Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley

64 reviews

tamaramo's review against another edition

dark emotional sad 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Police brutality, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Trafficking

stuffinmybrainhole's review

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Racism, Death of parent, Abandonment, Trafficking, Sexual harassment, Gun violence, Grief, Excrement, Drug use, Child death, Sexual content, Rape, and Misogyny

largeicedtea's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

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

4.0

Writing a review for Leila Mottley's "Nightcrawling" is going to be a real challenge. I have to acknowledge this novel would be a triumph for any artist, let alone one who is so young. You can tell it was written by a poet by the careful crafting of each sentence, the beautiful turns of phrase, the vivid imagery and tenderness toward our protagonist Kiara. Mottley has an ear for language and I think she's going to make even more profound and award-winning work in the future.

That said, this was an absolutely brutal read. I was drawn in by the gorgeous book cover and mysterious one-word title, neither of which clued me in to how heartrending Kiara's story would be. There were times I had to set down the book and close my eyes for a moment's peace. While I understood Mottley's message and knew there could be no happy ending when one teenaged Black girl goes up against the Oakland Police Department, it was still punishing. I do not mean to be flip when I say I'll need to read several upbeat books to cleanse my mind after "Nightcrawling."

I wish this author the best and look forward to seeing what's next for her.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Domestic abuse, Grief, Confinement, Child abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Violence, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Rape, Abandonment, and Drug use

lindsayshae123's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, Suicide, Trafficking, Child abuse, Grief, Self harm, Adult/minor relationship, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

bambooboy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Transphobia, Alcohol, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Police brutality, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Excrement, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Cursing, Death of parent, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Classism, Blood, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, Vomit, Colonisation, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Violence

lukel's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Abandonment, Child death, Sexual content, Classism, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Violence

Moderate: Drug abuse, Terminal illness, Emotional abuse, Blood, Self harm, Gaslighting, Suicide attempt, Grief, and Sexism

Minor: Cancer

cataloguekitty's review against another edition

4.5

This book was hard to read because it’s based on a true story and these things continue to happen to countless people. It’s much easier to try to live in ignorant bliss, but Mottley did a fantastic job compelling you to pay attention. I don’t think I’ll recover from this. 

The writing is lovely and you end up way too attached to the characters so it’s just hurts extra. 

Also the queer representation was very well done. 

Lots of trigger warnings!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Gun violence, Police brutality, Sexual violence, Trafficking, Grief, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Child death, and Abandonment

abiluvr's review against another edition

4.0

I definitely bawled my eyes out and as I’m writing this, my eyes are in fact not dry. I loved the way Mottley was able to express the rawness of these terrible situations. I really enjoyed the exploration of the bonds that Kiara had with people, my favourite was her relationship with Trevor. The emotions- top tier. At the same time, the pacing was a bit off for me so I couldn’t really get into the book properly. The last leg of the book made this a 4 star so read and cry at your risk

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Trafficking, Sexual violence, Grief, Abandonment, Suicide attempt, Child death, and Sexual assault

hanelisil's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

🥺 Heart-wrenching and brilliantly written. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Violence, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Self harm, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Death, Gaslighting, Police brutality, Sexual content, and Trafficking

moiracampbell23's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Trafficking, Child death, Grief, Cancer, Child abuse, Police brutality, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Addiction, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Abandonment, Racism, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Cursing, Blood, Bullying, and Drug abuse