ARC Review: #FashionVictim by Amina Akhtar | Bitches Get Stitches

#FashionVictim by Amina Akhtar

Rating: ★★★★☆

Publication Date: 21 September 2018

Look, if you’re going to write a book from the perspective of an anti-hero or villain, there’s a 90% chance that I’ll overlook all the terrible things they’ve done and cheer them on from my couch.

When I saw this book being likened to The Devil Wears Prada and Mean Girls, I expected fashion, cliques, backstabbing and I got all of that and murder.

This was so unexpected. Anya, the main character, leaves a trail of dead bodies in her quest for the coveted position of being Sarah’s best friend. Conning her way as an editor at one of the popular fashion magazines to have access to her targeted BFF, Anya’s determination knows no bounds. As morbid as it sounds, I kind of wanted her to win. Anya is clearly suffering from a mental illness; her conversations with the suspicious Dr M, vivid hallucinations and outrageous obsession with Sarah are a suggestion of this.

Working at La Vie Anya is subjected to condescension, workplace racism, belittling and constant bullying from her colleague and boss. She’s the weird Indian girl only there to fill up their diversity card but she’s got a knife up her sleeve or a pair of vintage Marc Jacobs to take down anyone who threatens her perfect plans.

This book was everything. One minute everything would be quiet and the next everything’s gone wild. Every time Anya thinks she’s managed to infiltrate Sarah’s circle she’s violently thrown out again leaving her worried and determined to get back in. Dead bodies begin piling up around her and the police begin to circle around.

This was such a fantastic read. Amina Akhtar’s writing is so vivid and entrancing. Half the time I lowkey feared for my own life at the hands of Anya, a spectacular villain.

Trigger warnings: racism, graphic descriptions of murder

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for sending me this ARC