Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

De Negen Levens by Diana Wynne Jones

11 reviews

santilopez024's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-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

A very charming little book, definitely captures the whimsical fantasy vibes i was looking for. Chrestomanci is a very memorable character who steals any scene he is in, and the protagonist Cat grew on me a lot over the course of the story.

My biggest problems come down to some 1970s isms, such as the depiction of physical punishments to children and a few fatphobic comments, and one out-of-nowehere line that was pretty racist and so out of fashion i am surprised it was in my edition from the 2000s. 

However, overall, its a lovely little story and i will definitely carry on with the Chrestomanci books, and Jones' work overall. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Fatphobia

Minor: Racism

eclipseoforion's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted relaxing 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? Yes

4.0

One of my favourite books from my childhood, and it's been perfect in getting me to enjoy reading something again. For the first time in a while I found myself wanting to read instead of playing a video game or watching youtube

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, and Fatphobia

Minor: Child abuse and Incest

the_cheerful_necromancer's review against another edition

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Ported over from my now-abandoned Goodreads:
Glorious fun! I was lucky enough to discover the Chrestomanci series right before I aged out of their target audience.
Wynne Jones' world pulls me in perfectly every time; every single setting feels wonderfully real and charming, if you'll excuse the pun. These are definitely comfort books for me and Charmed Life is no exception. It's a great little tale of strange new beginnings, surprisingly dark circumstances, and stepping out of someone else's shadow. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Death of parent

Minor: Child death, Incest, and Racism

Readers should note that this book, unfortunately, falls into the all-too-common trend of "fat people are usually mean or unpleasant." There are some 'plump' characters who are good or morally grey, but unfortunately it does play into this trope all the same. Otherwise, I've not rated any of the themes as "severe" as none of them are graphic, they are all age-appropriate. However, note that the main characters are orphans and the main character's sister is emotionally abusive. [child death]:

the main character has nine lives, and lost one in childbirth (being born) and another when his sister made him sick by magic.

The main characters' parents are mentioned to be cousins.

draven_deathcrush's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

I liked the story more than Howl's Moving Castle, but there were a lot of weird comments in this book. I mean, it is older, so that's probably why. It just caught me off guard sometimes.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Incest

Moderate: Child abuse

lavender__'s review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book is so cool. It's the 4th book I read by DWJ and I think it might be one of my favorites. I did not expect that plot twist with 

Gwendolen. I honestly felt kind of bad for her right until the end. I mean, I still feel bad for her and think Chrestomanci could've handled her situation way better, she was just an arrogant kid acting out bc of (her ego admittedly, but also) bc she was someone who very clearly thrived under adult/authorial support and validation. Which is to say, I can not believe she did what she did to Cat at the ending and apparently throughout the entirety of their childhoods?? How did she even figure out the deal with Cat? (when i think about it, Gwen calling her new siblings fat might've been a red flag about her personality) /

With that said, Cat technically exactly "push the plot along" up until 

Gwen leaves

but his neutrality (for lack of a better word) with everything is constantly criticized by the characters. His ""pushover-ness"" is a major character flaw. And honestly, i didn't mind it at all. He still felt pretty likable to me. 
I'm very happy to have read this book, it's been a while since I've consumed a book so hungrily. I finished this books in 2 days. I even stayed up until 2am. I was going to mark the hours I spent reading it on my library's summer reading program, but i waited too long, so I had to mark how long i read it on a later day (I can't mark the hours on that've already past, it has to be on the same day). If you like stories that have enchanters, siblings, mystery, and a multiverse this is the book for you

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse and Incest

I can't believe I forgot this book has incest, it honestly left my mind. ok so the parents of Gwen and Cat were first cousins and that's partially why they were shunned by the family (it was also magic related i think) it was just there for a few lines but still. It doesn't really add anything to the story, but it Is there. I also added child abuse just bc Gwen gets harshly spanked and Cat gets his ears boxed but its not major or anything

djinnandtea's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted 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? No

4.0

I've probably read this book a half dozen times, and it still, generally, delights me. I will admit to finding it less engaging on my most recent go around, some of the magic a little dulled with age and exposure (also Gwendolyn really is a foul little girl), but Chrestomanci and his supporting cast are such compelling figures, and I’m still so dedicated to Cat. I enjoy this world immensely, I enjoy Chrestomanci immensely. Jones writes him with such flair and humor, and this book truly changed the way I think of the word “vague” even now, years later. 

I saw someone on Tumblr discuss the inherent classism of this book, which is a thing I can’t really unsee now, and I think it’s important to mention here. It’s also a book of its time. Adults sometimes speak harshly to children (calling them or their actions stupid) and there are a few moments of physical punishment (a character is spanked with a boot, another “boxed” twice on both ears). I don’t think it devalues the story, but it does take me out of the joyful experience of reading it when these moments occur, and it could understandably be off-putting to other readers.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Classism

Minor: Child abuse and Fatphobia

eol's review against another edition

adventurous 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Child abuse

novelyon's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Body shaming and Fatphobia

Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Incest, Physical abuse, Racism, and Death of parent

gothicmoon's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny 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? No

4.0

I loooved this book. I was so scared that Gwedolen would come in and be suddenly a heroine and I am infinitely glad that she wasn't. She was abusive! The ENTIRE time. She didn't deserve a a redemption, and she didn't get it. Good! This, my friends, is how one goes about writing a Sn*pe character. 

I love Cat and I wanna hug him and adopt him as my own. Janet is the best. When Cat's just died and Janet's relieved that he's well and talks and talks and talks as she does and Cat falls asleep feeling "safe and cared-for?" I weeped like a baby.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Animal cruelty and Fatphobia

vel16's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

The 5-star rating is largely because of nostalgia for me, personally, but this still holds up and is an excellent book. Dated in some ways, but progressive for when it was written, this is an oddly dark and enchantingly wonderful book that is a part of my favourite book series since childhood.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying

Moderate: Body horror, Death, and Fatphobia

Minor: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Violence, and Blood

This book is suitable for children but there are some problematic elements related to casual weight- and body-shaming