Just Finished… Review Time!
*Trigger warning*
Today I just finished Nightshift by Kiare Ladner. This book was a captivating ride through the short relationship between two women. Meggie, the narrator, becomes obsessed with Sabine, her mysterious femme fatale coworker. On a quest to get closer to Sabine, and consequently find herself along the way, Meggie decides to try anything she suggests, from changing to the nightshift to drugs to skipping work altogether. While Meggie leans in, Sabine pulls away, but continues stringing Meggie along nonetheless.
This book began as simply intriguing, the characters were recognizable, albeit slightly annoying. As the novel progressed, you could see Meggie’s downward spiral building, even as she was learning she ought to stay away from her enigmatic friend. Overall, it was worth the read. I rated 3.5 stars because while I did enjoy Ladner’s style of writing and her fairytale subject matter, the plot became depressing not only in content but also because it ultimately went nowhere but forward in time. That is to say that the natural progression of the story leads to old age and death and nothing gained except memories and lessons.
When I first picked up Kiare Ladner's Nightshift, the buzz about its 'obsessive' themes immediately grabbed my attention. And let me tell you, the book doesn't just touch on obsession; it dives headfirst into its murky depths, making for an incredibly compelling, if at times unsettling, read. I found myself completely drawn into Meggie's world, an experience I hadn't expected to be quite so immersive. The narrative brilliantly portrays Meggie's growing, all-consuming fascination with Sabine, her enigmatic coworker. It's not a simple crush; it's an intense, almost visceral pull that leads Meggie to completely upend her life. The way Ladner describes Meggie's thoughts and actions, from changing her entire schedule to trying new things just to be closer to Sabine, really articulates the psychological grip of obsession. It felt so real, almost uncomfortably so, watching Meggie's boundaries blur and her life revolve entirely around another person. What truly resonated with me was how this 'obsessive fascination' was intertwined with Meggie's journey of self-discovery, particularly within a queer context. The book doesn't shy away from depicting the complexities of same-sex attraction and the often-heightened emotions that can come with exploring one's identity. Sabine, with her 'femme fatale' allure, acts as a catalyst, pulling Meggie into situations involving drugs and alcohol, further illustrating her downward spiral. It makes you question: is Meggie obsessed with Sabine, or is she obsessed with the version of herself she thinks she can become through Sabine? The atmosphere of the 'nightshift' itself, as hinted at in the OCR, adds another layer to this obsessive dynamic. The isolation, the altered reality of working through the dark hours, creates a perfect breeding ground for intense emotions to fester and grow unchecked. It felt ethereal and sad and expansive, mirroring Meggie's internal state. This book is a sharp examination of finding oneself, even if that path is paved with a potentially toxic, all-encompassing infatuation. While my original review touched on the plot's progression, this deeper dive into the specific nature of Meggie's obsession truly highlights why Nightshift stayed with me long after I finished the last page. It’s a powerful exploration of desire, identity, and the sometimes-dangerous allure of another soul.