Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood

96 reviews

shadowsandspells's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? It's complicated

3.0

While *All the Ugly and Wonderful Things* tackles some heavy and thought-provoking themes, I found the pacing a bit sluggish, and at times, the narrative felt long-winded. The story of Wavy and Kellen is undoubtedly unconventional, and Greenwood delves into difficult moral gray areas with a raw, unfiltered lens. However, the book dragged in places, making it feel more like a slow burn that never fully ignited.

Wavy’s perspective, while unique and emotionally stirring, didn’t always hold my attention. The multiple points of view often made the story feel disjointed, which contributed to the overall sense of it being drawn out. While the character development is strong, the plot progression felt bogged down by the excessive detail, which made some sections feel more tedious than captivating.

That said, Greenwood's writing is beautiful in places, and the novel does touch on important topics like trauma, family dysfunction, and unconventional love. It's just that for me, the pacing made it hard to stay fully invested throughout. If you enjoy slow, introspective reads, you might connect with this more than I did.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, and Abandonment

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death of parent

Minor: Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

kingrish's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I really enjoyed this read! I was rooting for Wavy! However, the primary relationship in this story left me feeling very conflicted. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, and Murder

klasco94's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment

yinzer_barbie's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Blood and Abandonment

megsk22's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Car accident, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol

hkveit's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, and Alcohol

hkershaw28's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

blumerlamotte's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide, Violence, Murder, and Pregnancy

krysten_nunn's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad 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? Yes

4.5

This book made me feel all the feels: uncomfortable, inspired, horrified, sad, hopeful, angry. The characters are ones who I will carry with me for a long time. The kind of book that sticks with you long after it’s over. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, and Domestic abuse

kristinvhall's review against another edition

challenging 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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, and Death of parent

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use