Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Perfect Child by Lucinda Berry

230 reviews

byo_books's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense fast-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death

smileysam's review against another edition

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

4.0

I really enjoyed this book despite the sad themes that are very pertinent. It feels reflective and real.

My biggest gripe was the ending, as it felt like there were still lots of loose ends. Initially, I checked online to see if there was a sequel so I could have answers to the questions that were forming, but it appears the author is working on one. I do hope it answers more about Janie’s past and that we get more insight into her psyche. I also want to see the outcome for the Bauer’s play out, instead of an allusion to the outcome.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

oheyjay's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Child abuse

pippamillerxoxo_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

natebam's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-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

5.0

Very disturbing thriller about a child who isn’t what her adoptive parents think she is. 

Very intense and dark at times, not for the faint of heart. 

My first read of Lucinda Berry’s books and it won’t be my last. I really enjoyed how real this book felt and her background in psychology really informs her writing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

michelle_my_belle's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Miscarriage

Minor: Drug abuse

clairebonney's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, and Gaslighting

Animal cruelty and animal death involve a kitten

erinkins's review against another edition

challenging dark tense fast-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

4.75

Very addictive book. Really didn’t want to put it down because I had to figure out what was up with this kid. I really enjoyed it, the chapters were short which kept it moving. My only problem was the ending didn’t feel like an end. I think I know what happened but it still felt off.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

Moderate: Child abuse

emrecor's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gaslighting, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment

Additional trigger warnings important to include: dangerous child, murder attempt, manipulation

torivanorder's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail