This book was not what I was expecting, but not in a bad way. I knew that it would tackle some tough issues, but as the story progressed, it became a thriller (or horror -- perhaps used loosely. I am not the arbiter of genres). But, it was a complex story. It wasn't just one person's rise to fame or anything, it also dealt with friends and family and sexuality, and some deep evils that actually exist in this world. (I have some thoughts -- I don't think they're really spoiler-ey but it tells you about one of the people who is the "bad guy", so I'll put it in a spoiler just in case)

I don't think I've wanted to hurt a character nearly as much as Merc. Like I almost had to put down the book because he was so skeezy... utterly repulsive. The fact that people like him exist is what makes him so sinister. I nearly put down the book because it upset me so much, but I'm glad I continued.

This one is verges on spoiler territory though

The ending was so shocking. I thought of a few different things that might be happening (considering how the story was told and everything) but I completely did not see the ending coming. There is so much unresolved but that's how it has to be -- it's the only realistic way that this type of ending could play out. I do think that a sequel from Dali's POV would be very interesting.