Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Juniper & Thorn by Ava Reid

55 reviews

maebae's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Vomit, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Eating disorder, Animal death, and Death of parent

virtuadoll's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

Although it started off really slow, I really enjoyed this. I’m excited to read more of Reid’s work in the future as she has a gift for writing - not once did I find myself being pulled out of the story because of her writing, which is something that I tend to experience frequently. There’s some banging quotes in here from our main character Marlinchen, and her development was very enjoyable to follow for me. 

Also Rosenrot being a lesbian is so based. It’s not explored very much but is mentioned a couple of times and I loved her as a character too. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Emotional abuse, Violence, Xenophobia, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Murder, Death, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Misogyny, Cannibalism, Gaslighting, Blood, Animal death, Body horror, Death of parent, Alcoholism, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Medical trauma

Minor: Abortion and Incest

wyabook234's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Gore

Moderate: Toxic relationship and Cannibalism

chofa96's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gore, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Alcoholism, Blood, Animal death, Eating disorder, Vomit, and Murder

brendan_clay's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Sexual assault and Cannibalism

bohemianhermit04's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Vomit, Blood, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Violence, Body horror, Cannibalism, Toxic relationship, Animal death, and Eating disorder

Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Confinement, and Physical abuse

3rdeyeopen's review

dark emotional mysterious 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Murder, Classism, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Medical trauma, Eating disorder, Death, Gore, Gaslighting, Blood, Torture, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, and Child abuse

iconicavocado's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

4.0

Book 📖: 4/5 stars

I've been dying to read this book! I've heard nothing but good things and for the most part it delivered! 

I really enjoyed the reimagining of The Juniper Tree with such poetic melancholy writing and exploration of dark themes. I wasn't entirely sure how large the scope would go but I found the ending quite satisfying. 

Going into this I knew there are content warnings, but I still found some parts to be hard to stomach. I don't demerit the book for it because the uncomfortableness was what the author was going for. I did find the pacing to be quite slow and wish it picked up its third act just a bit quicker. 

This is not a book for everyone. It's incredibly dark and definitely in the realm of horror. But I loved it's unique writing and haunting take of an already twisted fairytale. I'm excited to read more of Ava Reid's work! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Gore, Body horror, Toxic relationship, Death, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Cannibalism, Emotional abuse, Animal cruelty, Sexual content, Animal death, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse

lorie266's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Pedophilia, Cannibalism, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Murder

Moderate: Sexual content, Classism, Animal death, Confinement, Grief, Sexual violence, and Vomit

thehobbitbarbie's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Alcoholism, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Blood, Addiction, Body horror, Death, Rape, Gaslighting, Animal death, Sexual harassment, Abortion, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Body shaming, Child abuse, Eating disorder, and Gore