transfusion that could help her physically become 10 years younger, as long as she can find someone willing to have the opposite happen to them. Ingrid finds a willing partner in Maggie, especially when she offers her $3 million for the 10 sessions it will take, on top of the promise to share her wealth of knowledge about the literary and screenwriting business. It is an offer Maggie can't possibly refuse.
This was such an interesting book and I really loved following the arcs of these two women. They both face lots of ups and downs in the course of the story, and their hopes and dreams change as the story progresses. While they are sometimes helping each other, they also are looking for opportunities to get ahead, even at the disadvantage of the other; taking what they need no matter the cost. Both characters can be incredibly frustrating at times, making you want to yell at the pages like a sports fan yells at the TV, but they are also loveable in their own ways.
I'd be pretty hard pressed to label this book in one particular genre. It is kind of a thriller/suspense, but not really. I wouldn't really call it Sci-Fi either thought it does have a few small elements and I'll admit I was a little unsure about them going into this one, but in the end it was not an issue at all. The idea of reversing the aging process is something you hear about all the time, whether it be anti-aging cream commercials, tv shows that include someone getting botox, or those social media posts showing celebrities who just don't seem to age, it is not a new idea, The Take just has it's own new approach. So if you're like me and not really a sci-fi fan, don't worry one bit! In the end, I'd probably just call this one a "fiction novel".
This story is full of social commentary on gender equity and BIPOC representation in the writing and entertainment industry, including things like: microaggressions, agism, discrimination, white privilege, first generation American/immigrant experiences, poverty and limited access to health care, taking advantage of others to get ahead, and even subtle commentary on things like extramarital affairs, nepotism, social media messaging and excess wealth. The Take encourages readers take a second to think critically about things that seem like status quo by showing contextual examples of these systemic issues without the harsh or explicit warnings of "don't do this". As a result, The Take is everything I want to read in a book and more, which I why I was surprised by the number of reviews that say it is "political". The issues I mentioned which are included through social commentary do exist in day-to-day life and many of the stories and ideas probably reflect true lived experiences for the author. If we want to make space for BIPOC authors, we need to actually listen to what they have to say, no matter what genre they are writing in. To me, using the word "political" to describe this one is not entirely accurate and saying that things like discrimination shouldn't be in a thriller (or any genre) is a bit of a cop out. Reading should make you think, no matter the genre. I tell my students that they are growing their brain with every book they read and that should go for adults too. Maybe I have a bit of a hot TAKE on this subject though - haha.
In summary - I loved The Take and would highly recommend it (unless you don't like thinking). For an author who has obviously faced her own challenges in this industry and has written a number of incredible Middle Grade novels, I think this adult novel debut is a huge success to add to her already excellent CV. I look forward to seeing what is next for Yang! Thank you for always making me think :)
Thanks to @berkleypub for sending me this free book to read and review!
The Take alternates POVs between two FMCs, Maggie Wang, a broke young Asian American writer, and Ingrid Parker, a veteran white Hollywood producer. Ingrid finds out she has pre-cancer cells, a devastating blow when she knows how difficult her mother's battle was. Her doctor offers her an experimental medical transfusion that could help her physically become 10 years younger, as long as she can find someone willing to have the opposite happen to them. Ingrid finds a willing partner in Maggie, especially when she offers her $3 million for the 10 sessions it will take, on top of the promise to share her wealth of knowledge about the literary and screenwriting business. It is an offer Maggie can't possibly refuse.
This was such an interesting book and I really loved following the arcs of these two women. They both face lots of ups and downs in the course of the story, and their hopes and dreams change as the story progresses. While they are sometimes helping each other, they also are looking for opportunities to get ahead, even at the disadvantage of the other; taking what they need no matter the cost. Both characters can be incredibly frustrating at times, making you want to yell at the pages like a sports fan yells at the TV, but they are also loveable in their own ways.
I'd be pretty hard pressed to label this book in one particular genre. It is kind of a thriller/suspense, but not really. I wouldn't really call it Sci-Fi either thought it does have a few small elements and I'll admit I was a little unsure about them going into this one, but in the end it was not an issue at all. The idea of reversing the aging process is something you hear about all the time, whether it be anti-aging cream commercials, tv shows that include someone getting botox, or those social media posts showing celebrities who just don't seem to age, it is not a new idea, The Take just has it's own new approach. So if you're like me and not really a sci-fi fan, don't worry one bit! In the end, I'd probably just call this one a "fiction novel".
This story is full of social commentary on gender equity and BIPOC representation in the writing and entertainment industry, including things like: microaggressions, agism, discrimination, white privilege, first generation American/immigrant experiences, poverty and limited access to health care, taking advantage of others to get ahead, and even subtle commentary on things like extramarital affairs, nepotism, social media messaging and excess wealth. The Take encourages readers take a second to think critically about things that seem like status quo by showing contextual examples of these systemic issues without the harsh or explicit warnings of "don't do this". As a result, The Take is everything I want to read in a book and more, which I why I was surprised by the number of reviews that say it is "political". The issues I mentioned which are included through social commentary do exist in day-to-day life and many of the stories and ideas probably reflect true lived experiences for the author. If we want to make space for BIPOC authors, we need to actually listen to what they have to say, no matter what genre they are writing in. To me, using the word "political" to describe this one is not entirely accurate and saying that things like discrimination shouldn't be in a thriller (or any genre) is a bit of a cop out. Reading should make you think, no matter the genre. I tell my students that they are growing their brain with every book they read and that should go for adults too. Maybe I have a bit of a hot TAKE on this subject though - haha.
In summary - I loved The Take and would highly recommend it (unless you don't like thinking). For an author who has obviously faced her own challenges in this industry and has written a number of incredible Middle Grade novels, I think this adult novel debut is a huge success to add to her already excellent CV. I look forward to seeing what is next for Yang! Thank you for always making me think :)
Thanks to @berkleypub for sending me this free book to read and review!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"There are only two ways to get ahead in this world--you either make something or take something."
Kelly Yang's adult debut is a fast-paced thriller-adjacent novel that examines what two women, in very different points in their lives, will do to be relevant. Maggie Wang is a broke young Asian-American woman who dreams of becoming a writer, much to the disapproval of her parents. Struggling with rejection and watching everyone around her seemingly achieve their dreams, she's thrilled when she has an opportunity to work with and learn from the Ingrid Parker, an older veteran Hollywood producer who's dealing with her own problems. What's more, Maggie will be paid $3 million to participate in an experimental blood transfusion experience with Parker. But what starts as a (relatively) simple contractual relationship starts to grow more complicated as the women's individual journeys start overlapping and lines get blurred between personal and professional.
Let me tell you, this book was a ride. Yang kept me engaged throughout the book with what the characters dealt with and how they handled things. There were times when I was screaming at either Ingrid or Maggie (or both) for being so stupid about their decisions, times I was screaming at the way they were being treated by others (or by each other), and times when I was just eager to see what would happen next. Yang's writing was sharp and there were some parts that I found whip-smart and viciously funny. Plus, the themes of racism, ageism, and sexism and the impact they have on people were spot-on.
Do you remember what it was like to be in your early twenties? The feeling of unshakeable confidence and optimism, the knowledge that you were going to change the world, that you were going to get everything you wanted because you were that motivated and that talented? And then those feelings of desperation and panic when real life smacked you upside the head a few times? Kelly Yang captures that perfectly with Maggie. She is so young in so many ways, but you couldn't help but root for her.
My feelings toward Ingrid were the opposite. I was originally rooting for her because of what she'd gone through and how she was being treated (hooray for the intersectionality of ageism and sexism, y'all). But as the story went on, it was clear that she was shaped by her experiences and not in the good way. There were glimpses of her humanity, but it wasn't enough to redeem her for her refusal to get with the times, so to speak. Girl, I hate to break it to you, but you might not be the hero in this story. In fact, you might be the villain.
As I mentioned, I was engaged throughout the entire story, but the ending fell a little flat for me. It was surprisingly anticlimactic and unfortunately highlighted one of the weaker parts of the story--the "science" behind the transfusions--more than it should have. I still found it mostly satisfying, but it didn't hold up to the rest of the book for me.
Thank you to Berkley for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Kelly Yang's adult debut is a fast-paced thriller-adjacent novel that examines what two women, in very different points in their lives, will do to be relevant. Maggie Wang is a broke young Asian-American woman who dreams of becoming a writer, much to the disapproval of her parents. Struggling with rejection and watching everyone around her seemingly achieve their dreams, she's thrilled when she has an opportunity to work with and learn from the Ingrid Parker, an older veteran Hollywood producer who's dealing with her own problems. What's more, Maggie will be paid $3 million to participate in an experimental blood transfusion experience with Parker. But what starts as a (relatively) simple contractual relationship starts to grow more complicated as the women's individual journeys start overlapping and lines get blurred between personal and professional.
Let me tell you, this book was a ride. Yang kept me engaged throughout the book with what the characters dealt with and how they handled things. There were times when I was screaming at either Ingrid or Maggie (or both) for being so stupid about their decisions, times I was screaming at the way they were being treated by others (or by each other), and times when I was just eager to see what would happen next. Yang's writing was sharp and there were some parts that I found whip-smart and viciously funny. Plus, the themes of racism, ageism, and sexism and the impact they have on people were spot-on.
