"#FashionVictim" by Amina Akhtar is a wickedly entertaining and darkly humorous satire that takes readers on a thrilling journey through the cutthroat world of fashion. Akhtar's razor-sharp wit and keen insight into the industry's glamorous facade and toxic underbelly make for a gripping read that will leave readers simultaneously enthralled and horrified.

At the center of the novel is Anya St. Clair, a fashion-obsessed social climber with a killer instinct and a penchant for designer labels. As an editor at La Vie, a prestigious fashion magazine, Anya is willing to do whatever it takes to climb the ranks and secure her place among the elite. When she befriends the glamorous and enigmatic Sarah Taft, Anya sees an opportunity to elevate her status—but soon finds herself drawn into a world of obsession, manipulation, and murder.

Akhtar's writing is sharp, witty, and utterly addictive. She expertly skewers the absurdities of the fashion industry, from the relentless pursuit of perfection to the cutthroat competition between designers, editors, and influencers. Through Anya's eyes, readers are given a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the glitz and glamour of fashion week, as well as the darker side of ambition and envy that lurks beneath the surface.

Anya is a fascinating and complex protagonist, whose sharp tongue and ruthless ambition mask a deep-seated insecurity and longing for acceptance. As the novel unfolds, readers are given glimpses into her troubled past and the events that have shaped her into the woman she has become. Despite her flaws, Anya is a compelling and relatable character, whose struggles and desires resonate with readers on a visceral level.

The supporting cast of characters is equally well-drawn, from the eccentric designers and demanding editors to the Instagram influencers and celebrity stylists who populate Anya's world. Each character adds depth and texture to the story, their relationships and rivalries driving the plot forward with tension and intrigue.

One of the novel's strengths is its unflinching portrayal of female ambition and power dynamics. Akhtar explores themes of femininity, identity, and the pressures of conformity with nuance and depth, challenging stereotypes and subverting expectations along the way. In a world where success often comes at a steep price, "#FashionVictim" is a timely and thought-provoking commentary on the sacrifices we make in pursuit of our dreams.

In conclusion, "#FashionVictim" by Amina Akhtar is a darkly delicious romp through the glamorous and cutthroat world of fashion. With its biting humor, twisty plot, and unforgettable characters, it's a must-read for anyone who has ever been seduced by the allure of haute couture—or just enjoys a good old-fashioned murder mystery with a fashionable twist. So grab your stilettos and your most killer outfit, because this book is one wild ride you won't want to miss.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to review for my honest opinion.

Due to a passing in the family a few years ago and my subsequent health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for years after the bereavement. Thank you for the opportunity.

I definitely put off reading #FashionVictim by Amina Akhtar for entirely too long because I can't believe how fun this debut was! It is satire at its finest and you won't BELIEVE the things Anya gets away with. The storyline was so over the top that I just couldn't help but love it, and I am always a big fan of reading books set in fashion, so this was absolutely my cup of tea. It reminded me of a mix of Joe from You and The Devil Wears Prada with a shot of Gossip Girl. And while there aren't any twists to speak of (honestly, I basically knew exactly where this book was headed), I didn't end up having any issues with that and I just enjoyed the hot mess that is Anya.

The audiobook is supremely stellar as well and if you don't have Audible and want to listen to this, you should totes get it. Bailey Carr completely embodies the character of Anya and after listening to #FashionVictim, I can't imagine loving it as much if I would have simply read it with my eyes. The title and cover really nail the storyline and looking at them after finishing the book actually made me LOL. IYKYK. I’m not sure that I found anything to be all that funny not to the point where I actually did LOL, but it was definitely dark with a comedic aspect and was nothing less than entertaining. #FashionVictim is a complete trip, and I highly recommend it if you aren’t in the mood for anything too serious and just want to be amused.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Definitely one for The Devil Wears Prada fans - both witty & scary at the same time.. Well written & kept me turning the pages

As they say in fashion: One day you’re in, and the next day you’re dead.

The fashion industry has intrigued me with all the glam and fame. Along with that comes killer (literally) competition to stay on top positions.
Anya St. Clair wants to befriend beautiful, stylish, and rich Sarah Taft at any cost and soon they are competing for a promotion. This book contains profanity.

