Reviews with content warning for Slavery - Haunting Adeline

Reviews tagging 'Slavery'

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

174 reviews

lavendar's review against another edition

After a few people & book-tok had recommended this book, I went to check it out. After reading articles online, and barely glancing in store, I got stopped by the trigger page, and then proceeded to have a discussion with those that had recommended it.

On a basic book review level it’s poorly written, full of clichés and useless profanity, needlessly grotesque, explicit to the point of insanity & generally nauseating, with a middle-schoolers vocabulary in a VERY adult setting.
And while these genres have plenty of others struggling with the same things (occasionally appreciated for the ease it gives in reading comprehension & a “book-binge”), presenting similar tropes & situations in a dark twisted way that makes you think, or at least catches your interest — this one takes it too far.

People can read what they so choose. Everyone has different taste, interpretations, interests, opinions, & reasons behind a book. That’s the magic of stories, there’s something for everyone & perhaps this is your sort of romance novel; that’s okay. It doesn’t have to be mine.
I appreciate the warnings in the book; the author is very upfront from the get-go, honest, informative, and properly trigger-warning & encouraging that very sentiment; if this isn’t for you, don’t read it.

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug use, Hate crime, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Grief, and Toxic friendship

While it does address topics that are horrific and not one to turn a blind eye to, it handles them in the worst way possible. It does not represent or speak on behalf of survivors, it does not show allies or healthy support systems, it does not give any hope for a path toward healing, helping, or even teaching better. And that is the reason I write this. The attempts at justification & encouragement in the book itself when it comes to these matters is NOT okay. It does so without reprimand, growth, or any lesson aside from enabling. Going so far as to paint anyone who disagrees with the abuse, assault, and murder as hurtful, judgmental, & not-supportive or “accepting”. To try to paint this as “female empowerment” and a “sexual awakening” to be embraced, to make assault “sexy”, to be a “dark” & “morally gray” plot — in reality, it is none of those things. Only one, that glorifies abuse. Stalking & Stockholm syndrome, is not a “love story”. Pain is not love. This is not an “anti-hero”, the blunt reality is a rapist & murder. And a woman who is raped, assaulted, abused, and attacked physically, emotionally, and mentally to the point of gaslighting over & over again. There is no justification. No, “love heals all wounds”. This is assault, this is abuse, and this is wrong. — Selling it as anything else is a VERY dangerous & frankly hurtful message. Because the reality is while this may be a work of fiction, and is definitely dramatized, this has been someone’s reality. Not a plot line. Not a turn-on. But something real, dangerous, and life-wrecking. Main-stream media depicting and “selling” this ideology, book-toks full of making jokes — ships — saying “he’s so romantic” or “all I want in a man” or “a sad boy” & reacting with “OMG my heart broke” consuming “the angst & brooding”, calling it fiction & dark-twists on fairytales; a “game” only ignores reality and encourages worse ones. The horrific truth is: Human trafficking is real. Sexual assault is real. Sexual abuse is real. Physical abuse is real. Emotional abuse is real. Gaslighting is real. Gun violence is real, and people die from it. Stalking is real. Domestic violence is real. Toxic relationships are real and too commonly occurring because people aren’t taught to see the signs, especially when books like this call red flags “enticing”. Abuse occurs to many people in many ways through many relationships; it is harmful, and very dangerous. And danger is not something to strive for. Fear should not play a role in intimacy. And you don’t need this book to know that. This book will not teach you or give light to “truly take in the depth of horror”. Or create some fantasy that breeds anything other than harm. That is not real. So, please heed the warning, really read that first page by the author on triggers & content, and consider it the next time you go to make a post or recommend it to a friend. Stories and words have power, use them and your time wisely. Do the things that bring you joy and closer to safety & health. And for me, this book was not that.

xchumin's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

While Haunting Adeline presents an engaging plot and doesn't shy away from important themes, Zade's characterization is a significant point of contention. His strong moral compass, particularly his condemnation of human trafficking and the mistreatment of women and children, clashes starkly with his own actions, such as stalking and assaulting Adeline. This inconsistency undermines his character and creates a sense of hypocrisy.

The development of the romantic relationship between Adeline and Zade feels somewhat rushed, especially considering their tumultuous beginnings. While Adeline's emotional journey is well-explored, particularly her fear and growing affection for Zade, the depth of their connection could have been further developed.

Content Warnings

saffiyahk's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-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

4.0

Content Warnings

shazzas_land_of_books's review against another edition

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The main female character got raped twice by the main male characte and I wasn't even half way through the book. Also the stuff about killing children made me feel nauseous.

Content Warnings

adialove's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.25

Content Warnings

mahie_09goel's review against another edition

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adventurous dark medium-paced

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

2.0

UMM, I have mixed feelings about the book. First thing first, it is a highlyyyyyy unrelatable book from a love story perspective. I definitely didn't like the whole stalker plot; I was rather invested in Gigi's story. Apart from that, the book felt very much like the twisted series or the typical smut-driven books. Again, it's just my opinion. The more i am reading such books, the more I am reminded of the fact that I just don't like it anymore. Zade is a very, very, very stereotyped bad guy kind of a person and is also extremely pretentious. Even though he "saves" women and children, his entire personality seems shitty to me. He is literally so cocky. The whole time he just tried to force himself on a girl and justify it by saying, "I know she wants me; just doesn't speak it out." I just couldn't absorb the idea that he thought his ways could make someone fall in love FFS. His CONSTANT urge to get physical with her keeps getting irritating. PLUS the whole swearing throughout. Adeline too seemed...idk, but I liked her better than Zade but still, I just cant understand what's wrong with the characters. Overall, whatever the author wanted to do here, I am not sure if the task was accomplished. Now I am really not sure if I should start the second part even though the first one ends on a cliffhanger. Based on the brief synopsis, I might just give it a quick read. Basically skimming through all the unnecessary smut and Zade's cockiness.

Content Warnings