Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Ace by Angela Chen

5 reviews

cris_is_in_crisis's review

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.75

A book dealing with asexuality, its meaning and all that derives from it told from the perspective of actual ace people. An intriguing lense in a world that is too often forgotten in the vast ocean of civil and LGBTQ+ rights (so much so that the book states that some people in the LGBTQ+ community don't even recognise aces or aros as their own sexualities).

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Body shaming, Classism, Dysphoria, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment

All the trigger warnings are dealt in a way as to explain why they are wrong, if so, and minimise the impact that they could have on a reader.

librarymouse's review against another edition

emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

Ace is a well-written and thoughtful exploration of asexuality beyond the label. The dedication "for everyone who has wanted to want more" almost made me cry before I'd even started on the contents of the book. It is the gratifying and heartbreaking possibility of being known and understood within a lifetime spent feeling broken. Prior to reading this, the possibility of struggling when aging and losing my own agency/physical ability alone had always been a scary thought I tried to suppress. Chen's exploration of alternative ways of being and of forming bonds, as well as alternative community structures begs further reflection on my own part, and also offers some comfort from those fears. Finding that the l language necessary to explore and define myself and issues I find myself up against exists is incredibly valuable and validating. I have identified as asexual for about 5 years, often feeling broken along theIway. I've learned so much from this book. I want everyone I love to read it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Chronic illness, and Ableism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship

emmehooks's review against another edition

informative reflective slow-paced

3.0

I was so excited to read a book about Ace folks and experiences by an Ace person but I struggled to keep interest in reading. The format just wasn’t for me and I would have enjoyed longer form anecdotes versus lots of short ones (although I see the value in many storied vs a limited few)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia

Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Ableism

ruthlessreads's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.5

What a gorgeous book! I'm a huge fan of Roshani Chokshi and I've been looking forward to her first adult novel since she announced she was working on it. I love her writing style--lush & vibrant, sucking you in the way a cozy, overstuffed couch will & doesn't let you go. She's a master at creating a certain tone and then carrying that tone throughout the book. The Last Tale of the Flower Bride is no exception!

This gothic mystery starts with a professor who studies fairy tales & mythology as he meets & falls in love with a magical but mysterious woman, Indigo. Indigo is mysterious indeed, and she has dark secrets, instructing her husband to never dig into her past. But the professor has secrets too and when the couple has to return to Indigo's childhood home, neither of their pasts can remain hidden. This is a story of love & betrayal, of friendship & jealousy, of the stories we must tell ourselves to keep us safe & sane. I loved the way the story ended and I thought the twist was excellently plotted. 

Beautiful & tragic, sumptuous & haunting, this dark romantic fantasy is perfect for anyone who enjoyed The Night Circus, The Starless Sea, or The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Death

Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Child abuse, Mental illness, and Classism

Minor: Pedophilia and Adult/minor relationship

This book deals with dark themes: child abuse, pedophilia, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, toxic friendships & relationships, and grief. Many of them are directly tied to the plot of the book and there are some graphic details specifically of domestic abuse, toxic friendships, and death.

rini's review against another edition

challenging informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia and Ableism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Rape, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Dysphoria