Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - Appetite for Innocence

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Appetite for Innocence by Lucinda Berry

45 reviews

emschields's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Besides reading her novella One of Our Own, this was my first full length novel by Lucinda and it most certainly won’t be my last! According to the internet, Dr. Berry herself considers this her darkest book she has ever written.

I read this via audio, and the switch between the POVs of two different girls along with the dual timeline and short chapters kept me intrigued and wanting to see what was going to be revealed next. The concept and plot line makes me absolutely sick to my stomach and my heart just shattered for what these girls went through at the hands of a monster. This story handles trauma and mental health in a very realistic and relatable way.

I enjoyed Ella’s narration and the raw emotion in her voice, but Sarah’s narration really pulled me out of the story (she sounded a lot like a younger version of Siri reading straight from the page). The ending was anti-climatic and I was hoping for more of a heart-racing thrill ride.

All in all, enjoyable read! Onto the next book!

Content Warnings

esemple's review

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challenging dark sad fast-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

2.5

Content Warnings

erica_reads_things's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Not a bad read from Lucinda Berry! The first two thirds of the book captured me a lot more than the final act. I did predict the gyst of what happened with Sarah and their situation, which took me out of it a bit. I felt it to be a pretty realistic portrayal of life during and after such traumatic events, especially for survivors so young. The twist at the end just didn't do it for me.

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ohsunnyaa's review

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dark sad tense medium-paced

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

2.0

Content Warnings

jnvreads's review against another edition

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3.5

Appetite for Innocence by Lucinda Berry - Rating: 3.5/5⭐️

A serial rapists goes after virgin teenage girls. Stocking their entire lives on social media and until he gets the timing right to take them. Holding them in his basement until he’s ready to take the innocence.

Once in captivity, we get the heartbreaking story that flips from being captive to the hospital after escaping as it follows two of his victims’ stories that they had to endure.

LIKES:

👍🏾 The story was plausible and informative. The author did a great job handling a difficult subject matter. Mostly in being able to see the traumatic deep routed scars that are left on a person after something like this emotionally, mentally, and physically.

👍🏾 The main characters were beautifully written. My heart ached for Ella. I’ve never wanted to burst out into tears so hard for someone in a book like this. John was the perfect villain. He was disgusting and revolting. And Sarah made me want to yank her by her hair with her Stockholm Syndrome. She was the perfect side kick and villain to finish out the story. It all added these multiple layers to the reality of the situation.

👍🏾 The pacing was kept well throughout especially with the short chapters and flipping between narratives and timelines.

DISLIKES:

👎🏾 I found the ending rushed when it came to John. I wish the book explored more about the kidnapper’s motive and background though, since the means and opportunity to commit the crime were so detailed.

👎🏾 There were a couple times the story dragged a bit, I think more towards the end with the girls coming home. A lot of repetition and parts that could’ve been taken out that wouldn’t affected the overall story. I also wouldn’t consider it exactly a thriller.

👎🏾 Jocelyn, especially as a mother, annoyed the hell out of me. How do you tend to every physical and emotional need of another child over your own? Especially after you lost her for MONTHS. I got the sympathy, but I can’t imagine not hanging onto everything my kid needs over forcing her into it all.

Overall, I would definitely check all the trigger warning before getting into it, but a good fast read!

Content Warnings