Do you remember what it was like to be in your early twenties? The feeling of unshakeable confidence and optimism, the knowledge that you were going to change the world, that you were going to get everything you wanted because you were that motivated and that talented? And then those feelings of desperation and panic when real life smacked you upside the head a few times? Kelly Yang captures that perfectly with Maggie. She is so young in so many ways, but you couldn't help but root for her.
My feelings toward Ingrid were the opposite. I was originally rooting for her because of what she'd gone through and how she was being treated (hooray for the intersectionality of ageism and sexism, y'all). But as the story went on, it was clear that she was shaped by her experiences and not in the good way. There were glimpses of her humanity, but it wasn't enough to redeem her for her refusal to get with the times, so to speak. Girl, I hate to break it to you, but you might not be the hero in this story. In fact, you might be the villain.
As I mentioned, I was engaged throughout the entire story, but the ending fell a little flat for me. It was surprisingly anticlimactic and unfortunately highlighted one of the weaker parts of the story--the "science" behind the transfusions--more than it should have. I still found it mostly satisfying, but it didn't hold up to the rest of the book for me.
Thank you to Berkley for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 26, 2025
The Take tells the story of Maggie, a broke wannabe author in LA, and Ingrid, a highly successful—but aging—movie producer. When Ingrid learns that she has precancerous markers in her blood and there’s an experimental treatment that might cure it, she jumps at the chance. The only problem? The treatment is a two-way blood transfusion that might make Ingrid younger and the other person older.
Maggie and Ingrid meet when Maggie applies to help project manage the treatment plan for Ingrid. Inspired by the feminist icon, Maggie volunteers to be Ingrid’s blood donor. And that’s when The Take takes off.
At first I got Hacks vibes. Maggie and Ingrid’s relationship begins as warm, mutually supportive and funny. Maggie aims to gather all of Ingrid’s wisdom and experience and Ingrid loves acting as Maggie’s mentor. Over the course of the ten required blood transfusions, feelings shift and animosity grows. Each woman demonstrates an ever-greater attitude of self-preservation, which is at odds with their medical partnership.
The Take offers many reflections on being a woman and a woman of color in a male-dominated, majority white industry, including what happens when women support each other and when they don’t. There’s a lot that’s fun and, especially toward the end, a good amount that gets a tad depressing in its cattiness. Overall, I liked this book, but I significantly preferred the first 2/3 over the last third. In particular, I felt The Take barreled toward an ending that couldn’t possibly come to a meaningful resolution in its last few dozen pages. It’s an easy and fast read. I recommend it, but I do think the ending will leave some readers wanting more. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Favorite quotes:
“She’ll never forget the first time she made Kyle laugh. They were at a bodega near her apartment in New York. She told him the bodega cat was the standard she was holding boyfriends to. Had a job. Didn’t give a fuck if she got another bag of chips. Listened to her for hours.“
“She’s caught plenty of other things from men—trust issues, trauma, a heart that feels physically heavy—but never an STD, thank God.”
“To answer your question, how do you trust your vision? Well, it comes with experience. And it takes years,” Ingrid says. “You go with your vision, then, if it works, you trust it more the next time. And the next time.”
That sounds about right. But she wishes there were another way. A faster way. “But how do you know to go with it the first time?” Maggie asks.
“You don’t.” Ingrid smiles. “That’s why you need to surround yourself with people who do. It’s very hard to know you have the next big thing when you’re young.”
Maggie and Ingrid meet when Maggie applies to help project manage the treatment plan for Ingrid. Inspired by the feminist icon, Maggie volunteers to be Ingrid’s blood donor. And that’s when The Take takes off.
At first I got Hacks vibes. Maggie and Ingrid’s relationship begins as warm, mutually supportive and funny. Maggie aims to gather all of Ingrid’s wisdom and experience and Ingrid loves acting as Maggie’s mentor. Over the course of the ten required blood transfusions, feelings shift and animosity grows. Each woman demonstrates an ever-greater attitude of self-preservation, which is at odds with their medical partnership.
The Take offers many reflections on being a woman and a woman of color in a male-dominated, majority white industry, including what happens when women support each other and when they don’t. There’s a lot that’s fun and, especially toward the end, a good amount that gets a tad depressing in its cattiness. Overall, I liked this book, but I significantly preferred the first 2/3 over the last third. In particular, I felt The Take barreled toward an ending that couldn’t possibly come to a meaningful resolution in its last few dozen pages. It’s an easy and fast read. I recommend it, but I do think the ending will leave some readers wanting more. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Favorite quotes:
“She’ll never forget the first time she made Kyle laugh. They were at a bodega near her apartment in New York. She told him the bodega cat was the standard she was holding boyfriends to. Had a job. Didn’t give a fuck if she got another bag of chips. Listened to her for hours.“
“She’s caught plenty of other things from men—trust issues, trauma, a heart that feels physically heavy—but never an STD, thank God.”
