Reviews tagging 'Eating disorder'

The Change by Kirsten Miller

21 reviews

smallwonders's review against another edition

dark inspiring mysterious 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual violence, Violence, and Trafficking

Minor: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault

lorahkay's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

2.0

This book wants to be a feminist thriller but it often misses the mark. It’s clear the author has not confronted her own implicit beauty and size biases… so, while attempting to invoke post-menopausal bad-assery from her main characters, it’s frequently complicated by her seemingly subconscious devaluation of other women at the same time (e.g. one woman was making “bad” food choices; the same woman, abused and bulimic, would be “pretty again” if she addressed her “grey skin” and “thinning hair”; main characters are **worthy** because they work out and keep their bodies fit, and on and on the list goes quietly criticizing the woman in the background). The plot is mildly interesting but also seems to miss the mark. The ending was obvious from miles away. This book fell flat and kinda pissed me off, tbh. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Murder

Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Toxic relationship, and Classism

Minor: Eating disorder

kmark's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Eating disorder, Rape, Kidnapping, and Murder

foldingthepage_kayleigh's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.75

First read of 2023 started off with a bang! I absolutely adored this feminist, witchy read. With multiple POVs, but mostly focused on Nessa, Harriet & Jo, I loved to hear their life experiences and yow they got to where they are now. The strength, power and pursuit of justice, a world where all women and girls can be safe  was so beautifully crafted and inspiring, I just I did not want to put this book down. Plus, January LaVoy was incredible as a narrator. She has such a talent for distinguishing voices for each character in a way that is so immersive—my favourite narrator to date! I can’t recommend this magical realism revenge thriller enough & I really hope a sequel is in the works. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Car accident, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Death of parent

I

okiecozyreader's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I ended up really loving (by loving I mean I couldn’t put down) this mystery with three older women (who have gone through the change) and have mystical powers. One senses that there is a ghost in an area, and they arrive there to find a body. Surprisingly, even with a drawing of the child, no one can identify her. The women discover there are other children and when the police don’t offer much assistance, they take the case into their own hands.

This reminded me of a darker Murder She Wrote or a Charlie’s Angels, in which the women were calling their own shots, or maybe a nature-Ocean’s Eleven.

There are parts that are difficult to read though. There are times where I hated the way most of the men were portrayed. But then I thought, does it bother me this much when it’s women being portrayed similarly? And isn’t that the point of this novel, that sometimes men create their own world and women sometimes are invited to have a seat at the table. Unfortunately I still think this can be true today.

In our discussion with @lbtheloverofbooks, Kirsten Miller said “We need to change the narrative about being this age. It is one of the best times of our lives. Do younger women a huge favor and give them something to look forward to.” Laura Beth posted in our group that Kirsten Miller was doing a giveaway and I was lucky enough to get one. Miller was such a generous and fun guest.

I’m on fall break and had some time, but I pretty much read the book this afternoon. Once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down. The 470 pages went by a lot quicker than I thought they might.

There are definitely content warnings for this one, though.

“You’re saying you found a witch like Miss Ella?
I found two. A protector and a punisher.” P97

“‘Witch’ is the label society slaps on women it can’t understand or control.” P113

“Women are allowed everywhere these days. Golf courses, nudie bars, the Racquet and Tennis Club. It would be scandalous if we weren’t allowed. So instead, we’re just not invited.” P180

“The key to getting away with anything is convincing yourself that you’ve done nothing wrong.” P188

“Accept that what you find may be worse than you ever thought possible. And believe you possess the strength to see it.” 
“Our lives are designed to have three parts. The first is education. The second, creation. And in part three, we put our experience to use and protect those who are weaker. This third stage, which you have entered, can be of incredible power.” P436

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking, and Murder

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Violence

Minor: Eating disorder

victoriarosalesvt's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective medium-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

4.5

This book has an interesting storyline involving three friends and a town mystery. It was fun, exciting, emotional, and even funny at times. I loved the different character perspectives and backgrounds the author gave in the book!

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death

Minor: Eating disorder

apersonfromflorida's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Murder

Moderate: Rape and Torture

Minor: Eating disorder

clhtdr's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Trafficking, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Racism, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

Minor: Eating disorder

lowkeymarie's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

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

4.75

Holy shit, this was a hell of a ride! Great characters, a wicked sense of humor, and simmering with righteous feminine rage.

Dinged it slightly for some awkward time jumps that slightly confused my dumb ass. 😅 But definitely one of my faves I've read so far this year!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Kidnapping, and Murder

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Eating disorder

bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism

Moderate: Miscarriage

Minor: Eating disorder