Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

124 reviews

charmaine_'s review against another edition

challenging tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

heavier read than expected. started off a bit slow, took some time to get used to the settings and the style. middle third is packed with trauma and deterioration which was quite hard to read. had to take a few breaks in between. overall the character building was amazing and they felt very very real. super well written. the writing is hauntingly beautiful. did i cry? yes obviously . like how do you read lines like “it was as if staying alive just gave everyone else time to leave you” and not scream cry throw up how do you read i turn loneliness inside out and wear it like a glove and not have your heart break a little how do you

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug use, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment

thekissballad's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

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

3.0

This was a hard one to get through, and not just because of the content. For which I'll say, do your research and read any warnings before diving in.

I did enjoy reading all of the personalities' perspectives and seeing how they help and/or hinder. However, in doing so, there was no clear timeline. The story jumped all around, and with it brought an excessive amount of repetitiveness.

The graphic and/or vulgar scenes were also not to my liking, and there were many. Had I done the research I suggested any future readers do, I probably would not have chosen to read this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail

cocorose's review against another edition

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Dysphoria

Moderate: Body shaming, Drug use, and Blood

Minor: Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Injury/Injury detail

lessoles's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Abandonment

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Alcohol

Minor: Eating disorder

sundayfever's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-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

4.5

A tough but enjoyable read about trauma, spirituality and mythology. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail

directorpurry's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Transphobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Alcohol

Minor: Infidelity

waybeyondblue's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Dysphoria

Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Death, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail

finkbillie's review against another edition

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

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

5.0

This book to me is about acceptance of the many selves contained in one; identity. I like the magical elements permeating the story as well as the poetry in which the whole thing was woven. I really enjoyed even when at times it made me rolled my eyes.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, and War

drapetomaniac's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual violence

greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Grief, and Suicide attempt