A review by krys_kilz
Bad Fruit by Ella King

challenging dark emotional 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

4.25

This book was a challenging read. It focuses heavily on abusive family dynamics and intergenerational trauma, but I don't think it crossed the line into exploitation or trauma porn. Instead it really encompassed how all consuming abusive relationships can be and the way trauma impacts memory and one's sense of self. 

The relationship between Lily and her mother was particularly powerful. I appreciated how Mei's own traumas were revealed as Lily slowly began to unravel why her mother was the way she was. And I also appreciate that Lily still left in the end and didn't necessarily forgive her mother's actions. Her mother's own history of abuse was an explanation, not an excuse for her behavior.

I would also just like to note, I wouldn't really consider this book to be a thriller. It has somewhat similar pacing along with the slowly unraveling storylines, but it's different. I'm not sure why it was marketed that way on Storygraph. 

tw: abuse, trauma, self harm, r*pe
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