Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Rose Madder by Stephen King

19 reviews

dearcityskylines's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

3.75

The majority of the book itself was a good read. I enjoyed how King set up the plot and introduced the characters to the story. There were some turns in the book that were extremely tense, and I loved how Rosie continued on - but did it terrified. 

Only real issue I had was the ending. The story had a great build up, but the ending of the book is underwhelming. Not terrible, just not...tied together.

The ending with her and remember the tree seemed like a medicore ending to the horror she endured. It did add suspense, but it didn't do well for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, and Murder

ripxreads's review against another edition

dark emotional slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, and Violence

Moderate: Homophobia, Miscarriage, and Rape

emmiemopho's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

What my husband hears when I read Stephen King: “Stephen, why do you have to say it like that” and “I just don’t have the ability to put up with your nonsense tonight, Stephen.” 

It’s true. I don’t like reading most SK stories but there are a few that I really like. And with a silly little goal to read the rest of his books, I hope I can add some more faves to that list. But sometimes, I’m just fed up and at this point, on a first name basis with Stephen when complaints arise. 

Rose Madder is horrific and there should be so many trigger warnings on it. The first chapter jumps in with detailed abuse, rape, and lots of blood. I think I was nauseous for about 80% of the read. Would I recommend? Definitely not. But if you do, just know the detailed abuse is on the same level as the parts they had to take out of 13 Reasons Why on Netflix. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

lacylouwho's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Miscarriage and Murder

avrorae's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical trauma, Stalking, Abortion, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent

illtakethenightshiftx's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Rose Madder has been on my “King need to read” list for a long time and I’m glad I finally read it! It’s a brutal look at domestic abuse, the dangers survivors face, and their journey to escaping. There are also some magical elements because it isn’t a Stephen King book without them! 

This novel isn’t so much horror like ghosts and killer clowns, it’s much more real. If I had read this in a different point in my life, it probably would’ve become my favorite  book. It’s full of tension, creeping dread, and truly lovable characters who you’re rooting for all the way until the end (except Norman. He’s the embodiment of evil.) This time period of King novels (late 80s-early 90s) shows a marked change in his writing, specifically the subjects that he’s writing about which coincides with his sobriety. The Losers’ Club has talked about this shift in King’s writing in great detail on their podcast, so you should probably listen to their conversations because they’re fantastic. 

There are also several Dark Tower connections mentioned throughout this novel, if you’re a Dark Tower fan!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Gore, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual violence, and Violence

btrz7's review

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Homophobia, Incest, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Cannibalism, Stalking, and Murder

stars_and_stags's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-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

4.0

I really enjoyed this book, however it is very much a book of its time. 

The first chapter is very dark and the opening pages are horrific to read. 

There are also quite a few words & phrases that were quite shocking to hear in 2023. 

Overall, I like the journey Rose goes on but I perfectly understand why some choose not to read this. It’s a tough read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Grief, Stalking, Abortion, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

tifftastic87's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.25

Another that I loved as a teen but didnt hit the same way as an adult. 

It made me more emotional this time around for sure but it was... Definitely 90s. Its always hard when King writes from his villain's perspective because they are always truly horrible and its hard to hear the language they use about other people. However it does truly make you hate Norman. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

ditte's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Stalking

Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence