Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Half Sick of Shadows by Laura Sebastian

4 reviews

shadesofkate26's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

4.25

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rosethorne_27's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This book had some elements that provided interesting social commentary about issues in feminism, and how a society that doesn't treat women with respect can impact female friendships. The author did put some creative spins on the original myth, but unfortunately, her treatment of issues related to mental health as a plot element were extremely off-putting.
Any story where suicide is treated as a character defining moment of a woman choosing her own path, and where it is also a plot answer solution to the character's problems is a very dangerous message to be giving young women. I think the good elements of this book were ruined by this glaring oversight. I'm really not sure how it got by the sensitivity readers. I understand that the death of the original Lady Shalott was an unavoidable obstacle in the author's attempt to rehabilitate this character as a modern heroine, but maybe some characters should be left as they were. Elaine is not the model we need.
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readwithde's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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

4.25

I'm still trying to decide how I feel about this book, but maybe that's a good thing. 

Let me start with the good parts, the loyalty and camaraderie and love between the main characters, the difficult choices and grey areas of life, the weight of power and responsibility for the future, the interwoven fates of Gwen, Elaine, and Morgana... it was so rich with detail and life and possibly. 

As for the not-so-great parts, Elaine became a bit annoying to me.
She is constantly aware that knowing the future can have adverse effects, but she often finds herself steering the group into the wrong paths, the choices leading to a dark and painful ending. While I appreciate how she removed herself from the cycle, she still caused collateral damage, primarily to Lancelot.


I also felt like I needed 2 extra chapters, just to detangle what may have changed, if anything.
I would have loved to get a glimpse of how Arthur and Lancelot survived Camelot without the girls being there to counsel, heal, aid, and generally keep them safe and functioning.


Overall, I love this version of the story, and I love the focus on how the women of Camelot could not be themselves, how Gwen, Morgana, and Elaine spent their entire lives being trained to sacrifice themselves for Arthur's sake.
How they slowly eroded over time, and would have become even worse versions of themselves if not for choosing their own lives over Arthur's.
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ssbuschman's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

This was a great story, well written, and keeps you curious the whole time. But it is a wholly sad and melancholy story. It is a great companion for a rainy day, or a glum mood, but I wouldn’t recommend reading it while the sun is out and a smile is on your face.
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