Reviews tagging 'Animal cruelty'

The Stranger Upstairs: A Novel by Lisa M. Matlin

31 reviews

lorig_lpc's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

*spoilers ahead* I really enjoyed this and was hooked. Until the end. I definitely felt Sarah/Lizzy had something more than carbon dioxide poisoning going on, and while she clearly has MH issues, I felt they were mishandled in some way. She goes on to take on yet someone else’s personality and the “resolution” mentioned in the author’s note never happens for Sarah/Lizzy; the protagonist felt like her own antagonist in a very uncomfortable way. Or maybe I’m just bitter my prediction was wrong. I also felt the epilogue could have been cut. I was a strong 5 but the ending + epilogue got a serious downgrade. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Mental illness, and Suicide

raesapiga_'s review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Torture, Blood, Murder, and Gaslighting

lucyford's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Once the book picked up after the first hundred pages or so, it was excellent. I really could not have predicted all the turns it took, specifically at the end of the book, but it all fit together and everything was explained logically. It feels very original, and I honestly loved the twist at the end

(the carbon monoxide poisoning

). I will say the first part of the book was dull at parts, but I did like how it picked up pretty incrementally, and the end made it worth it. I am however still a bit confused about

the neighborhood in general and how they acted towards the main character (idk whether to call her Sarah or Lizzy at this point) unless it’s clear that it was also just hallucinations, and also what left Reaper all bloodied on the brink of death

. Anyway, solid horror book and great story!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Fatphobia, Police brutality, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

mrsmishler's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

1.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Mental illness

Moderate: Violence and Murder

raequigley's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Blood

Moderate: Suicide and Murder

Minor: Animal cruelty and Mental illness

rhiannatherad's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.25

I don't know if it was good per se, but I enjoyed it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Death

Minor: Suicide

courtneyreadsitall's review against another edition

fast-paced

3.0

this was a quick read but the ending felt like a cop out 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicide, and Alcohol

k8clark's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Mental illness, Vomit, and Alcohol

Moderate: Suicide

stellaphent's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty

The cat does not die.

crbowman's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Bullying, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol