What do you think?
Nemesis
Amara never fit inside the life her mother built, one dripping in wealth, secrets, and pills she’s forced to swallow “for her own good.”
Her mother, Paige, has spent years trying to silence the voice haunting Amara’s mind. But the voice hasn’t faded. It’s only getting louder. And it wants to tell a story.
A chilling message leads Amara to a photo tied to a past Paige refuses to acknowledge. Paige is in the picture. So are four strangers. Five faces. Six Greek names scrawled on the back . . . One is Sophia, the voice in Amara’s head. Another is Nemesis, goddess of revenge.
As Sophia’s story pushes Amara down the trail Paige tried to bury, the past starts to bleed through the present: a betrayal that never died and a reckoning decades in the making.
Amara digs deeper. Paige’s perfect world crumbles. Secrets claw their way to the surface, and Sophia insists she knows exactly what happened back then... And what must happen next.
But as old sins breathe new life, one terrifying question stalks Amara's every move: Is she uncovering a legacy of revenge, or is she losing herself to a darkness that exists only in her mind?
Her mother, Paige, has spent years trying to silence the voice haunting Amara’s mind. But the voice hasn’t faded. It’s only getting louder. And it wants to tell a story.
A chilling message leads Amara to a photo tied to a past Paige refuses to acknowledge. Paige is in the picture. So are four strangers. Five faces. Six Greek names scrawled on the back . . . One is Sophia, the voice in Amara’s head. Another is Nemesis, goddess of revenge.
As Sophia’s story pushes Amara down the trail Paige tried to bury, the past starts to bleed through the present: a betrayal that never died and a reckoning decades in the making.
Amara digs deeper. Paige’s perfect world crumbles. Secrets claw their way to the surface, and Sophia insists she knows exactly what happened back then... And what must happen next.
But as old sins breathe new life, one terrifying question stalks Amara's every move: Is she uncovering a legacy of revenge, or is she losing herself to a darkness that exists only in her mind?
388 pages, ebook
First published June 3, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
May 15, 2026
I am in shock!
I don't know. I just don't know.
I've always loved a good mystery and this was one that has left me speechless. The spiritual/mystical themes that were presented grabbed hold of me and did not let go. There is no world in which I could've predicted that ending.
There was a point where I really was riding with my initial idea of what was going on and BAM nope, I was wrong.
I think?
Please excuse me while I take another 3-5 business days to decide what is real and what isn't. This story takes you on a ride and I don't think it ever ends. Excellent read!
WOW. Just WOW.
I don't know. I just don't know.
I've always loved a good mystery and this was one that has left me speechless. The spiritual/mystical themes that were presented grabbed hold of me and did not let go. There is no world in which I could've predicted that ending.
There was a point where I really was riding with my initial idea of what was going on and BAM nope, I was wrong.
I think?
Please excuse me while I take another 3-5 business days to decide what is real and what isn't. This story takes you on a ride and I don't think it ever ends. Excellent read!
WOW. Just WOW.
May 17, 2026
The premise was genuinely compelling off rip. That’s why I was intrigued and was quick to fill out the request for an ARC copy which I am very grateful to the author for sending, and she clearly had a vision, and I hate that it didn’t land fully for me.
I felt like it was very slow to hook me. There was a lot going on before we even got to the thriller part and psychological part. I also felt like things were being told versus also being shown, so I found it hard to connect with any of these characters, and it kind of fell flat for me.
I was confused in some parts, and I had to go back and reread certain sections to make sure I was understanding what was going on.
But, I loved the fact that there was betrayal, secrets, generational trauma, Greek mythology, and I learned what Gnosticism is. Those moments did land for me… for the most part. I did find myself not liking Paige at all and feeling concerned for Amara.
And the ending was more of a ‘I’m not surprised that happened’ than a ‘Oh my God I can’t believe that just happened’ moment.
Overall, I thought it was okay. I don’t think I’m necessarily the right reader but I definitely think that it’s a perfect story for readers who really love slow burn psychological thrillers with family drama and twisty secrets.
I felt like it was very slow to hook me. There was a lot going on before we even got to the thriller part and psychological part. I also felt like things were being told versus also being shown, so I found it hard to connect with any of these characters, and it kind of fell flat for me.
I was confused in some parts, and I had to go back and reread certain sections to make sure I was understanding what was going on.
But, I loved the fact that there was betrayal, secrets, generational trauma, Greek mythology, and I learned what Gnosticism is. Those moments did land for me… for the most part. I did find myself not liking Paige at all and feeling concerned for Amara.
And the ending was more of a ‘I’m not surprised that happened’ than a ‘Oh my God I can’t believe that just happened’ moment.
Overall, I thought it was okay. I don’t think I’m necessarily the right reader but I definitely think that it’s a perfect story for readers who really love slow burn psychological thrillers with family drama and twisty secrets.
August 5, 2026
My rating might change after I sit with this for a bit. But this book was a mind f*ck! The 1st was dragging for me, but when I did pick up on the 2nd I was fully invested. But so conflicted! I loved the writing style of this book! But I struggled with the alternating chapters vs sofias story. This story made me feel every emotion; anger, sadness, confusion, hope and more anger 🤣 For me, that makes a good book regardless how frustrating the characters in it are. I was hooked and this book was hard to put down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you Harper Black for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for this novel. All I was asked was to write an honest review. Here goes!
Brief synopsis - past chapters from 18 years ago tell the story of Paige, Dena, Preston, Justin & Byron in college. Paints a picture of a group of close friends who are touched by tragedy, deceit, greed, and future redemption for all wrongdoings. These chapters are told by Sophia.
Current chapters are told by Amara - Paige's 18 year old daughter. She disagrees with her mothers lifestyle, her decision to keep secrets from her, and just generally doesn't like who her mother is as a person. Amara is trying to figure out who she is in the worst way possible making terrible decisions with 'friends' she has met in the city that do not have her best interest at heart. (Smoke, Rico & Jackie)
I LOVE a duel timeline novel, one of my favorite things. Then you toss in an unreliable narrator for reasons unknown in the start. I'm game. let's jump in.
As this story unfolds, it is uncomfortable, your own moral compass is making decisions for you, telling you who is good and bad based off of how you live, based off of what you are being told, but perhaps these things are not the truth of the matter, this is what you have to figure out.
As you learn who Sophia is, you have to go a bit into religion as she is centered around Gnosticism and Greek Mythology. You won't have to do any side research unless you want to, Black gives us the information we need to have enough of an understanding to follow along!
Knowing that there is some mythology here, some God's here, you will be wondering, what is real, what is true? As Amara is learning more and more from Sophia, you start to feel disjointed with her. There is a splintering that you either have to come back from or your can't. Can Amara?
As this book reaches it's climax, you hear Sophia's full truth, in turn telling the story of the 5 friends from college. Then you hear Paige's truth. You have to decide what truth is real and what one isn't. You think you have it figured out. You think you know how this story ends... I promise you that you don't.
You've heard that there are 2 sides to every story. Sophia says that this isn't true, there are infinite realities. Only you chose what is the truth.
The ending left me reeling. I normally love a book to tie everything up with a bow. When it doesn't it has to be satisfying at the same time. While this isn't a chose your own adventure type of ending, it definitely leaves you in the drivers seat, that being said you won't walk away feeling disappointed. At least I didn't.
Throughout the book you will feel uncomfortable, angry, scared, and maybe a lot pissed off, if not a whole gambit of other emotions as well.
I will be adding Harper Black to my list of authors to look out for. This book taking place in Detroit was also fun for me as I grew up on the boarder of the city and then worked in the city for years, a lot of the names were familiar and I could picture how the streets looked back in the time this story was being told. just a little bonus for me as a reader.
Brief synopsis - past chapters from 18 years ago tell the story of Paige, Dena, Preston, Justin & Byron in college. Paints a picture of a group of close friends who are touched by tragedy, deceit, greed, and future redemption for all wrongdoings. These chapters are told by Sophia.
Current chapters are told by Amara - Paige's 18 year old daughter. She disagrees with her mothers lifestyle, her decision to keep secrets from her, and just generally doesn't like who her mother is as a person. Amara is trying to figure out who she is in the worst way possible making terrible decisions with 'friends' she has met in the city that do not have her best interest at heart. (Smoke, Rico & Jackie)
I LOVE a duel timeline novel, one of my favorite things. Then you toss in an unreliable narrator for reasons unknown in the start. I'm game. let's jump in.
As this story unfolds, it is uncomfortable, your own moral compass is making decisions for you, telling you who is good and bad based off of how you live, based off of what you are being told, but perhaps these things are not the truth of the matter, this is what you have to figure out.
As you learn who Sophia is, you have to go a bit into religion as she is centered around Gnosticism and Greek Mythology. You won't have to do any side research unless you want to, Black gives us the information we need to have enough of an understanding to follow along!
Knowing that there is some mythology here, some God's here, you will be wondering, what is real, what is true? As Amara is learning more and more from Sophia, you start to feel disjointed with her. There is a splintering that you either have to come back from or your can't. Can Amara?
As this book reaches it's climax, you hear Sophia's full truth, in turn telling the story of the 5 friends from college. Then you hear Paige's truth. You have to decide what truth is real and what one isn't. You think you have it figured out. You think you know how this story ends... I promise you that you don't.
You've heard that there are 2 sides to every story. Sophia says that this isn't true, there are infinite realities. Only you chose what is the truth.
The ending left me reeling. I normally love a book to tie everything up with a bow. When it doesn't it has to be satisfying at the same time. While this isn't a chose your own adventure type of ending, it definitely leaves you in the drivers seat, that being said you won't walk away feeling disappointed. At least I didn't.
Throughout the book you will feel uncomfortable, angry, scared, and maybe a lot pissed off, if not a whole gambit of other emotions as well.
I will be adding Harper Black to my list of authors to look out for. This book taking place in Detroit was also fun for me as I grew up on the boarder of the city and then worked in the city for years, a lot of the names were familiar and I could picture how the streets looked back in the time this story was being told. just a little bonus for me as a reader.
August 7, 2026
I really just don’t know. I feel like … I don’t know how or what to feel 😭 this book TOOK ME THROUGH THERE. At this point I don’t even know what’s real or “true”.. Paige’s truth … Amara‘s truth … I have to sit with this for a while.
The first part is this book was very interesting, some of the middle had me ready to “get to the meat and potatoes of it all” but that last half … absolutely loved. I really enjoyed Harper’s writing style. I love when the author fcks with my head so much that I don’t know what’s real or not. Job well done 👏🏽 I’ll be on the lookout for her next book for sure !
The first part is this book was very interesting, some of the middle had me ready to “get to the meat and potatoes of it all” but that last half … absolutely loved. I really enjoyed Harper’s writing style. I love when the author fcks with my head so much that I don’t know what’s real or not. Job well done 👏🏽 I’ll be on the lookout for her next book for sure !
July 12, 2026
I had a fantastic time with this book. This is one of those reads where every time you think you have something figured out, the next chapter respectfully humbles you.
We follow two different POVs, and both narrators are unreliable. One is Amara, the other is her mother, Paige.
While Amara is busy trying to figure out who she is and uncover her family’s history, Paige is questioning Amara’s intentions. Who’s lying to whom?
This is a slow-burn psychological thriller filled with twists and turns, deception, betrayal, and lies. I found every character to be shiesty and unlikable, which somehow made me like them even more. The story ultimately forces you to pick a side, and it’s tougher than you might think. Not everyone will come to the same conclusion, which makes for great discussions.
I can’t say much more without spoiling it, but I’m really loving these types of psychological thrillers. This one kept me on the edge of my seat. I’ve now read three books where the reader can have different interpretations, and I’m here for it. All the characters are well written. I also loved the vivid descriptions and the mental health representation.
These indie authors are kicking butt!
4.5
We follow two different POVs, and both narrators are unreliable. One is Amara, the other is her mother, Paige.
While Amara is busy trying to figure out who she is and uncover her family’s history, Paige is questioning Amara’s intentions. Who’s lying to whom?
This is a slow-burn psychological thriller filled with twists and turns, deception, betrayal, and lies. I found every character to be shiesty and unlikable, which somehow made me like them even more. The story ultimately forces you to pick a side, and it’s tougher than you might think. Not everyone will come to the same conclusion, which makes for great discussions.
I can’t say much more without spoiling it, but I’m really loving these types of psychological thrillers. This one kept me on the edge of my seat. I’ve now read three books where the reader can have different interpretations, and I’m here for it. All the characters are well written. I also loved the vivid descriptions and the mental health representation.
These indie authors are kicking butt!
4.5
September 6, 2026
‘because when you can see through the illusion, when you can hear what others can’t, you become dangerous. you become uncontrollable.’
•nemesis- harper black•
this book started off real slow for me, there were a lot of characters i was trying to keep tabs on and remember who was who but when we actually got IN TO IT?!?!
it had my head IN A SPIN!🤯
the story was set up really well, i liked the elements of greek gods added in to the mix, the purpose of them being there fit really well in to the narrative.
as the story was flowing and i was getting into the nitty gritty, i started figuring things out, i thought i was on track y’know?
WRONG. i ended up questioning EVERY SINGLE THING I’D READ AND I’M STILL LEFT QUESTIONING????
do i know the actual truth? nope.
do i know which story to believe? nope.
because i guess it all comes down to perception.
if you’re looking for a thriller/mystery with hidden secrets imbedded all throughout then make sure this is on your tbrs!
i’d love to know your thoughts!!💭
•nemesis- harper black•
this book started off real slow for me, there were a lot of characters i was trying to keep tabs on and remember who was who but when we actually got IN TO IT?!?!
it had my head IN A SPIN!🤯
the story was set up really well, i liked the elements of greek gods added in to the mix, the purpose of them being there fit really well in to the narrative.
as the story was flowing and i was getting into the nitty gritty, i started figuring things out, i thought i was on track y’know?
WRONG. i ended up questioning EVERY SINGLE THING I’D READ AND I’M STILL LEFT QUESTIONING????
do i know the actual truth? nope.
do i know which story to believe? nope.
because i guess it all comes down to perception.
if you’re looking for a thriller/mystery with hidden secrets imbedded all throughout then make sure this is on your tbrs!
i’d love to know your thoughts!!💭
May 21, 2026
This was a wild ride. Nemesis will have you questioning what you believe. There’s so many twists and turns, you’ll be flipping pages late into the night.
May 8, 2026
⭐ Engagement
This book opened with the author basically telling me:
“Read everything and believe nothing.”
And honestly? That should have been my warning to buckle up because WHAT even was this ride?! 😂
I started this story with questions immediately and somehow ended the book with even more. From the very beginning, this story grabbed my attention and absolutely refused to let go. Every time I thought I had something figured out, another detail surfaced and completely changed the direction of my theories.
This wasn’t just reading a thriller. This felt like participating in one. I spent the entire book theorizing, questioning everyone, changing my mind, and trying to determine who was telling the truth.
💭 Emotional Impact
This book is going to live in my head rent free for a very long time because seriously… WTF just happened? 😳
The emotional impact of this story comes from the constant uncertainty. The deeper the story goes, the more you realize that truth, memory, manipulation, and perspective are all fighting for control. By the end, I genuinely didn’t know what I fully believed anymore.
And somehow… that made the story even better.
👥 Characters
Every single character in this book felt layered and suspicious in their own way. I trusted absolutely nobody for long.
Amara was especially fascinating because depending on how you interpret events, your entire perception of her changes throughout the story. Her mom honestly unsettled me because I could never fully decide how much of her was genuine versus calculated.
Even the supporting characters added tension because nobody felt randomly placed into the story. Everyone seemed connected to something bigger.
⚖️ Execution
This book absolutely nailed suspense.
The double timeline structure kept me fully invested because I constantly needed to know:
“How did we get HERE?”
The twists felt earned instead of random, and every revelation forced me to reevaluate information I thought I already understood. Every answer seemed to create three new questions.
What impressed me most was how the author managed to make multiple interpretations feel believable without making the plot feel messy or confusing.
✨ Lasting Impression
This is one of those books where finishing it is not the end of the experience.
You keep replaying scenes afterward trying to decide:
What was real?
Who was telling the truth?
Which version of events you actually believe?
That kind of lingering psychological effect is EXACTLY what I want from a thriller.
📖 Reading Vibe
This is a “cancel your plans and keep reading” type of thriller. 😂
If you like books that make you theorize, question everyone, and actively participate in solving the mystery, this is absolutely for you. This is NOT a passive reading experience.
Also… don’t start this before bed unless you’re okay with staying awake mentally rearranging evidence like you’re part of the investigation.
🔥 Best Parts
The capsule
The identity reveal
The constant shifting feeling of “wait… hold on…”
The ending forcing me to question EVERYTHING
💬 What I’d Tell My Bestie
Girllllllll… this book will have you building conspiracy boards in your head. 😂 Like go get the cork board and string ASAP!
If you love thrillers where the truth keeps shifting underneath your feet and the ending leaves you psychologically unpacking the story afterward, READ THIS.
This book opened with the author basically telling me:
“Read everything and believe nothing.”
And honestly? That should have been my warning to buckle up because WHAT even was this ride?! 😂
I started this story with questions immediately and somehow ended the book with even more. From the very beginning, this story grabbed my attention and absolutely refused to let go. Every time I thought I had something figured out, another detail surfaced and completely changed the direction of my theories.
This wasn’t just reading a thriller. This felt like participating in one. I spent the entire book theorizing, questioning everyone, changing my mind, and trying to determine who was telling the truth.
💭 Emotional Impact
This book is going to live in my head rent free for a very long time because seriously… WTF just happened? 😳
The emotional impact of this story comes from the constant uncertainty. The deeper the story goes, the more you realize that truth, memory, manipulation, and perspective are all fighting for control. By the end, I genuinely didn’t know what I fully believed anymore.
And somehow… that made the story even better.
👥 Characters
Every single character in this book felt layered and suspicious in their own way. I trusted absolutely nobody for long.
Amara was especially fascinating because depending on how you interpret events, your entire perception of her changes throughout the story. Her mom honestly unsettled me because I could never fully decide how much of her was genuine versus calculated.
Even the supporting characters added tension because nobody felt randomly placed into the story. Everyone seemed connected to something bigger.
⚖️ Execution
This book absolutely nailed suspense.
The double timeline structure kept me fully invested because I constantly needed to know:
“How did we get HERE?”
The twists felt earned instead of random, and every revelation forced me to reevaluate information I thought I already understood. Every answer seemed to create three new questions.
What impressed me most was how the author managed to make multiple interpretations feel believable without making the plot feel messy or confusing.
✨ Lasting Impression
This is one of those books where finishing it is not the end of the experience.
You keep replaying scenes afterward trying to decide:
What was real?
Who was telling the truth?
Which version of events you actually believe?
That kind of lingering psychological effect is EXACTLY what I want from a thriller.
📖 Reading Vibe
This is a “cancel your plans and keep reading” type of thriller. 😂
If you like books that make you theorize, question everyone, and actively participate in solving the mystery, this is absolutely for you. This is NOT a passive reading experience.
Also… don’t start this before bed unless you’re okay with staying awake mentally rearranging evidence like you’re part of the investigation.
🔥 Best Parts
The capsule
The identity reveal
The constant shifting feeling of “wait… hold on…”
The ending forcing me to question EVERYTHING
💬 What I’d Tell My Bestie
Girllllllll… this book will have you building conspiracy boards in your head. 😂 Like go get the cork board and string ASAP!
If you love thrillers where the truth keeps shifting underneath your feet and the ending leaves you psychologically unpacking the story afterward, READ THIS.
May 12, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive this as an ARC. I had high hopes going in, but honestly was quite confused for the first half of the book. If it wasn’t an ARC I possibly would have DNF’d it. However, once things began to connect I started to enjoy the story and am glad that I powered through! It’s true that in the end you decide what to believe - and I truly believe Amara was losing her grip - but still leaves us with many questions surrounding reality and perception.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I read this story over 13 years ago and now I received this updated version as an ARC reader from the author and let me just say I see the growth, the advancement in her writing style and I truly enjoyed reading this novel! Amara was raised with the better things in life but because of what her mother Paige thought, she was treated as an emotionally unbalanced individual that needed to be medicated, controlled & closely monitored! Amara found a group of friends, one that she liked in a romantic sense and began partaking in robberies to really escape the real lifestyle she lived. She appears very unhappy with her home life and her mother's controlling ways, so she begins to rebel.To her new group of "friends" she was living a life of poverty and originally they didn't know about her luxurious lifestyle or status! Her mother Paige was a real trip, born into a life of poverty, she dreamed of a better life. Once she went to college she was able to become involved with friends that she wanted to emulate, and she really wanted to be like Dena seeing as though Dena inherited money upon her father's death. So many things happened during their college years but in the end, she ended up with Dena' money and life. Paige really didn't enjoy her life, this being apparent when she went out and met Darius, someone way beneath her economic status and she used him until one night she did something to make him snap! Amara and Paige had two different versions of what happened during those college years, a lot of stories were given to Amara by Sophia a Goddess spirit supposedly created by Dena, and another version Paige swore by from her memory. In the end Paige paid for all her transgressions and Amara encompassed the spirit of Nemesis! I felt like this novel had alternate points of view and the ending was your perception of the plot! Well written , suspenseful and all around a great read!
May 16, 2026
Nemesis pulled me in immediately. Amara has spent her whole life feeling disconnected and managed by her wealthy, controlling mother Paige, a woman who is equal parts elitist, cold, and spiteful but somehow still loves her daughter in her own complicated way. When a chilling message leads Amara to a photo tied to a past Paige has worked hard to bury, everything starts unraveling fast.
From the jump I was on edge and the feeling never left. The biggest thing this book does, and does really well, is make you question what is real and what is not the entire time you are reading. Amara is already spoiled, directionless, angry at everyone and no one, and living a double life on top of all of that. Then you add Sophia, this voice in her head (or is it) that is growing louder and more insistent, and it becomes genuinely hard to tell if Amara is uncovering the truth or losing her grip on reality altogether. I found myself going back and forth the whole book. Is Sophia real? Is any of this real? That question is the pulse of the entire story and Harper Black leans into it in a way that keeps you uncomfortable in the best way.
Amara got on my nerves throughout most of the book and I think that was intentional. She is not meant to be your favorite person, to complicate the what is real narrative. AND THE TWISTSSS! The first twist completely reframes what you thought you understood about whose reality you had actually been living in the whole time. The second involves Paige and let’s just say the secrets she has been keeping go deeper and darker than I anticipated. I was not prepared for either one and I will not be saying anything else about that.
If you love psychological thrillers, want to see Black characters centered in the genre, or have ever been curious what Greek mythology looks like woven into a modern day psychological unraveling, this one is for you. June 3rd. Mark it.
From the jump I was on edge and the feeling never left. The biggest thing this book does, and does really well, is make you question what is real and what is not the entire time you are reading. Amara is already spoiled, directionless, angry at everyone and no one, and living a double life on top of all of that. Then you add Sophia, this voice in her head (or is it) that is growing louder and more insistent, and it becomes genuinely hard to tell if Amara is uncovering the truth or losing her grip on reality altogether. I found myself going back and forth the whole book. Is Sophia real? Is any of this real? That question is the pulse of the entire story and Harper Black leans into it in a way that keeps you uncomfortable in the best way.
Amara got on my nerves throughout most of the book and I think that was intentional. She is not meant to be your favorite person, to complicate the what is real narrative. AND THE TWISTSSS! The first twist completely reframes what you thought you understood about whose reality you had actually been living in the whole time. The second involves Paige and let’s just say the secrets she has been keeping go deeper and darker than I anticipated. I was not prepared for either one and I will not be saying anything else about that.
If you love psychological thrillers, want to see Black characters centered in the genre, or have ever been curious what Greek mythology looks like woven into a modern day psychological unraveling, this one is for you. June 3rd. Mark it.
June 17, 2026
A STRONG 4.25 STAR!
Nemesis is about a girl named Amara and how she is tied between a life of wanting to fit in with the misfits but in reality living within a life of wealth and promise.
The story starts right out of Page 1 with a BANG and it highlights, what you would think, the trajectory of the story would progress into.
I truly enjoyed the dialogue between the different characters, the chapter switch from Chapter to Date to Sophia. When a story teaches me something I had no idea about, I am completely sold and this story highlighted a space I never knew about which was intriguing, spooky and it kept me guessing on what would happen next.
When the twist began to twist, Harper Black honestly had me fooled because what was being portrayed throughout the story then the spin from past to present had me SHOOOKKKK!!!!!! This story highlighted a space that is very apparent within some of the black community which is keeping family secrets from their children. Harper Black created Paige (Amara's mother) in a very great way, showing that she is a hard working black mother who does whatever it takes for her child.
Opening up within spaces of mental health, religious elements, betrayal and the meaning of words in a different lens; Harper Black is setting herself apart from a lot of Thriller Authors in this space today and I am beyond impressed.
I highly recommend to check out this story!
Nemesis is about a girl named Amara and how she is tied between a life of wanting to fit in with the misfits but in reality living within a life of wealth and promise.
The story starts right out of Page 1 with a BANG and it highlights, what you would think, the trajectory of the story would progress into.
I truly enjoyed the dialogue between the different characters, the chapter switch from Chapter to Date to Sophia. When a story teaches me something I had no idea about, I am completely sold and this story highlighted a space I never knew about which was intriguing, spooky and it kept me guessing on what would happen next.
When the twist began to twist, Harper Black honestly had me fooled because what was being portrayed throughout the story then the spin from past to present had me SHOOOKKKK!!!!!! This story highlighted a space that is very apparent within some of the black community which is keeping family secrets from their children. Harper Black created Paige (Amara's mother) in a very great way, showing that she is a hard working black mother who does whatever it takes for her child.
Opening up within spaces of mental health, religious elements, betrayal and the meaning of words in a different lens; Harper Black is setting herself apart from a lot of Thriller Authors in this space today and I am beyond impressed.
I highly recommend to check out this story!
August 6, 2026
I don’t say this lightly…
Nemesis by Harper Black is officially my favorite book I’ve read in 2026.
That’s saying a lot because King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby held that spot all year. I genuinely didn’t think anything was going to replace it.
Then I picked up Nemesis.
Harper Black didn’t just write a thriller—she crafted one. Every breadcrumb is intentional. Every reveal is earned. The way she slowly weaves seemingly separate storylines into one unforgettable narrative is nothing short of masterful.
There were multiple moments where I had to stop reading—not because I was bored, but because I was so impressed by what she had just done.
The best books don’t end with the last sentence—they keep unfolding in your mind long after you’ve finished them.
That’s exactly what Nemesis did to me.
This is one of those books I’ll be recommending for years. If you ever ask me for a thriller recommendation, don’t be surprised if this is the first title out of my mouth.
Thank you, Harper Black, for reminding me why I love reading.
New favorite book of the year. No question.
Nemesis by Harper Black is officially my favorite book I’ve read in 2026.
That’s saying a lot because King of Ashes by S. A. Cosby held that spot all year. I genuinely didn’t think anything was going to replace it.
Then I picked up Nemesis.
Harper Black didn’t just write a thriller—she crafted one. Every breadcrumb is intentional. Every reveal is earned. The way she slowly weaves seemingly separate storylines into one unforgettable narrative is nothing short of masterful.
There were multiple moments where I had to stop reading—not because I was bored, but because I was so impressed by what she had just done.
The best books don’t end with the last sentence—they keep unfolding in your mind long after you’ve finished them.
That’s exactly what Nemesis did to me.
This is one of those books I’ll be recommending for years. If you ever ask me for a thriller recommendation, don’t be surprised if this is the first title out of my mouth.
Thank you, Harper Black, for reminding me why I love reading.
New favorite book of the year. No question.
July 18, 2026
Harper Black this was amazing! I was all in from page one. This psychological thriller with dual POVs had me questioning every character, and honestly, even myself! I didn’t trust a single person, and I’m still not completely sure what I think the truth is.
We follow Amara and her mother, Paige, as they try to figure out lies, betrayal, and family secrets. These two had me frustrated so much, but I couldn’t stop reading. I loved all the twists and turns, and the way the author kept me on the edge of my seat trying to piece together their shady past and confusing present.
This is one of those books that makes you pick a side, only to leave you thinking if you picked the right one. I love when a thriller keeps me guessing from beginning to end, and Nemesis definitely delivered.
This was a great read, and I’m absolutely looking forward to reading more from Harper Black!
We follow Amara and her mother, Paige, as they try to figure out lies, betrayal, and family secrets. These two had me frustrated so much, but I couldn’t stop reading. I loved all the twists and turns, and the way the author kept me on the edge of my seat trying to piece together their shady past and confusing present.
This is one of those books that makes you pick a side, only to leave you thinking if you picked the right one. I love when a thriller keeps me guessing from beginning to end, and Nemesis definitely delivered.
This was a great read, and I’m absolutely looking forward to reading more from Harper Black!
August 9, 2026
This book had me hooked! Trying to figure out what was really going on. This book is basically being rated off
The strength of the emotions I felt while reading 🤣😅. I can honestly say that I still don’t know what happened LMAO. Who was really telling the truth, Amara or Paige???
This was a side read with BRWT Bookclub and BOTM for The Official Chapter Chat.
The strength of the emotions I felt while reading 🤣😅. I can honestly say that I still don’t know what happened LMAO. Who was really telling the truth, Amara or Paige???
This was a side read with BRWT Bookclub and BOTM for The Official Chapter Chat.
July 25, 2026
I really needed the CAWPILE rating scale for this one because I have conflicting thoughts.
Characters: 4/5 Because this book is told through the lens of an “unreliable narrator” (which I usually love in psychological thrillers), it’s kind of impossible to truly connect with any of them because you don’t know WHAT or WHO to trust… down the very end. I still have so many questions about Jacky.
Atmosphere: 4/5 The timeline jumping often felt disorienting… which may have been on purpose but while it was accurately painted heavy… you just felt like you could never catch your footing. Which again, may have been on purpose but not necessarily “enjoyable” for a reader
Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5 The plot was great and would even make an excellent limited series, but the holes with Jacky, the medication, and Amara’s life in general were overwhelming
Intrigue: 4/5 I definitely didn’t know what I was walking into. Went in basically blind and it kept me intrigued enough to want to push through a slow burn, so that says enough
Logic: 2/5 ok hardly any of it had any logic… but with the premise… that works. However, the ending really pushed the boundaries on what felt logical
Ending/Enjoyment: 3/5 I was so frustrated for majority of the book that although it was very well written, I literally felt exhausted at the end.
Overall Rating: 3.57 (I’m rounding up to 3.75 because I actually would recommend this to SEASONED readers of the genre who enjoy slow burns, but I think it’s a niche read) — I would read again and definitely plan on it.
Characters: 4/5 Because this book is told through the lens of an “unreliable narrator” (which I usually love in psychological thrillers), it’s kind of impossible to truly connect with any of them because you don’t know WHAT or WHO to trust… down the very end. I still have so many questions about Jacky.
Atmosphere: 4/5 The timeline jumping often felt disorienting… which may have been on purpose but while it was accurately painted heavy… you just felt like you could never catch your footing. Which again, may have been on purpose but not necessarily “enjoyable” for a reader
Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5 The plot was great and would even make an excellent limited series, but the holes with Jacky, the medication, and Amara’s life in general were overwhelming
Intrigue: 4/5 I definitely didn’t know what I was walking into. Went in basically blind and it kept me intrigued enough to want to push through a slow burn, so that says enough
Logic: 2/5 ok hardly any of it had any logic… but with the premise… that works. However, the ending really pushed the boundaries on what felt logical
Ending/Enjoyment: 3/5 I was so frustrated for majority of the book that although it was very well written, I literally felt exhausted at the end.
Overall Rating: 3.57 (I’m rounding up to 3.75 because I actually would recommend this to SEASONED readers of the genre who enjoy slow burns, but I think it’s a niche read) — I would read again and definitely plan on it.
September 16, 2026
It was just okay. I won't remember it most likely and felt some parts of the story needed to be further explored. It felt a little messy and confusing in some areas. I think there were maybe too many POVs to keep track of in the way it was written.
August 8, 2026
This was different & loved it. I felt like I kept grasping for reality but coming up short. I’m still not sure what the truth is but this was a great way to open up discussions about betrayal, loyalty, friendship, greed, mental health, & the list goes on.. some part felt overwritten and there are a lot of unanswered questions but overall this was a great pick for our book club The Official Chapter Chat over on Fable.
August 8, 2026
What an insane read! I enjoyed this. And was left with my mouth dropped. When I finished reading this, I still didn’t know who to believe! This was good
Review of advance copy received from Author
I finished this story at 2:01 in the morning, after a full day sick in bed! This story kept me the best company! I had to sleep off the shock and recover a bit before I came to do this review 😂🫠💕
"NEMESIS" is my very first ARC ever! I saw Harper Black posting about it on Threads, so I took a chance and applied to be on the ARC team and got accepted!
Listeeennn...I don't know what I was expecting, but this story TOOK ME THU DERREEEEE, TOOK ME THU DEEEEERRRRE!! And I mean ALL THE WAY THU DEEEEERRRREEEE! Lol.
The writing was EXCELLENT!
The way she powerfully used imagery throughout was so satisfying to me. I also love how UNAPOLOGETICALLY BLACK this book is!
Even the way the book BEGINS, it was automatically giving "Choose Your Own Ending." The way Sophia was laced all through the story like interludes, I could see it all playing out in my mind like a movie. (Matter of fact, I NEED this to be made into a movie ASAP. And whoever picks it up BETTER do it right! 😡👊🏾💥)
I am such a SUCKER for beautifully-written prose that flows and doesn't feel awkward, disjointed, or forced.
My Kindle copy is literally chock-full of highlights and notes of my reactions in REAL time!
No lie, in the beginning, it started a little slow for me, but not because the story itself was slow, but because I had to make sure I was in the proper position to take in what I was reading. I was confused in some areas, overthinking what to pay attention to, etc. But taking notes, highlighting, and flipping back and forth, connecting dots helped me move along, the confusion cleared up and I was able to keep going.
I even learned a lot about Greek mythologies and different schools of thought. Gems were definitely dropped throughout that I can apply to my own life, and I appreciate that, too.
This story is very much character-driven, and I really enjoyed the multiple P.O.V.s that kept me on my toes and in the chokehold of dramatic irony! And even though I was keeping track of all my thoughts and theories in my Reading Journal (some of the things that I ended up being correct about), Ms. Black STILL threw me through loops SO CRAZY that she had me throwing my phone down MULTIPLE TIMES with all the unexpected twists and turns! 🤯🤯🤯🤯
Speaking of crazy, YES...at one point, I started feeling my own sanity slip away in the most delicious ways. I didn't know who to trust, what to believe, what was going to happen next. But I just couldn't put the book down.
Listen, it's also important to note that I am STILL new to the Thriller genre! S. A. Cosby got my feet wet and made me realize this can be my SECOND favorite genre after Fantasy, but MS. HARPER BLACK has REFINED my taste of Thrillers—I now know for a fact, that I HIGHLY favor DEEPLY PSYCHOLOGICAL BLACK THRILLERS with FANTASY/SPIRITUAL elements.
THAT is RIGHT up my alley! ✨️✨️✨️✨️
I highly recommend this book! Thank you so much for having me as part of the ARC team!
If you like a well-paced story that keeps you guessing all the way to the end, then "NEMESIS" is definitely the right story to read. I can't wait to get into more of Ms. Black's work!
My mind is just...BLOWN.
Now, my OFFICIAL RATING! First impressions of the book after reading is 4/5, 5/5!
*
CAWPILE Breakdown
Characters – are they well developed/are relationships clear or do they feel 2-dimensional
Atmosphere/world-building – did you feel like you were immersed in the world/is the vibe strong or is there not enough framework and exploration of the world and/or time period
Writing style – did you appreciate and enjoy the writing style or did it distract and drag you out of the story
Plot – did the story engage you or did you find that it was anti-climatic and flat
Intrigue – did you find yourself wanting to read the next chapter/unable to put the book down or did it feel you were just reading to finish the book
Logic – did the story and characters make sense to you or did you find yourself saying “That would never happen” or “Why did that character do that?”
Enjoyment – are you glad you read that book/were there elements that you enjoyed or did you say “There goes a week of my life”
For each category, you rate it from 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the best. Then you average out the ratings and you can then translate the average score to a 5-star system.
0-3 Very Poor
4-6 Mediocre
7-9 Really Good
10 Outstanding!
***
Characters - 9/10
Atmosphere - 10/10
Writing Style - 10/10
Plot - 10/10
Intrigue - 10/10
Logic - 10/10
Enjoyment - 10/10
So...69 ÷ 7 = 9.8
69/70 points
5-Star Conversion:
Averages
0-1 = 0 Star
1.1-2.2 = 1 Star
2.3-4.5 = 2 Star
4.6-6.9 = 3 Star
7-8.9 = 4 Star
9-10 = 5 Star
Yup. This system tracks. ❤️
*
PEACH ratings system
P Plot
E Enjoyment
A Artistry
C Characters
H Heart
Rate each out of 5, average it out, then thats the star rating.
P 5
E 5
A 5
C 5
H 5
5/5 Stars
"NEMESIS" is my very first ARC ever! I saw Harper Black posting about it on Threads, so I took a chance and applied to be on the ARC team and got accepted!
Listeeennn...I don't know what I was expecting, but this story TOOK ME THU DERREEEEE, TOOK ME THU DEEEEERRRRE!! And I mean ALL THE WAY THU DEEEEERRRREEEE! Lol.
The writing was EXCELLENT!
The way she powerfully used imagery throughout was so satisfying to me. I also love how UNAPOLOGETICALLY BLACK this book is!
Even the way the book BEGINS, it was automatically giving "Choose Your Own Ending." The way Sophia was laced all through the story like interludes, I could see it all playing out in my mind like a movie. (Matter of fact, I NEED this to be made into a movie ASAP. And whoever picks it up BETTER do it right! 😡👊🏾💥)
I am such a SUCKER for beautifully-written prose that flows and doesn't feel awkward, disjointed, or forced.
My Kindle copy is literally chock-full of highlights and notes of my reactions in REAL time!
No lie, in the beginning, it started a little slow for me, but not because the story itself was slow, but because I had to make sure I was in the proper position to take in what I was reading. I was confused in some areas, overthinking what to pay attention to, etc. But taking notes, highlighting, and flipping back and forth, connecting dots helped me move along, the confusion cleared up and I was able to keep going.
I even learned a lot about Greek mythologies and different schools of thought. Gems were definitely dropped throughout that I can apply to my own life, and I appreciate that, too.
This story is very much character-driven, and I really enjoyed the multiple P.O.V.s that kept me on my toes and in the chokehold of dramatic irony! And even though I was keeping track of all my thoughts and theories in my Reading Journal (some of the things that I ended up being correct about), Ms. Black STILL threw me through loops SO CRAZY that she had me throwing my phone down MULTIPLE TIMES with all the unexpected twists and turns! 🤯🤯🤯🤯
Speaking of crazy, YES...at one point, I started feeling my own sanity slip away in the most delicious ways. I didn't know who to trust, what to believe, what was going to happen next. But I just couldn't put the book down.
Listen, it's also important to note that I am STILL new to the Thriller genre! S. A. Cosby got my feet wet and made me realize this can be my SECOND favorite genre after Fantasy, but MS. HARPER BLACK has REFINED my taste of Thrillers—I now know for a fact, that I HIGHLY favor DEEPLY PSYCHOLOGICAL BLACK THRILLERS with FANTASY/SPIRITUAL elements.
THAT is RIGHT up my alley! ✨️✨️✨️✨️
I highly recommend this book! Thank you so much for having me as part of the ARC team!
If you like a well-paced story that keeps you guessing all the way to the end, then "NEMESIS" is definitely the right story to read. I can't wait to get into more of Ms. Black's work!
My mind is just...BLOWN.
Now, my OFFICIAL RATING! First impressions of the book after reading is 4/5, 5/5!
*
CAWPILE Breakdown
Characters – are they well developed/are relationships clear or do they feel 2-dimensional
Atmosphere/world-building – did you feel like you were immersed in the world/is the vibe strong or is there not enough framework and exploration of the world and/or time period
Writing style – did you appreciate and enjoy the writing style or did it distract and drag you out of the story
Plot – did the story engage you or did you find that it was anti-climatic and flat
Intrigue – did you find yourself wanting to read the next chapter/unable to put the book down or did it feel you were just reading to finish the book
Logic – did the story and characters make sense to you or did you find yourself saying “That would never happen” or “Why did that character do that?”
Enjoyment – are you glad you read that book/were there elements that you enjoyed or did you say “There goes a week of my life”
For each category, you rate it from 1 to 10, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the best. Then you average out the ratings and you can then translate the average score to a 5-star system.
0-3 Very Poor
4-6 Mediocre
7-9 Really Good
10 Outstanding!
***
Characters - 9/10
Atmosphere - 10/10
Writing Style - 10/10
Plot - 10/10
Intrigue - 10/10
Logic - 10/10
Enjoyment - 10/10
So...69 ÷ 7 = 9.8
69/70 points
5-Star Conversion:
Averages
0-1 = 0 Star
1.1-2.2 = 1 Star
2.3-4.5 = 2 Star
4.6-6.9 = 3 Star
7-8.9 = 4 Star
9-10 = 5 Star
Yup. This system tracks. ❤️
*
PEACH ratings system
P Plot
E Enjoyment
A Artistry
C Characters
H Heart
Rate each out of 5, average it out, then thats the star rating.
P 5
E 5
A 5
C 5
H 5
5/5 Stars
Review of advance copy received from Author
Edit- Apparently my review ruffled the feathers of this author! Enough so that she felt the need to post all about it on all her social media platforms 🤣 Every author on here has one star reviews. You’re going to need thicker skin if you can’t handle them, or claim racism when there were many other things wrong with this book, which I mentioned. There’s probably a reason you sent over 300 ARC copies out and only have 60ish reviews thus far. It won’t help if you attack your one star reviewers!
A thriller is supposed to be exciting. Nothing exciting happened in the portion that I read (about 35%). The “story” was so slow, it felt non existent. It was a chore to read it.
I shared I didn’t like the dialogue- not because of race but because it was a juvenile conversation. There are many authors that write conversations that I don’t care for. So don’t put words in my mouth. On top of all that, none of the characters were likeable. There was no one to root for.
Don’t ask readers for honest reviews, then get spicy when they give you one.
Signed a POC you wrongfully assumed was white.
***************************
Review of advanced copy sent from the Author
I really feel bad about giving a poor review to a book after the author was kind enough to send an ARC for honest reviews. I went in hopeful as the cover of the book says “A buried past. A mother’s lies… A daughter trapped between truth and madness”. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn’t what was on the pages. I need to be honest and say that I read 128 pages and had to stop after that. The book is 369 pages, so I feel like I gave it a valiant effort. In the 128 pages I read, there wasn’t anything exciting happening that made me want to keep turning the pages (or clicking, since I downloaded it on my kindle). I feel a lot of the chapters were about the main character (Amara) getting high with her friends, and getting into trouble. A lot of the dialogue was also very surface, and didn’t add anything to the plot, it just made an already long story even longer. Chapter 7 was exceptionally bad. Readers should know what they are getting into, so here are some of the quotes for you to decide if you want to pick up the book or not:
Example 1- Smoke leans on the horn just as LeeLee pulls out her phone to punch in Rico’s number. “She burnin’, dawg. And she only sixteen. Let’s go!” LeeLee whips her head toward the car, a hand on her hip, neck swaying like a hypnotized cobra. “Why you always hatin’, Smoke? Damn!” “You burnin’?” Rico recoils, face twisting into something between confusion and disgust. He takes two steps back, as if whatever she has is airborne. “You nasty as hell.” He hikes up his sagging jeans, but with no belt, they drop even lower, revealing more of his plaid boxers. LeeLee sucks her teeth and rolls her eyes so hard it’s a wonder they come back down. “You can’t believe everything you hear, boy. And don’t act like you ain’t never had nothin’ befo’. You ain’t nobody special.”
Example 2- Smoke doesn’t look at him. “Man, I told you ’bout these girls out here. You’ll learn when you catch somethin’. Just hope it’s some shit you can get rid of.” He chuckles, grabs a blunt from the console, and tosses it into Rico’s lap. “Light that up.” Rico sparks the blunt, inhales deeply, and cracks the window as Smoke pulls the car away from the curb. “Where we goin’?” “Nicky D’s. Meetin’ up with ’Mara.” Rico groans, dragging smoke from his lungs. “Man, what’s up with you and this chick?” Smoke keeps his eyes on the road. “What you mean? That’s my lil’ homie.” “Nah, dawg, she ain’t yo’ homie. Somethin’ about her ain’t right. You got a lil’ crush on her, so you can’t see it. But I don’t trust her.”
Example 3- “I’on know, man. But I don’t trust her, not with the shit we be doin’. If I find out she snitched to get out, she dead.” “Chill, nigga. We don’t even know for sure that she lyin’.” “Nah, nigga, you chill, while I find out what the fuck is goin’ on.” Smoke stares straight ahead, but his mind keeps circling with the same question: What if Rico’s right? “She dead,” Rico repeats, quieter this time but with cold finality. Smoke glances over to see him pull the trigger on an invisible gun. “Damn, nigga, you let the weed go out.” He nods at the blunt lodged between Rico’s fingers. “Light it back up.”
*****************************
If I had read these passages in a review, I would know the book wasn’t for me. There are other reviews on here and some people seem to enjoy this book. Unfortunately, I was not one of them.
A thriller is supposed to be exciting. Nothing exciting happened in the portion that I read (about 35%). The “story” was so slow, it felt non existent. It was a chore to read it.
I shared I didn’t like the dialogue- not because of race but because it was a juvenile conversation. There are many authors that write conversations that I don’t care for. So don’t put words in my mouth. On top of all that, none of the characters were likeable. There was no one to root for.
Don’t ask readers for honest reviews, then get spicy when they give you one.
Signed a POC you wrongfully assumed was white.
***************************
Review of advanced copy sent from the Author
I really feel bad about giving a poor review to a book after the author was kind enough to send an ARC for honest reviews. I went in hopeful as the cover of the book says “A buried past. A mother’s lies… A daughter trapped between truth and madness”. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it definitely wasn’t what was on the pages. I need to be honest and say that I read 128 pages and had to stop after that. The book is 369 pages, so I feel like I gave it a valiant effort. In the 128 pages I read, there wasn’t anything exciting happening that made me want to keep turning the pages (or clicking, since I downloaded it on my kindle). I feel a lot of the chapters were about the main character (Amara) getting high with her friends, and getting into trouble. A lot of the dialogue was also very surface, and didn’t add anything to the plot, it just made an already long story even longer. Chapter 7 was exceptionally bad. Readers should know what they are getting into, so here are some of the quotes for you to decide if you want to pick up the book or not:
Example 1- Smoke leans on the horn just as LeeLee pulls out her phone to punch in Rico’s number. “She burnin’, dawg. And she only sixteen. Let’s go!” LeeLee whips her head toward the car, a hand on her hip, neck swaying like a hypnotized cobra. “Why you always hatin’, Smoke? Damn!” “You burnin’?” Rico recoils, face twisting into something between confusion and disgust. He takes two steps back, as if whatever she has is airborne. “You nasty as hell.” He hikes up his sagging jeans, but with no belt, they drop even lower, revealing more of his plaid boxers. LeeLee sucks her teeth and rolls her eyes so hard it’s a wonder they come back down. “You can’t believe everything you hear, boy. And don’t act like you ain’t never had nothin’ befo’. You ain’t nobody special.”
Example 2- Smoke doesn’t look at him. “Man, I told you ’bout these girls out here. You’ll learn when you catch somethin’. Just hope it’s some shit you can get rid of.” He chuckles, grabs a blunt from the console, and tosses it into Rico’s lap. “Light that up.” Rico sparks the blunt, inhales deeply, and cracks the window as Smoke pulls the car away from the curb. “Where we goin’?” “Nicky D’s. Meetin’ up with ’Mara.” Rico groans, dragging smoke from his lungs. “Man, what’s up with you and this chick?” Smoke keeps his eyes on the road. “What you mean? That’s my lil’ homie.” “Nah, dawg, she ain’t yo’ homie. Somethin’ about her ain’t right. You got a lil’ crush on her, so you can’t see it. But I don’t trust her.”
Example 3- “I’on know, man. But I don’t trust her, not with the shit we be doin’. If I find out she snitched to get out, she dead.” “Chill, nigga. We don’t even know for sure that she lyin’.” “Nah, nigga, you chill, while I find out what the fuck is goin’ on.” Smoke stares straight ahead, but his mind keeps circling with the same question: What if Rico’s right? “She dead,” Rico repeats, quieter this time but with cold finality. Smoke glances over to see him pull the trigger on an invisible gun. “Damn, nigga, you let the weed go out.” He nods at the blunt lodged between Rico’s fingers. “Light it back up.”
*****************************
If I had read these passages in a review, I would know the book wasn’t for me. There are other reviews on here and some people seem to enjoy this book. Unfortunately, I was not one of them.
August 6, 2026
This was an incredible read!
I’m a pretty solid SFF reader and haven’t read much thriller, but I picked up this book while I’m working to expand the diversity of my reading. And I’m pleased I did. I went in as an open book (excuse the pun) and emerged a fan.
I’ll save you the synopsis as you can read the details in the book’s description, so what I’ll focus on here is what I enjoyed. To start, I loved that you really don’t know who’s telling the truth or whom to believe! NEMESIS has two main characters (MC), Paige and her daughter Amara. There are many other point of view (POV) characters, but our focus is on these two, and both are incredible as unreliable narrators.
Amara is a lonely young woman who’s a little broken and desperate to carve out her own place in her world that’s been dominated by her mother’s wealth and connections. She has a strong heart and just enough audacity to do what needs to be done to keep her chosen life on track. But she also carries a deep shame over her mental health that may or may not be all in her head.
Amara’s mother, Paige, is… Wow, how do I explain this woman? She’s fierce, protective, driven like no other, and has done ‘everything’ it took to get where she is. After coming from a rough youth where her mother relied on a man to provide their meager lifestyle, Paige vowed to never live that life as her own. And she doesn’t. She’s amassed a wealth and lifestyle many seek, and she makes no apologies for it. Paige is fiercely proud of what she’s accomplished without the help of a man.
Many times, while reading NEMESIS, I wanted to slap some sense into these women, but other times, I wanted to hug them, cry with them, RAGE with them. These characters were so deeply flawed and real, and the relationships they had with others were just as flawed and real. And speaking of the others, some of the secondary casts were a pleasant surprise, like Smoke and Jacky, where they added something for our MCs. Like, Smoke teased out the weaknesses in both women, while Jacky was a voice of foundation and security, especially for Amara. There were a few other characters who had decent page time, but I didn’t really get a good feel for them. But, in the end, it didn’t really matter. I think they played their part fine.
The interweaving timeline was a work of art. Ms. Black effortlessly skipped time between the past and present while also keeping you on your toes. There were only a few times where I thought the pacing lagged a bit, but that was quickly snuffed out by a reveal or twist.
I thoroughly enjoyed how the story is steeped in culture and spirituality while maybe/maybe not dipping a toe into the paranormal, depending on who’s POV we’re in. While a few of the reveals and twists I saw coming, still, in the end, I’m not sure what is the truth and who to believe. And that makes for a wonderful psychological thriller, in my opinion.
So, if you enjoy a read that keeps you guessing long after the final page has turned and strong female leads who will (and do) make gut-wrenching sacrifices to fight for what they want, then NEMESIS is the book for you.
I’m a pretty solid SFF reader and haven’t read much thriller, but I picked up this book while I’m working to expand the diversity of my reading. And I’m pleased I did. I went in as an open book (excuse the pun) and emerged a fan.
I’ll save you the synopsis as you can read the details in the book’s description, so what I’ll focus on here is what I enjoyed. To start, I loved that you really don’t know who’s telling the truth or whom to believe! NEMESIS has two main characters (MC), Paige and her daughter Amara. There are many other point of view (POV) characters, but our focus is on these two, and both are incredible as unreliable narrators.
Amara is a lonely young woman who’s a little broken and desperate to carve out her own place in her world that’s been dominated by her mother’s wealth and connections. She has a strong heart and just enough audacity to do what needs to be done to keep her chosen life on track. But she also carries a deep shame over her mental health that may or may not be all in her head.
Amara’s mother, Paige, is… Wow, how do I explain this woman? She’s fierce, protective, driven like no other, and has done ‘everything’ it took to get where she is. After coming from a rough youth where her mother relied on a man to provide their meager lifestyle, Paige vowed to never live that life as her own. And she doesn’t. She’s amassed a wealth and lifestyle many seek, and she makes no apologies for it. Paige is fiercely proud of what she’s accomplished without the help of a man.
Many times, while reading NEMESIS, I wanted to slap some sense into these women, but other times, I wanted to hug them, cry with them, RAGE with them. These characters were so deeply flawed and real, and the relationships they had with others were just as flawed and real. And speaking of the others, some of the secondary casts were a pleasant surprise, like Smoke and Jacky, where they added something for our MCs. Like, Smoke teased out the weaknesses in both women, while Jacky was a voice of foundation and security, especially for Amara. There were a few other characters who had decent page time, but I didn’t really get a good feel for them. But, in the end, it didn’t really matter. I think they played their part fine.
The interweaving timeline was a work of art. Ms. Black effortlessly skipped time between the past and present while also keeping you on your toes. There were only a few times where I thought the pacing lagged a bit, but that was quickly snuffed out by a reveal or twist.
I thoroughly enjoyed how the story is steeped in culture and spirituality while maybe/maybe not dipping a toe into the paranormal, depending on who’s POV we’re in. While a few of the reveals and twists I saw coming, still, in the end, I’m not sure what is the truth and who to believe. And that makes for a wonderful psychological thriller, in my opinion.
So, if you enjoy a read that keeps you guessing long after the final page has turned and strong female leads who will (and do) make gut-wrenching sacrifices to fight for what they want, then NEMESIS is the book for you.
June 8, 2026
This author blocked me on Instagram after I criticized a comment she left on one of her own reels. In it, she said she had attempted to have a 1-star review removed on Goodreads for "copyright infringement" because the reviewer quoted excerpts from the book to explain their issues with the dialogue. She claimed the review was breaking the law and that she was "only doing what was right."
However, I personally find it hard to believe she would have tried to get the same review removed if it had been a 5-star review praising her dialogue instead of criticizing it.
The reel in question also accused the reviewer of being racist. The author essentially made up an entire story about the reviewer's identity and motives, suggesting that they were white and only disliked the book because it contained AAVE. However, the reviewer later updated their review to clarify that they are also a person of color.
Oh, also, I was curious, so I logged out and saw she deleted my comments calling this out. Double yikes.
I also decided to purchase this book since it was only a few dollars on Amazon. Leaving a review without having read it didn't sit right with me. I have now spent the past 7 hours reading it and, regrettably... the book did not do much to improve my opinion of the situation.
