Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

85 reviews

lolajh's review against another edition

I just think this is just too much for me to deal with right now, and it’s not looking like the book is going in a direction that is promising and is making reading all this trauma actually worth it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Eating disorder, Rape, Sexual content, and Blood

tbhwhoknows's review against another edition

challenging tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

definitely a heavier read than expected. started off a bit slow, took some time to get used to the settings and the style. the middle third is packed with trauma and deterioration which was quite hard to read. had to really take a few breaks in between. but overall the character building was amazing and they felt very very real. super well written. the writing is hauntingly beautiful. did it make me cry? yes. like how do you read lines like “it was as if staying alive just gave everyone else time to leave you” and not scream cry throw up how do you read i turn loneliness inside out and wear it like a glove and not have your heart break a little how do you

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Drug use, and Self harm

thekissballad's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

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

3.0

This was a hard one to get through, and not just because of the content. For which I'll say, do your research and read any warnings before diving in.

I did enjoy reading all of the personalities' perspectives and seeing how they help and/or hinder. However, in doing so, there was no clear timeline. The story jumped all around, and with it brought an excessive amount of repetitiveness.

The graphic and/or vulgar scenes were also not to my liking, and there were many. Had I done the research I suggested any future readers do, I probably would not have chosen to read this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts

cocorose's review against another edition

dark emotional tense 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Dysphoria, Suicidal thoughts, Self harm, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Blood, Body shaming, and Drug use

Minor: Forced institutionalization, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual violence, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Eating disorder, and Toxic relationship

lessoles's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Sexual violence, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Rape, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Self harm, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, and Alcohol

Minor: Eating disorder

sundayfever's review

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

A tough but enjoyable read about trauma, spirituality and mythology. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, and Child abuse

directorpurry's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, and Self harm

Moderate: Alcohol, Transphobia, and Acephobia/Arophobia

Minor: Infidelity

waybeyondblue's review

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Dysphoria

Moderate: Sexual assault, Death, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Infidelity, and Body shaming

finkbillie's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book to me is about acceptance of the many selves contained in one; identity. I like the magical elements permeating the story as well as the poetry in which the whole thing was woven. I really enjoyed even when at times it made me rolled my eyes.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, War, Domestic abuse, Self harm, Drug abuse, Rape, and Toxic relationship

drapetomaniac's review

challenging dark emotional reflective 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual violence