Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

Into the Light by Mark Oshiro

5 reviews

jdgammons's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

2.5

I got this book from the library because I've loved all of Oshiro's previous books and I definitely will say that the plot, characters, and background really got me interested at the beginning of the book. In Anger is a Gift I thought that the plot twists were remarkably predictable (which it was written for a different, ie younger audience) but that even though I saw the plot twists coming the way that Oshiro writes those twists when they come up makes it feel like a fresh wound or understanding. I sobbed when I read Anger is a Gift. With Each of us a Desert I didn't find the plot predictable and thought that the nonlinear writing was really interesting and harder to follow. In this book I again liked the nonlinear writing and I completely didn't predict the plot twist. That being said I walking into this book expecting realistic fiction especially with how in the authors note Oshiro outlines his research. In the end it is not realistic fiction. I found the

whole splitting into two different beings completely lost me.

As I said I was expecting realistic fiction and that is not it lol. However,

I did love at the end that things were left open. It wasn't wrapped up with a neat little bow. Manny acknowledges that his life will change with Carlos is unknown. I also loved that it had to be Elena's choice to leave the cult. I found that very impowering and important to both Manny's and Elena's charater development.

Also as always with Oshiro's writing love the way he writes young gay relationships and love! Gave this book a low rating but I will totally read another of Oshiro's books when next published. The plot twist just ruined this book for me.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Abandonment

Minor: Incest and Abortion

dominicangirl's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, and Abandonment

Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Toxic relationship, and Grief

wolfenoot's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Racism, Kidnapping, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Abortion

maranda_maria's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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? No

4.75

Mark Oshiro will tear you apart just to put you back together in the end. Into the Light is a heartbreakingly beautiful reflection of the impact religious trauma has on queer people. There is a twist you will not see coming that ties the book together, and is as disturbing and unnerving as it should be. Overall, Into the Light is an ode to queer people who have or are in the process of healing from religious trauma with the overall message that hope is never lost. We are never too broken to find love and joy even after the worst of times. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Moderate: Sexual content

bookmarkedbyfi's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, and Abandonment