Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

Idealne dziecko by Lucinda Berry

59 reviews

nusta's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Mental illness, and Excrement

Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Pregnancy

Minor: Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, and Grief

bookdeviant86's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

thatnewbooksmell's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Abandonment

hollyyym's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Pregnancy, and War

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infertility, Medical content, Medical trauma, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

lifeofchrstnlvly's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I therefore conclude that Janie, the sociopathic 6-year-old child, was not the red flag: Christopher was.

Christopher was the dumbest male character I have ever read about. He infuriated me immensely. He was not thinking. He was purely foolish. And he is an orthopedic surgeon?! Come on. Where did his brain go? I cannot count how many times I gritted my teeth due to his stupidity.

Hannah deserved a better husband, because let's face it: Christopher didn't deserve Hannah. It just so happened that the one involved was a child, but if Christopher was attached to another woman his age, I am 100% certain he would have an affair and gaslight Hannah once she confronted him.

As for Janie, she was a mere child dealing with immense trauma. She needed more guidance. Hannah did her best, but Christopher, in his ignorance, continually interfered. He believed he was acting in Janie's best interest, but in reality, his actions exacerbated her condition. Such a pitiful child.

And Hannah... dear Hannah. I'm deeply sorry for the hardships you endured due to your foolish husband. You sought what was best for Janie, exerted every effort to assist her, but your husband chose not to support you or be part of your team. I hope you lead a fulfilling life, and I hope you permanently part ways with your husband. He's not the right man for you. His ability to reason is completely lacking.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Infertility, Sexual assault, and Pregnancy

sare1125's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment

Moderate: Murder

herphoenixloves's review against another edition

dark 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, and Physical abuse

bekahzabel's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

The Perfect Child is told in alternating points of view. Focusing on a couple who’s struggled with infertility, a social worker assigned to a strange child abuse case, and a seemingly innocent mysterious child.  

All the Bauer’s ever wanted was a baby. When a mysterious young girl shows up at the hospital with terrible injuries, she wins over Christopher Bauer’s heart. The Bauer’s decide to take Janie into temporary foster care, with the intentions of helping her transition and adjust to a better life. As Janie’s behaviors and past begin to unfold, things seem to get darker at every turn and crossroads. 

Boy oh boy, things got pretty dark between these two covers. Very hefty child abuse and violence trigger warnings. 

For me, The Perfect Child had me white knuckling my kindle, and salivating for the next page. Even though I guessed some of the twists, this dark tale was a great read for me. My only qualm is how abruptly it wrapped up. 4/5 stars! 🌟

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

laura13282's review against another edition

challenging dark sad fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

averageawkwardasian's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

4.0

Version: audiobook narrated by Christine Williams, Erin Bennett and Dan John Miller

 

Start slow and warm then gets rather upsetting towards the end. The contrast paired with the rush towards the stark ending makes the whole experience more unsettling. 

The 3-person narrative brings different perspective to the same events and added more suspense and mystery.

Certain triggers in the later part of story might be hard to stomach.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Infertility, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Confinement, Blood, Medical content, and Murder