Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

62 reviews

iheartchickenss's review against another edition

tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

charleshasalibrary's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Police brutality, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Confinement, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Vomit, and Kidnapping

jomerl's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

mintii's review against another edition

challenging dark informative inspiring mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.75

This book is a powerful read set in 1950s Jim Crow Florida, masterfully portraying the harsh realities faced by Black Americans. The narrative is both dark and deeply emotional, drawing you in as if you’re watching a film. Robbie and Gloria, the main characters, are vividly written, embodying the innocence and complexities of childhood. Robbie’s observations reflect a childlike wonder, while Gloria’s fierce protectiveness and impulsiveness keep you on edge. The author captures their perspectives beautifully, creating a compelling and haunting story that resonates long after the last page. Highly recommended for those who appreciate profound storytelling.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Sexual violence, Slavery, and Classism

becinneverland's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Pedophilia, Racism, Slavery, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism

kain47's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

4.5

This is a horror story with humans as absolute monsters. So if you’re expecting gore, slasher type, depictions of horror - this isn’t it. The horror is disturbing because of how real it feels, and given the historical context this is based on, the monsters in this story were likely real. 

It’s an engaging and fast paced read that dials up the dread as the story unfolds. It’s unsettling and tense throughout, like you’re walking on eggshells wondering what the next chapter will unleash. A satisfying but emotionally difficult book. Not sure I’d read it again but I will be recommending it to everyone I know. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Blood, Police brutality, Death of parent, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

zephyrlestrange's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

I have been haunted the entire time reading this, and I suspect forever after. I don't think I'll ever find the words that this is essential reading for everyone, I don't think I'll find the words that people need to sit in the discomfort, pain and anguish, that this is a horror story but it is not fantasy by any stretch of the imagination. 

The horror is that this happened, the DNA of these horrors is still alive in people, and we cannot look away.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Violence, and Police brutality

Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Xenophobia, and War

mmalugen's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Pedophilia, and Sexual violence

Minor: Antisemitism

ems_rxlibrary's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Rape, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Murder

Moderate: Cursing

j_e_n_n's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Rape