Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

Harrow la Novena by Tamsyn Muir

90 reviews

corsetedfeminist's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

It’s okay, I didn’t need my heart to be in one piece anyway.
If you’re keeping a spreadsheet, yes, this book also made me cry. 
I’m not sure how to write a review for it, because it defies my normal method of writing reviews and I don’t want to spoil certain very startling plot points, but I shall try. 
I really liked the growth of Harrow’s character in this and I found myself identifying with her a lot as someone who grew up in religion and then suddenly started deconstructing it all. The constant question of what is real or not in this book makes it both rather confusing to read but also riveting, and Harrow’s struggles with mental illness and hallucinations is handled realistically- gently by those who love her, and as another way to manipulate her by others. (Ianthe, when I get my hands on you, you’re going to regret being the surviving twin) I loved Harrow in the last book, but I came to love her even more in this one- she is deeply, deeply flawed, but also deeply broken and simultaneously trying to be better, even when her methods are… questionable. 
The plot itself is complex and confusing, but also grabs you by the throat and drags you along in a way that cannot be escaped. I’m still a little unclear on all of the relationships that are detailed in the last few chapters, and I’m pretty sure I need a spreadsheet, but the story manages very complicated and obscure worldbuilding while preserving the atmosphere and drive in a way that keeps the story moving forward. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Genocide, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury

zefancifulreader's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

What an epic! I spent most of the book saying to myself “what the fuck?!”
The world building was a bit dense at times but I loved the psychological breadcrumbs and the whispers of “is this how it happens?”.
Very fun. This series is a delight. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Genocide, Mental illness, and Grief

Minor: Self harm and Suicide

cuteasamuntin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent

Minor: Gun violence, Infertility, Miscarriage, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, and Medical content

lunarkris's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Ableism, Cancer, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Genocide, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and War

Minor: Body shaming, Drug use, Incest, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic

sammy357's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious sad slow-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? Yes

3.5

I actually love how the book is s jumble of confusing half-truths, flashbacks that are so plainly false, and the most unreliable narrator to ever narrate. Really puts you in Harrow's shoes. But unfortunately my brain wasn't big enough to keep up with the first act or two. Maybe the second readthrough will give me a better fighting chance.
The last 30% or so when we (the readers) and Harrow find out what's going on was so good. And I love how Muir writes different povs. I recommend the audiobook they did an amazing job.
Favorite quotes:
"You sawed open your skull rather than be beholden to someone. You turned your brain to soup to escape anything less than 100% freedom. You put me in a box and buried me rather than give up your goddamn agenda. Harrowhark, I gave you my whole life and you didn't even want it."
"You know it was killing me twice that you weren't there right? You must know it was destroying me to be there in your body trying to keep you thumbs on and I couldn't even hear your damn voice."

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, and Murder

Moderate: Eating disorder, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Child death, Genocide, Suicide, Cannibalism, and War

Graphic: Hallucionations Brief mention/description of amputation and lobotomy. Minor: necrophilia

arysuh's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-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? Yes

4.5

À la première lecture, je n’ai pas aimé le roman. C’était tellement différent de Gideon que j’étais à deux doigts d’abandonner. Je suis heureuse d’avoir tenu bon et de l’avoir réécouté et relu à l’aulne des révélations faites dans le dénouement. 
Pour l’instant, c’est pour moi le plus difficile à lire des trois publiés à cause des thèmes abordés de ce qui arrive à Harrow, de ce qui lui est infligé.
Et dire qu’on pensait dans GtN qu’elle menait sa barque ! 😅

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment

kelisabeth's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail

violator's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny sad slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Eating disorder, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

essieruth's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Colonisation

Minor: Infertility, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy

peppypenguin's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious slow-paced

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

5.0

I was a bit nervous after the first book's ending, but the author knew exactly what she was doing. This book explores the universe more and gives the reader an understanding of the bigger picture. Action-packed but veeeery slow with the reveals so that when something does come to light it makes a big impact. Most are teased until the final quarter or so of the book, like a mystery novel where in the end you can see if any of your suspicions were right. The characters are fun and have a variety of shades of grey in terms of morality and relatability which keeps things unpredictable and interesting. I can't wait to continue reading.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Grief, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism