Reviews tagging 'Eating disorder'

The Return by Rachel Harrison

23 reviews

slimepuppy's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

4.5

Oh, this one was a gut punch, simultaneously scary and so, so sad. The definitive "sometimes dead is better" book.

The body horror is genuinely disgusting and disturbing, and I'm not someone who is usually fazed by it. The beginning of the book builds such an oppressive atmosphere, you can't help but start to feel like Elise's growing paranoia is spreading to you, too.

The characters are complex, multidimensional and flawed while still retaining enough of a charm that shows why they're friends.

My only complaint really is the very ending of the book - I wish we got more of an exploration of the feelings and an in depth talk between the characters instead of them simply acknowledging each other's feelings - it doesn't really seem like things changed, even if the characters say it did.

Also wtf did the authoritie do about the hotel L O L ?????? 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Blood, and Body horror

Moderate: Eating disorder, Vomit, Addiction, Alcohol, Cancer, Gore, and Death of parent

monstersinspace's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

3.0

Spoilers: The story sorta meandered around a bit and only really picked up like 75% through the book. It was like the author wanted to write both a coming of age story about out growing friendships and how life changes, but hey also this girl might be a demon. It was well written and I liked the characters I just think some of it got lost in the interpersonal relationships which isn't necessaryly a bad thing, but I went in expecting a horror book and I'm not sure if it fully delivered on that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Cannibalism, Death, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Gore, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, Violence, and Vomit

ktdakotareads's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Medical content, Medical trauma, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Death, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Stalking, Grief, Abandonment, and Infidelity

traa'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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Death, Murder, Mental illness, Alcohol, Grief, Cannibalism, Gore, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Body horror, Stalking, and Violence

Moderate: Car accident, Fatphobia, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Ableism, Body shaming, Toxic friendship, Eating disorder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Racism, Bullying, and Xenophobia

fancydog's review against another edition

dark reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

This book has a lot of interpersonal elements between the characters. I enjoyed that aspect a lot but some people may not.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder

marselise's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror

Moderate: Eating disorder and Murder

kehodgson13's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Cursing, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Body horror, Gore, Death, and Eating disorder

madisonpages98's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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

4.5

This book was a beautiful testament to female friendship! The author did an amazing job of creating and building upon the friendship within the group throughout the entire story. I loved the slow build and the gradual

Spoiler

decline of Julie

created a very atmospheric and creepy setting. The only reason it was not five stars for me was because I felt that the ending was a little over the top. All in all, this was a quick, easy, and spooky read! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Murder, Eating disorder, and Gore

lovesit1892's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective 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? Yes

5.0

This book exceeded all of my expectations. After being drawn to the neon pink cover at B&N, I was surprised to read that the synopsis sounded similar to one of my favorite movies, Jennifer's Body, so I couldn't resist. I'm usually more of a gothic horror girl than contemporary horror, so I went into this book not knowing how much I would like it, but it blew me away. It is like Jennifer's Body, but somehow even more eerie.

There was a line in this book that gave me literal chills, and as a ghosty, ghouly, macabre-loving weirdo, that never happens to me while reading books. The small, blink-and-you'll-miss-them details that give a sense of something being "off" were so subtle and perfectly placed that it kept the creeping dread slowly escalating throughout the entire book. The setting felt so realistic--from

Spoiler

the try-hard, trendy/creepy boutique hotel to the dreary New England weather--that it was easy to imagine all of the absolutely unhinged occurrences actually happening.

Spoiler

I don't normally like dialogue driven books, especially centering around a young adult friend group like this one (the friendship dynamic usually feels forced and cheesy), but Harrison does a superb job of showcasing the individual voice and personality of each character. She really captures the emotions and growing pains that these women go through while navigating their friend's disappearance and subsequent "return," and the strain that it puts on their friendships. This is a great narrative on grief, friendship, growing pains, and social dynamics told through the lens of contemporary horror. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death, Eating disorder, Body horror, and Gore

Moderate: Vomit

Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Cancer, Death of parent, and Stalking

moodreadererin's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Animal death, and Body horror

Moderate: Murder, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Vomit

Minor: Death of parent