Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Scent Keeper by Erica Bauermeister

20 reviews

dmariefern's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? Yes

3.75

I loved the story but once the main character reconnected with old family members I got lost a bit… I also found the ending odd — or rather it didn’t end how I’d hope.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

laheath's review against another edition

emotional mysterious 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

4.0

Honestly, I wasn't sure what was going on when I first started this book. It seemed to be leaning unexpectedly toward magical realism, which was disappointing, and I almost gave up. It was just so different from what I had previously read and liked by this author. I'm glad I finished it though because it ended up being a beautifully written story about finding out who you are and then choosing who you want to be. For those with a strong association of scents tied to memories, like me, the descriptive writing is especially powerful and the details of fragrances later in the book are intriguing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Grief

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, and Alcohol

Minor: Pregnancy

sj_54's review against another edition

adventurous 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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent

ajf1774's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

3.0

This book had an interesting premise but ultimately ended up being predictable and somewhat boring. I did enjoy the immersive writing, especially surrounding descriptions of smell. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent

raemow's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious 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

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol

katymaryreads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

4.0

This was an interesting read with the focus throughout being on scents rather than on sights and sounds. Emmeline is brought up on an isolated island by her father, and the tone and content of the first part of the book make it feel as if it is set in the past. When Emmeline is abruptly catapulted into the modern world - although initially into a quite isolated and "gentle" part of it - it is a shock. 
The author does an excellent job of portraying Emmeline's emotions as the story progresses. Things happen, but the focus is much more on her and how she is feeling than on the action, such as it is.

I particularly liked the part of the book where she discovers the truth of her past, and how her relationship with her mother progresses. And I was happiest of all when she worked out at last where she really belonged.

This was an excellent, enjoyable read, and the narration was superb.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent

Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Violence

jennikreads's review against another edition

emotional mysterious medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Kidnapping

Minor: Cancer

shaney_swift's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Domestic abuse

teri_reads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective 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? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Animal death

sayyahtobookseh's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was the best book I read all year. I absolutely devoured it. And now I almost want to begin immediately retreading to savor it the second time around. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse