Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee

87 reviews

kryzysowa_narzeczona's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting

squinnittowinit's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.25

Personally I'm not a fan of psychological thrillers, as I find the theme of obsession to be boring. As much as I still did not enjoy what this book was about or any of the characters, I have to admit that it is very well-written. The pacing feels both laid-back and dream-like, yet suspenseful at the same time, as

the narrator slowly reveals herself to be more and more unreliable as she deals with both past trauma and current manipulation.

This is one of those books where all the pieces come together in the end to finally reveal the entire picture, creating a satisfying wrap-up, if nothing else.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Mental illness, and Murder

Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Abandonment

Minor: Gun violence and Blood

yeimyaileen's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

how did i pick this read after reading these violent delights by micah nemerever?? i dont know.
this book is very good.  super atmostpheric.  i audibly gasped a few times.  i felt like ellis was a bit less developed than i wanted, but in the end, i understand why.  i also liked the light commentary about the role of womens mental health in horror novels, and how their experiences are discredited despite their inclinations for the truth.  this book is peak gaslight gatekeep girlboss.
slight spoilers for these violent delights below, in conversation with a lesson in vengeance. 

- you dont understand how fortuitous it was for me to pick this up after these violent delights.  like gays going through violent things together and it ends up destroying them? 
- people keeping secrets from one another but also holding evidence against each other in sick and twisted ways?  when the romance is purely physical, and its hard for them to feel love, because love isnt what they see?  rather, they share violence and an inclination to controlling one another?
- i really like these novels about obsession, and the idea that one of the characters finds pleasure in the perverse, and thus feels shame, despite the other character accepting them for who they are
- and the book being dedicated to felicity?? as if she knew what was going to happen anyway?  just like the chess game with julian and paul?  
- and i really like how ambiguous the magic is in this book?  like was she really being haunted? did the magic actually exist?  my skewed answer is yes.  that doesnt mean she wasnt being gaslit so hard.  
- to end, this book has no men in it.  slay.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Suicide, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting

Moderate: Suicide

ellsbells27's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Murder

Moderate: Animal death and Gaslighting

rais's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Blood and Alcohol

audrey214's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad slow-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship

aichaa's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, and Gaslighting

em_of_swags's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

what the fuck

(in a good way)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Animal death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Blood, Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol

Minor: Racism, Sexual content, and Classism

niccolowilliam's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

3.5

It was good. Definitely kept my interest as i was reading it. Solid story. I love lesbians so that was nice. (Shout out to lesbians)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal death and Vomit

Minor: Animal cruelty, Racism, and Classism

its2early4this's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Plot twists from early in the story, a poetic prose that flows in a way that remains easy to read, and a feeling of satisfaction upon conclusion. This is definitely one of the best books I've read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Mental illness, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Gaslighting

Minor: Classism