Reviews tagging 'Death'

Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck

30 reviews

dweeks417's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

The premise and structure of the book is really well done. The writing is beautiful, if at times going too far with the purple prose. Sometimes the writing is so focused on seeming beautiful and meaningful that it becomes disconnected from the characters. I liked the intergenerational structure and actually enjoyed the mother's section the most. But god is this book bleak. I do not understand people who said this book is hopeful or inspirational. It's just sad, and the women characters suffer the most. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, and Abortion

elderwoodreads's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I loved the use of scripts interspersed in the story telling as well as the three distinct acts in three time periods. I originally wanted to give the book 4.5 but the ending really through me for a loop

although perhaps not intentionally it was giving a strong pro-life sentiment that did not resonate well with me

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness and Grief

Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

Minor: Rape and Abortion

emily3954's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, and Terminal illness

harrirl0's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Terminal illness, Blood, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Animal death

dexlud's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad fast-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

5.0

Oh my god. Shark Heart by Emily Habeck is possibly the most beautiful, tender writing I’ve read in my life. The story woven throughout these pages is split and muddled around and yet it is still a beautiful one none the less. We follow so many different people, all of which contribute to Wren, our main character, who went from a hiding girl to a strong woman.

There was pregnancy in this book, which had been hinted at for a while, but is still a surprise.

I believe the entire point of the book is to be a sort of comparison against dementia, especially with how the mutation progresses. The parallels are uncanny and it almost definitely reminds me of it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Moderate: Pregnancy

Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic

bellsdixon's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Gaslighting

Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic

marmelb's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Pregnancy

bf9288's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

"Shark Heart" was a beautiful surprise. I loved its artistic exploration of grief, loss, and the depth of love, as well as the theme of not recognizing the one you love anymore. Wren's experiences showcased the uncertainties of love, highlighting that there's no guarantee that you won't be hurt, suffer a loss, or that things will remain the same. I also appreciated the mention of therapy. I believe anyone who loves theatre and Broadway would enjoy this. Getting to know each character deeply was fantastic, and I didn't find any dull moments or feel overwhelmed with information.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, and Suicidal thoughts

burnourhistory's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Abortion

emily_koopmann's review against another edition

challenging lighthearted reflective fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death