Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen

5 reviews

brookey8888's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense 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

This isn’t horror like scary ghost and slashers. It’s the horror of history and men. 

The start of this was kind of boring I’m not going to lie because nothing really happened. But the last like 20% had my jaw on the floor multiple times and not because it’s necessarily shocking, but because it was so disturbing and anger inducing. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

deidra_shadetreereads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Hate crime, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, and Gaslighting

mysterymom40's review

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Racism, Blood, Murder, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Confinement, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail

forced prostitution, carving/cutting away skin

bandysbooks's review

challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

Recently, I've been working on expanding the genres that I read. In the past, I've avoided horror as I always thought it wasn't for me, but after trying a couple of different books I'm finding that I really enjoy it. In particular, I like horror that roots itself in history or the real world. When The Reckoning Comes does exactly that. 

The story follows Mira as she returns to her hometown for her ex-bestfriend's wedding. There are threads of mystery and horror that get pulled into the story almost from the beginning, but as the plot picks up the horror really amps up with it. The wedding is held on a historic plantation where slaves were brutalized, tortured, and raped and Mira's discomfort and disgust with the location is immediately apparent. The majority of the guests remain oblivious to the ghosts haunting them until it becomes unavoidable.

I am finding that I really love horror built on reality. I think the idea of being haunted by trauma and horrific events is much more terrifying than zombies, ghosts, and devils. This also creates a lot of social critique within the story which makes it even better. 

All in all, I found this a very relevant and scary horror story. If you like a more gothic vibe, current themes, and a compelling main character, you should definitely check this one out! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Colonisation, and Injury/Injury detail

This book is about the ghosts of slavery on a particularly brutal plantation. Torture, murder, rape, and other dehumanizing acts are described in explicit detail. If you are sensitive to violence, please consider carefully before reading.

lisas_bookshelf's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious 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? Yes

4.5

Wow! I really loved this book. It went much deeper into both the issues and soul of the events than I had anticipated. This is no mere thriller (though it works very well on that front too), it’s a thriller that also informs us of some of US history’s major events in terms of race and slavery. It certainly does not shy away from difficult subjects, and I really appreciate the way the author chose to deal with America’s current stance on and history of slavery, racism, prejudice and abuse. Very brave and very important! 

Some have called this a ghost story, I would not. I interpreted what is portrayed as ghosts more like history speaking to the characters through different means, the ghosts mere echoes or representations of the past rather than actual apparitions. So, if you’re not into ghost stories, don’t let that hinder you reading this excellent book!

I listened to the audio edition, and loved the narration. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racial slurs, Racism, and Torture

Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide attempt, and Colonisation

Minor: Confinement, Gun violence, and Gaslighting