A review by bisexualbookshelf
Penitence: A Novel by Kristin Koval

2.5

Audiobook review disclaimer:
I process sound less clearly than text (trauma brain things), so my audiobook reviews tend to be shorter and more surface-level than my usual ones. I don’t take notes while listening, and I often come away with impressions rather than detailed analysis. Still, I’m committed to reviewing every single book I read, even when the format changes how I engage. This is my way of honoring the listening experience—with softness, presence, and care. Thanks for reading!

Review:
This would've gone down as a "fine, just not for me" book if it weren't for the two H*rry P*tter references and single use of the term Asp*rg*rs. There were some interesting transformative justice and abolition themes in this, but they got lost along the way. I was curious, then bored. Plus, it's 2025. It should be easy to avoid the aforementioned missteps.