Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Appetite for Innocence by Lucinda Berry

6 reviews

erica_reads_things's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Rape, Abortion, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Blood, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Murder, Sexual violence, Death, Emotional abuse, Trafficking, Violence, Child death, and Confinement

Moderate: Drug use and Medical content

Minor: Suicide attempt and Self harm

jnvreads's review against another edition

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! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Abortion, Gore, Drug use, Pregnancy, Stalking, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Pedophilia, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Adult/minor relationship, Slavery, Torture, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Abandonment, Child death, Murder, Miscarriage, Vomit, Addiction, Alcohol, Medical content, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Toxic relationship

angel6446mc's review

dark emotional 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

The plot of the book was great! It was fairly face paced and you wanted to know what was going to happen next. The ending was a bit lackluster compared to the rest of book. There wasn’t enough for what happened to John. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Blood, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Body horror, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Child death, Kidnapping, Murder, Sexual violence, Death, and Stalking

agapemanning's review

dark emotional sad fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Blood, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Miscarriage, Death, Child death, Rape, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Kidnapping, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders

marasnextread's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Blood, Rape, Confinement, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Self harm, Stalking, Torture, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Drug use, Forced institutionalization, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Gaslighting, Medical content, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Trafficking, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, and Child abuse

katyannreads's review

dark tense fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Rape, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Alcoholism, Abortion, Confinement, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, and Self harm