Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

1267 reviews

clangenskiold's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

Could not put down this book. I have a penchant for dark and gloomy stories, so this was perfect. Horrifying and grotesque in many elements, it's a story about lust and desire but in all the (fundamentally and unequivocally) wrong ways. The illusion that the main character builds up for herself is quite heartbreaking, but also inherently fascinating. Be aware of trigger warnings.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, and Rape

Moderate: Sexual content

theothermelanie's review

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

2.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicide

myyngvt's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual harassment

kristinajoy07's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective 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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Pedophilia

sarahbroccoli's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

5.0

This story consumed me for four straight days. What an incredible book. Check the trigger warnings before reading.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Rape, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

helpfulcat's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Rape, Alcoholism, Drug use, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Violence

ksizzzle's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

ankita1996's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Drug abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual content, and Vomit

itsmikkachu's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

The book was uncomfortable to read, but I also think that is why it was not difficult to keep reading. Vanessa begins as an unlikeable character for me and although I don’t consider her to be my favorite in the world, the story being told from her perspective reveals just how complex she is and how here unlikeable traits come to be. By the end, I just wish that she is able to be happy and find her peace.

I know this book is a five star read for me, but I also know it is something that I cannot fully grasp within the first read. I will definitely be re-reading it in the future and changing my thoughts and ratings as I do.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Adult/minor relationship

emmyslovelylibrary's review against another edition

dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Vomit