Reviews tagging 'Drug use'

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

66 reviews

sunbutterlover's review

dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

wow wow wow. just wow. never thought I would find a book that I like as much as my favorite book but this is now up there. highly recommend for everybody to check this one out 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Body shaming, Alcohol, Blood, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual harassment, and Sexual content

lizziaha's review against another edition

3.75

This book is no plot, just vibes. And the vibes are good—I love Emezi’s writing style—but I was a bit confused at times. I couldn’t wrap my head around all of it. I didn’t know whether to read it literally or as a metaphor. I would highly recommend reading the author’s note at the end, though. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, and Mental illness

Moderate: Drug use, Child abuse, Death, Transphobia, Infidelity, Homophobia, Alcohol, Grief, and Outing

Minor: Religious bigotry

cecilialau_'s review

4.0

This was my first Akwaeke Emezi book. It has only confirmed with absolute certainty that I want to read more by them.
Wow, what an original and interesting story while also being heartbreaking and relatable in how specific and triggering experiences that happen TO us can change our trajectory and personality. (How protecting the self can look and feel).

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Self harm, Alcohol, Physical abuse, and Abandonment

audaudaud's review

dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Blood, Drug use, Dysphoria, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual violence, and Sexual assault

tbhwhoknows's review against another edition

challenging tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

definitely a heavier read than expected. started off a bit slow, took some time to get used to the settings and the style. the middle third is packed with trauma and deterioration which was quite hard to read. had to really take a few breaks in between. but overall the character building was amazing and they felt very very real. super well written. the writing is hauntingly beautiful. did it make me cry? yes. 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

---

Content Warnings

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

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

---

Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Blood, Body shaming, and Drug use

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

bedtimesnack's review

dark reflective 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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Sexual assault, Self harm, and Rape

Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief, Eating disorder, Car accident, Adult/minor relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Incest, Lesbophobia, and Blood

Minor: Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Drug use

terryloks's review

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment

iaeke's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad 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

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness

Moderate: Drug use

heartsbyzak's review

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Dysphoria, Drug use, Self harm, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Car accident, Child death, Sexual content, Rape, and Blood