Reviews tagging 'Torture'

How to Be Eaten by Maria Adelmann

8 reviews

sar_she_her's review

slow-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.5

Unique Premise that had Potential 

Warning: Not YA. Totally inappropriate for kids including teens. 

Niche themes/trigger scenarios: 

• people purposefully deceivin  others 
• women are misled 
• lacking consent 
• conflicts of interest including inequity and in workplace 
• Stigmatizing and occasionally dehumanizing body types, based on superficial standards, incl dwarfism

The interpretations of old well-known characters, protagonists and villains alike, were VERY creative and vivid.

However the read felt imbalanced, very segmented prerogatives, didn't flow, like it could've used more edits before going to print.

I was surprised it was written by a woman bc felt like trauma-p*rn which is VERY unappealing to me. I think the sensibilities and values behind this writer's storytelling just didn't align with me, nor with the writers/characters/storylines I greatly enjoy that have strong fem protagonists who are empowered wo needing to exhibit exploitation or degradation.  

The character narratives and story structure seemed to improve throughout the 2nd half. imo the strengths were some bright spots of monologue, once a more cohesive group dynamic was created, and the suspense and uptick in action with twist/reveals. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Gaslighting

Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Misogyny

Minor: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Torture, and Dysphoria

hahanimation's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Pretty decent quick read, I liked it more than I expected given the concept. I think pushing it a little further would have made the book.  Also Women ❤️‍🔥

I know it maybe would have been regressive but if they killed Will together as a group bonding activity I would probably have given it 5 stars haha

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and Abandonment

Moderate: Physical abuse, Self harm, and Torture

barbarajean's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Sexual content

Moderate: Torture

Minor: Self harm, Sexual assault, Murder, and Abandonment

shakakan's review

dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Torture, Blood, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Moderate: Animal death and Toxic relationship

motleybooksandtea's review

challenging 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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Self harm, Torture, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

dykee's review

challenging dark funny 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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Torture, and Murder

Moderate: Body horror

tatiana_luz's review

challenging dark mysterious medium-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

3.0

The book was okay. I feel like some of the women were one-dimensional (particularly Ruby and Ashlee) and, while I understand that there are various ways in which people process trauma, they were very heavy handed in the stereotypes of bimbo bachelorette and depressed rebel.

I did like the idea presented that the women in the group were like reality show characters with their stories edited to make them fill preconceived notions about women. Sadly, I feel that this aspect of the plot was introduced too late into the story. I can see why

Jake Jackson being in disguise

was not revealed until the end but the goal of

creating a new reality TV show

would have made the women's characterizations more obvious tropes than poor writing.

Also, doing the end goal reveal just a bit sooner would have made the female empowerment moment more cathartic. The way it was done felt rushed and unsatisfying.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Sexual content, and Blood

Moderate: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Self harm, and Sexual assault

Minor: Torture

jlboro's review

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad 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

4.75

You’re either going to get it and love this book or you’re not going to get it and probably just shake your head. I have a full rainbow of tabs sticking out of this book and I was laughing out loud, almost in tears, and gritting my teeth in frustration…all for this ridiculous cast of characters. The only reason I didn’t give it the full 5 stars is because it is a bit predictable for the twist ending. But what a wonderfully wild, grotesque, and shocking ride it was to get there! 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Violence

Moderate: Addiction, Eating disorder, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Fatphobia, Torture, and Murder