Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

14 reviews

crimsonash606's review against another edition

dark funny inspiring fast-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

4.25

An incredible read for any slasher fans. A great mix of deadly stakes and humor.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror and Blood

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Cannibalism, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

vickymcckey's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Very well written and well thought out. The author makes sure readers know that he doesn’t support the glorification of serial killers, which is nice and (unfortunately) necessary, even if it was a bit heavy handed throughout the book.

I thought the first plot twist of Skye being the killer worked really well, but Stephanie’s role in it felt a little more forced while it was being revealed.

The description of violence in Lynn’s first “horror movie experience” I found to be a bit gratuitous, but I guess that’s what you get when you pick up this kinda book. The rest of it didn’t bother me, but the implied sexual violence and child violence on page 155-156 were a lot.

This is definitely the kind of story where a good suspension of disbelief will do you favors, not necessarily because of the serial killer aspects, but more because of the character’s personalities and logistics. Though once again, that’s kinda expected from this sort of book. Overall this was definitely out of my comfort zone but I did enjoy it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Mass/school shootings, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Stalking, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal cruelty and Cannibalism

hauntedantiqueshop's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

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

1.0

I really am sick of being a hater but damn, it’s just SO easy. 

ALL of the characters are annoying and unlovable, their backstories are just copy and pasted classic slasher movies that were chopped and screwed the TINIEST bit. There’s no originality to them whatsoever, even down to their names. I get it’s supposed to be an homage but it feels more like borderline plagiarism or parody. Not to mention that some of the specific movies he picked to steal from are unrealistic in real life scenarios. There's like five bad guy fake outs, it’s overkill once you finally get the big (predictable and also just straight up taken from Scream 4 and 5) picture. There was a weird feminist take he was halfassed trying to make but it felt insincere and patronizing. Killing the only black character first (off screen!), having her buy her movie rights and not fix the whitewashing of her own trauma, and then having her be a hypeman hallucination for a white woman to survive, TO THEN let one of the masterminds behind her death into their support group is just in such bad taste. There really isn’t a redeeming quality of this book for me.

tldr: I’m revoking Grady Hendrix’s writing privileges. He’s going in the chokey.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Cannibalism, Abandonment, and Alcohol

cssquared's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

I had high expectations and it lived up to the hype. The characters were highly developed and the story was exciting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Rape

win_bin's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment

leeghlee's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mass/school shootings, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

sav_22's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This book is a lot of fun. Very captivating, interesting plot. The concept of final girls in the real world is very alluring to me as someone who loves slashers and horror movies like the Scream franchise. I also admire the diversity in age range specifically, as the narrator is in her 30-40s, which I feel is rare in these circumstances. I also appreciate

how unreliable the narrator can be due to her trauma! She is very complex, she grows on you but it really does a good job exploring how trauma changes your entire way of thinking and feeling. The more you read, the more you question her sanity and her truthfulness.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Murder, and Dysphoria

joscelynhe's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective 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

I had a lot of time on my hands today, so I did read most of this all in one sitting. It was an easy, thrilling story that was very fun and entertaining. I did have a bit of a hard time getting attached to the group of main characters at first, but otherwise this book was a breeze (fast-paced, not light and airy). Some of the details were more graphic than some of his other books. Hendrix nails the tone in the head like always, though. He has a way of writing that sucks you in almost immediately. “Horrorstor”is up next.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Cannibalism, and Toxic friendship

katyfayyyx's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense medium-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

2.75

The problem with this book is that I love the idea of this book I just wished another author has wrote this book because it is just such a good idea but it has been executed so poorly . I am going to be honest I really don't know I feel about this book because I loved the beginning and the ending but I fucking hated the middle and I mean hated it... to the point when I wanted to rip my own eyes out and never read a book again because girl I was in physical pain. So where the fuck does this leave me because I can't give it 3 stars because in my mind that means I have liked and enjoyed this whole book which has not been the case because I fucking hate the middle of this book. Like I think this book would fucking slay as a film and it would make a really good film but I supposed it is supposed to feel like a film so I guess that was done quite well because I feel like anything in this book just take way too long. I am going to say this about how the author has written the women in this book I understand that he is trying to show that trauma makes people deal/act with that in different way but why are they just so mean and some uncalled for and they are just constantly bitching about each other it is like they are out to get each other until the very end but I did think a couple of times this is a reason why man just shouldn't write female because it was kinda painful. It just felt really off.  Another problem I have with this book was that this book was just  all over the place, it is just chaotic but not in a fun and entertaining way just in a confusing way to the point when at times I generally have no fucking clue what is going on in this book. I am not really a fan of how the women interact and it doesn't just make sense sometimes like they are just so mean and malicious to each other when out of everyone they should understand, care and look after each other because they understand what they have all been through but they are just so mean and I hate when I am reading a book and all the women seem to just hate each other and it not in that fun playful way in which you can see that they love each other really but they are just mean and at most times for no reason at all and then they do really nice and loving this that just don't make sense with what we know about them as a character such as taking Michelle home to die so Dani can keep that promise to her because that just so lovely and caring but then Heather is so horrible about not wanting to touch or help Michelle like it just doesn't add up and the one we have been told is horrible which is Marlyin is the one taking control and looking after everyone maybe I am overthinking this because I do really like this book and the overall story but the way these characters are written just isn't sitting right with me. But I think is really nice that they gave Michelle the death she would have wanted but it is just so cruel that Dani wasn't there for her wife all because all this shit is going on.   

Like I did really like beginning of this book as  a huge horror fan with a love for final girls it was just hitting in all the right spots however there are just some things that are just throwing me off like the whole weird flirting bit with the Dr's son when showing him her scars or when she walks into him 'looking' after himself and I don't think if this is a failed attempt at humour what is just not it but it is just so fucking weird. Like, I do like Skye but that was just so fucking strange and off-putting why does every Conversation have this weird sexual overtone-women written by men I guess. 

Like the middle of this book is possibly the worst thing I have ever read like why did this book keep doing dumb shit which means that I didn't like it, like you are telling me that the police believed a serial killer in prison that he killed this girl's whole family because they were fucking and they are going to drag her in and picked on her and take the piss off all her trauma just because they were fucking why was this even a plot point and why the does it matter if they did fuck because it happened 22 years ago, girl shut the fuck up, please for my mental wellbeing. Like has this author ever actually watched a horror film like I would say 95% of final girls boyfriends are the killer (like scream) so why would this matter it was 22 years late and when all her friends were being murder or set up. I was getting so pissed like please use your fucking brain police please just please I just can't do that. I just fell like there are bigger things to worry about at that moment in time. Also I am the only one that thinks that it is not that deep if she did or didn't fuck the killer. I just think this plot point was really fucking dumb, it's make no sense why she was in jail all because she wrote this guy some letter and had nothing to do with the plan and didn't know anything about it But maybe I am just overthink this book and it just not that deep because I did really like this idea of this book but I just don't understand why the author decided to take this book in that directions. Maybe I am just really fucking dumb be her is Lynne only 38 years old like what the fuck I thought she was like 50-60 because the way Lynne acts is not the way a 38 year women would act surely but maybe I am wrong because I am only 19 but I am sure this is not how a nearly 40 year old women would act, shout out to the whole weird side plot about fine the plant because that is just so fucking weird and sad. What was it with the whole thing about Lynne not even been a real final girl like I am not being funny I don't know a lot of people would have survived being impaled for that long but what do I know. I would say in general the things that these characters do just don't make sense. I would also say that the whole Dr being the killer was just such a waste of time she's been helping them for 15 years she would have just killed them it just felt like a waste of time but I did feel kinda sorry for her like she has spend her whole life telling to help her and also female victims of violence just for her sons to be the things that she been helping all these women heal form but she must be a little bit of a shit doctor if she couldn't see the signs in her own son.


I am sorry but what the fuck is going on with Dani like clam the fuck down like why was she just beating the shit out Lynne like she's trying to save everyone and you are beating the shit out her, like you can be pissed at her when you are all safe. I did like that Lynne finally figuring out that she needs other people in her life and that life is not just about being by herself because the times when she actually more safe and happy is with her girls. But girl why did it take you so long. I liked how all the final girls in this book have the story of a classic horror films but then at the same time I think it kinda lazy like get some new and original idea but then I kinda lived for it as well.

I would say that the ending was kinda obvious because I guessed it when the introduce Stephanie as a character I just thought I bet it her like she wants to be the final girl of the final girl and I will the say the ending of this book felt very much like Scream Four and I live for Scream 4 it's the best Scream argue with the wall and Jill is the best ghost face because is just so iconic and I would say that Stephanie gives me Scream 4 vibes but without the iconic part of Jill's character and let's be Skye was just such a cheap shot and it was so obvious like come him wanting to get revenge of his mum for spending all her time with the girls instead of him like that has been done 1000s of times but it was okay, I just didn't really care about him being the second killer and I get why they didn't killed the killers but I kinda wanted to them too but it was not the end of the world to me. The ending just screamed that bit in Scream 4 when Sidney says 'You forgot the first rule of remakes, Jill. Don't fuck with the original' and girl I lived for that okay. Also is no one going to question the fact that no matter now fucked Lynne was she just kept going like is was shot and hit in the head with a sledgehammer passed out for like twenty minutes and got up and fought bitches I have nothing but respect for that. I can't lie. But also how the fuck was she even alive never mind moving, running and fighting. I also did like the fact that the final battle was at the camp because that were the first final girl was born and it will be where the last final girl is killed. I also kinda loved Julia in the end she kinda iconic and I think her love/hate friendship with Lynne was really cute. Also thought it was really cute that Julia stayed at Lynne bedside and they all came a visited her when she was in hospital. Also loved that are final girls were final girling and I love that they are all fighting and helping each other. I just loved that no matter how angry or upset they were each other they still care and fought and came through for each other when it counted and you know what no matter how old and irrelevant they are (which they were not) never count a final girl out and just don't fuck with them because they are bad bitches only. I also loved that at the end you know they are going to be okay and that are happy and they are all living and healing together and I just thought that was really cute.

So in summary there is one rule for this book just don't fuck with final girls because you can never beat the originals also that was such a power move at the ending visiting Stephanie in prison just so they can have a final girl support club meeting

The Final Girl Support Group XXIV:A New Beginning 

"I know what happened to those girls. They turn into women. And they live."

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cancer, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Police brutality, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Cursing, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, and Mass/school shootings

Minor: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment

laguerrelewis's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

Final Girl Support Group works on many levels. It’s a feminist reframing of horror tropes. It’s a love letter to every Final Girl. It’s a protest to a culture of violence and dehumanization. It’s also a very good thriller. The only reasons it’s not rated higher is because it could’ve been improved by a more diverse lens of womanhood (all of our protagonists are white) and beyond our POV character, the others were hard to get a full read on until the end. The ending though is Top Notch. If the premise is at all appealing, this is worth the read!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug abuse, Racism, Sexual violence, and Medical content