Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes

61 reviews

ecombs's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

2.5

The story started off a little slow, but picked up towards the middle so I had hope for it. The ending was extremely lacking. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, and Gaslighting

typedtruths's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

2.25

major flop. one of the most underwhelming mysteries i have ever read. not a shred of atmosphere or entertainment. i was most invested in maya reconnecting with her heritage and dealing with her trauma. and the twist? laughable

▷ Representation: Maya (mc) is Guatemalan-American and has insomnia and substance addictions.

Blog • Trigger Warning Database • StoryGraph 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, and Alcohol

Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Gun violence, Vomit, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Terminal illness

➸ Trigger warnings for psychological domestic and child abuse mentioned, alcoholism and substance addiction discussed, insomnia and nightmares, alcohol consumption and abuse, graphic drug use and abuse (recreational and medicinal), a parent with a terminal illness mentioned, emesis, death of a father from gun violence recounted, death of an aunt from an overdose mentioned, murder of a best friend recounted, and loss of autonomy (abuse of hypnotherapy).

amberacks12's review against another edition

dark mysterious

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

2.75

Not gonna lie, this book was anti climatic. There was a lot of build up and then just, poof, it’s done. I’m kind of left feeling underwhelmed and like the story is unresolved. I do feel like Ana Reyes has a lot of potential as a writer, but I don’t think this one really hit as hard as I was promised it would. 
And maybe I feel unresolved because of my own skepticism when it comes to certain aspects of the resolution that I will not mention. But I don’t think enough attention was given to how everything is resolved, and more just ends up feeling hand wavy. 
Plus, as a thriller, I didn’t ever feel that Maya was really in much danger, except from herself. 
That being said, I really enjoyed the tone and writing style, I liked Maya as a character and as a narrator, and I felt like the character aspects of this story were well developed. Each character felt distinct, and I could sense Maya’s imperfections and possible unreliabilities. I also liked the dreamlike quality of the writing, with flashbacks happening interspersed between the present day narration. It added to the sense of unease I’m sure Maya felt. 
So, overall, it was fine. 

Enjoyment: 3
Educational Value: 3
Emotional Impact: 2

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism

Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Stalking, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

books_baking_brews's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Mental illness, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

tamara_joy's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Death, Vomit, and Classism

Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Murder

capriqueen's review against another edition

mysterious slow-paced

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

3.5

A compelling mystery. I guessed what was happening about halfway through but it was still interesting. The flashback chapters were more interesting than the present day chapters, which started to drag around the middle. End felt a little lackluster

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, and Drug abuse

Moderate: Mental illness and Gaslighting

Minor: Death of parent

crowbiz's review against another edition

mysterious 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, and Toxic relationship

murtzzie's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

hknox's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Gaslighting

bethief's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Death