Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

94 reviews

author2223's review

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Death

Moderate: Blood and Drug use

kyanitecourage's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Vomit

Moderate: Cursing, Antisemitism, Biphobia, Outing, and Excrement

archaicrobin's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

This chilly winter thriller is over the top and overdramatic and I loved it. The premise was intriguing but a little obvious and the characters interactions were cringey at times, but overall I enjoyed the craziness of this thriller, that always had me 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Rape, Blood, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence

ashleyxx8's review

dark mysterious tense

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Blood, Sexual assault, Gun violence, and Death

violetvulptex's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement and Sexual content

Moderate: Death, Blood, Drug use, Alcohol, Murder, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Torture, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Misogyny, Antisemitism, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexism, Transphobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Cultural appropriation, Racism, Religious bigotry, Domestic abuse, Excrement, and Gore

nicole_zx's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, and Sexual content

Moderate: Gun violence and Drug use

Minor: Child abuse

anthonyem's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

It  was an engrossing read; despite its chaotic nature (a hot mess), I found myself unable to put it down. It was a fortuitous find at the bookstore, that eerily sounded like one of my own works in some aspects. However, there were that felt off

like unnecessary or forced lgbt content and sex related scenes

The novel had an intriguing quality, I would say just a little reminiscent of "The Picture of Dorian Gray," with its exploration of the human psyche and morality, even though they’re not comparable, because they deal with different things overall. While I don't see myself revisiting it, I would recommend it to fellow writers for its inspirational elements, that depicted real-life industry themes. 

The dialogues were convincing, and the plot was engaging overall, with some exceptions that were slightly bothersome. Overall, it was a decent read. 

I'm curious to see what Julia Bartz writes next; I'm hopeful for a narrative that feels more organic.

and not like it’s being made, among other things, to push a narrative or agenda

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content

Moderate: Death, Blood, and Confinement

Minor: Violence

aliciavalenski's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Excrement, Gore, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship

vj_thompson's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Very interesting book. I preferred the story within the story. Would recommend the audiobook. The narrator truly embodied the characters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Death, Blood, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Murder, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Bullying, Gaslighting, Grief, Cursing, Vomit, and Violence

Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Suicide, Racism, Antisemitism, Excrement, and Child abuse

emsim's review

medium-paced

3.75

Still not sure what I read...Some wild sh*t happened.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Terminal illness, Bullying, Drug use, Murder, Death, and Domestic abuse