Reviews tagging 'Vomit'

The Knockout Queen by Rufi Thorpe

3 reviews

agathajanemaud1908's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Definitely did not enjoy this as much as Thorpe’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles. It’s similar to her The Girls from Corona Del Mar in that they are absorbing, wrenching reads, but I always felt somewhat removed from the characters and what was happening to them. Super strange since this book and I believe The Girls are both in first person, while Margo alternates between first and third person.
With The Girls and Margo, I wasn’t a fan of all of the characters’ actions but I came to understand them through the great storytelling and insight into their motives. With this book, I never really understood why Bunny did certain things, but I guess that’s partly because we’re seeing her through Michael’s eyes and he is almost always fascinated by her. If you haven’t read any Rufi Thorpe yet, I wouldn’t recommend this book as the one to start with.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Murder, Outing, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Infidelity

Minor: Car accident

hanconcan's review

dark emotional funny sad medium-paced

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

5.0

As devastating as it is beautiful, the kids are most definitely not alright, but they're surviving. Deeply flawed characters who you can't help but root for as they navigate being othered during high school in the California suburbs. I felt incredibly seen by this book, these characters, this narrative. Can't wait to read Rufi Thorpe's other novels.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Violence, and Blood

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Vomit

Minor: Rape and Sexual assault

cheye13's review

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

"What were you supposed to do with pain but polish it until it became something pointy and pretty?"

This book ruined me, a little bit. In these characters, I saw such visceral glimpses of myself and those I love most – the ways we love, the ways we laugh, the ways we hurt ourselves and each other. This is not a pleasant read, this is not a fun read. But it is so excellently crafted that it blooms into catharsis rather than wilting into misery.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Violence, and Medical content

Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual content, and Vomit

Minor: Bullying, Drug abuse, Suicide, and Religious bigotry

There is an instance of a traumatic brain injury causing memory problems. There is a lot of reference to prison and the experience of being a prisoner. The rape is conveyed secondhand, through dialogue; it is date rape involving blacking out/lack of memory. It may also be worth noting that Michael lies about his age, so the men he sees aren't aware that he is under legal age.