Reviews

Blood Sugar by Sascha Rothchild

camilaferreira's review against another edition

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4.0

Eu AMEI

estherjohnson's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

kaleidore's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I could've given this book a 5-star rating, but the lack of conversation (more of Ruby Simon's inner monologue) made me a little bored in some parts. Her monologue is indeed an important part of this book, so maybe I'm the one who gets bored easily lol. The rest of this book is good, quite get the pleasant tension

rhack05's review against another edition

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4.25

Really enjoyed this book! I had never heard of this one before but I was looking for a book with an unhinged female main character that was also possibly a serial killer and this one delivered! There was definitely a twist at the end that I did not expect at all so that was a fun surprise. 

This is a wonderful debut novel from this author and I hope she writes more!

maraa's review against another edition

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3.0

Interesting premise and there were several well-written chapters, but it all just left me thinking “um, ok”.

linds_fitz's review against another edition

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dark mysterious fast-paced

4.5

bsmith27's review against another edition

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4.0

Ruby is on trial for the murder of her husband. Only she didn't kill him. She did kill 3 other people who she deemed deserved it. A few of those killings are questionable but I really liked her character and wanted ruby to get off. She does!

ianrosales08's review against another edition

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dark funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Blood Sugar is a darkly witty psychological thriller that keeps readers on edge as it delves into the life of a complex and morally ambiguous protagonist. The novel is narrated by Ruby Simon, a therapist with a penchant for killing those she believes deserve it. Ruby’s story is one of self-justification, as she tries to convince the reader that she’s not a bad person, despite the bodies that seem to pile up around her. 

**Spoilers Ahead:** 

The novel opens with Ruby being interrogated by the police in connection with her husband Jason’s death. Although the reader initially believes this to be the crime she’s being accused of, the novel takes us on a journey through Ruby’s past, revealing the other murders she has committed—murders that she sees as acts of justice. 

Ruby’s first kill occurs when she is just a child, drowning a school bully who tormented her sister. This act is presented almost as an accident, but it sets the tone for Ruby’s future moral decisions. As she grows older, Ruby becomes more calculating, killing an abusive boyfriend in her twenties and later, a rapist who attacked her friend. 

Rothchild masterfully builds Ruby's character, making her both charming and chilling. Ruby is self-aware, knowing she’s different, yet she rationalizes her actions as being in the service of a greater good. This narrative device keeps the reader conflicted—on one hand, Ruby’s victims are undeniably vile people, but on the other, she is still a murderer. 

The novel’s tension escalates as Ruby tries to navigate the investigation into Jason’s death. Unlike her previous kills, Jason’s death was not intentional—he succumbed to natural causes due to his diabetes. However, Ruby's history and the fact that she was the last person to see him alive make her the prime suspect. The police are convinced that she’s responsible, and Ruby must use all her cunning to avoid being caught for a crime she didn’t commit, while also trying to keep her past murders hidden. 

The ending is a masterstroke of irony and suspense. Ruby manages to evade justice for her past crimes, successfully framing another suspect for Jason’s death. However, as she walks free, the reader is left with the chilling realisation that Ruby is not just a victim of circumstance, but a cold-blooded killer who has outsmarted everyone around her. 

"Blood Sugar" is a gripping exploration of morality, guilt, and the lengths one will go to protect themselves. Rothchild’s ability to create a protagonist who is both sympathetic and terrifying is commendable, making this novel a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. The book’s final twist—Ruby getting away with it all—leaves a lasting impression, making one question their own sense of right and wrong.

emilyfcass's review against another edition

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5.0

loveeed this book omg! fast paced, easy to read, and an interesting insight to the human mind-relatable yet different
v good

periwinkleocean's review against another edition

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3.75

I loved the way this story was written, and then intricate plot. I never actually felt attached to the characters or any main emotion other than curiousity, but it was certainly good.