Reviews tagging 'Rape'

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

72 reviews

thenovelmaura's review

dark mysterious 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

Thank you to Simon Books for the gifted copy of this engrossing thriller! Engrossing and infuriating because so much of the crime depicted was rooted in misogyny and the reality that missing girls are often not given enough police resources to be found unless they are wealthy, well-connected, and white. The lead detective on the case was a Japanese transracial adoptee, but that was just one part of her identity and not the focus of the story, which I loved. 

Honestly it's a bit hard to verbalize why this book was so enjoyable for me; I think the truth is simply that I had no idea where it was going the entire time I was reading it. It was so dark and so compelling and so well-plotted. I've already told a friend to read this book and I'll be continuing to recommend it to thriller fans!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Pedophilia, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Murder

Minor: Pregnancy

my_personal_escape's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Alcoholism, Torture, and Murder

Minor: Cancer and Domestic abuse

nadinesnutsandbeans's review

dark sad tense slow-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Blood

sersi's review against another edition

dark emotional tense 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Rape and Murder

nellzzzz's review

dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Blood, Abortion, Murder, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Grief, and Alcohol

paperandspines's review against another edition

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping

lidenek's review against another edition

emotional sad tense fast-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? No

5.0

Excellent thriller! Wonderfully produced as an audiobook! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping

Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Trafficking, and Kidnapping

literary_laur's review

dark mysterious 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Pregnancy

heyshay07's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I had a hard time putting this one down! I even read it digitally on my phone which is my least favorite form but I had to know what was going to happen. Jean does such a good job with the pacing which is why I read thrillers. I did not see the twists coming but I had an inkling who the captors would be since there aren’t a ton of characters in the book. However, because there aren’t a ton of characters and misdirection, the author spends a lot of time on character development which I think helps the story. All the main characters in the story are flawed, but have enough about them to keep them relatable, if not completely likable. Some of the other reviewers said they felt like it was too preachy and man hating, but I think it’s just the situation and villains of the story. TRIGGER WARNING: There is sexual and physical abuse of teenagers. It’s mainly a lot of mental abuse, but I know I wouldn’t recommend it to some friends because of that. Other than that- 5 stars! If you like thrillers, go read this one!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Pregnancy

marekcornett's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.5

This was… fine. I figured out a twist very early, so I think it didn’t hit as hard. It’s very dark with trigger warnings galore, so make sure you check those out before you start reading if those are usually concerns for you. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Murder