Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

348 reviews

trappedinthestars13's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia

Moderate: Gaslighting, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault

paonrojas's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Rape, Mental illness, and Pedophilia

hiraeth_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol

Minor: Bullying, Death of parent, Grief, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, and Animal death

shandunc8's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

4.25

I have a lot of thoughts about this book, but will keep it simple. I felt sick to my stomach the whole time I was reading, hence, why it took me months to get through it. However, an impactful and powerful story about abuse and one I think many should read. The author provides incredible and interesting insight into the psyche of victims. 

Pls check TW. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Rape, and Mental illness

eliseilou's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

Torn between 3 and 4 stars as I liked the book but thought it started to drag a little after the 50% mark. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Rape, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Slavery, and Stalking

Minor: Death of parent

tatymlyric's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Suicide, Child abuse, and Sexual assault

nimscancolor's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Emotional abuse

emamazee's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

I went into this book aware that it had some heavy subject matter as the main plot point. It's overly graphic scenes where juxtaposed with some beautiful imagery when describing the character's dissociation from traumatic events. I was hopeful that there would be a redemptive ending but was left disappointed. To place a lighthearted view to a dark, emotionally-exhausting narrative, my take away is that adopting a dog will heal all emotional scars and anyone who is mean to a dog is inherently evil. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, and Misogyny

Minor: Animal cruelty, Mass/school shootings, and Grief

withreveling's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Outing, Addiction, Pedophilia, Abandonment, Classism, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Self harm, and Toxic relationship

jankengon's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

Incredibly haunting and well-written. Could not put it down. This story will stay with me for a long, long time.

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Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Mental illness and Grief

Minor: Drug use, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcoholism