Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

OCDaniel by Wesley King

16 reviews

sprucewillow's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

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

4.0

Funny and entertaining book, even listening to it as an adult (this book is labeled as middle-grade).  

I was expecting more of a focus on Daniel's OCD but the way everything panned out felt very natural and accurate. I don't have OCD but I do have an anxiety disorder and the way Daniel narrates his issues ("the great space", "zaps", not wanting to seem crazy and unlovable to his family, etc.) hit hard for me. I described myself and some of my Things in a similar manner, ha.

The plot with Sarah was really confusing. I believed it was a sub-plot until it became the main focus. I felt that took away from what the story was being set up to be... what exactly, I'm not sure, it never came to fruition! Exposition could have been set up to better support Sarah's arc and her purpose in the story without feeling like she was shoved in 1/4 of the way in and taking over the spotlight.

And I will say... this is one of the only books I've read recently with a teen male protagonist that addresses romantic attraction in a non cringey or overly sexual way. Very refreshing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, and Mental illness

Detailed incidences of panic attacks

daniellekat's review against another edition

I’m really not a fan of the narrator’s voice. Also the focus (so far) on the characters getting dates/relationships is weird and cringey. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Bullying

jameyer1216's review

challenging dark emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Mental illness

itslil_iguess's review

adventurous emotional funny inspiring sad fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Suicide, Drug use, and Drug abuse

greenlivingaudioworm's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional informative mysterious reflective 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: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Death of parent, and Grief

missrosymaplemoth's review

4.0

The first book I’ve read that explicitly deals with OCD. I found Daniel’s symptoms and rituals relatable and would have loved this at a younger age. Daniel’s characterization and inner voice were clunky at times, as was the writing in general, but nothing that would keep me from rereading or recommending. I found the Sara storyline interesting and comparable to The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Bullying, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Suicide, Abandonment, and Ableism

eaeaster's review against another edition

inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

the_true_monroe's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Oh my gosh, I had no idea what to expect from this. Honestly, I avoided it for a bit since when I put books on my to read list that I know focus on something very personal to me that is often misunderstood, I fear they will be cliche and cheesy. Even like in this case, when the author writes from lived experience I still kind of expect it- as a defense mechanism I guess. 

But the book provided amazing depictions of OCD and other mental illnesses, and it did not sugar-code anything. This would be impressive for any book, let alone a middle-grade novel. 

I listened to the audiobook in one day and it had me feeling so many emotions. It was funny, mysterious, adventurous, heartwarming, fun, informative, but also was dark and sad. 

I was amazed how the book had so much going on beyond Daniel’s OCD- including a full on, epic, criminal investigation?! 

I have experienced OCD for as long as I could remember and I got chills realizing that there is a book with a kid as a main character whose variety of symptoms were so much like mine as a child/ early teenager.

Added it straight to my favorites list. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Death of parent

Moderate: Infidelity, Suicide, Alcoholism, Addiction, Bullying, Ableism, and Gaslighting

Minor: Gun violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Emotional abuse, Murder, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts

elizabethbooks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Bullying, and Death of parent

tays_books's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Alcohol, Suicide, Ableism, and Murder

Minor: Abandonment and Drug abuse