Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Dominicana by Angie Cruz

121 reviews

hennesieinthepages's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad medium-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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Child abuse

Moderate: Racism and Gun violence

leahkarge's review against another edition

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Violence, Rape, Racism, Sexual violence, Blood, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Classism, and Colonisation

Moderate: Antisemitism, War, and Police brutality

siobhanward's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-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

3.5

This book fell a bit flat for me - I think it just felt like it wasn't telling a fresh story. I was hoping that since I've not read a whole lot about the Dominican Republic, that it would offer something new, but it just didn't. In terms of immigration stories, Patsy , which I read earlier in the year offered a more interesting and powerful narrative, so I would consider reading that before reaching for this one.

However, there were some solid aspects to the story. Ana was a well-written character, especially for a 15 year old trying to navigate immigrating, learning a new language, abuse, relationships, etc. I think Cruz setting the story during wartime in the Dominican Republic while having the bulk of the story taking place in the United States added a lot and really reinforced Ana's feelings of isolation. I think I just struggled because for so long Ana just feels so helpless and it was hard to read. The story was well-written, but I just don't know what it offered.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: War, Pregnancy, and Death

thatvirgoreads's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad 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? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Rape

sarahelem's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

Went into this not knowing what I was getting into. This is heavy. I cried. Still, I think this book sheds light on an important narrative that I think we should all hear.

Take note: this book is very trigger heavy. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Racism, Racial slurs, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Violence

Moderate: War, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Pregnancy, Emotional abuse, and Violence

Minor: Deportation, Colonisation, Antisemitism, Hate crime, Gun violence, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Incest, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Infidelity

sogrossreads's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

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

2.5

This was a no. Love always for trans-national, immigrant stories but no. Maybe it was too real and that was frustrating but not like this. Too much violence and repression and not enough reason why we need to replicate that in a fictional world. Left me frustrated.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Domestic abuse

bookbuyingwithkatie's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy and Domestic abuse

readingrandbow's review against another edition

sad

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Violence and Racism

Minor: Antisemitism

sammyb's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Xenophobia, War, Violence, and Pregnancy

theinkwyrm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense slow-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

3.5

I find myself in the somewhat unique position of realizing that this is an objectively well-written book (for the most part-some of the flashbacks didn’t really feel cohesive with the narrative, but it wasn’t so bad as to detract from the overall quality of the book) but one that I probably wouldn’t ever pick up again because of how negative the book felt and would have some hesitations about recommending to others. This book dealt with some pretty heavy topics across the board that were  difficult to read about at times, but I think the author handled them well and in a way that felt respectful of these characters, but also unflinchingly realistic.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, and Rape

Moderate: Alcohol, Racism, and Infidelity

Minor: Incest