This post is sponsored by Berkley Publishing, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
As someone who considers themselves a regular purveyor of thriller books and horror movies, it’s hard to shock me these days. The same movie tropes are done over and over, and those “shocking plot twists” book influencers online rave about are often breadcrumbed so heavily that it doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to figure them out in the first half. Despite their predictability, I still love to read and watch these genres, chasing the thrill of a truly shocking, wild ride. And that’s exactly the high I got when I picked up The Take, as it dove into one of the most truly horrifying things in our modern era—ambition and aging as a woman.
The Take follows two women—a young, up-and-coming writer fighting to catch a break and an aging producer desperate to cling to her relevancy—as they take part in an experimental age-reversal process that will alter their lives forever. It dives into real-life issues women face, like aging in the workforce, impossible beauty standards, privilege, and the cost of success, all through the lens of a suspenseful psychological thriller. After binge-reading the book in a day, here are my full thoughts on The Take.
A provocative, fast-paced novel about two creative women—a young writer fighting to be heard and an older producer clinging to relevancy—and the age reversal treatment that intertwines both of their lives… from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the beloved Front Desk series.
If you loved The Substance and can’t get enough stories about women doing whatever they can in a world stacked against them to grasp onto power, you will love every second of The Take. When Maggie Wang, a young Asian American writer, is offered $3 million in exchange for 10 years of her life, she says yes without hesitation. But the deal isn’t just financial—those years aren’t disappearing, they’re being transferred to Ingrid Parker, a once-powerful white Hollywood producer desperate to revive her fading career.
In return, Maggie gains access to Ingrid’s world: her influence, her connections, and the kind of industry insight that money alone can’t buy. But as the procedure begins and the balance of power starts to shift, it becomes increasingly unclear who’s actually in control. What follows is a tense, morally gray unraveling, where both women prove just how far they’re willing to go to get what they want.
The way Yang captures the intensity of competitive environments and the emotional toll they take is truly a feat. She goes deep into the systems and inequalities stacked against women and how they intersect with race, age, and gender. The social commentary she makes only heightens the suspense in the novel and, despite its slightly sci-fi nature at times, makes it feel incredibly grounded in reality. You’ll be forced to face your own preconceived notions and ask yourself: What would you sacrifice to accomplish your dreams?
It’s not always the most comfortable reading experience, and you’ll likely be internally screaming at the characters multiple times, but it’s such an immersive reading experience that you can’t help but be 100 percent invested—from the very first page until the last.
All thriller readers know that when you spend so much time within the genre, author voices may start to blend together. But not with Kelly Yang. Her voice is distinct, sharp, fast-paced, and emotionally resonant, making for a book you absolutely fly through while still leaving a lasting impact with every word. Her characters are most definitely flawed, but despite it all, you can still find relatability in them—even when you would probably rather ignore the fact that you see parts of yourself in their more questionable actions. Yang delves into each character’s unique motivations, backgrounds, and ambitions, so they feel complex and layered. Thrillers always come with twists and turns, but because you understand why Yang’s characters are making the decisions they are, those twists actually feel earned.
The best thrillers are utterly compulsive, refusing to leave your mind even when you’re working or out with friends, beckoning you to cancel all your plans just to finish the story. The Take does that and more.
The competitive dynamic between mentor and mentee (and eventual rivals) allows tension to build steadily as secrets unravel and the stakes rise. Yang is particularly sharp on how race compounds every obstacle Maggie faces—being young, Asian American, and female isn’t just backstory, it’s the entire architecture of her disadvantage. It’s the perfect book for readers (thriller and non-thriller alike) who appreciate a suspenseful novel that values character development just as much as its plot twists. Fans of books with smart, snappy social commentary about privilege—and how the experiences of being a woman and navigating race intersect today—will eat up every page and be begging Kelly Yang for her next release as soon as possible.
Yang’s writing is equal parts entertaining and thought-provoking, a combo that all but guarantees a five-star read. If you love thrillers that make you think as much as they keep you turning the pages, The Take belongs on your list. Yang has written something that sticks with you long after the last page—a sharp, necessary read about what women are expected to sacrifice, and the price of refusing to.
A provocative, fast-paced novel about two creative women—a young writer fighting to be heard and an older producer clinging to relevancy—and the age reversal treatment that intertwines both of their lives…from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the beloved Front Desk series.
As an Associate Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives, from must-read books and behind-the-scenes interviews to beauty products she can’t live without. When she isn’t sitting in an AMC watching the latest buzzy release, she can be found scouring Goodreads for the perfect pick for The Everygirl Book Club. There, she co-hosts discussions with members, debating plotlines, fancasting characters, and, of course, tossing in her own recommendations.
This post is sponsored by Berkley Publishing, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everygirl editorial board.
