On Bluesky, Kashana Cauley basically asked people to tell the internet about her novel The Payback if they liked it, and to throw it at their enemies if they didn’t.
The book is about a woman named Jada, who could have supported herself with a fashion career if Hollywood was fair and if she didn’t steal. That’s why she ends up doing fetish work, which is enough to pay rent or student loans, but not both. Jada understandably chooses housing.
In this world there are the Debt Police, violent collectors who do whatever they violence they want to punish debtors. As they beat you, they helpfully suggest crystals instead of doctors and giving up on avocado toast. They also wear turquoise.
To get away from the Debt Police, Jada (the thief) plans a heist with her friends Audrey (the hacker) and Lanae (the musician who sings in a band called the Donner Party, offense intended). They’ve all been violently attacked by the Debt Police because they have debt, but really because they’re Black women (with debt).
And that’s about it. The book was really just about the three women working retail together as they go from work acquaintances to actual friends. They support each other through racism and sexism and misogynoir. And student loans.
I liked it. And even if I didn’t, I would not recommend throwing it at enemies. At less than 250 pages, it doesn’t have much bulk. The hardcover material wasn’t that hard. I didn’t throw it, but I did drop it on my head from a few inches and it barely hurt.
