Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass

37 reviews

blindfox7's review

I'm not a huge fan of the horror genre to begin with but thought because this was paranormal that I would enjoy it. It had some really interesting ideas and dealt with some very relevant issues and fears but was not ok reading about pedophiles.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, and Murder

the_vegan_bookworm's review

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Racism, Sexual violence, Violence, Mass/school shootings, and Murder

Moderate: Alcohol

cover2covertx's review against another edition

dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

3.5

There was a lot of internal dialogue and monologuing- a lot. The first half of the book I was completely invested but the second half was a lot of talking and thinking and not a lot of actual action driving the plot. Also, we need to include trigger warnings on the audiobooks too, because while I was prepared for the difficult content related to the violence of the ghost’s past, childhood SA is a deal breaker for me. Thankfully this was a buddy read so I had a friend fill me in before I got to that part. But I struggled overall with this one.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Mass/school shootings

gellyreads's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Sawyer as a character is conflicting, but I liked the way this book set up the characters, powers, and world. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Gun violence, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury

kdela's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual violence, and Mass/school shootings

directorpurry's review

adventurous challenging emotional 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? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Incest and Toxic friendship

elysianbud's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

The entire second half of the book was just the author ripping my heart out of my chest while I sobbed violently. I've literally just finished it and I think I have a headache from dehydration...

Great characters and good plot. Love to see assholes get their due. Author sets atmosphere brilliantly. 

(Also the cover for this is gorgeous!)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Mass/school shootings, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

saurahsaurus's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

I really enjoyed this book, but didn’t expect it to be so violent. I loved its lore and strangeness, the themes of identity and being othered. And I just want to protect main character 🥹💜

I understand the role that the violence played in the book, and it fit. Just wasn’t prepared for it going in.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Blood, Mass/school shootings, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Cursing, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Outing, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal death, Infidelity, Police brutality, and Abandonment

ehmannky's review

dark emotional reflective 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

3.0

 I think that if this book had been like 60 or 70 pages longer, it would be one of the best YA horror books I've read. The ghost stuff is genuinely chilling, and Douglass has a talent for writing some very creepy scenes with great social commentary. I felt like I needed more of Jake with the two friends he gets over the course of the book. It felt like Douglass just speed-ran them into being best friends (I think if maybe the book started off with them all being friends I would have bought it more). Again, the paranormal stuff is excellent, it's just the connection between the main and supporting characters that felt a bit lacking. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Mass/school shootings, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Toxic friendship and Abandonment

melissa_m's review

dark hopeful mysterious sad medium-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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying and Gun violence

Moderate: Child abuse and Sexual violence