Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - Delicate Condition

Fell flat for me. There were some tense and emotional scenes that were very well executed but unfortunately a lot of the themes are stated outright rather than incorporated into the story. The twist is a twenty page info dump that comes out of nowhere and undermines sections of the messaging, many emotionally impactful plotpoints are stated outright and not given any weight. Theres a lot to like still and nothing outright offensive, but I can't say that I got the emotional, weird and darkly impactful story I was wanting and expecting.

Content Warnings

greysun69's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

4.75⭐️ Somehow I know this plot already. It’s like the writers from American Horror Story season 12 read this book and was like “Say Less” then said less.

‼️Update: Upon further research this book was the inspiration for AHS12. So I stopped watching AHS12 after episode 3 just so it didn’t ruin the book for me.

This book has my anxiety up. A book that creates an actual physical reaction in me is a great book. The paranoia in this main character felt both valid and unreasonable. I struggled to trust anyone in this book. The fucking gaslighting, the medical neglect, not being taken seriously by anyone. I was frustrated for Anna but I also found myself having moments of not trusting her thoughts. Then I felt bad for not trusting her. Issa lot.
Final thoughts: THIS WAS SO GOOD! The ending gave me everything I never knew I needed. The twists defining twisted which explains why the producers from AHS picked this book up. I’m going to go start this season over from the beginning now. 10/10 would definitely recommend this book.
⚠️Content Warnings⚠️
Graphic: Pregnancy, Body horror, Miscarriage, Gaslighting, Gore, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Animal death and Eating disorder
Minor: Psychosis , Racism, and Sexism

Content Warnings

lydiavsbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Powerful, terrifying and twisted, this book was incredible. I took my time reading it and i enjoyed every page, not once wanting to rush through it or get it over with.

With inspiration from Rosemary's Baby and the Push, this is a story of IVF, miscarriage, and a pregnancy that starts to go very wrong. This was a brilliant reflection on medical gaslighting, motherhood, and the way women have been neglected by the medical field that claims to be the experts over our bodies. Brilliant, claustrophobic and just a little bit gory, this was the perfect type of horror book for me, but one I would definitely recommend checking the triggers for.

Content Warnings

thegayestghost's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark sad tense 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? No

4.5

Content Warnings

rashelg's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

At first I added this book because I saw that it inspired the new season of AHS. Personally, I disliked the season but decided to give the book a chance and honestly the show did not do justice to the book at all. I loved the themes that women have to face in real life such as having their pain ignored by physicians and those around them. Especially, when it comes to things that individuals that experience child rearing and child birth go through.

Content Warnings