So I'd never even heard of this author before and only came across the Student in my feed when someone following me here read it. The storyline can be a bit predictable, but entertaining nevertheless. Though it's only a novella within a series of others, the thriller's short format packs a serious punch, cutting out all the filler and getting straight to the pulse-pounding action.
The lead character, Professor Jackson, is spunky, likable, and a pleasure to root for, and the antagonist, Nicholas the perfect blend of infuriating and unhinged. Granted, I did first find his vendetta against the professor a tad overkill, considering he had a B+ average in her class. Yet the motives behind his grade-grubbing and over-achieving become clearer once Nicholas reflects on parts of his upbringing. After being ridiculed by his mother all of his life and compared to the high standards set by his siblings, it's no wonder he is disturbed enough to go to any lengths for his parents' approval. Awful childhood aside, Nicholas is an all-out jerkface and an entitled racist to boot, which makes his eventual downfall all the more satisfying.
Speaking of racism, the novella does include some racially and politically charged topics ( in case that's not everyone's thing.) Although it's not overdone or "preachy," for it is incorporated in a manner true to the characters involved. I will say that the repeated use of the n-word is a bit jarring, at least to me. I get that the term is used in the black community, which is how it's used within the story, but it's just never been in my vernacular since I didn't grow up hearing it in my household.
On another note, I admired how the author (also a black female ) created a character from the black female perspective! I haven't read many thrillers with an African American female as the lead, and as a fellow female African American, I appreciated the representation. Overall, the Student is a good pick for a fun, fast-paced read!