Book: Maneater by Alexandra M. Tran
Reviewed by Weird | weird.reads.books
Rating: 5/5
This book is EXACTLY my kind of read, the kind I want to revisit again and again. Tran conveys Odessa’s tragic journey so well that I was still thinking about it a week after I finished. I ordered a signed copy the moment I could, and I’m crossing my fingers for a sprayed-edge edition in the future because it would be gorgeous.
Tran’s craft shines in how she builds Odessa’s story and invites you to sit with her rage. The pacing grounds us in her first home, where emptiness and sorrow settle into the walls. We’re given just enough detail to feel the weight of it without ever being overwhelmed, and every reveal serves a purpose.
When Odessa is forced to serve as a courtesan to the prince, the tone shifts with precision. We feel the tension between her and the other courtesans without needless drama. It’s believable and sharp. Odessa’s cunning is a highlight as she works conversations with the prince, prying for information and planning a way out.
The rest of her path is woven beautifully: reclaiming forgotten power, learning of a devoted lover, and embracing full, unflinching wrath. This is a story of feminine rage that lingers long after the last page.
I’ve read a lot of books this year, and this easily sits near the top. I’m a dark fantasy lover, and this delivered in spades. Do yourself a favor and add it to your list, (pre-)order it, or add it to your Kindle Unlimited. You won’t regret it.
A huge thank you to Alexandra Tran for the ARC. All opinions are my own.