Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

All the Beautiful Lies by Peter Swanson

5 reviews

dremmavendetta's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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

3.75

An impressive depiction of a truly traumatic series of grooming relationships. While I found none of the characters likable, I thought the portrait of sexual abuse was unflinching. Incest (even step- relationships) and grooming are far more prevalent in our society than we’d wish and, while I found this book hard to read at times, this attempt to detail the perversions of attachment that are ingrained in these relationships was a feat. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol

sarahna's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Gore, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, and Murder

trisarahtops_'s review against another edition

dark sad 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault

bibliophilekiera's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Infidelity, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Murder

helendipietro's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

Got this book in a subscription box (A Box of Stories) and was hooked straight away by the drama, plot, characters, obsessions and revenge throughout. The content at times is disturbing and inappropriate but this is what made it difficult to put down - like when you can’t look away in a horror film. The characters, although not likeable, had backstories that were very intriguing and explain the events that unfold. I also liked how it was written from 2 POV and time frames (then and now) this added to the tension and suspense. Great read!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship