Reviews tagging 'Violence'

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

379 reviews

lbrtgay's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Quick read. Finished in one sitting because I wanted to figure it out after initially thinking I have already figured it out. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Violence, and Murder

Minor: Mental illness

kimpossiblereads's review against another edition

emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, it was extremely captivating. I recently read Verity by Colleen Hoover so I did feel like there was something similar which kept throwing me off. The story is good, there are a few gaps/questions that could have been cleared out but overall an engrossing book. Some parts may see unbelievable or not really normal actions but I tried to give it into the writing and enjoyed it, happy with the ending - wish it was not as rushed. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence

caitipillar's review against another edition

inspiring fast-paced

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

3.5

i was really disappointed in the beginning but it totally turned around and i think it was actually a really good quick read 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Fatphobia, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Vomit, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

naenaebug's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence

srobs24's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Body shaming, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Minor: Sexual assault and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

louisebullock's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Murder, and Gaslighting

fkshg8465's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I loved this way more than I want to admit. It was as twisted as Flowers in the Attic and as delicious as the most decadent chocolate cake. I thought I was going to hate it as the story unfolded, but the second twist immediately undid my reservations. I thought it was going to be a story of the princess waiting to be rescued by the prince. I was extremely wrong and oh so happy to be wrong. And I realize that I love this book because I harbor a modicum of internalized, impotent, simmering rage for all the women who’ve been in Nina and Millie’s positions, myself included (though certainly to a much, much lesser degree). I have a feeling lot of us women identify with these characters more than we want to think about. I’ve read several books by Freida McFadden, and this one is my favorite. I really looking forward to the next one in the series. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

mallorybree's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Loveable characters? No

3.5

I have been conflicted about my rating/ how i feel about this book. I think the writing is very... bad. lol. i found multiple grammar mistakes that just make it feel unprofessional i guess. however, i read it in 3ish sittings. it moves super fast, which i like, and because the writing is sooo simple you never have to reread a sentence haha. the plot is pretty predictable, but not so bad that it isnt fun to read. there are definitely plot holes and inconsistencies but i dont think this book is meant to be very sophisticated. at least i hope it isnt...

 i did find it hard sometimes to read about the abuse/torture. especially as its

a man towards women.

the topic is heavy but thats just a personal thing for me to not love. however the writing is bad enough that it doesnt ever feel TOO real 💀 

overall i liked cruising through the book, and the plot had me wanting to know what would happen (even though i guessed it almost entirely). i saw someone say that this book is a good "palette cleanser" and i fully agree. good to read in the moment but certainly did not change my life, make me want more, or earn a high rating 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Murder

Minor: Rape

brittinyh3711's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

Spoilers*****




Wow. I thought she was certifiable then I felt bad for her. Then felt scared for Millie. And after we find out why she went to prison and why Nina hired her! I thought maybe the parents did this and that's why he does it and sort of right. What the mother says at the funeral! 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting

astuart89's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Violence

Minor: Sexual content