Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The First Time She Drowned by Kerry Kletter

7 reviews

esalmon13's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol

forgedopulence's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I don't know what else to say other than: I cried through most of this book.

This is a really difficult read if you have any kind of complicated relationship with parental/guardian figures, but it could potentially be a little cathartic to see how a young girl/woman navigates growing into to herself and how she structures the relationships around her to protect her peace.

I found that this book portrays an accurate representation of "teen angst" and why teen girls react to the world they way they do, finding yourself, getting thrown into adulthood, managing complicated relationships, and the first steps of true independence. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Mental illness, and Abandonment

Moderate: Suicide

kaadee's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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

5.0

Geez, where do I begin. I remember reading this book in 8th grade but I didn’t finish it. It has been on my mind every since then and I decided to pick it up two days ago. It took me two days to finish, which is pretty quick (although it is a YA book) I really related to Cassie in the sense of not knowing my place in the world or feeling trapped by my feelings.
I love the way the author describes things, it makes me feel really seen. I’m glad I saved reading this book  all the way through now that I’m older because I just  relate much more. I would recommend to friends and I’m definitely gonna buy my own personal copy :)

Note: I’m making this a 5 star because I can’t stop thinking about it months later!!!!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

justbooksandstuff47's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

“It didn’t take much longer for them to tell me their own reasons for being there-stories that, in the mere hearing of them, made me older than I was ready to be” (page 20)

I think this book really makes you analyze the wrong ways in which we tend to deal with being mistreated and the always present doubt of “Did I deserve it?”.

This book made me cry a lot, and I really loved the story and characters. The ending was very pleasing.

I think people should enter this book without much knowledge of what they are going to find.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, and Suicide

paigeconnelly's review

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Suicide

hannahforys's review

dark emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse

rachiiebookworm2710's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-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

3.5

A often difficult book to read, I advise checking out trigger warnings prior to reading it, but a great and interesting story overall. 3.5/5 Read for the #Buzzwordathon - March’s word/prompt is Time. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Mental illness