Scrolling through my kindle trying to find something to read on a Saturday morning, I came across #fashionvictim and I was in the mood for a bit of a mystery. This book however turned out to be a very dark ride and a bit odd and weird. The book starts with a magazine writer Anya who sees a therapist and has a vision board to become best friends with her idol/co-worker Sarah. Turns out though that Anya has mental issues and as the book goes along, she takes a sadistic and psychopathic turn when she starts randomly killing people who she believes are standing in the way of her dream and greatness. Some of the ways the people die reminded me very much of Final Destination deaths as one girl died with a stiletto bashed into her head. #FashionVictim in one way was a slow-paced read for me as I had to push my way through the book as I started to find it a hard read about 40% of the way through but figured since I was already about halfway through, I would continue which often I don't do but there was something that made me want to continue this book. If you don't mind Black Comedy with an edgy murder/ crime that reminds me a bit of Stephen King's writing, then check out #FashionVictim by Amina Akhtar where #bitchesgetstitches.

A good book. Well written with great characters and a good plot. The storyline flows and the mystery is enjoyable. I highly recommend.,

Smart, fresh and cannot wait for her next book. I really enjoyed this book because it was different and pushed the envelope for this genre.

This book was absolutely fantastic. I've already added it to our library collection on preorder and will recommend it to students.

Devil Wears Prada meets Dexter---#FashionVictim was an interesting read, and Amina Ahktar crafts a wickedly delicious character in Anya, the average-figured, mistreated, unappreciated staffer at La Vie Magazine. I appreciated the "relationships" Anya formed and how Akhtar slowly revealed Anya's dark side to readers. Overall, I enjoyed this book!

Another DNF. This was just a hard sell from the first chapter -- feels more like a gimmick than a genuine attempt at formulating a plot. Too superficial and too easy for me.

Enjoyed reading about the fashion industry. Fans of "The Devil Wears Prada" would definitely love it.

What an incredible and cleverly written story! My expectations weren’t very high- the ‘unreliable narrator’ piece is getting a bit played out- but the MC’s perspective was absolutely fascinating to read.

Decided to give this book a shot, and I wish I hadn't. The writing style is very unique and I am sure it will find its fans with some readers. But those readers are not me and the style is not what I enjoy. The main character felt like a caricature of what crazy looks like, it was just too over the top. Plus the use of profanity to extent that it was made the reading experience even more unpleasant.

This book is A little the Devil Wears Prada, the Heathers and Mean Girls. This book was not at all what I expected. I expected a campy quick read and that was not what I got.

I really enjoyed this book. The main character, Anya, is completely insane. She hides it from those around her. Wherever Anya goes Chaos and murder follow.

This is definitely worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

I am so torn about how I feel about this book. This is the 2 book I have read that is purely from the villains perspective and I have come to the conclusion that I don't like books that are only in the villains perspective. It get so frustrated and pissed off reading about all the bad things they are up to and there not being any consequences.

That being said the author did a great job of reeling me in. I mean I was so frustrated that no one could see what was going on. I wanted to throw my phone. While I am sure the fashion world is cut throat in real life I would like to think it's not as messed up as it is depicted in this book.

I don't really know what else to say. I wish we had more than just the villains perspective and I wish things would have ended differently but at the same time I was sucked into the story.

I’ve always had an obsession with the world of fashion, and this deadly twist on it was such a fun read!

Despite multiple attempts, unfortunately this book was just not for me. While some have compared it to the Devil Wears Prada, I found this comparison to be a stretch. Unfortunately, I found most of the characters to be unlikeable.

Fashion Victim was an interesting look into mental illness with an edge. When I picked it up, I thought it might be a nod to The Devil Wears Prada (it's not). It's more of a nod to Jack the Ripper, but less gory. I enjoyed some of the dark humor, but the overall plot had lots of holes that made it hard to believe. Of course, I would hope that aspects of a serial killer rampage would have flaws. Who really wants to write that convincingly? I found the pacing of Fashion Victim to be quick, and it's intense enough to keep you reading. If you're looking for depth of character, you won't find it here, though. Just like the name and synopsis imply, Anya is superficial and vicious, resulting in a conclusion that doesn't really feel satisfying.

This was my first book by this author, and I can positively say that I really enjoyed reading this one. Its captivating. For sure I will be checking other books written by this author.