Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Little Eve by Catriona Ward

10 reviews

lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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

2.0

After reading and loving "Looking Glass Sound", I was excited to read more from Catriona Ward's backlist. 

"Little Eve" follows Eve, a young girl who will do anything for her clan and their beliefs. The clan is preparing for the end of the world and its rebirth, but when during the ceremony they are interrupted, everything starts to go awry. 

Overall, I was very disappointed in this novel. This story lacked the magic that I loved from "Looking Glass Sound". There was just something about the narrative and the characters that I could not connect with, and because of that, I could not get into the story. This ended up being one of those novels that I had to force myself to finish. 

Eve was a highly complex character that had an interesting character progression. On the one hand I did not appreciate where her character ended up going and the decisions she made specifically in the second half of the book. However, I did empathize with her because this is the only world she has ever known, and it has to be difficult to know and do any different. 

Truthfully, I am not a big end of the world trope fan. So, that alone could be why I struggled to get into this story. I also think some of the scenes were a little too difficult to read because they depicted child neglect and confinement in such vivid detail. 

I do think Catriona Ward is a talented wordsmith, and she is able to craft a complexly interesting story. Her characters are flawed and relatable, and she is able to paint a vivid depiction. 

I am sure this novel has its audience, and I would still recommend it to someone who thinks the premise sounds interesting. Additionally, I will still be reading from Catriona Ward in the future. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship

akevaa's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad 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

3.0

Good and creepy. Excellent for the one time, but I think once you know how it all unravels a re-read isn't really in the cards (at least not for me). This is generally how I feel about Ward's works; Looking Glass Sound being an exception where re-reading is an excellent idea.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Miscarriage, Suicide, Pregnancy, and War

wyabook234's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious slow-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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Pregnancy

erinbarr13's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

lizreaderhold's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

racl's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-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? No

4.25

Sundial again, but on the ocean this time!
Culty, unhealthy family dynamics, beautiful writing, I enjoyed it!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Pregnancy, and War

grimmwinters's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

A terrific dark tale. It is a promised dark story as is promised. As the reader you are given clues to figure out the mystery of what happened. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship

Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Murder

Minor: Sexual assault

mispaintedlady's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

A true gothic tale with an unexpected queer story happening. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Abandonment

seawarrior's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

5.0

Reviewing this several months after I first read it, so I don't remember details. Little Eve is an intensely disturbing gothic work about the horrors of isolation, miseducation and unraveling layers of lies. I found the book difficult to read because of the subject matter, but I was still excited to keep turning each page and learn Eve's fate. The final twist was actually something I was unable to predict, and the haunting characters and atmosphere have stayed with me long after I finished the novel. I highly recommend this book to those who can stomach it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia

Minor: Sexual assault and War

savvylit's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Little Eve is a chilling tale that slowly unveils layer after layer of intrigue. This novel focuses primarily on two things: a distinctly unique cult and the power of sisterhood. Dinah and Eve's relationship is nuanced, believable, and heartbreaking. Their family's religious beliefs are deeply unsettling and unforgettable. The remote island of Altnaharra and its rugged surrounds resonate so strongly throughout Little Eve that the island eventually proves to be its own terrifying character. Overall, this novel is a truly original and fascinating look at a very one-of-a-kind family.

Catriona Ward has proved herself to be a master of the literary thriller. Little Eve is a must read for fans of dark fiction!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and Catriona Ward for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting