Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro

29 reviews

pinkie_pug23's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

4.0

Gore,

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy

cam_holmes's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-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

The Haunting of Alejandra was a fascinating exploration of depression, generational trauma, and finding oneself after years of being lost. However, I feel that the dialog was, at times, stiff, as if I was reading an informative website about therapy sessions. Also, without spoiling anything, I will say I did not like the final solution that the characters came up with. It felt antithetical to the themes of healing and self-love that the author had set up throughout the story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, and Pregnancy

kimberlyyyreads's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful tense fast-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

4.5

 Wow, I find myself at a loss of words.

The variety of personal subjects this book touched simply made me incredibly emotionally. As for someone, who feels and carries family generational trauma this book brought to light a view I didn't know I needed.

This book takes the Legenda de La Llorona and turns into a conversation about the struggles of motherhood and family. Alongside opening a field in which self-discovery is a possibility despite inner turmoil.

I am in awe as to how V. Castro wrote this story. Having Alejandra seek out help from a therapist
(who specializes in Curandera). Truly captures the importance of returning to your roots and healing intergenerational trauma.

I have much appreciation for the way this book, not only will it chill your bones but it is a tender book at its core.

I wholly recommend this book to all my latinx mutuals. Especially those, who struggle with intergenerational trauma. And even if you don't fit the description, READ IT! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Death, Miscarriage, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual assault

karlasaysbleh's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, Blood, and Death of parent

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Abandonment

Minor: Infidelity and War

archaicrobin's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-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

3.0

Castro’s writing is very blunt and it’s always hard for me to get into at first which affects my overall enjoyment of her books, but it’s very much a personal taste. If you’re looking for flowery, descriptive prose or a complex horror novel I wouldn’t recommend this one, as it’s very point blank and you have to accept a lot and just move on.

If you can do that though, this novel tells and eerie tale of a woman stuck in her depression hating her life, her children, her husband, and herself, all while being haunted by an entity she assumes is La Llorona. Alejandra at first is insufferable because she is so miserable but once she starts seeing a therapist and valuing herself, she begins to find the power within her self to not only change her life but defeat the curse of La Llorona for good.

While Castro’s writing style isn’t my favorite I always love her strong female characters, her ability to create terrifying imagery, and the strong cultural elements she weaves into her story. If you’re looking for a well crafted supernatural tale about strong women, generational trauma, and identity this one is worth trying!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

boredarchivist's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Toxic relationship

vexatiousbird's review against another edition

dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

3.75

I expected gloomy gothic literature and this went all the way into horror territory, but I’m not mad about it. Very deep feminist themes. Good creepy moments. Mostly well-written, except I found the dialogue stilted and the plot was a little meandering. Interesting ancestral characters, but side characters were a little bland. Sometimes felt like it was trying too hard, but overall good.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Suicide, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Child death, Gore, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Colonisation

missychristo's review against another edition

I really want to know were La Llorona comes into fruition, but the beginning has too many ideations of suicide, and pretty triggering situations of implicit expectations, and emotional abuse was too much

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Gaslighting

gillian_darkholme's review against another edition

dark sad slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

snslagle's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Toxic relationship