Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

8 reviews

ashleysilver7's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-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

3.25

I like stories by Heather Gudenkauf, and I especially love that most of her novels take place in Iowa (where I currently live). However, this story was really hard for me, mainly because the adult characters were so unlikable. Antonia (Toni), the mother of Ben and Calli, has stayed with an abusive husband for years...I realize I should have empathy for her struggles, but it doesn't take the reader long to figure out he is BAD news. The children were likable and intriguing, but they couldn't make up for the adults who should have done better...not to mention the police officers were not good at their jobs (I am a music teacher, and I can see they didn't follow protocol). All in all, it was not a bad book but not one of my favorites by this author.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Kidnapping, and Alcoholism

lexidubbs's review against another edition

dark sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

By the second half of the book I was having palpitations because I was so anxious to find out what happens next. Some parts were gut wrenching, some were thrilling, with an emotional ending. The person responsible for the crimes was my number one suspect throughout, however the way the story was revealed had me on the edge of my seat. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape and Child abuse

burningstars's review against another edition

emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Stalking, and Violence

Moderate: Blood

omg_pear's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Sexual assault

terriep's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

3.5

A well paced, character driven story with alternating chapters written from each of the main characters' viewpoints. That gives an interesting change of perspective whether the POV is a child or adult. Short chapters help propel the action. It's a somewhat emotional story of the disappearance of two 7yo girlfriends and the day that it takes to find them. 

The "main" character is Calli, a little girl who hasn't spoken in 3 years. As the story delves into the family's history and secrets, we learn the reason for that mutism. So, it's a story of secrets, abuse, wrong assumptions, and deadly misunderstandings. Trigger warning if you don't like child abuse/ child abduction stories. Though not graphic, it's definitely the backbone of this book. 

I enjoyed the audio version performed by a cast of readers - very well done!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Miscarriage

abbieday's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

megwilli's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse

Moderate: Sexual assault and Kidnapping

nodogsonthemoon's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

2.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Pedophilia

Minor: Blood, Murder, Rape, Sexual violence, and Stalking