Reviews tagging 'Body horror'

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

6 reviews

lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I was very excited to pick this up because of how much I enjoyed "Luckiest Girl Alive" last year.
"Bright Young Women" follows two women, who have never met, but who are bonded by their determination to uncover the truth. Pamela is the president of the top sorority at Florida State University. She is bright, driven, and on track to become a very successful lawyer after she graduates Florida State and enters law school. Tragically, in January 1978, she is awoken from her sleep at the sorority house to discover that several of her sisters were brutally murdered. Around the same time, in Seattle, Tina is finally making peace with her life. She meets an interesting woman named Ruth, who captures her attention. Unfortunately, Ruth disappears one day, and Tina is determined to seek the justice for Ruth in spite of Ruth's family's insistence to sweep it under the rug.
I was entirely captivated by this story, and I did not want to put it down. Though quirky, Pamela is such a strong character, and reading about her pragmatic approach to this horrible event was strangely calming. I was rooting for her, and I wanted to see her seek the feminist justice she deserved. Her ease of detachment from what was happening near her was impressive.
My heart broke for Ruth at every turn. She had such a rough life with her mother's constant criticism, and just when she was finally gaining some happiness, it was cruelly taken from her. I wanted more for her.
I loved how the story ultimately came together and I really enjoyed how the characters became connected. It is interesting to think about how people we have never met, are connected to our stories. I also think it is fascinating that the author used a real-life crime as inspiration for this story.
I have not stopped thinking about this story since I finished it, and I highly recommend it!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, Grief, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Mental illness, Violence, Sexism, Body horror, Rape, Stalking, Lesbophobia, Murder, Toxic relationship, and Sexual assault

kimmykelly's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Eating disorder, Incest, Kidnapping, Blood, Death, Sexism, Grief, Misogyny, Murder, Dementia, Gore, Body horror, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Rape

augustinedreams's review against another edition

dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

2.75

I like the theme & motifs of this book, about sexism & glorification of murders against woman. Very powerful. But this is more of a law/court drama than the thriller I wanted or thought it was.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Eating disorder, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Death, Grief, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Vomit, Murder, and Rape

carmenvillaman's review against another edition

dark emotional informative 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Body horror, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape

sarahsbookss's review

challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Incest, Infidelity, Dementia, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Violence, Child abuse, Murder, Outing, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Death, Body horror, Death of parent, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Medical content, and Stalking

jillwedemeier's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-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

5.0

On a Saturday night in 1978, a soon-to-be-infamous murderer descends upon a Florida sorority house, killing two young women and severely injuring two others. The lives of those who survive, including sorority president and key witness Pamela Schumacher, are forever changed. Across the country in Issaquah, Washington, Tina Cannon is convinced that her missing friend was murdered by the same person four years ago. Determined to find justice, the two women join forces as their search for answers leads to a final, shocking confrontation. 

I went into this book blind, and WOW, I am so glad I did. I feel like it's wrong to say I loved this book, given the nature of it, but I did. The story is told from the points of view of Pamela, a key witness in the Florida murders, and Ruth, a victim in Washington, with dual timelines switching from the 1970s to present day. Although the characters are fictionalized, they are based on real victims and witnesses. In a world where serial killers are unfortunately sensationalized and idolized, I love that the author gave the women names and only referred to the perpetrator as "The Defendant." I knew who "The Defendant" was in the first chapter, but readers who aren't familiar with the case won't find out his name (and only his first name) until the end of the book. Just a brilliant and thought-provoking novel showcasing the tabloid fascination with killers and shining a light on the bright, young women whose names are often forgotten. I highly, highly recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon Element, S&S/Marysue Ricci Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Sexual violence, Medical trauma, Murder, Rape, and Sexual assault