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#FashionVictim
Fashion editor Anya St. Clair is on the verge of greatness. Her wardrobe is to die for. Her social media is killer. And her career path is littered with the bodies of anyone who got in her way. She’s worked hard to get where she is, but she doesn’t have everything.
Not like Sarah Taft. Anya’s obsession sits one desk away. Beautiful, stylish, and rich, she was born to be a fashion world icon. From her beach-wave blonde hair to her on-trend nail art, she’s a walking editorial spread. And Anya wants to be her friend. Her best friend. Her only friend.
But when Sarah becomes her top competition for a promotion, Anya’s plan to win her friendship goes into overdrive. In order to beat Sarah…she’ll have to become her. Friendly competition may turn fatal, but as they say in fashion: One day you’re in, and the next day you’re dead.
Not like Sarah Taft. Anya’s obsession sits one desk away. Beautiful, stylish, and rich, she was born to be a fashion world icon. From her beach-wave blonde hair to her on-trend nail art, she’s a walking editorial spread. And Anya wants to be her friend. Her best friend. Her only friend.
But when Sarah becomes her top competition for a promotion, Anya’s plan to win her friendship goes into overdrive. In order to beat Sarah…she’ll have to become her. Friendly competition may turn fatal, but as they say in fashion: One day you’re in, and the next day you’re dead.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 11, 2018
198 people are currently reading
4879 people want to read
About the author
Amina Akhtar
4 books362 followersAmina Akhtar is a former fashion writer and editor. She’s worked at Vogue, Elle.com, Style.com, NYTimes.com, and NYMag.com where she was the founding editor of The Cut blog. She’s written for numerous publications, including Yahoo Style, Fashionista, xoJane, Refinery29, Billboard, and for brands like Bergdorf Goodman and H&M’s 10 Years of Style tome. After toiling in the fashion ranks for over fifteen years, she now writes full time in the desert mountains, where she’s detoxing from her once glam life. #FashionVictim is Amina’s first novel.
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September 6, 2020
Oh! Full circle. So, this book was the reason why I started using NetGalley and while I almost stopped. (Yup, got declined).
Anyway, now, two years later, I'm using NetGalley pretty often, and I decided to finally read this book. (Just checked my e-mail, I received the declining e-mail on 17/8/2018. Why did I read this so fast? It could have been a fun anniversary.)
So, what did I think? (I mean, you already know based on my rating but still...)
In all honesty, this would be a 4,5* from me, but since I enjoyed it reading so much, I'll round it up to five!
Not gonna lie, I love fashion as much as the next girl. So, this topic basically won me over before I knew anything about the book.
And as much as many of you know, I love the villains in most stories or the anti-heroes. Anya is just that, this story is told from the POV of the villain of the story. Or is she? Maybe all of them are villains?
Anyway, Anya is crazy, to say the least. And she wants to be Sarah's BFF, so, she fakes her way into the fashion magazine La Vie. (Ehm, Dan Humphrey much?)
"Fashion people never let you forget that you don't belong."
But being in is not enough. When Anya and Sarah start competing for a promotion, things go south, I mean, Sarah cannot be a BFF with her employee, right?
However, Sarah is not the only competition, no, no, no, there are interns who pity Anya, who want to be Sarah's BFF, Sarah's current BFF who is digging in Anya's past. So many people are standing in Anya's way.
"You know what they say—if you can't join them, beat them."
I did not expect this book to turn so... gruesome in a way. For some reason, I expected it to be more comedic without the bodies piling up. ¨
Everyone started at Anya like this:
And Anya went:
And trust me, she knew how to you them.
Some of the things I did not necessarily like or I just wanted to point them out:
- Huge thank you to the author for making this a standalone!
- Also, can we get another book from Amina? She needs to write another book.
- It was quite easy to guess the outcome.
- The thing with Doctor M. became obvious quite fast.
- Sometimes I felt like some things were mentioned for no apparent reason. Like when someone spilt coffee on Anya during Fashion Week.
-
-
- Can we talk about Jack? He's 'totes' cute!
- I totally get why some people may not enjoy this book and that it contains a lot of things which may be triggering to some.
Anyway, now, two years later, I'm using NetGalley pretty often, and I decided to finally read this book. (Just checked my e-mail, I received the declining e-mail on 17/8/2018. Why did I read this so fast? It could have been a fun anniversary.)
So, what did I think? (I mean, you already know based on my rating but still...)
In all honesty, this would be a 4,5* from me, but since I enjoyed it reading so much, I'll round it up to five!
Not gonna lie, I love fashion as much as the next girl. So, this topic basically won me over before I knew anything about the book.
And as much as many of you know, I love the villains in most stories or the anti-heroes. Anya is just that, this story is told from the POV of the villain of the story. Or is she? Maybe all of them are villains?
Anyway, Anya is crazy, to say the least. And she wants to be Sarah's BFF, so, she fakes her way into the fashion magazine La Vie. (Ehm, Dan Humphrey much?)
"Fashion people never let you forget that you don't belong."
But being in is not enough. When Anya and Sarah start competing for a promotion, things go south, I mean, Sarah cannot be a BFF with her employee, right?
However, Sarah is not the only competition, no, no, no, there are interns who pity Anya, who want to be Sarah's BFF, Sarah's current BFF who is digging in Anya's past. So many people are standing in Anya's way.
"You know what they say—if you can't join them, beat them."
I did not expect this book to turn so... gruesome in a way. For some reason, I expected it to be more comedic without the bodies piling up. ¨
Everyone started at Anya like this:
And Anya went:
And trust me, she knew how to you them.
Some of the things I did not necessarily like or I just wanted to point them out:
- Huge thank you to the author for making this a standalone!
- Also, can we get another book from Amina? She needs to write another book.
- It was quite easy to guess the outcome.
- The thing with Doctor M. became obvious quite fast.
- Sometimes I felt like some things were mentioned for no apparent reason. Like when someone spilt coffee on Anya during Fashion Week.
-
-
- Can we talk about Jack? He's 'totes' cute!
- I totally get why some people may not enjoy this book and that it contains a lot of things which may be triggering to some.
September 11, 2018
3.5 death, lip gloss and, like, OMG stars!!!
In honor of #FashionVictim's release day, a full review is now posted to my blog Recipe and a Read!
If Clueless and Jawbreaker had a baby, it's name would be #FashionVictim.
God, there was always so much work to do. Update this, kill so-and-so. I wish people understood how hard we worked in fashion - all to make it look effortless, easy.
#FashionVictim follows Anya St. Clair at top fashion magazine La Vie. She has a coveted position of Associate Editor while simultaneously working to become BFFs with coworker and socialite Sarah Taft. Sarah is the alpha to Anya's beta. She's tall, lithe, has flowing blonde hair and comes from wealth, privilege and a prominent family.
When a promotion gets thrown on the table by their boss Celia, things get interesting. And by interesting I mean bat-shit crazy. Anya's numero uno goal is to be besties with Sarah and she see's this within her reach if she can only win this promotion. And by win the promotion, I mean go on a killing rampage.
I was embodying the deranged cat crying emoji. My hysteria levels were rising.
When we enter into the story Anya is at the very beginning of an ever-growing mania. Her mental health is waning and she's just dipped her toe into a murder spree that will last the entirety of the book. This is told solely from the POV of Anya and she is something else, to say the least. She's one of the most complexly one-dimensional characters I've ever read. She's absolutely you're unlikable, unreliable narrator trope to a T. However, I don't think Akhtar wrote these characters to be likable, they're written to be entertaining and this book was pure entertainment.
I would've liked to see some break-up of Anya's frenzy. While I enjoyed reading her POV I think the book suffered a bit because it ended up being a little choppy. I would've loved to see the Detectives take on things or a past / present break up of how Anya got to where she is today.
"I need to look like I belong in a photoshoot! That I'm cool and chill and don't care. I need to affect - what's the word? Not boredom?" "Ennui?" "Yes!" I jumped up and clapped. "I need to ennui the fuck out of my life. You're brilliant Dr. M."
There was a dry, dark and campy humor here that really worked for me and colored my overall enjoyment of this. However, despite the interesting premise things grew a bit tired throughout. The overuse of OMG, WTF and other abbreviations was grating at times. There is also a bit of stereotyping going on in this read. From body shaming to the assumption that anyone working in fashion is vapid, vane and dense. I do think this was meant to be ironic and to poke fun at the stereotypes but it got a little old for me in it's redundancy. Lastly, there was a lack of development into the ending that led to some logistical holes and it was for these reasons that I rounded down to 3 stars instead of up to 4.
Since we're given the POV of the killer instead of the victims there aren't many "twists" per se. However, I don't think the story was worse for wear because of it. It was fresh and entertaining from start to finish. I think it'd make a great movie but wasn't written in a way where that was clearly the end goal.
It didn't hurt that there was a million and one Law & Order: Special Victims Unit references either.
No one called Elliot Stabler by his first name. Except for Benson but hello? She'd earned that right.
I completed this as a Traveling Sisters read. Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In honor of #FashionVictim's release day, a full review is now posted to my blog Recipe and a Read!
If Clueless and Jawbreaker had a baby, it's name would be #FashionVictim.
God, there was always so much work to do. Update this, kill so-and-so. I wish people understood how hard we worked in fashion - all to make it look effortless, easy.
#FashionVictim follows Anya St. Clair at top fashion magazine La Vie. She has a coveted position of Associate Editor while simultaneously working to become BFFs with coworker and socialite Sarah Taft. Sarah is the alpha to Anya's beta. She's tall, lithe, has flowing blonde hair and comes from wealth, privilege and a prominent family.
When a promotion gets thrown on the table by their boss Celia, things get interesting. And by interesting I mean bat-shit crazy. Anya's numero uno goal is to be besties with Sarah and she see's this within her reach if she can only win this promotion. And by win the promotion, I mean go on a killing rampage.
I was embodying the deranged cat crying emoji. My hysteria levels were rising.
When we enter into the story Anya is at the very beginning of an ever-growing mania. Her mental health is waning and she's just dipped her toe into a murder spree that will last the entirety of the book. This is told solely from the POV of Anya and she is something else, to say the least. She's one of the most complexly one-dimensional characters I've ever read. She's absolutely you're unlikable, unreliable narrator trope to a T. However, I don't think Akhtar wrote these characters to be likable, they're written to be entertaining and this book was pure entertainment.
I would've liked to see some break-up of Anya's frenzy. While I enjoyed reading her POV I think the book suffered a bit because it ended up being a little choppy. I would've loved to see the Detectives take on things or a past / present break up of how Anya got to where she is today.
"I need to look like I belong in a photoshoot! That I'm cool and chill and don't care. I need to affect - what's the word? Not boredom?" "Ennui?" "Yes!" I jumped up and clapped. "I need to ennui the fuck out of my life. You're brilliant Dr. M."
There was a dry, dark and campy humor here that really worked for me and colored my overall enjoyment of this. However, despite the interesting premise things grew a bit tired throughout. The overuse of OMG, WTF and other abbreviations was grating at times. There is also a bit of stereotyping going on in this read. From body shaming to the assumption that anyone working in fashion is vapid, vane and dense. I do think this was meant to be ironic and to poke fun at the stereotypes but it got a little old for me in it's redundancy. Lastly, there was a lack of development into the ending that led to some logistical holes and it was for these reasons that I rounded down to 3 stars instead of up to 4.
Since we're given the POV of the killer instead of the victims there aren't many "twists" per se. However, I don't think the story was worse for wear because of it. It was fresh and entertaining from start to finish. I think it'd make a great movie but wasn't written in a way where that was clearly the end goal.
It didn't hurt that there was a million and one Law & Order: Special Victims Unit references either.
No one called Elliot Stabler by his first name. Except for Benson but hello? She'd earned that right.
I completed this as a Traveling Sisters read. Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 13, 2018
3.5 Stars!
Fashionably dark and a wickedly fun read! Dexter anyone?
#FashionVictim by Amina Akhtar is a campy, compulsive and highly entertaining dark comedy that was a refreshing and fun book to read. It started off a little shaky for me but it sure didn’t take me long to be wrapped up in Anya’s world of fashion, her deadly antics and her mood boards.
AMINA AKHTAR delivers a creative, interesting, unique and easy read here with characters that were not the easiest to like but boy were they ever compelling and highly entertaining to read about though. The story is told from Anya’s point of view and there isn’t a lot of surprises to be had here as we are pretty much privy to the way that Anya’s mind works and what she is up to right from the beginning of the novel. I really enjoyed this approach as she really had me so curious and the tension comes in with the suspense of what she is thinking, going to do next and how.
I haven’t had this much fun following along with a character like Anya since maybe Dexter. I wouldn’t say that the storylines were at all similar though but there were some aspects to their characters that were, which I found to be rather appealing in a fictional-based kind of way mind you.
* Traveling Sisters Read *
Publishing Date: September 11, 2018
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Intriguing, dark and a good representation to story.
Title: Drew me in, extremely fitting and ties into plot perfectly with multiple scenarios.
Writing/Prose: colorful, exaggerated, satirical, and amusing.
Ending: Satisfying, wrapped up nicely but also open for the possibility of a sequel, and enjoyed Anya’s thought processes in the end.
Overall: An enjoyable, twisted, fun, quick, entertaining, and fast-paced read. Although there were definitely some aspects to this novel that was a little bit trying though with the way some things were portrayed and narrated. Would recommend!
Thank you so much to Sarah at Crooked Lane Books for sending me a physical copy of this book.
Review written and posted on Two Sisters Lost In A Coulee Reading book blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com
Fashionably dark and a wickedly fun read! Dexter anyone?
#FashionVictim by Amina Akhtar is a campy, compulsive and highly entertaining dark comedy that was a refreshing and fun book to read. It started off a little shaky for me but it sure didn’t take me long to be wrapped up in Anya’s world of fashion, her deadly antics and her mood boards.
AMINA AKHTAR delivers a creative, interesting, unique and easy read here with characters that were not the easiest to like but boy were they ever compelling and highly entertaining to read about though. The story is told from Anya’s point of view and there isn’t a lot of surprises to be had here as we are pretty much privy to the way that Anya’s mind works and what she is up to right from the beginning of the novel. I really enjoyed this approach as she really had me so curious and the tension comes in with the suspense of what she is thinking, going to do next and how.
I haven’t had this much fun following along with a character like Anya since maybe Dexter. I wouldn’t say that the storylines were at all similar though but there were some aspects to their characters that were, which I found to be rather appealing in a fictional-based kind of way mind you.
* Traveling Sisters Read *
Publishing Date: September 11, 2018
Norma’s Stats:
Cover: Intriguing, dark and a good representation to story.
Title: Drew me in, extremely fitting and ties into plot perfectly with multiple scenarios.
Writing/Prose: colorful, exaggerated, satirical, and amusing.
Ending: Satisfying, wrapped up nicely but also open for the possibility of a sequel, and enjoyed Anya’s thought processes in the end.
Overall: An enjoyable, twisted, fun, quick, entertaining, and fast-paced read. Although there were definitely some aspects to this novel that was a little bit trying though with the way some things were portrayed and narrated. Would recommend!
Thank you so much to Sarah at Crooked Lane Books for sending me a physical copy of this book.
Review written and posted on Two Sisters Lost In A Coulee Reading book blog:
https://twosisterslostinacoulee.com
September 10, 2018
Do you ever finish a book and think, “Wow! WTF??? But wow!” That is the best way I can describe this fun, dark, twisted book. It is completely bananas!!! The protagonist Anya is off her rocker. Some might say whack-y (get it? Because of the murders!) I was really intrigued when I read the description of this book, and it was much better than I even imagined. I genuinely could not put it down. And for such dark subject matter, I frequently found myself laughing out loud! What a trip this one was!
About the Book
Anya St. Clair is finally getting the life she wanted. The life she deserves. She is a successful fashion editor with an amazing wardrobe and a knack for writing pithy articles. But Anya doesn’t quite have everything she wants. Yet.
Sarah Taft, Anya’s colleague and cube-mate truly has it all. She is gorgeous, wealthy, has amazing social capital, and she’s the darling of the magazine. Anya knows she and Sarah will be BFFs, if only Sarah can realize that Anya is the perfect friend. But Sarah insists on befriending other people and subtly putting Anya down.
That won’t last for long, though. Anya will do anything to be Sarah’s best friend, even if it leaves a trail of dead bodies in her wake. And when Sarah and Anya are up for the same promotion, let’s just say Sarah better watch out. In fashion, one day you’re in, and the next day you’re dead.
Reflection
This book is like The Devil Wears Prada meets American Psycho and by the third chapter I was completely living for this book! Anya is someone who is destined to carry a novel. Her voice demands to be heard, and she doesn’t shy away from anything. It might be hard to imagine that living inside the mind of a delusional, deranged, murderous fashionista would be fun, but here we have proof that it is.
Anya is absolutely nuts, in the most fun way. We may see her killing someone off, only to later envision interacting with them and calling them #TeamAnya (Thanks, girl!). Every time this would happen I got positively giddy! There is something about the way Akhtar writes that is so readable. Despite Anya’s complete psychotic, murderous behavior, there were still relatable parts to her.
For instance, the feeling of being left out. The feeling of thinking you’ve done something for someone, only to have them brush you aside. The feeling that you aren’t as good in some way as someone else you admire. These are all things many of us have experienced. So while hopefully none of us resorts to murder to cope with these feelings, I did find that without her extreme mental illness and abhorrent behavior, Anya could have turned out to be someone that we’d find ourselves relating to.
And then that ending! Wow, what a trip the ending to this book is!!! It is perfect and delightful and twisted—just what I wanted from Anya and her cast of zany fashion friends! I heard that this was chosen for a Book of the Month and I’m so happy for Amina Akhtar. It is a well-deserved, but surprising choice. (Surprising because this book is so different and unique, not because it isn’t amazing). I loved it! I am already excited to see what Akhtar does next!
I read this one with the Traveling Sisters so peek around at their reviews. We had such a fun time with this book!
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for my advanced copy to review honestly.
About the Book
Anya St. Clair is finally getting the life she wanted. The life she deserves. She is a successful fashion editor with an amazing wardrobe and a knack for writing pithy articles. But Anya doesn’t quite have everything she wants. Yet.
Sarah Taft, Anya’s colleague and cube-mate truly has it all. She is gorgeous, wealthy, has amazing social capital, and she’s the darling of the magazine. Anya knows she and Sarah will be BFFs, if only Sarah can realize that Anya is the perfect friend. But Sarah insists on befriending other people and subtly putting Anya down.
That won’t last for long, though. Anya will do anything to be Sarah’s best friend, even if it leaves a trail of dead bodies in her wake. And when Sarah and Anya are up for the same promotion, let’s just say Sarah better watch out. In fashion, one day you’re in, and the next day you’re dead.
Reflection
This book is like The Devil Wears Prada meets American Psycho and by the third chapter I was completely living for this book! Anya is someone who is destined to carry a novel. Her voice demands to be heard, and she doesn’t shy away from anything. It might be hard to imagine that living inside the mind of a delusional, deranged, murderous fashionista would be fun, but here we have proof that it is.
Anya is absolutely nuts, in the most fun way. We may see her killing someone off, only to later envision interacting with them and calling them #TeamAnya (Thanks, girl!). Every time this would happen I got positively giddy! There is something about the way Akhtar writes that is so readable. Despite Anya’s complete psychotic, murderous behavior, there were still relatable parts to her.
For instance, the feeling of being left out. The feeling of thinking you’ve done something for someone, only to have them brush you aside. The feeling that you aren’t as good in some way as someone else you admire. These are all things many of us have experienced. So while hopefully none of us resorts to murder to cope with these feelings, I did find that without her extreme mental illness and abhorrent behavior, Anya could have turned out to be someone that we’d find ourselves relating to.
And then that ending! Wow, what a trip the ending to this book is!!! It is perfect and delightful and twisted—just what I wanted from Anya and her cast of zany fashion friends! I heard that this was chosen for a Book of the Month and I’m so happy for Amina Akhtar. It is a well-deserved, but surprising choice. (Surprising because this book is so different and unique, not because it isn’t amazing). I loved it! I am already excited to see what Akhtar does next!
I read this one with the Traveling Sisters so peek around at their reviews. We had such a fun time with this book!
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books for my advanced copy to review honestly.
September 6, 2018
This is an over-the-top, absolutely entertaining, dark comedy.
The story follows Anya St. Clair who works in a fashion magazine and whose main goal in life is to become besties with her glamorous and influential co-worker Sarah Taft. When the opportunity for a promotion is put on the table, Anya becomes hyper-focused on getting it, even if it requires taking extreme and deadly measures.
This novel is deliciously addictive and once I started reading I could not stop. The story is told from the point of view of Anya and takes place in NYC. The characters are not explored deeply but are still compelling enough to give you some chills.
This title reminded me of the book Social Creature and the movie Ingrid Goes West, which I deeply enjoyed.
Overall, I had fun reading this book and highly recommend it.
*I read this book with the Traveling Sisters. Our discussions made my experience more enriching and interesting*
Received ARC from the publisher
The story follows Anya St. Clair who works in a fashion magazine and whose main goal in life is to become besties with her glamorous and influential co-worker Sarah Taft. When the opportunity for a promotion is put on the table, Anya becomes hyper-focused on getting it, even if it requires taking extreme and deadly measures.
This novel is deliciously addictive and once I started reading I could not stop. The story is told from the point of view of Anya and takes place in NYC. The characters are not explored deeply but are still compelling enough to give you some chills.
This title reminded me of the book Social Creature and the movie Ingrid Goes West, which I deeply enjoyed.
Overall, I had fun reading this book and highly recommend it.
*I read this book with the Traveling Sisters. Our discussions made my experience more enriching and interesting*
Received ARC from the publisher
September 8, 2018
#Devious #Satire
Anya St.Clair is one psychotic character who takes climbing the ladder of success to a whole new level (murder)!!! She is an editor at La Vie, a New York fashion magazine that features all the latest trends. The office mean girls obsess over the latest designer bags, Louboutin heels and green juices. Who knew a size 6 was overweight? Anya is completely obsessed with a co-worker, Sarah, and vows to do "whatever it takes" to gain her friendship (including kissing her toned a**) #BFF
Her murderous deeds are met with posts on instagram, hashtags, hot detectives and getting "manis". The magazine office is getting bloody dangerous after the first victim is found and everyone is trying to avoid "Murder Hallway". Dr. M is Anya's trusted psychiatrist and he tries to help counsel her as she deals with all her issues with those who she deems are not on #teamAnya.
This is a devious read with a lot of fashion drama (killer heels -literally) ,back stabbing office politics, completely over the top characters, warped humor, creepy frightful murders. Should I say more?
Oh, and what a shocking ending! Did I enjoy it? Totes!!
Thanks so much to Crooked Lane for my copy of this dark comedy murder thriller. Publishes on September 11,2018
Anya St.Clair is one psychotic character who takes climbing the ladder of success to a whole new level (murder)!!! She is an editor at La Vie, a New York fashion magazine that features all the latest trends. The office mean girls obsess over the latest designer bags, Louboutin heels and green juices. Who knew a size 6 was overweight? Anya is completely obsessed with a co-worker, Sarah, and vows to do "whatever it takes" to gain her friendship (including kissing her toned a**) #BFF
Her murderous deeds are met with posts on instagram, hashtags, hot detectives and getting "manis". The magazine office is getting bloody dangerous after the first victim is found and everyone is trying to avoid "Murder Hallway". Dr. M is Anya's trusted psychiatrist and he tries to help counsel her as she deals with all her issues with those who she deems are not on #teamAnya.
This is a devious read with a lot of fashion drama (killer heels -literally) ,back stabbing office politics, completely over the top characters, warped humor, creepy frightful murders. Should I say more?
Oh, and what a shocking ending! Did I enjoy it? Totes!!
Thanks so much to Crooked Lane for my copy of this dark comedy murder thriller. Publishes on September 11,2018
December 27, 2018
An outrageous, unique, and dark story with the perfect amount of #craycray
Loved this! Are you kidding me? A book about fashion where I get to spend the entire time in the mind of a complete whackadoodle? It’s a dream come true, don’t judge! I am SO #teamanya loved her! Well with the exception of the murdering thing, and the obsession thing, and the fact that she had no moral compass, but who am I to judge?😉
Anya is a fashionista working for a fashion magazine with her eye on the prize, and nothing I mean nothing is going to stop her! She is a bit obsessed, OK a lot obsessed with her coworker Sarah... convinced if she can just become BFFs with her it will take her to The next level.... after the gauntlet is thrown down with a promotion on the line the bodies start dropping and nobody is safe! You know what they say; and fashion, one day you’re in and the next day you’re dead.
A dart campy quirky book that made me giggle and roll my eyes throughout! A book that had me feeling sympathy for the killer...Anya was such a disturbed, deranged, delusional psycho, but shoot I still adored the girl!This book captured my attention completely throughout... and that ending? that was both shocking and deliciously delightful! Definitely looking forward to the next book from this author, this was a bunch of fun!
*** many thanks to Crooked Lane for my copy of this book ***
Loved this! Are you kidding me? A book about fashion where I get to spend the entire time in the mind of a complete whackadoodle? It’s a dream come true, don’t judge! I am SO #teamanya loved her! Well with the exception of the murdering thing, and the obsession thing, and the fact that she had no moral compass, but who am I to judge?😉
Anya is a fashionista working for a fashion magazine with her eye on the prize, and nothing I mean nothing is going to stop her! She is a bit obsessed, OK a lot obsessed with her coworker Sarah... convinced if she can just become BFFs with her it will take her to The next level.... after the gauntlet is thrown down with a promotion on the line the bodies start dropping and nobody is safe! You know what they say; and fashion, one day you’re in and the next day you’re dead.
A dart campy quirky book that made me giggle and roll my eyes throughout! A book that had me feeling sympathy for the killer...Anya was such a disturbed, deranged, delusional psycho, but shoot I still adored the girl!This book captured my attention completely throughout... and that ending? that was both shocking and deliciously delightful! Definitely looking forward to the next book from this author, this was a bunch of fun!
*** many thanks to Crooked Lane for my copy of this book ***
September 27, 2018
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
It appears the marketing blurb has been changed a teensie bit, because I’m positive when I decided I want to read #fashionvictim it was said to be “The Devil Wears Prada meets American Psycho.” Having now read this book, I can only say . . . .
I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to see a comparison that makes sense and not one that just barfs out it’s “the next Gone Girl.”
This may have been a right place/right time read for me but whatever, I’m going with it. From the cover to the hashtaggy title to the one-line seller . . . .
“Bitches get stitches.”
We’re talking pure campy good times as Anya does everything it takes to make her mark on the fashion world and get in Sarah's inner circle. All that's left to say??? Dear Amina Akhtar . . .
All we have to do now
Is take these lies and make them true somehow
All we have to see
Is that I don't belong to you
But if you keep writing like this you might have to belong to me
ARC provided by Crooked Lane in exchange for an honest review.
It appears the marketing blurb has been changed a teensie bit, because I’m positive when I decided I want to read #fashionvictim it was said to be “The Devil Wears Prada meets American Psycho.” Having now read this book, I can only say . . . .
I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to see a comparison that makes sense and not one that just barfs out it’s “the next Gone Girl.”
This may have been a right place/right time read for me but whatever, I’m going with it. From the cover to the hashtaggy title to the one-line seller . . . .
“Bitches get stitches.”
We’re talking pure campy good times as Anya does everything it takes to make her mark on the fashion world and get in Sarah's inner circle. All that's left to say??? Dear Amina Akhtar . . .
All we have to do now
Is take these lies and make them true somehow
All we have to see
Is that I don't belong to you
But if you keep writing like this you might have to belong to me
ARC provided by Crooked Lane in exchange for an honest review.
September 11, 2018
Traveling Sisters Group Read.
Norma and I read #FashionVictim with three of our Traveling Sisters and we all were drawn into this story right away. However, we did have some different thoughts on this one.
Amina Akhtar takes some of the sillier parts of the fashion world and turns it to ridiculously, uncanny and bizarre over the top fun The characters are so exaggerated unlikeable and stereotyped it will have you laughing out loud at times but also feeling a little uncomfortable as well. There are some serious issues here as well but I felt thought Amina Akhtar took them to show just how catty things can get in the fashion world. This where things went a little sideways for Christina as she felt it was a little much at times.
I love the title and how Amina Akhtar ties that into the story. That was a laugh out loud moment for me when I read that part of the story. Such a clever title for this story.
We all enjoyed our unlikable yet so likable in a very unsettling and weird way fashion psychopath Anya. Amina Akhtar does a good job pulling us into her mind and her intrusive thoughts that really felt real in my head at times, leaving us feeling a little weird at liking her. We could see how the cattiness like shallow friendships, betrayals, and shifting alliance played on her mind.
#FashionVictim made for a really fun, and interesting discussion for us and it's one I recommend for groups. It leaves you with a lot to talk about. I also recommend this one to anyone looking for something fun and different for an entertaining read and not to be taken very seriously.
Publishing Date: September 11, 2018
Thank you so much to Sarah at Crooked Lane Books for sending me a physical copy of this book.
Norma and I read #FashionVictim with three of our Traveling Sisters and we all were drawn into this story right away. However, we did have some different thoughts on this one.
Amina Akhtar takes some of the sillier parts of the fashion world and turns it to ridiculously, uncanny and bizarre over the top fun The characters are so exaggerated unlikeable and stereotyped it will have you laughing out loud at times but also feeling a little uncomfortable as well. There are some serious issues here as well but I felt thought Amina Akhtar took them to show just how catty things can get in the fashion world. This where things went a little sideways for Christina as she felt it was a little much at times.
I love the title and how Amina Akhtar ties that into the story. That was a laugh out loud moment for me when I read that part of the story. Such a clever title for this story.
We all enjoyed our unlikable yet so likable in a very unsettling and weird way fashion psychopath Anya. Amina Akhtar does a good job pulling us into her mind and her intrusive thoughts that really felt real in my head at times, leaving us feeling a little weird at liking her. We could see how the cattiness like shallow friendships, betrayals, and shifting alliance played on her mind.
#FashionVictim made for a really fun, and interesting discussion for us and it's one I recommend for groups. It leaves you with a lot to talk about. I also recommend this one to anyone looking for something fun and different for an entertaining read and not to be taken very seriously.
Publishing Date: September 11, 2018
Thank you so much to Sarah at Crooked Lane Books for sending me a physical copy of this book.
August 11, 2018
#FashionVictim by Amina Akhtaris a book I requested and the review is voluntary. This book has Mean Girls marries Dexter and you get the main character in here. It is a dark, odd, but good book but....it does have murder (gory scenes), racism, fat shaming, and bullying. There is dry humor, dark humor sprinkled through the book. It is a strange subject, fashion, to have murder going on but it works. Interesting and disturbing, funny at times and hated it at times, a one of a kind!
Read
September 17, 2018DNF @ 100 pages. It’s a case of it’s not you it’s me. Please see the other rave reviews for this one - I am definitely in the minority here.
November 5, 2018
"God there was always so much work to do. Update this, kill so-and-so. I wish people understood how hard we worked in fashion all to make it look effortlessly easy."
This was a delightful dark, campy comedy that was such an easy read that I will probably read it again and again for some light relief.
It was the kind of book that was so vivid that I felt like I was watching a movie, and make no mistake this book will make an amazing movie which I will be very excited to go and see. All of the characters had a great over the top quality to them, think The Devil Wears Prada meets Scream Queens with a dash of Mean Girls. Anya’s narration of the fashion world as both superficial and incredibly hard working was highly enjoyable.
Anya’s mental state is an interesting journey through that novel as you have to try and decipher reality from what is going on in her head, but it is done in such a way that it made reading the story very compelling. Even going into it knowing the “who done it” didn’t detract from the draw to keep reading to find out what would happen next. Most of the way through there aren’t too many twists that you don’t see coming because you are reading it from the point of view of the killer, however, there is a big one right in the final section of the book that I didn’t see coming which was a very nice surprise. I will say however, there were times that I was slightly uncomfortable with the portrayal of Anya’s mental health, but at the same time it was a really interesting element that I think it was required - do stick with it, it does all come full circle in the end.
We are always told not to judge a book by its cover but when the cover draws you in like that of #FashionVictim why should you not?! Luckily the story is even better than the cover so you will not be disappointed. If you haven’t already read this, I would highly recommend that you do, especially before they make it into a movie (or TV show). I do hope this is just the first of a series of books on Anya, the fashion world and the friendship that she has at the end (I don’t want to spoil it for you!).
A big thank you to Netgalley and crooked lane books for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
This was a delightful dark, campy comedy that was such an easy read that I will probably read it again and again for some light relief.
It was the kind of book that was so vivid that I felt like I was watching a movie, and make no mistake this book will make an amazing movie which I will be very excited to go and see. All of the characters had a great over the top quality to them, think The Devil Wears Prada meets Scream Queens with a dash of Mean Girls. Anya’s narration of the fashion world as both superficial and incredibly hard working was highly enjoyable.
Anya’s mental state is an interesting journey through that novel as you have to try and decipher reality from what is going on in her head, but it is done in such a way that it made reading the story very compelling. Even going into it knowing the “who done it” didn’t detract from the draw to keep reading to find out what would happen next. Most of the way through there aren’t too many twists that you don’t see coming because you are reading it from the point of view of the killer, however, there is a big one right in the final section of the book that I didn’t see coming which was a very nice surprise. I will say however, there were times that I was slightly uncomfortable with the portrayal of Anya’s mental health, but at the same time it was a really interesting element that I think it was required - do stick with it, it does all come full circle in the end.
We are always told not to judge a book by its cover but when the cover draws you in like that of #FashionVictim why should you not?! Luckily the story is even better than the cover so you will not be disappointed. If you haven’t already read this, I would highly recommend that you do, especially before they make it into a movie (or TV show). I do hope this is just the first of a series of books on Anya, the fashion world and the friendship that she has at the end (I don’t want to spoil it for you!).
A big thank you to Netgalley and crooked lane books for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an unbiased review.
September 6, 2019
#OMG #WTF #WOW #TWISTED #CRAZY #REALLYCRAZY
If you have ever wondered what would happen if you mixed The Devil Wears Prada with American Psycho then Amina Akhtar’s book, #FashionVictim is for you.
Over the top characters take backstabbing and climbing the corporate ladder to new extremes.
Why worry about working hard to get promoted when you can just murder the competition instead?
Only make sure you are wearing the latest Marc Jacobs jacket paired with the Chanel pencil skirt and Manolo pumps while literally killing the competition. Don’t forget to blog about it afterwards. #killingit
Fashion editor, Anya St. Clair, has a killer job at fashion magazine, La Vie, an amazing wardrobe and a successful blog.
Unfortunately Anya doesn’t have everything she wants. She is not #BFFs with the ultra-glam, gorgeous colleague, Sarah Taft.
Sarah is not only gorgeous and wealthy but is the “It” girl of social media and the favorite of the magazine editor in chief.
Anya will do anything and I mean anything to be BFFs with Sarah.
Sarah takes every opportunity to remind Anya of why she will never be part of Sarah’s world and makes public humiliation of Anya a daily ritual.
Anya never gives up on becoming Sarah’s bestie until they are pitted against each other for a promotion.
Ali versus Frazier was nothing compared to the unbelievable dirty low punches these two throw at each other.
The story is told from the psychotic Anya’s point of view.
The book is a fast-paced, dark, campy look into the fashion industry.
Akhtar’s book was weak in character development and too easy in the way things fit perfectly. The premise of a dark campy psychological thriller was there but all of the characters were unlikable and Anya’s character needed more development and backstory to make her a character worthy of our interest.
Unfortunately #FashionVictim fell #FashionFlat.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #FashionVictim
If you have ever wondered what would happen if you mixed The Devil Wears Prada with American Psycho then Amina Akhtar’s book, #FashionVictim is for you.
Over the top characters take backstabbing and climbing the corporate ladder to new extremes.
Why worry about working hard to get promoted when you can just murder the competition instead?
Only make sure you are wearing the latest Marc Jacobs jacket paired with the Chanel pencil skirt and Manolo pumps while literally killing the competition. Don’t forget to blog about it afterwards. #killingit
Fashion editor, Anya St. Clair, has a killer job at fashion magazine, La Vie, an amazing wardrobe and a successful blog.
Unfortunately Anya doesn’t have everything she wants. She is not #BFFs with the ultra-glam, gorgeous colleague, Sarah Taft.
Sarah is not only gorgeous and wealthy but is the “It” girl of social media and the favorite of the magazine editor in chief.
Anya will do anything and I mean anything to be BFFs with Sarah.
Sarah takes every opportunity to remind Anya of why she will never be part of Sarah’s world and makes public humiliation of Anya a daily ritual.
Anya never gives up on becoming Sarah’s bestie until they are pitted against each other for a promotion.
Ali versus Frazier was nothing compared to the unbelievable dirty low punches these two throw at each other.
The story is told from the psychotic Anya’s point of view.
The book is a fast-paced, dark, campy look into the fashion industry.
Akhtar’s book was weak in character development and too easy in the way things fit perfectly. The premise of a dark campy psychological thriller was there but all of the characters were unlikable and Anya’s character needed more development and backstory to make her a character worthy of our interest.
Unfortunately #FashionVictim fell #FashionFlat.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #FashionVictim
August 16, 2018
#FashionVictim
is a perfect blend of American Psycho meets The Devil Wears Prada, sprinkled in with some Jane Doe. Anya St. Clair is working at La Vie, the fashion conglomerate stationed in New York and she's in one of the most cutthroat businesses in the city. Her role as fashion editor has given her the opportunity to be part of the fashion elite—the high society of New York. After her boss, the editor-in-chief, offers her and a colleague the chance at a promotion, Anya knows that it's hers for the taking. Anya's colleague Sarah Taft is the woman with everything at her fingertips. She's famous, rich, and beautiful—everyone wants to be like her! When the race for the promotion starts getting a little too close, Anya's mental state becomes questionable. She will stop at nothing to win over her boss and get the promotion she so desperately wants, and nobody will stand in her way.
This review is difficult for me because #FashionVictim is just so fun to read, but still had it's flaws. However, this is Amina Akhtar's first novel and I'm excited to see her master her craft further. #FashionVictim is not a dense or deep read by any means, and you should definitely consider this a book you can read on the beach, relaxing with some wine at home, or picking up while on your morning commute (MASS TRANSIT ONLY PEOPLE PLEASE :P). Mini-spoiler alert: As we get deeper into the story, we also get a peek into the darkness of Anya's mental state. We don't get deep into the psyche of Anya, or into the personalities of any of the secondary characters. I wish #FashionVictim took you even farther, but we only get a little taste of what she's capable. With the storyline's short explanations and unbelievable results, I just felt myself wanting more. Please note, #FashionVictim 's writing can be grating for those looking for a more immersive and atmospheric read. You get a lot of short sentences and millennial jargon running throughout the story (OMG! WTF! Bee Tee Dubs, etc.) so if you pick up this story, please don't say that I didn't warn you.
#FashionVictim is definitely a story you should pick up if you enjoyed this summer's Social Creature or Jane Doe because the writing and plot are very similar. While this was a fun, fast-paced read, you must go into it with no expectations and just enjoy the ride!
This review is difficult for me because #FashionVictim is just so fun to read, but still had it's flaws. However, this is Amina Akhtar's first novel and I'm excited to see her master her craft further. #FashionVictim is not a dense or deep read by any means, and you should definitely consider this a book you can read on the beach, relaxing with some wine at home, or picking up while on your morning commute (MASS TRANSIT ONLY PEOPLE PLEASE :P). Mini-spoiler alert: As we get deeper into the story, we also get a peek into the darkness of Anya's mental state. We don't get deep into the psyche of Anya, or into the personalities of any of the secondary characters. I wish #FashionVictim took you even farther, but we only get a little taste of what she's capable. With the storyline's short explanations and unbelievable results, I just felt myself wanting more. Please note, #FashionVictim 's writing can be grating for those looking for a more immersive and atmospheric read. You get a lot of short sentences and millennial jargon running throughout the story (OMG! WTF! Bee Tee Dubs, etc.) so if you pick up this story, please don't say that I didn't warn you.
#FashionVictim is definitely a story you should pick up if you enjoyed this summer's Social Creature or Jane Doe because the writing and plot are very similar. While this was a fun, fast-paced read, you must go into it with no expectations and just enjoy the ride!
Read
August 31, 2018Why I love it
by Danielle Esplin
Have you ever thought about sticking a shard of glass into someone’s chest and kicking them while they’re bleeding out? Yeah, me neither. But you might, after reading #FashionVictim. I’m in the entertainment industry, and I’ve had my fair share of insufferable comments and shade. But I’ve never met anyone as daunting as the backstabbing (yes, I mean that literally) coterie of girls in this delicious parody about the fashion world’s most ruthless social climbers.
Anya’s fixation on her co-worker Sarah Taft borders on the psychotic. Stylish and stunningly hot, Sarah’s rise to the top of the fashion influencer game seems practically pre-ordained. Anya’s just looking to cling to her coattails—but when a promotion is announced that they both want, her little obsession becomes, well, lethal.
I sustained a few papercuts tearing through this book, but they were all worth it. Not only is this story of millennial schemers in designer clothes compulsively readable, but Anya’s voice—she’s a sociopath, don’t forget, and the judgiest mean girl ever—is as cutting as a sharpened stiletto. This is an inside account of the fashion world from a debut author who has been there and seen it all.
Read more at: https://www.bookofthemonth.com/fashio...
by Danielle Esplin
Have you ever thought about sticking a shard of glass into someone’s chest and kicking them while they’re bleeding out? Yeah, me neither. But you might, after reading #FashionVictim. I’m in the entertainment industry, and I’ve had my fair share of insufferable comments and shade. But I’ve never met anyone as daunting as the backstabbing (yes, I mean that literally) coterie of girls in this delicious parody about the fashion world’s most ruthless social climbers.
Anya’s fixation on her co-worker Sarah Taft borders on the psychotic. Stylish and stunningly hot, Sarah’s rise to the top of the fashion influencer game seems practically pre-ordained. Anya’s just looking to cling to her coattails—but when a promotion is announced that they both want, her little obsession becomes, well, lethal.
I sustained a few papercuts tearing through this book, but they were all worth it. Not only is this story of millennial schemers in designer clothes compulsively readable, but Anya’s voice—she’s a sociopath, don’t forget, and the judgiest mean girl ever—is as cutting as a sharpened stiletto. This is an inside account of the fashion world from a debut author who has been there and seen it all.
Read more at: https://www.bookofthemonth.com/fashio...
June 14, 2018
LOVE that cover design!!! I totally judged this book by its cover and turned out RIGHT this time.
I was a little surprised about how much I enjoyed it actually. Not that I expected I wouldn't, just been a bad few hypes lately. I feared this would turn out to be some sort of chick lit - thriller crossover, but nothing of the sort.
Don't get me wrong there's plenty of girls in various shapes forms and outfits, but the main narrator is nothing like your regular fashion chick.
I loved the attitude of this book. Cool, up-to-date chatty but not in a boring dialogue kind of way. More like informative and giving you the inside head of a rather complex and twisted young woman with so many secrets and skeletons in her closet that the hairs on your back are unwittingly rising up at times.
That being said, oddly enough you still find yourself sort of rooting for her in a sick way - this is a refreshing fashionista narrative, TRUST ME!
And then when you start seeing where the story goes...well, I was engrossed. She didn't have a bored (read: innocent) moment.
Without giving any spoilers I feel it necessary to sort of warn the reader that this isn't a fashion friendship story exactly. More like the synopsis says: One day you’re in, and the next day you’re dead.
And that ending...even an experienced bookaholic won't see that outcome coming!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publishers for this copy in exchange for my honest review. I would definitely recommend this as a refreshing beach read for all the style loving ladies.
Also, if you've ever had a moment of I-COULD-KILL-HER-RIGHT-NOW...this is definitely your read!
August 23, 2022
2.5 STARS
I didn’t find any suspense in this book. It was predictable and nothing special. Basically, just a fashion editor on a killing spree with no extra bells or whistles.
I didn’t find any suspense in this book. It was predictable and nothing special. Basically, just a fashion editor on a killing spree with no extra bells or whistles.
September 12, 2018
The fashion industry is front and center in this dark, sometimes humorous, satire.
Anya is a fashion editor who has worked hard to get as successful as she is. She has the job .. the clothes... the social media ... the name. She also has the bodies of anyone who ever got in her way.
When Sarah becomes her top competition for a promotion, the budding friendship may turn fatal. She's a one-woman killing machine in designer clothes.
Catty, back-stabbing, malicious, mean girls make up most of the characters. Frankly, some of them are over the top, but irresistible in wanting to see what nastiness they come up with next.
It's an engaging work by an author who truly knows the fashion industry.
Many thanks to the author / Crooked Lane Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this most entertaining story. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Anya is a fashion editor who has worked hard to get as successful as she is. She has the job .. the clothes... the social media ... the name. She also has the bodies of anyone who ever got in her way.
When Sarah becomes her top competition for a promotion, the budding friendship may turn fatal. She's a one-woman killing machine in designer clothes.
Catty, back-stabbing, malicious, mean girls make up most of the characters. Frankly, some of them are over the top, but irresistible in wanting to see what nastiness they come up with next.
It's an engaging work by an author who truly knows the fashion industry.
Many thanks to the author / Crooked Lane Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this most entertaining story. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
December 8, 2018
3.5 stars
Watch me discuss it more in my reading vlog: https://youtu.be/upSzTm5QfmQ
Watch me discuss it more in my reading vlog: https://youtu.be/upSzTm5QfmQ
September 5, 2019
#OMG #WTF #WOW #TWISTED #CRAZY #REALLYCRAZY
If you have ever wondered what would happen if you mixed The Devil Wears Prada with American Psycho then Amina Akhtar’s book, #FashionVictim is for you.
Over the top characters take backstabbing and climbing the corporate ladder to new extremes.
Why worry about working hard to get promoted when you can just murder the competition instead?
Only make sure you are wearing the latest Marc Jacobs jacket paired with the Chanel pencil skirt and Manolo pumps while literally killing the competition. Don’t forget to blog about it afterwards. #killingit
Fashion editor, Anya St. Clair, has a killer job at fashion magazine, La Vie, an amazing wardrobe and a successful blog.
Unfortunately Anya doesn’t have everything she wants. She is not #BFFs with the ultra-glam, gorgeous colleague, Sarah Taft.
Sarah is not only gorgeous and wealthy but is the “It” girl of social media and the favorite of the magazine editor in chief.
Anya will do anything and I mean anything to be BFFs with Sarah.
Sarah takes every opportunity to remind Anya of why she will never be part of Sarah’s world and makes public humiliation of Anya a daily ritual.
Anya never gives up on becoming Sarah’s bestie until they are pitted against each other for a promotion.
Ali versus Frazier was nothing compared to the unbelievable dirty low punches these two throw at each other.
The story is told from the psychotic Anya’s point of view.
The book is a fast-paced, dark, campy look into the fashion industry.
Akhtar’s book was weak in character development and too easy in the way things fit perfectly. The premise of a dark campy psychological thriller was there but all of the characters were unlikable and Anya’s character needed more development and backstory to make her a character worthy of our interest.
Unfortunately #FashionVictim fell #FashionFlat.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #FashionVictim
If you have ever wondered what would happen if you mixed The Devil Wears Prada with American Psycho then Amina Akhtar’s book, #FashionVictim is for you.
Over the top characters take backstabbing and climbing the corporate ladder to new extremes.
Why worry about working hard to get promoted when you can just murder the competition instead?
Only make sure you are wearing the latest Marc Jacobs jacket paired with the Chanel pencil skirt and Manolo pumps while literally killing the competition. Don’t forget to blog about it afterwards. #killingit
Fashion editor, Anya St. Clair, has a killer job at fashion magazine, La Vie, an amazing wardrobe and a successful blog.
Unfortunately Anya doesn’t have everything she wants. She is not #BFFs with the ultra-glam, gorgeous colleague, Sarah Taft.
Sarah is not only gorgeous and wealthy but is the “It” girl of social media and the favorite of the magazine editor in chief.
Anya will do anything and I mean anything to be BFFs with Sarah.
Sarah takes every opportunity to remind Anya of why she will never be part of Sarah’s world and makes public humiliation of Anya a daily ritual.
Anya never gives up on becoming Sarah’s bestie until they are pitted against each other for a promotion.
Ali versus Frazier was nothing compared to the unbelievable dirty low punches these two throw at each other.
The story is told from the psychotic Anya’s point of view.
The book is a fast-paced, dark, campy look into the fashion industry.
Akhtar’s book was weak in character development and too easy in the way things fit perfectly. The premise of a dark campy psychological thriller was there but all of the characters were unlikable and Anya’s character needed more development and backstory to make her a character worthy of our interest.
Unfortunately #FashionVictim fell #FashionFlat.
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. #NetGalley #FashionVictim
September 12, 2018
*This is now available! and definitely worth the read!*
3.5/5. What a fun and creepy read. The description of this being The Devil Meets Prada mixed with Heathers is pretty spot-on. Or like Gossip Girl and Scream. It’s dark, it’s funny, it’s deluded.
We know right away that the narrator is a murderer with mental issues, mainly obsession. She becomes obsessed with Sarah, an icon in the fashion world, and infiltrates her life after getting a job at the same magazine.
Though the main character is, you know, a vicious murderer who doesn’t let anything or anyone get in her way, you sometimes root for her because the people around her are so horrible. Plus she so legitimately buys into her own reasoning and delusions that it begins to sound logical at times - like, of course you had to cut that girl’s head off, she was talking about you behind your back and we just can’t have that.
The author did an amazing job of creating such a believably crazy character. The supporting characters were almost cartoonish in their fashion world bitchiness and cliches, but they served their purpose well. Also, the methods of murder were pretty inspired and gruesome while still managing to be somewhat comical. Overall an entertaining and memorable read.
3.5/5. What a fun and creepy read. The description of this being The Devil Meets Prada mixed with Heathers is pretty spot-on. Or like Gossip Girl and Scream. It’s dark, it’s funny, it’s deluded.
We know right away that the narrator is a murderer with mental issues, mainly obsession. She becomes obsessed with Sarah, an icon in the fashion world, and infiltrates her life after getting a job at the same magazine.
Though the main character is, you know, a vicious murderer who doesn’t let anything or anyone get in her way, you sometimes root for her because the people around her are so horrible. Plus she so legitimately buys into her own reasoning and delusions that it begins to sound logical at times - like, of course you had to cut that girl’s head off, she was talking about you behind your back and we just can’t have that.
The author did an amazing job of creating such a believably crazy character. The supporting characters were almost cartoonish in their fashion world bitchiness and cliches, but they served their purpose well. Also, the methods of murder were pretty inspired and gruesome while still managing to be somewhat comical. Overall an entertaining and memorable read.
September 4, 2018
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books for the free copy in exchange for my honest review!
I will always enjoy a slasher novel with some humor to it. #FASHIONVICTIM was exactly that! We get a glimpse into the cut throat world that is the fashion industry and how ruthless people are - friends aren't always what they seem to be.
Anya St. Clair is working for the fashion magazine La Vie and is absolutely infatuated with her coworker, Sarah Taft. Sarah is perfect in every way, from her rich family to her blonde hair and Anya is determined to become her BFF. Things begin to change when they are up against each other for the same promotion, a promotion that would make one of them the other's boss. The pressure is getting to Anya as she continues to consult with Dr. M, her therapist, on how to handle her obsession with Sarah.
As the story progresses we begin to experience the downward spiral of Anya's mental state. Bodies begin to pile up as she deals with the stress and as she tries to make Sarah her best friend. No one can get in the way of that.
This is told entirely from Anya's perspective, so we get to fully experience her mental break and get a front row seat to the murders she commits. Full of blood, gore, and hysterics I loved them all. I know right off the bat this won't be for everyone. The language used and the focus on the designers, labels, and outfits gave me major AMERICAN PSYCHO vibes. Considering this isn't a mystery as to who the killer is, there aren't any major twists to the story. However, there was plenty of, "how is Anya going to get away with all of this?" going through my head. I did enjoy one little twist that was thrown in that I wasn't completely expecting!
For those that love the Deanna Madden series (THE GIRL IN 6E) and the Alvina Knightly series (MAD, BAD, AND DANGEROUS TO KNOW), then you'll really enjoy this one. Getting into the mind of these quirky and crazy women is always fun and this was a quick read. Exactly what I needed! I'll be curious to see what Amina comes out with next - hopefully more crazy characters and plenty of blood lust to go around.
I give this 5/5 stars!
I will always enjoy a slasher novel with some humor to it. #FASHIONVICTIM was exactly that! We get a glimpse into the cut throat world that is the fashion industry and how ruthless people are - friends aren't always what they seem to be.
Anya St. Clair is working for the fashion magazine La Vie and is absolutely infatuated with her coworker, Sarah Taft. Sarah is perfect in every way, from her rich family to her blonde hair and Anya is determined to become her BFF. Things begin to change when they are up against each other for the same promotion, a promotion that would make one of them the other's boss. The pressure is getting to Anya as she continues to consult with Dr. M, her therapist, on how to handle her obsession with Sarah.
As the story progresses we begin to experience the downward spiral of Anya's mental state. Bodies begin to pile up as she deals with the stress and as she tries to make Sarah her best friend. No one can get in the way of that.
This is told entirely from Anya's perspective, so we get to fully experience her mental break and get a front row seat to the murders she commits. Full of blood, gore, and hysterics I loved them all. I know right off the bat this won't be for everyone. The language used and the focus on the designers, labels, and outfits gave me major AMERICAN PSYCHO vibes. Considering this isn't a mystery as to who the killer is, there aren't any major twists to the story. However, there was plenty of, "how is Anya going to get away with all of this?" going through my head. I did enjoy one little twist that was thrown in that I wasn't completely expecting!
For those that love the Deanna Madden series (THE GIRL IN 6E) and the Alvina Knightly series (MAD, BAD, AND DANGEROUS TO KNOW), then you'll really enjoy this one. Getting into the mind of these quirky and crazy women is always fun and this was a quick read. Exactly what I needed! I'll be curious to see what Amina comes out with next - hopefully more crazy characters and plenty of blood lust to go around.
I give this 5/5 stars!
November 18, 2018
A completely over the top, ridiculous, dark, but often funny inside look at the fashion world. It can get a little gory at times, and there were moments I laughed at where I stopped myself afterward and asked myself if I should really find that humorous! (In case you're wondering, I'm still unsure.) It's an entertaining read for sure, and one of the more unique books I've read lately. Dialing back the OMG WTF language just a little would have led to a higher rating from me, but I still enjoyed it. I just found that too grating after awhile. All in all, it's a bizarre and twisted story that most will find entertaining. I only saw a couple of episodes of Fox's Scream Queens but this book definitely reminded me of that.
There's nothing Anya won't do to climb the ladder at her fashion magazine job. Spread some vicious gossip? Tell some tales to the boss? Par for the course. Stab her co-workers? Why not? No, not in the back. Well, not the metaphorical back. Anya is way more committed than that. She needs to climb the ranks, and she needs to be BFFs with Sarah, her beautiful but vapid "it girl" co-worker. If only Sarah knew exactly how devoted Anya is to her... the perfect bestie. If only she knew the lengths she goes to just for a scrap of attention. Then Sarah becomes her competition for a promotion.
Side note: the Law & Order: SVU references were an unexpected highlight.
I received a free copy of this book in order to write a review. This in no way affects my opinion.
There's nothing Anya won't do to climb the ladder at her fashion magazine job. Spread some vicious gossip? Tell some tales to the boss? Par for the course. Stab her co-workers? Why not? No, not in the back. Well, not the metaphorical back. Anya is way more committed than that. She needs to climb the ranks, and she needs to be BFFs with Sarah, her beautiful but vapid "it girl" co-worker. If only Sarah knew exactly how devoted Anya is to her... the perfect bestie. If only she knew the lengths she goes to just for a scrap of attention. Then Sarah becomes her competition for a promotion.
Side note: the Law & Order: SVU references were an unexpected highlight.
I received a free copy of this book in order to write a review. This in no way affects my opinion.
August 16, 2020
Anya is a young miss just trying to make her way in the fashion world and bi*ches keep getting in her way.
I thought this would be a Devil Wears Prada sort of book with a hint of mystery.
It is soooooooo much better!!!
Anya is neurotic, paranoid, hilarious and creepy.
So of course I LOVED her!!!!
Though if I'm being honest I would never wanna meet that brand of crazy.
The side characters were interesting and catty (Jack was super adorable!) without stealing the show.
This was a light and giggle filled read that I hope turns into a series 'cause it was mega fun!
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this early release copy.
I thought this would be a Devil Wears Prada sort of book with a hint of mystery.
It is soooooooo much better!!!
Anya is neurotic, paranoid, hilarious and creepy.
So of course I LOVED her!!!!
Though if I'm being honest I would never wanna meet that brand of crazy.
The side characters were interesting and catty (Jack was super adorable!) without stealing the show.
This was a light and giggle filled read that I hope turns into a series 'cause it was mega fun!
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this early release copy.
May 9, 2018
***Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of #FASHION VICTIM by Amina Akhtar in exchange for my honest review.***
Take the movies HEATHERS and CLUELESS add a dash of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, sprinkle with extra satire and you’ve got #FASHION VICTIM.
Anka is obsessed with coworker and fashion icon Sarah. Obsessed with a capital O. Anka want Sarah all to herself, to be Sarah, who only scorns her biggest fan. We know Anka sees a therapist Dr. M, but not why. Whatever the reason, I doubted he knew the seriousness of her pathology.
#FASHION VICTIM is fun and campy, even the murders are more silly than serious. The characters are caricatures of the worst stereotypes in fashion, shallow, air-headed and ruthless. Amina Akhtar makes this work often with humorous excess.
I can picture #FASHION VICTIM on the big screen and becoming a cult classic. The ending leaves open the possibility of a sequel. Delicious.
Take the movies HEATHERS and CLUELESS add a dash of THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, sprinkle with extra satire and you’ve got #FASHION VICTIM.
Anka is obsessed with coworker and fashion icon Sarah. Obsessed with a capital O. Anka want Sarah all to herself, to be Sarah, who only scorns her biggest fan. We know Anka sees a therapist Dr. M, but not why. Whatever the reason, I doubted he knew the seriousness of her pathology.
#FASHION VICTIM is fun and campy, even the murders are more silly than serious. The characters are caricatures of the worst stereotypes in fashion, shallow, air-headed and ruthless. Amina Akhtar makes this work often with humorous excess.
I can picture #FASHION VICTIM on the big screen and becoming a cult classic. The ending leaves open the possibility of a sequel. Delicious.
August 10, 2018
The publishing company reached out to me to see if I wanted to read this book in exchange for an honest review. I accepted and here it is.
#FashionVictim is a mixture of The Devil Wears Prada, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, Fat Shaming, Racism, and a whole bunch of other shit.
Now if you like all of those things with a dash murder thrown in there.. well, this book is for you. However, for me.. if I'm being completely honest - my eyes may or may not have rolled throughout this book.
At first, I was beyond intrigued. Once I read the synopsis and saw the cover - well, I just had to read it. Once I got my hands on it though.. it's like I just eventually started hating everyone in this book. If you are 5'4 and 130 pounds.. you are not fat. I don't care that it's the fashion industry and that it's completely different in that "world". The amount of fat shaming in this book was just so freaking frustrating to read. In my opinion, the girl was completely healthy and her being a size 0 or 2 wouldn't have been. Then again, I'm not in that world and I probably would've eaten like a pig just in spite of them.
In this book, you will meet Anya and you'll quickly realize that she's crazy. Her obsession over Sarah, who is a co-worker and basically a goddess in her eyes, was just really weird. In my eyes, Sarah was just a self-centered bitch and I just didn't really care. I thought she was crazy (in her own way - not like Anya crazy) but it's like she really thought the world revolved around her. It was downright annoying and I just hated her character so much.
I just kept waiting for her to die (and trust me there was a lot of death in this book). Or I just kept waiting for Anya to slip and get caught - it never happened. The whole mystery in this book was pretty interesting and honestly trying to figure out who was going to die next was what made this a page turner for me.
Besides all of that, there is a ton of backstabbing in this book. Or maybe everyone was basically a two-faced bitch. Now that being said, it seems completely realistic but not just in the fashion world, more like in any business or friendship. The whole world is filled with fake people so I could totally get on board with how people are friends to your face but not to your back.
Overall, Anya was a pretty interesting character. I loved reading about how her mind came into these reasons as to why she needed to kill people or why she needed to be BFF's with Sarah. The deaths were interesting - especially the last one we read about (it blew my mind!).
#FashionVictim is a mixture of The Devil Wears Prada, Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, Fat Shaming, Racism, and a whole bunch of other shit.
Now if you like all of those things with a dash murder thrown in there.. well, this book is for you. However, for me.. if I'm being completely honest - my eyes may or may not have rolled throughout this book.
At first, I was beyond intrigued. Once I read the synopsis and saw the cover - well, I just had to read it. Once I got my hands on it though.. it's like I just eventually started hating everyone in this book. If you are 5'4 and 130 pounds.. you are not fat. I don't care that it's the fashion industry and that it's completely different in that "world". The amount of fat shaming in this book was just so freaking frustrating to read. In my opinion, the girl was completely healthy and her being a size 0 or 2 wouldn't have been. Then again, I'm not in that world and I probably would've eaten like a pig just in spite of them.
In this book, you will meet Anya and you'll quickly realize that she's crazy. Her obsession over Sarah, who is a co-worker and basically a goddess in her eyes, was just really weird. In my eyes, Sarah was just a self-centered bitch and I just didn't really care. I thought she was crazy (in her own way - not like Anya crazy) but it's like she really thought the world revolved around her. It was downright annoying and I just hated her character so much.
I just kept waiting for her to die (and trust me there was a lot of death in this book). Or I just kept waiting for Anya to slip and get caught - it never happened. The whole mystery in this book was pretty interesting and honestly trying to figure out who was going to die next was what made this a page turner for me.
Besides all of that, there is a ton of backstabbing in this book. Or maybe everyone was basically a two-faced bitch. Now that being said, it seems completely realistic but not just in the fashion world, more like in any business or friendship. The whole world is filled with fake people so I could totally get on board with how people are friends to your face but not to your back.
Overall, Anya was a pretty interesting character. I loved reading about how her mind came into these reasons as to why she needed to kill people or why she needed to be BFF's with Sarah. The deaths were interesting - especially the last one we read about (it blew my mind!).
July 30, 2018
...who are these people giving five stars and did we get the same book??
That's a little dramatic... I do think I see a couple aspects some readers might like.
It’s a very quick read that lets you tumble in and out of the bizarre, funhouse version of the fashion world in just a few hours. I’d absolutely watch a short TV series of Fashion Victim. With the right creative team, I can imagine it being a campy, shocking, and exciting ride.
As a novel, however, the story was... underwhelming. It was hard to get engaged with the story when the first few pages burned through all my goodwill with the constant “OMG”s and already-dated references and unnecessary profanity. The book seems to be trying very, VERY hard to be edgy but winds up with little more than tired stereotypes, fat-shaming, and internalized misogyny. Anya could have been a chilling villain but her only definable character trait is “being a psychopath,” which doesn’t make for a compelling or even understandable character. I couldn’t stand being in her head—not because she was evil, but because she was incoherent as a character and gave me no reason to keep reading.
Lastly… as a primarily YA reviewer, I wouldn’t shelve this book as YA. The profanity alone should disqualify it, never mind the complete disregard for care and sensitivity in presenting mental illness and death.
I’m grateful to have been approved for the galley and I hate giving poor reviews, but this one really isn’t ready for publication. Perhaps, with some time to clarify characters and ideas, the author could do a full rewrite and find what she was looking for.
I received an ebook ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
That's a little dramatic... I do think I see a couple aspects some readers might like.
It’s a very quick read that lets you tumble in and out of the bizarre, funhouse version of the fashion world in just a few hours. I’d absolutely watch a short TV series of Fashion Victim. With the right creative team, I can imagine it being a campy, shocking, and exciting ride.
As a novel, however, the story was... underwhelming. It was hard to get engaged with the story when the first few pages burned through all my goodwill with the constant “OMG”s and already-dated references and unnecessary profanity. The book seems to be trying very, VERY hard to be edgy but winds up with little more than tired stereotypes, fat-shaming, and internalized misogyny. Anya could have been a chilling villain but her only definable character trait is “being a psychopath,” which doesn’t make for a compelling or even understandable character. I couldn’t stand being in her head—not because she was evil, but because she was incoherent as a character and gave me no reason to keep reading.
Lastly… as a primarily YA reviewer, I wouldn’t shelve this book as YA. The profanity alone should disqualify it, never mind the complete disregard for care and sensitivity in presenting mental illness and death.
I’m grateful to have been approved for the galley and I hate giving poor reviews, but this one really isn’t ready for publication. Perhaps, with some time to clarify characters and ideas, the author could do a full rewrite and find what she was looking for.
I received an ebook ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.
January 9, 2019
This was really meh for me. Anya works at a big fashion magazine where she idolizes her colleague, Sarah. She is willing to do whatever it takes to become her.
This did not live up to my expectations. All of the characters were airheads and not likable at all. I understand that's the whole point, as it's satire and over the top on fashion industry stereotypes. However, it was overdone most of the time. Sometimes I laughed, but mostly I cringed. It did get pretty gross and gory, which I didn't mind. Also, the ending was so..blah. We don't get any questions answered. The reader is left to read between the lines, and draw their own conclusions as to who Anya really is. It fell flat for me.
This did not live up to my expectations. All of the characters were airheads and not likable at all. I understand that's the whole point, as it's satire and over the top on fashion industry stereotypes. However, it was overdone most of the time. Sometimes I laughed, but mostly I cringed. It did get pretty gross and gory, which I didn't mind. Also, the ending was so..blah. We don't get any questions answered. The reader is left to read between the lines, and draw their own conclusions as to who Anya really is. It fell flat for me.
June 20, 2018
This is a book that I wanted it to work. In fact, I held out hope as each page was turned and I got further and further into the story. However, I just got more frustrated by the characters. Both Anya's boss and her co-worker Sarah were both horrible. They were true "mean girls". Which I might have been able to brush aside if the rest of the book had been great. Yet, it was not.
Anya, herself was not impressive. She was not such a go getter as she is a follower. The fashion world I imagine can be tough and maybe full of some fake and catty people but if they are all like the ones in this book, I would be running as fast as I could out the door. There was really no joy for me in the characters that I wanted to keep reading. Therefore, I put the book down.
Anya, herself was not impressive. She was not such a go getter as she is a follower. The fashion world I imagine can be tough and maybe full of some fake and catty people but if they are all like the ones in this book, I would be running as fast as I could out the door. There was really no joy for me in the characters that I wanted to keep reading. Therefore, I put the book down.
March 26, 2024
Y’all liked this? THIS? 👁👄👁
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