Honestly, I can see where the other reviewer was coming from. I don't particularly enjoy this author's writing style, and that isn't to say it's bad, it just is not for me. I found the pacing to be painfully slow. They were also right about some of the dialogue and characterization. At times, certain characters feel surprisingly vapid and underdeveloped. That said, not every character suffers from this problem. Some are genuinely well written and far more engaging than others.
Overall, though, the book is making me incredibly bored. There's too much telling and not enough showing, which makes it difficult for me to stay invested. The multiple POV structure isn't helping matters either, as that's a storytelling device I rarely have a good experience with in the first place. I definitely preferred the chapters narrated by Sophia. Amara’s sections, on the other hand, were a lot harder for me to get through. She comes across as chaotic in a way that just didn’t work for me personally. But then, I also struggle with characters who are intentionally unlikable, so that didn’t help my engagement either. In the end, Amara ended up being my main issue with the book.
At this point, I'm only about 40% of the way through the book, and I'm still somewhat confused about what's actually going on. That leaves me wondering whether I even want to continue.... I've seen several reviews claiming that everything eventually comes together by the end, but I've also seen others say the ending fails to deliver a satisfying payoff.... So now the real question is.... do I care enough to find out for myself?
Maybe if the author hadn't tried to get reviews taken down, I would be more inclined.
Yeah... I think I'm done.
However, I personally find it hard to believe she would have tried to get the same review removed if it had been a 5-star review praising her dialogue instead of criticizing it.
The reel in question also accused the reviewer of being racist. The author essentially made up an entire story about the reviewer's identity and motives, suggesting that they were white and only disliked the book because it contained AAVE. However, the reviewer later updated their review to clarify that they are also a person of color.
Oh, also, I was curious, so I logged out and saw she deleted my comments calling this out. Double yikes.
I also decided to purchase this book since it was only a few dollars on Amazon. Leaving a review without having read it didn't sit right with me. I have now spent the past 7 hours reading it and, regrettably... the book did not do much to improve my opinion of the situation.
Honestly, I can see where the other reviewer was coming from. I don't particularly enjoy this author's writing style, and that isn't to say it's bad, it just is not for me. I found the pacing to be painfully slow. They were also right about some of the dialogue and characterization. At times, certain characters feel surprisingly vapid and underdeveloped. That said, not every character suffers from this problem. Some are genuinely well written and far more engaging than others.
Overall, though, the book is making me incredibly bored. There's too much telling and not enough showing, which makes it difficult for me to stay invested. The multiple POV structure isn't helping matters either, as that's a storytelling device I rarely have a good experience with in the first place. I definitely preferred the chapters narrated by Sophia. Amara’s sections, on the other hand, were a lot harder for me to get through. She comes across as chaotic in a way that just didn’t work for me personally. But then, I also struggle with characters who are intentionally unlikable, so that didn’t help my engagement either. In the end, Amara ended up being my main issue with the book.
At this point, I'm only about 40% of the way through the book, and I'm still somewhat confused about what's actually going on. That leaves me wondering whether I even want to continue.... I've seen several reviews claiming that everything eventually comes together by the end, but I've also seen others say the ending fails to deliver a satisfying payoff.... So now the real question is.... do I care enough to find out for myself?
Maybe if the author hadn't tried to get reviews taken down, I would be more inclined.
Yeah... I think I'm done.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mt TL;DR thoughts:
I was throughly invested from the opening chapter and enjoyed the plots and subsequent twist and turns this book gives…😳. It really was like 2 books in one that merged in the 2nd half of the book to make an overall well rounded plot. The one thing that comes to mind to sum it all up is the quotes “Rowdy” Roddy Piper said in 1984: Just when you think you know the answers, I change the questions”
My expanded thoughts:
The last 3 chapters were like “Damn, like that huh?” The plot twist that you may pick up on as you read does mostly come…but sharp plot twist that also comes with such shock that you have to go back and reread to make sure you read it right.
The one thing I personally enjoyed about the book…all of her locations in this book are real places in and around Metro Detroit. So it gave me more depth and investment in a book than I normally would have because these areas come off exactly like they are in real life, which is a difficult feat to do in any reading setting but the author pulled it off.
The 2 major plot settings (Detroit, Late 90’s and Detroit, Mid 2010’s) really forced me to focus on how the story was being conveyed. The settings plus the characters gives off an authentic urban, black vibe for both time periods.
It does help that all the chapters in this book can be finished in about 10 minutes (or less) which gives one time to digest what was read
The author does give clear clues about what plot goes where based on the heading of the chapter, so don’t let that be lost on you. The subheadings made some sense to me, or I thought, until we got towards the end and the even subheadings of the chapter gave off a plot twist I wasn’t expecting.
The main characters: hell, all of the characters are some level of shady figures. The book starts off dark and somehow gets darker as you read and the details of the characters get filled in. However, at the end…seems like the darkness lifts, because it does. And in the end…you really can’t feel for any character with the exception of one.
All in all: a psychological thriller indeed. If that is up your alley, please read this book in full. You will not be disappointed.
June 9, 2026
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nemesis by Harper Black
Published June 3, 2026
First of all, thank you, Harper, for allowing me to read this and question my own sanity at the same time. Always appreciate when a book decides to do that.
This book gave me very mixed feelings. The beginning had me feeling like a lost kid in a parking lot. I was bouncing from wall to wall thinking, Wait…what? Where are we? Who are these people? And then some characters get their own chapters while others are simply called Sophia’s Story, which honestly didn’t help my already scrambled brain.
It felt like a lot was happening while somehow nothing was happening at all. And I have to admit, the moment the spiritual aspect entered the story—don’t worry, no spoilers—I almost packed my bags and left. I felt disappointed and seriously considered giving up. But apparently I enjoy a very specific kind of self-inflicted torture, so I kept reading.
And I’m glad I did.
Somewhere around the middle, the story finally grabbed me. I could feel myself slowly turning back into the little reading gremlin I know I am, desperate to know what would happen next. Sometimes books need time to settle, and for me this was one of them.
Looking back, I can absolutely see and feel the intention behind the story. It almost feels like my own personal loss that my brain simply couldn’t catch up during the first half.
This isn’t just a mystery—it’s a struggle, and for once I don’t mean my own. It’s a story about emotions, perception, and the way people shape their own realities. Are we ever truly satisfied with what we have, or are we always searching for something more? And how far will someone go to achieve their own goal, regardless of who gets hurt along the way?
So if you’re willing to step into the mind of someone who’s lost within herself and the world she’d rather be a part of than where she’s coming from, this is one you don’t want to miss.
The quote that completely changed my perspective—and ultimately pushed my rating up—was:
“If reality is just perception, then what makes one person’s version of reality more valid than someone else’s?”
Four perceptive stars from me, because reality isn’t always necessary in books, and Harper makes sure you feel exactly this.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nemesis by Harper Black
Published June 3, 2026
First of all, thank you, Harper, for allowing me to read this and question my own sanity at the same time. Always appreciate when a book decides to do that.
This book gave me very mixed feelings. The beginning had me feeling like a lost kid in a parking lot. I was bouncing from wall to wall thinking, Wait…what? Where are we? Who are these people? And then some characters get their own chapters while others are simply called Sophia’s Story, which honestly didn’t help my already scrambled brain.
It felt like a lot was happening while somehow nothing was happening at all. And I have to admit, the moment the spiritual aspect entered the story—don’t worry, no spoilers—I almost packed my bags and left. I felt disappointed and seriously considered giving up. But apparently I enjoy a very specific kind of self-inflicted torture, so I kept reading.
And I’m glad I did.
Somewhere around the middle, the story finally grabbed me. I could feel myself slowly turning back into the little reading gremlin I know I am, desperate to know what would happen next. Sometimes books need time to settle, and for me this was one of them.
Looking back, I can absolutely see and feel the intention behind the story. It almost feels like my own personal loss that my brain simply couldn’t catch up during the first half.
This isn’t just a mystery—it’s a struggle, and for once I don’t mean my own. It’s a story about emotions, perception, and the way people shape their own realities. Are we ever truly satisfied with what we have, or are we always searching for something more? And how far will someone go to achieve their own goal, regardless of who gets hurt along the way?
So if you’re willing to step into the mind of someone who’s lost within herself and the world she’d rather be a part of than where she’s coming from, this is one you don’t want to miss.
The quote that completely changed my perspective—and ultimately pushed my rating up—was:
“If reality is just perception, then what makes one person’s version of reality more valid than someone else’s?”
Four perceptive stars from me, because reality isn’t always necessary in books, and Harper makes sure you feel exactly this.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I ended up loving the story! I must admit the first 30 percent of the book didn't hook me, but after that it took off and I couldn't quit reading it! I totally think the ending comes down to what you perceive to be the truth and therefore I found the story to be very thought-provoking as to what you decide the true ending is. I know that may sound confusing but read the book and you will see what I mean because I am even still confused myself as to which way I would go in my thoughts of what the ending really is.
The story has themes of betrayal, relationships in family and friends, mental health issues, and some mystical/spiritual/karma beliefs woven into it and there are sex and death involved in the story.
The story is broken into a present time storyline and a past time storyline. In the present time, Amara and her mother Paige have a strained relationship, Amara has always wondered about who her father is and Amara searches for answers involving her mother's past and her father. Amara also doesn't want any of her friends to know that she comes from wealth, so she hides that and does things that wealthy people wouldn't normally be involved in, just to fit in. Then there is the past time storyline that goes through the history of Paige with her family life and also her friends while in school. You learn about how Paige betrays her best friend in the worst ways. There are always consequences for things done in the dark and with bad intentions. Throw in a little mystical bad karma maybe.
The story really gets rolling when Amara receives messages that direct her to a photo and an object that makes her question even more about her mother's past, causes her to dig even deeper into finding answers and that causes things to move faster, and the story has some twists and turns that I didn't see coming all the way to the end. I don't want to give any spoilers or say anything more because I think this is a story that you should go into without too much direction and see how you feel in the end of it!
The story has themes of betrayal, relationships in family and friends, mental health issues, and some mystical/spiritual/karma beliefs woven into it and there are sex and death involved in the story.
The story is broken into a present time storyline and a past time storyline. In the present time, Amara and her mother Paige have a strained relationship, Amara has always wondered about who her father is and Amara searches for answers involving her mother's past and her father. Amara also doesn't want any of her friends to know that she comes from wealth, so she hides that and does things that wealthy people wouldn't normally be involved in, just to fit in. Then there is the past time storyline that goes through the history of Paige with her family life and also her friends while in school. You learn about how Paige betrays her best friend in the worst ways. There are always consequences for things done in the dark and with bad intentions. Throw in a little mystical bad karma maybe.
The story really gets rolling when Amara receives messages that direct her to a photo and an object that makes her question even more about her mother's past, causes her to dig even deeper into finding answers and that causes things to move faster, and the story has some twists and turns that I didn't see coming all the way to the end. I don't want to give any spoilers or say anything more because I think this is a story that you should go into without too much direction and see how you feel in the end of it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Amara has spent her whole life trapped inside the polished, suffocating world her mother created — a world built on wealth, secrets, and pills meant to keep the voices in her head quiet. But when a chilling discovery ties her mother to a buried past and a voice named Sophia begins revealing the truth, Amara is pulled into a dark trail of betrayal, revenge, and secrets that refuse to stay buried.
This one had all the ingredients for something I should've loved - creepy mythology, buried secrets, unreliable narration, and a reality-bending spiral where you don't know what’s real anymore. Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t land for me.
The pacing was painfully slow. Not the good kind of slow burn either… the kind where picking the book back up starts to feel like a chore. It took me three days just to hit the halfway mark, which is practically unheard of for me, and honestly, the story could’ve been condensed down massively. Things do pick up towards the end, but by then it felt a little too late to save it.
The characters also didn’t help. There wasn’t a single person I felt connected to, rooted for, or even particularly cared about. I stayed detached from the story the entire time, which made the slower sections drag even more.
That being said, the final chapters were an absolute mindfuck in the best way. The lines between reality and delusion completely blur, and for the first time while reading, I found myself genuinely flying through the pages because I needed answers, not just to get to the end . I was honestly ready to bump this up to a 4⭐ read… and then the ending happened.
Or should I say… didn’t happen.
There were too many unanswered questions, and instead of feeling intrigued, I just felt frustrated. It ended in a way that felt incomplete rather than intentionally ambiguous, which really dulled the impact for me. If this hadn’t been an ARC, I probably would’ve DNF’d early on… and honestly, I’m still not entirely sure whether sticking it out was worth it.
This one had all the ingredients for something I should've loved - creepy mythology, buried secrets, unreliable narration, and a reality-bending spiral where you don't know what’s real anymore. Unfortunately, the execution just didn’t land for me.
The pacing was painfully slow. Not the good kind of slow burn either… the kind where picking the book back up starts to feel like a chore. It took me three days just to hit the halfway mark, which is practically unheard of for me, and honestly, the story could’ve been condensed down massively. Things do pick up towards the end, but by then it felt a little too late to save it.
The characters also didn’t help. There wasn’t a single person I felt connected to, rooted for, or even particularly cared about. I stayed detached from the story the entire time, which made the slower sections drag even more.
That being said, the final chapters were an absolute mindfuck in the best way. The lines between reality and delusion completely blur, and for the first time while reading, I found myself genuinely flying through the pages because I needed answers, not just to get to the end . I was honestly ready to bump this up to a 4⭐ read… and then the ending happened.
Or should I say… didn’t happen.
There were too many unanswered questions, and instead of feeling intrigued, I just felt frustrated. It ended in a way that felt incomplete rather than intentionally ambiguous, which really dulled the impact for me. If this hadn’t been an ARC, I probably would’ve DNF’d early on… and honestly, I’m still not entirely sure whether sticking it out was worth it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I very much appreciate receiving this book from the author herself as an advanced reader copy (ARC). I was asked to be honest about the book and so I am, although I hate leaving bad reviews, especially when I got the book in advance and even more so because this is Black's first book, so please don't take my words personally, Miss Black. I wish you nothing but success and would be happy to consider your books in the future, but this one is not for me.
Harper Black warned that this book was not for everyone; that not everyone would get it. And she was right, it's not for me. About halfway through, I decided I just didn't care to read it anymore. The warning about the unreliable narrator made me interested, I typically love those, but it was so slow, so focused on race, religion, supernatural elements, none of which I care at all about.
I was curious to learn more about Amara and her relationship with her "friends" as she makes multiple stupid decisions and doesn't seem to appreciate the great life she has, I was curious to learn more about the mom since we learned that she represents some sort of deceit and I was curious how all of the other characters fit in. But as I said, it was so slow, so focused on things I didn't care to read about I was so bored and I had to force myself to pick up the book and continue reading and even when I would I found myself completely uninterested and so, I made the decision to stop reading and instead read something I enjoy.
I love the concept of a book that is up for interpretation, that two people could read the same book and see it differently... that makes for a great book club discussion and usually sticks in your mind longer than other books. I wish I had been able to get further ahead and enjoy that aspect.
Harper Black warned that this book was not for everyone; that not everyone would get it. And she was right, it's not for me. About halfway through, I decided I just didn't care to read it anymore. The warning about the unreliable narrator made me interested, I typically love those, but it was so slow, so focused on race, religion, supernatural elements, none of which I care at all about.
I was curious to learn more about Amara and her relationship with her "friends" as she makes multiple stupid decisions and doesn't seem to appreciate the great life she has, I was curious to learn more about the mom since we learned that she represents some sort of deceit and I was curious how all of the other characters fit in. But as I said, it was so slow, so focused on things I didn't care to read about I was so bored and I had to force myself to pick up the book and continue reading and even when I would I found myself completely uninterested and so, I made the decision to stop reading and instead read something I enjoy.
I love the concept of a book that is up for interpretation, that two people could read the same book and see it differently... that makes for a great book club discussion and usually sticks in your mind longer than other books. I wish I had been able to get further ahead and enjoy that aspect.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was able to read this early as an ARC reader.
I went into this book blind only knowing the tropes and a few of the themes from the author's social media posts. So mostly unaware, but I was immediately SAT for this story. Immediately, our ethereal narrator warns us to trust no one and take the information we're presented to try to figure out what the truth is and who is telling it. We're introduced to a cast of characters pretty quickly. These characters include Amara, Smoke, Rico, Paige, Monica, Justin, and Perfect P. My immediate thoughts were "how are these characters connected?".
My question was answered very quickly and the story took off from there. I really enjoyed the dual timelines (past and present) and the multiple POVs. Sometimes jumping from POV to POV can be jarring, but Nemesis does well with this and it helps to tell the story. The tension is clear and I took COPIOUS notes to try to connect the dots. The buildup, the secrets, the Greek mythology, and spiritual references are my favorite ways to experience a thriller.
This book is truly psychological. The mystery is complicated and layered. By the end with all of the information, I sat with it for a while. Who's telling the truth? I've chosen my side, but who's side will you choose?
This is definitely a book club book or a book to be read and then immediately discussed because even though I feel pretty confident in my decision I. HAVE. QUESTIONS. You will too.
TL:DR --> this is a psychological thriller done right. It's a conversation starter, a ride that you need all seatbelts (and edges) fastened for, and a culmination that will have you reviewing your notes like you have a final exam in a few hours!
I went into this book blind only knowing the tropes and a few of the themes from the author's social media posts. So mostly unaware, but I was immediately SAT for this story. Immediately, our ethereal narrator warns us to trust no one and take the information we're presented to try to figure out what the truth is and who is telling it. We're introduced to a cast of characters pretty quickly. These characters include Amara, Smoke, Rico, Paige, Monica, Justin, and Perfect P. My immediate thoughts were "how are these characters connected?".
My question was answered very quickly and the story took off from there. I really enjoyed the dual timelines (past and present) and the multiple POVs. Sometimes jumping from POV to POV can be jarring, but Nemesis does well with this and it helps to tell the story. The tension is clear and I took COPIOUS notes to try to connect the dots. The buildup, the secrets, the Greek mythology, and spiritual references are my favorite ways to experience a thriller.
This book is truly psychological. The mystery is complicated and layered. By the end with all of the information, I sat with it for a while. Who's telling the truth? I've chosen my side, but who's side will you choose?
This is definitely a book club book or a book to be read and then immediately discussed because even though I feel pretty confident in my decision I. HAVE. QUESTIONS. You will too.
TL:DR --> this is a psychological thriller done right. It's a conversation starter, a ride that you need all seatbelts (and edges) fastened for, and a culmination that will have you reviewing your notes like you have a final exam in a few hours!
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