“To answer your question, how do you trust your vision? Well, it comes with experience. And it takes years,” Ingrid says. “You go with your vision, then, if it works, you trust it more the next time. And the next time.”
That sounds about right. But she wishes there were another way. A faster way. “But how do you know to go with it the first time?” Maggie asks.
“You don’t.” Ingrid smiles. “That’s why you need to surround yourself with people who do. It’s very hard to know you have the next big thing when you’re young.”
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Disclosure Statement: I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher. My thoughts and opinions have not been influenced by either the author or the publisher in any way.
The Take was sold to me on the premise of being a horror novel, but it's not really that--at least not in any conventional sense. It's a book that is horrifying in a social context, but while it is laden with anxieties and frustrations, it isn't settled with the same craft of dread as any conventional horror novel. Even its speculative element is rarely the focal point of the book, more an element to enable the plot.
That's not to say that the speculative element of the novel isn't an interesting layer onto the thematic premise of the book though, and in spite of incorrect marketing on the book, this is one excellent tale of exploitation and oppression, exploring both who gets to tell stories and the injustice of how capitalism in particular works to separate women from community with one another instead of uniting them. It's smart about the way it positions both of its central characters within the deteriorating, masculine-oriented space of the creative industry, showcasing how difficult it is for women to get ahead, but also the ways in which actual change is gatekept by those who hold power and weaponize it as "merit."
There's a lot of feminist critique in this book as well, especially as it pertains to second-wave structural inequalities (Ingrid being a woman fighting for a seat in the executive space and policing her presentations and those of her younger mentees to hold on to her corporate ladder) and third-wave intersectionalities (Maggie being a young woman of color hungry for progress but held back by the white women who do not share their hunger for solidarity). It constantly assesses each character's needs, allows them to make social and interpersonal mistakes, though how each character grows from those mistakes and in which direction--for good or for bad--is the subject of the book's sweeping drama.
The book touches on so many aspects of the friction of wanting and finding guardians and barriers in the way of that want, of the pain of having to try hard and fail frequently, and of what it means to a sense of self and self-worth to be denied opportunity arbitrarily at the behest of more powerful stakeholders. It's a clever examination of creative industries, and I think there's still a lot more even within the book that remains incomplete and worthy of further examination. So while it may not be horror, it's still an important, occasionally bitter, but also resolute statement on a need for empowerment and the elimination of barriers and gatekeepers to allow for communities and intimacy to grow.
The Take was sold to me on the premise of being a horror novel, but it's not really that--at least not in any conventional sense. It's a book that is horrifying in a social context, but while it is laden with anxieties and frustrations, it isn't settled with the same craft of dread as any conventional horror novel. Even its speculative element is rarely the focal point of the book, more an element to enable the plot.
That's not to say that the speculative element of the novel isn't an interesting layer onto the thematic premise of the book though, and in spite of incorrect marketing on the book, this is one excellent tale of exploitation and oppression, exploring both who gets to tell stories and the injustice of how capitalism in particular works to separate women from community with one another instead of uniting them. It's smart about the way it positions both of its central characters within the deteriorating, masculine-oriented space of the creative industry, showcasing how difficult it is for women to get ahead, but also the ways in which actual change is gatekept by those who hold power and weaponize it as "merit."
There's a lot of feminist critique in this book as well, especially as it pertains to second-wave structural inequalities (Ingrid being a woman fighting for a seat in the executive space and policing her presentations and those of her younger mentees to hold on to her corporate ladder) and third-wave intersectionalities (Maggie being a young woman of color hungry for progress but held back by the white women who do not share their hunger for solidarity). It constantly assesses each character's needs, allows them to make social and interpersonal mistakes, though how each character grows from those mistakes and in which direction--for good or for bad--is the subject of the book's sweeping drama.
The book touches on so many aspects of the friction of wanting and finding guardians and barriers in the way of that want, of the pain of having to try hard and fail frequently, and of what it means to a sense of self and self-worth to be denied opportunity arbitrarily at the behest of more powerful stakeholders. It's a clever examination of creative industries, and I think there's still a lot more even within the book that remains incomplete and worthy of further examination. So while it may not be horror, it's still an important, occasionally bitter, but also resolute statement on a need for empowerment and the elimination of barriers and gatekeepers to allow for communities and intimacy to grow.
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