Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan

26 reviews

bhaunty's review against another edition

funny informative inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

SPOILER ALERT!!!!!!!!

A beautiful insight into a trans woman’s experience and life while also dealing with the mystery of her death. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, Transphobia, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

katmcg910's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• 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: Homophobia

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual violence

shlymiller's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Blood

Minor: Violence and Murder

kiwi_li's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad 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

3.5

I have very mixed feelings, and I was so conflicted on what to rate this book. I have so many thoughts but at the same time find it so difficult to organize them and say anything. There were aspects of the book I really appreciated, and others that I really just didn’t enjoy. I will say firstly, I strongly believe this book should have trigger warnings for domestic violence, suicide, bullying, and sexual violence. The depictions in this novel were rather graphic, and I wasn’t prepared for that. I don’t know if I just missed them somehow, but that was the main reason I had such difficulties getting through this book. I think it took a toll on my own mental health as well. 

I wasn’t a huge fan of the storyline itself, and I was annoyed by Olivia’s character at times, but I think I just don’t relate to her as a mother, so it was difficult to truly appreciate all of her thoughts and experiences. However, I’m glad half of the book is from her POV; I think it was super insightful and important to what the book ended up being. 

I wouldn’t recommend this book to those who are just hoping to enjoy another murder mystery, which is what I thought going into this book. However, what I really enjoyed was the writing, not in terms of the plot, but in terms of what the book was ultimately trying to convey and accomplish. The discussions and insight on LGBTQ lives was something I wasn’t expecting but what kept me going through this book the most. And after reading the author’s note, this is probably why I’m giving it 4 instead of 3 stars on goodreads since you can’t put half stars. You can really feel how much effort went into this novel, and the representations are super important (I’m trying to write this without giving spoilers so it feels a bit general unfortunately). I think I gained a ton of insight and a surprising amount of understanding for situations that I can’t even imagine/relate to, thanks to the writing. 

Ultimately, I think it’s a significant novel, and I’m glad I stuck through it. Even though it wasn’t the most enjoyable story for me, I greatly appreciate the work that went into it and feel like I’ve come out of it a more knowledgeable person. Side note: this is definitely the longest review I’ve ever written haha

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Suicide attempt

stephanie_w11's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Outing

Moderate: Medical content

Minor: Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, and Abortion

bloomingbookworm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

Really enjoyed the novel, especially the way Lily’s chapters were written. It dragged a bit in the last quarter, but otherwise would recommend. Audiobook narration was excellent. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Suicide attempt, Outing, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Abortion

halfling_stories's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Transphobia, and Violence

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, and Suicide attempt

ladykatka's review against another edition

mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

Overall this was a good book, I liked that this book about a trans woman has become so main stream but I am bummed it's about her murder. I not sure how much I like reading a flashback within a flash back, that's a bit weird but I really did enjoy Lily's chapers the best, I felt for her much more strongly than Olivia. 

I have already recommended this book to others.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Outing, and Gaslighting

ewitsmich's review against another edition

emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

Slow to get into, but enjoyable once you do. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Transphobia

cassienolan's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

Mad Honey was unexpected and wonderful. It is difficult to read at times, because it is honest and raw. It will possibly challenge you, but in a way that everyone would benefit from. It is a book that will leave a lasting mark on me, and I would definitely recommend others to read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Violence, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment