Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison

34 reviews

mmccombs's review

dark medium-paced

3.5

Liked the vibes and the story, but the writing was mostly just okay! I don’t think I ever nailed down the tone of this book, sometimes it felt kind of silly and campy, other times it felt more like a serious horror novel.

I think the devil being someone’s dad is just a kind of funny idea, which may have been the point, but I never quite took the Satanism seriously because like… Satan is your dad?!

I wish the characters had been fleshed out a bit more, but I appreciated the final girl vibes and the dysfunctional family aspect. This probably won’t be one that sticks with me, but it was fun enough to read!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Religious bigotry, and Injury/Injury detail

ripxreads's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

1.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Religious bigotry

Minor: Cannibalism

jourdanicus's review

dark medium-paced

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

3.5

Recommended by my bff 🥰

While there was a lot of good things I took away from this book, it wasn't totally for me. I would, however, definitely recommend it to fans of final girl horror, and anyone who likes dysfunctional family themes.

I might just be a snooty pants but I tend to prefer my horror to be more allegorical. This story was definitely literal: I mean,

Vesper's dad is literally Satan

, lol.

Other pros: quick read, great audio narrator.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Alcohol

Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury

orangewitchling's review against another edition

dark lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This is the creepiest of all the books I’ve read from this author, but it was comfy horror in my opinion. I found the plot entertaining, even though it was triggering at times.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting

kayceeisbookish's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25

A fast read regarding growing into adulthood, family vs. the individual, and faith-based struggles. I loved how the author had us in the dark with the MC for most of the book. Added lots of suspense and needed tension. Ate this book up.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Gore, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

vixenreader's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

The middle section after the first major event of the book is a bit clumsy in structure, but this book is still a hell of a fun ride with sardonic wit, great horror, and a great reminder that you can break toxic familial cycles. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, Cannibalism, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy

Be warned that this book deals with familial dysfunction, estranged relationships between mother and daughter, Satanism, cults, PTSD from familial trauma, bad work environments, the nature versus nurture argument, and descriptions of hellfire and brimstone.

sful40's review against another edition

dark funny medium-paced

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

3.0

I would 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Violence, and Cannibalism

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Stalking

Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Toxic friendship

mariiieeeeeesa's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

Dead dove don't eat 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Toxic relationship, Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, Vomit, Kidnapping, Stalking, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Eating disorder

Dead dove don't eat

ctara2123's review

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Infidelity, Cannibalism, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Eating disorder

readerfromtheblacklagoon's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship