Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Soñar con la superficie by Louise O'Neill

6 reviews

lateromantic's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring reflective sad fast-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

3.5

I didn't enjoy it as much as Louise O'Neill's other books I've read, but she did a wonderful job of extending The Little Mermaid and showing the queer and proto-feminist aspects of the story. Some bad language and sex references, though I would say the sex references are OK for young high school students as it teaches them about relating to healthy desires in a safe way and consent. More on-the-nose than her other books, but likely because it's aimed at a younger audience than them.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Terminal illness, and Death of parent

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol

kirstenf's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Ableism, Fatphobia, Suicide, Murder, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, and War

Minor: Drug use, Pedophilia, and Rape

lsylvie's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment

Minor: Homophobia

lilacsophie's review against another edition

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent

Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Infidelity, and Murder

Minor: Genocide and Homophobia

danajoy's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Gore, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical trauma, and Death of parent

autumnal_daydreams's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

2.0

Would have rather read the sea witches life story as she's the only feminist character.
 
This is a book that hits you over the head with inequality without having to do any of the heavy lifting. It has no time for nuance or developing deep characters or fully realising feminist themes.

If you love exposition dumps, being told rather then shown and black & white plots then feel free to read. 

The author is inspired by the Bloody Chamber and I would urge you to pick up Angela Carter's work instead. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Rape

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Death, Gore, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Grief

Minor: Alcoholism and Homophobia