Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

Spalona by Laura Bates

4 reviews

xvicesx's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

This book poses some very interesting questions in a way that isn't preachy, which I supremely appreciate. I deeply dislike the books that are so enamored with the "message" they're trying to convey that they forget to actually tell a story. 

I wasn't desperately fond of the vaguely supernatural aspect and the flashbacks (I was traumatised by The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue), but I do get the point it was trying to get at. It just felt that the author could have achieved the same effect with the research for the essay rather than the flashbacks. 

But again, I found it to be a pretty good vehicle for an good bit of soul searching, and a nice story of true friendship. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, and Sexism

Moderate: Sexual assault, Torture, and Grief

Minor: Cancer, Death, Rape, and Death of parent

savreads28's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cancer, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

skudiklier's review against another edition

challenging emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This book delivered on its premise, and definitely kept me engaged! I was furious throughout most of it at the unfairness of everything, and I really wanted to know what had happened in the past that was kept secret through the first half of the book. Overall though a lot of this felt a little too YA for me. I liked it but I'm not sure I'd actively recommend it to anyone. It was pretty hard to read at some points but strikes a good balance of trying to be realistic and not sugarcoating things, while also leaving some hope and a (vague spoilers)

sort of happy ending.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Sexual assault, Violence, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Ableism, Cancer, Death, Fatphobia, Rape, Sexual content, Suicide, Vomit, and Alcohol

skyegbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.75

I truely think this is a book everyone should read. This book is educational and inspiring

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Sexual assault

Minor: Body shaming and Death of parent