Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson

30 reviews

linzomatic's review

emotional hopeful inspiring tense 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

The main character was in a relationship with a man who could magically make anyone do or believe whatever he said. The effect on her is present throughout the story even though she has left him.

j2teapot's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.75

This is a really well written book, but I was not prepared by how sad it got, how intimately painful it would be. And how much time would be spent on the pain and grief aspect compared to hope. I did like the ending and I'm pleased it wrapped up that way.
It's not a 4* because I struggled to finish it due to the pain across the pages, however it not a 3* because I enjoyed the characters and how they developed, and it is an excellent representation of the ongoing trauma mental and domestic abuse can cause.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Antisemitism, Grief, and War

Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Death of parent

fronk10's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful fast-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

A truly beautiful book about finding light in the dark. The magic is so gorgeous and the descriptions so visceral. A hard read at times, but a delightful one nonetheless.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Homophobia, and War

littlelizzieborden's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Loveable characters? No

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, and Homophobia

pinklemonadey's review

adventurous emotional slow-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

I really enjoyed this book. It was an emotional story about a woman finding and treasuring her chosen family after a toxic relationship, set in a magical and historical world. I found the characters to be relatable, especially Rin. Although I hate the antagonist from a personal standpoint, I find his writing to be compelling.

I will say that I felt a few small things were left unanswered and/or without a payoff, such as 

what happened to Mr. Davidson and why Charles would have died if he stayed in the present time

but they were not such big questions that would have left me feeling completely unsatisfied.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Antisemitism, and War

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Racism

nicmay's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

All the stars!! This book had so many quotes that I loved but I’ll add my favorite one here: “…those who hurt the most are the best at protecting others from the dark, because they know what the dark looks like.” The bad guy is BAD, bad. And his chapters raised my blood pressure a little. But I absolutely loved this book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: War

linguisticali's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

I couldn't put this down. The horror of the inescapable abusive relationship was so chilling and compelling. I'll definitely look for more books by this author. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, and War

Moderate: Homophobia

julesg's review

dark reflective medium-paced

3.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and War

lea_oaktrees's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

An incredible and lyrical story with well developed complex characters. Deals with darker and more difficult themes but has worthwhile reflexions on hope and finding meaning in the day-to-day joys and in eachother. I couldn’t put this book down and completely loved it from start to finish. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and War

Minor: Eating disorder

katiewithhats's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Murder

Minor: Alcoholism and Antisemitism