Reviews

Phantom Limb by Lucinda Berry

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I have such a weird relationship with this author’s books! I always get hooked on them and enjoy her style, whilst simultaneously not sure how I can be reading a book with so many vile and uncomfortable graphic descriptions of abuse (TW - sexual abuse to 7 year olds this book has so please read with caution). I almost stopped near the start after one bit but decided I needed to know what happened next. I guess she puts it in for shock value but some of those parts were unnecessary for sure. But it kept me up reading all night and I did enjoy the book, the twist at the end was a bit unoriginal but I was ok with it!

gwendolyn_kensinger's review against another edition

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3.0

LOOK UP CONTENT AND TRIGGER WARNINGS (abuse, rape, eating disorders, self-harm)!

You have twin sisters Emily and Elizabeth who had horrible childhoods. Horrible, disgusting, worst ever. Now they’re living together in an apartment. Elizabeth is going to school, working, and dating. Emily on the other hand stays in the apartment all day sleeping and generally is not doing well. After a tough conversation one evening Emily locks herself in the bathroom and the next morning Elizabeth finds her twin dead. She blacks out and when she comes to she finds herself in a hospital. She’s been admitted and she isn’t sure why. All she wants to know is what happened to Emily. As she delves deeper into the mystery surrounding Emily’s death, she discovers shocking secrets and holes in her memory that force her to remember what she’s worked so hard to forget—the beatings, the blood, the special friends. Her life spins out of control at a terrifying speed as she desperately tries to unravel the psychological puzzle of her past before it’s too late. It’s twisty and turny in the best way but it’s very difficult to read at times because of the content and trigger warning.

rachelbr's review against another edition

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dark tense

3.75

kaleighhh's review against another edition

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2.0

This book seems more like a glance into psychological disturbances rather than a psychological thriller. It follows the life and history of two girls (more about one of them though for most of the book) Emily and Elizabeth who are twins that have a very troubled past.

I have a hard time understanding how a clinical psychologist could have written this book. Many of the disorders are dramatized and used as a plot devise. That is not to say that people do not struggle to the extent that the individuals in this book did, but it really rubs me the wrong way the way the author seemed to depict and use them. If I had no knowledge of these disorders I would leave this book thinking people with these disorders are insane and not capable of being normal and that’s just not true! I also think that even though it’s fiction and supposed to be a psychological thriller the author (especially as a clinical psychologist) should of put a trigger warning at the start of this book because there are supper graphic and disturbing scenes involving suicide, abuse, self-harm, eating disorders, and sexual abuse. Maybe I am just judging her harder because of her credentials but I just feel weird about the use of mental health as the basis of an entire book that’s supposed to be a psychological thriller, like that just automatically gives a bad reputation to metal disorders that could lead to stigmatization. I did however find it to be engaging and face paced. I won’t ever recommend this to people though because for me I think it could do more harm then good, but that just my opinion.

katieadlard's review

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.5

lwarren's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

izzyc6's review against another edition

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5.0

Read this in one sitting! I thoroughly enjoy Lucinda’s writing. This gripping story is full of trauma so I would definitely check trigger warnings before you read.