Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

5 reviews

kimmykelly's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Eating disorder, Incest, Kidnapping, Blood, Death, Sexism, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Dementia, Gore, Body horror, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Rape

augustinedreams's review against another edition

dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.75

I like the theme & motifs of this book, about sexism & glorification of murders against woman. Very powerful. But this is more of a law/court drama than the thriller I wanted or thought it was.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Eating disorder, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Death, Grief, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Vomit, Murder, and Rape

carmenvillaman's review against another edition

dark emotional informative 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Body horror, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Dementia, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Violence, Child abuse, Murder, Outing, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Death, Body horror, Death of parent, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Medical content, and Stalking

jillwedemeier's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

On a Saturday night in 1978, a soon-to-be-infamous murderer descends upon a Florida sorority house, killing two young women and severely injuring two others. The lives of those who survive, including sorority president and key witness Pamela Schumacher, are forever changed. Across the country in Issaquah, Washington, Tina Cannon is convinced that her missing friend was murdered by the same person four years ago. Determined to find justice, the two women join forces as their search for answers leads to a final, shocking confrontation. 

I went into this book blind, and WOW, I am so glad I did. I feel like it's wrong to say I loved this book, given the nature of it, but I did. The story is told from the points of view of Pamela, a key witness in the Florida murders, and Ruth, a victim in Washington, with dual timelines switching from the 1970s to present day. Although the characters are fictionalized, they are based on real victims and witnesses. In a world where serial killers are unfortunately sensationalized and idolized, I love that the author gave the women names and only referred to the perpetrator as "The Defendant." I knew who "The Defendant" was in the first chapter, but readers who aren't familiar with the case won't find out his name (and only his first name) until the end of the book. Just a brilliant and thought-provoking novel showcasing the tabloid fascination with killers and shining a light on the bright, young women whose names are often forgotten. I highly, highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Element, S&S/Marysue Ricci Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Rape, and Sexual assault