Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

97 reviews

agnela's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad medium-paced

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

2.75

Some important themes are explored, or rather, involved in this story, such as being a sa victim, mental health, taking advantage of women and stealing their work, gatekeeping women from education. I think readers will appreciate that these heavy topics where either just mentioned in plot or used lightly, while you still can see the impact that it made on the female characters.
The other good thing about this was it's world building. Yes, at times it was confusing, and I still don't know what was the bottom 100, as it was used interchangeably with places, people, higher-ups and the bottoms of the social hierarchy. Still, the author weaved in nature with folk tales, and sprinkled with some gothic old house placement and academia. That being said....
This story was all tell and no show, the last 50 pages were just annoying and unnecessary in my eyes. The characters were flat, more like plot devices than a being on their own, and relationships moved and changed depending on the plot but not the story itself.
I've heard good things about this book but I can't see why exactly, I'm not even sure I'll continue reading more of this author.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Bullying, Sexism, Panic attacks/disorders, Animal death, Misogyny, Death, Sexual content, Child abuse, Death of parent, Adult/minor relationship, and Cursing

Minor: Rape

snopes's review against another edition

mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Child abuse

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders

kirbylover16's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

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

2.75

I find the story concepts to be quite intriguing. For example, I am interested in exploring various religious and regional interpretations of a flooded world. Additionally, the idea of Celebrity Sleepers acting as protectors is unique, although it is unfortunately not utilized enough.

the Cold War, the start of the second drowning, her mother; all plotlines dropped

There was a missed opportunity not to add a Lemony Snicket twist to the title, which should have featured Augharad, or even just the Fairy King would be a better title. I wish the book spent more time with Effy while she attends school. (the dark academia?) This change would not only help us better understand Effy but also enable us to get to know other characters.

The story was supposed to be a romance with rivals-turned-lovers, but it failed to deliver. The main love interest is introduced too late, and we learn little about him, except that he's foreign and Effy is jealous/racist towards him. Effy never stops being racist or unfairly mean to him. I like him more than Effy because he's less whiney and stupid. They don't fight each other in the competition or know each other in school. They're not even staying in the same house. Where is this rivalry? The romance is rushed and not spicy. 

TL;DR
I am eager to learn more about the world, but there are still too many gaps and squandered ideas. I made zero connections to any of the characters. The pacing is all over the place. This book is falsely advised and disappointing.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny

Moderate: Car accident, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Classism

Minor: Genocide, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Chronic illness, and Gaslighting

The car accident isn't an accident but not attempted murder either. not very violent.

Mc is pushed out of a moving car. The guy was trying to keep mc from coming back to the house but couldn't tell her

There is one bar date? where mc tries alcohol for the first time to fit in. She doesn't get drunk or even finish the glass. The child abuse is only hinted at till halfway thru the book where mc tells the so her mom tried to leave her to die but chickened out. Kinda comes out of nowhere.

nicole12's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual assault

honuzbubbles's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Sexism, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Xenophobia, Medical trauma, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Grief, Bullying, Car accident, Physical abuse, Blood, Classism, Colonisation, and Violence

Minor: War

ghostlyprince's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Death of parent, Rape, Car accident, Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Confinement, Addiction, Body shaming, Racism, Death, Physical abuse, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual content, and Child abuse

Minor: Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Forced institutionalization, Domestic abuse, and War

korpney's review against another edition

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? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism and Sexual assault

Moderate: Sexual violence

Minor: Child abuse

kaiiyo's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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

4.75

Such a beautiful and respectful depiction of trauma and healing. Came at a very fitting time in my life and provides a powerful message about grief and the ways it manifests. The way dissociation and anxiety are written feel like one of the most accurate and compassionate portrayals I've seen.
Yes sometimes overcoming trauma is all bloody knuckles and determination but just being alive is also a testament of great strength ❤️

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Mental illness

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, Classism, Colonisation, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Child abuse, and Sexism

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual content

amelianotthepilot's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.0

A gothic fantasy full of feminine rage.

It has everything of a classic gothic novel: a female who’s maybe mad or uncovering something, a spooky house with a spooky man, and a mystery to keep her there with a sprinkle of romance.

I overall really enjoyed this story. I loved the characters and the spooky gothic house. The water and drowning imagery was also delicious. I loved the feminine rage and depictions of the female experience. 

The plot was a bit obvious towards the end and the last two chapters of wrap up were boring. There were a lot of quotable lines but also an equal amount of cringey pompous lines. I loved the world building but at the same time for a stand alone novel it seemed unnecessary for a personal success plot. It followed the main character and her struggles not a political or societal change.


It follows Effy who is the first female architecture student at this university. She enters a competition to build a house in memorial for her favorite author who has recently passed away. She is invited to the house to discuss and finalize her plans only to get there and see how truly messed up and spooky the current house is. The house is on the cliff which could be swallowed by the sea at any moment. Will Effy, the creepy man owner of the house, and the other male student researching there survive or succumb to the house? 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Death of parent, Sexism, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Gaslighting, and Adult/minor relationship

colwellcat's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective tense 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: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting

Moderate: Death of parent, Misogyny, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment