Reviews tagging 'Pedophilia'

The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

5 reviews

ivy123's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

This novel has multiple layers and is impossible to describe without spoiling anything. Overall this blends genres between horror, thriller and at times contemporary. Rather than bring focused on scares it centres around greif, regret and the comsequences of trauma. 

Although not what i would usually read I would highly recommend to others to give it a try as i really appreciate how it was written. The authors note as mentioned in other reviews is a must read after you have finished. At times it did seem like too many reveals at once rather than one big reveal but overall a well written and thought provoking book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Murder, Self harm, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death of parent, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, and Mental illness

Minor: Pedophilia

nicolesbookreviews's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Mental illness, Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Animal death, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Incest, Alcohol, Murder, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault

keen's review

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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Grief, Animal cruelty, Mental illness, Violence, Child abuse, Confinement, and Torture

Moderate: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Abandonment, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, and Pedophilia

Minor: Medical content, Adult/minor relationship, and Suicide attempt

dfrancis's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Kidnapping, Death, Confinement, and Mental illness

Moderate: Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Pedophilia, Animal death, Death of parent, and Grief

lmshearer's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This book, despite its multiple-POV style pulled me in right away but unfortunately lagged in the middle. This allows the first twist in the story to be revealed to the reader at the same pace as it's realized by the character. I found this initially weak as it seemed to unmoor the story and its characters, but as I kept reading through the second and final acts understand why the author made the choice. So, if you're reading through this book and have a similar reaction, stick with it. This book deals in a lot of trauma, so please see the CWs below. Like my first Ruth Ware novel, I will certainly be seeking out more work from this author.

Spoiler

In reading the afterward, I appreciate the story even more. I like the concept of turning the ableist trope of DID so often used in the horror/thriller on its head. I was also so grateful at the main character reveal as it assuaged my conflicting empathy toward a presumed serial killer/pedophile. Like the author, I really liked Ted from the start, so having him turn out the victim in so many regards solidified my affection for him.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Torture