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tgij's reviews
6 reviews
I Never Promised You a Rose Garden by Hannah Green
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The writing style and vocabulary used was eloquent and college-level, and painted a vast outer and inner setting, which was very important as the character's state of mind and mental space is an important part of understanding the plot. The plot is realistic in terms of the non-linear road to mental "unsick" and health. The story is character driven and, in tandem with the plot, of course, complex and rocky. I love the psychiatrist, Furii, and I thoroughly enjoyed Miss Carol's appearances throughout the story, and there are no characters who I feel could have been developed better. Everything felt well done and tied together very well. The ending was perfect; I only wish we got to see a little of Deborah's family relationship dynamics and how they change with her resolution.
It was a beautiful piece of literature and I am glad to have read it. The theme of healing and regression really urges the reader to take a look at themselves and do some inner work of their own. I know I had to do some inner work along with this reading, and am grateful for it. The ending was not wrapped in a bow, happy, and satisfying as a "happily ever after" story, but an intense and reflective read as someone who struggles with their own symptoms and disorders. The only reason this novel got 4.75 stars and not five is because there was a lull where I was not compelled to pick up the book about four or five chapters away from the end, but that is a personal feeling and should not truly reflect upon the author.
It was a beautiful piece of literature and I am glad to have read it. The theme of healing and regression really urges the reader to take a look at themselves and do some inner work of their own. I know I had to do some inner work along with this reading, and am grateful for it. The ending was not wrapped in a bow, happy, and satisfying as a "happily ever after" story, but an intense and reflective read as someone who struggles with their own symptoms and disorders. The only reason this novel got 4.75 stars and not five is because there was a lull where I was not compelled to pick up the book about four or five chapters away from the end, but that is a personal feeling and should not truly reflect upon the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Self harm, Antisemitism, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Fatphobia, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
The Witch and the Vampire by Francesca Flores
adventurous
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I liked the overall vibe, the reliable plot and character development, the queer yearning, and the mildly satisfying end. I did not like the one-dimensional character development, some of the sloppiness that came out of making the plot make sense, and some personal notes. There were some aspects that I feel were stitched together sloppily and I would've liked more:
-Leander foreshadowing
-more critical thinking from Kay
-maybe a bit more versatility from Ava, more struggles with her discipline around blood, more depth to her feelings and her guilt as we understand vampires from this world have very little impulse control around blood
-more emotion and, perhaps, guilt shown in Ava's mother's actions as she is married to a piece of shit who abused her daughter
-and a small side note that I almost HATED whoever read the book for the audio because Ava's voice was sooooo annoying
But I might be asking for a novel at this point
-more critical thinking from Kay
-maybe a bit more versatility from Ava, more struggles with her discipline around blood, more depth to her feelings and her guilt as we understand vampires from this world have very little impulse control around blood
-more emotion and, perhaps, guilt shown in Ava's mother's actions as she is married to a piece of shit who abused her daughter
-and a small side note that I almost HATED whoever read the book for the audio because Ava's voice was sooooo annoying
But I might be asking for a novel at this point
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, and Murder
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Eating disorder
This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
As someone who saw the adaptation first, I can say I really appreciate the book in all its detail: there is a lot of information to build up the story and give the reader an understanding of each character in all their flaws and complexities. It was very good at keeping me on the edge of my seat. Adele is a genius of sorts, but Louise is an admirable character at times as well, with David in the middle and, while having a hand in the plot, is really stuck between them. The spiritual/supernatural element is very prominent and is a huge reason for this story catching my eye in the first place.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Infidelity, Grief, Stalking, Murder, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Eating disorder
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
The book does a lot of world-building and gives a lot of background for how the main character ended up in her current life. There were eye-opening passages. I reflected on how Pecola’s father’s upbringing impacted his parenting and how different his thinking was from how I would imagine going on to parent my children if I had the life he lived.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis