Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

232 reviews

thetearex's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Police brutality, Religious bigotry, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Mental illness, Rape, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Infertility, Islamophobia, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, and Violence

erinngus's review against another edition

dark funny medium-paced

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

3.75

This book was and wasn't what I expected. It was terribly funny, focusing on female friendship, and- at points- very dark and reflective of women's place in patriarchy and caste systems. Characters felt relatable and realistic, rounded out with equal flaws and endearing qualities. The many twists and chapter cliffhangers made it feel like a soap opera in the best way. However, I do feel like the final villain and ending climax scene was too cartoonish. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Rape, Misogyny, Murder, and Violence

Minor: Bullying, Infertility, Classism, Fatphobia, and Gaslighting

banana_hutch's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful tense fast-paced

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

4.25

This book was such a thrill-ride. Once the action started, it did NOT stop. At no point was I ready for the thing that happened next. This book does such a wonderful job portraying the lives of these women and the rules they're bound by, mixing humor with devastation and cruelty. I loved this one!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Sexual assault, Animal cruelty, and Blood

Minor: Addiction

queerandtalkative's review against another edition

dark funny tense medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Alcoholism, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Violence, Murder, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Rape, Death, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Gun violence, Animal cruelty, Toxic friendship, and Police brutality

Minor: Death of parent, Torture, and Infertility

nedermg's review against another edition

adventurous funny inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Animal cruelty, Classism, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Sexism, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Infertility, Rape, Violence, and Pedophilia

cecilialau_'s review against another edition

4.75

Okay, wow. I’ve just finished this. Read the last 110-ish pages without much of a break - it was just a propulsive, almost addictive read! Really glad I kept at it as I started off thinking it might have been the “wrong time” for me to read this, but I thankfully kept at it and it really didn’t take long for me to be so engrossed in this.
Amazing and fascinating characters, folklore beautifully interwoven, social commentary through caste and gender and religious discourse. I really enjoyed this.
If you have thought about picking up this book, you will be glad you did.
It is just fab and for many reasons; there is the thriller-y vibes, the dark humour, the dark themes included as well, the friendships, miscommunication, mystery, character development, the spotlight on isolation and loneliness as well. Yeah, so much is included and done very well imo.

I looooved Kareem and his son. And Saloni’s son. And Saloni. The joy they brought to Geeta’s life and this story was the most adorable thing that made this book have a special place in my memory for a very long while, I suspect. I’m so happy that Farah ended up a bonobo, iykyk. And Bandit was the cutest addition ever!! Made such a massive difference. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Infertility, Murder, Rape, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship

jammons's review

dark emotional 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? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Classism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Blood, Rape, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Gaslighting

Minor: Animal cruelty, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

spookyaz's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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: Rape, Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Body shaming, Murder, Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Alcoholism

kittencardigan's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.25

Fun page turner with a lot of heart, humor, and revenge.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Alcoholism, and Animal cruelty

helenephoebe's review against another edition

challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Rape, and Sexual assault

Minor: Child abuse