Reviews tagging 'Gore'

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

3 reviews

emilyspex's review against another edition

challenging dark 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book is difficult for me because of how much I saw myself in Vanessa. I've never experienced the type of trauma that she goes through in the book, but I deeply related to her flaws and insecurities. Because of this, I found her very sympathetic, even when she was making decisions that might not make any sense from an outsider's perspective.

This is a book that will stick with me for a very long time.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Suicide, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Chronic illness, Vomit, Medical content, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

luajup's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

jameslyons's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I devoured this in three days and felt like I was reading my own diary. I've never read anything that describes the nuances of abuse survival so well, particularly located in the early 2000s. I found it affirming, confronting, triggering, and a really fucking good read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, and Stalking

Moderate: Infertility, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, and Suicide

Minor: Animal death, Cancer, Death, Fatphobia, Gore, Blood, and Death of parent

Child sexual abuse is the main subject. Gaslighting, grooming, institutional violence, and coping mechanisms.