Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

51 reviews

emmehooks's review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

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

2.5

This book had so much promise and a compelling storyline. However, the writing was too flowery and dramatic for my liking. I found Caroline to be an annoying character and many of the plot devices unrealistic, which took me out of the story. The only reason I did not quit was my interest in the conclusion of the book, which was also a let down. The saving grace was the story between the two 18th-century characters. A story about them alone would be potentially much more interesting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Medical content, and Murder

Moderate: Death of parent and Emotional abuse

Minor: Infertility and Miscarriage

ruthlessreads's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. The premise is interesting but I felt that it was executed poorly. 

The pacing was inconsistent and some parts of the book sped by while others dragged on forever (it seemed). I also didn’t think that any of the side characters were developed well. James was literally just a vessel for the discontent the women of the book are meant to feel toward men and everything that happened to him was a plot device. It didn’t feel organic or interesting or surprisingly in the slightest. There was too much telling and not showing, in general, but I also felt that the descriptions of place were very confusing & made it hard to follow at times. 

Finally, I did like the character Eliza & I was entertained enough to keep reading to find out what happened which is why I gave it 3.5 stars. However, it was disappointing & I wish I’d DNF’d it. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infertility, Emotional abuse, and Murder

Minor: Miscarriage and Infidelity

The men of this novel are all terrible so if you’re triggered by abusive, shitty men, I would avoid this book.

Though they do all get poisoned and/or divorced so it may be cathartic—depends on you!

griffinthief's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Vomit

embersonthehearth's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

2.25

Not great, not awful. Easy to read, but the writing is not the best.
The story develops in two streams: past and present.
The past one is interesting, however it could take place anywhere at anytime. There is nothing that makes it relevant to the place and location.
The present one is just bad. The protagonist is unbearable even though we're supposed to be rooting for her, and the things she goes through are just plain ridiculous. Bored housewife meets Indiana Jones, but if he was a complete idiot.

The worst part is that the concept of the book is, if not unique, very interesting. Pity the story wasn't better developed.

I can see why the book is popular though, it's chick lit (which I actually like). It's easy to read, you want to know what happens next, and the characters are mostly women. For what it is, it's ok. Just don't sell it as an historical mystery.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Murder, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Abortion, Child abuse, Classism, Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, and Medical content

bellebooks's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Nice job in representing the society of the 1700s, as well as a more positive spin on apothecaries as helpful medicine rather than evil spells, as was the custom at the time.  However, I wish there was a little more showing rather than telling; I wanted more imagery and descriptions of emotions rather than being told (e.g. descriptions of hair being pulled back, rummaging through notes with a furrowed brow vs. "Caroline got serious.")  But that's a stylistic choice rather than a story element.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, and Drug use

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Child death, and Blood

Minor: Rape and Sexual assault

readergonewilde's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Medical content, Miscarriage, Murder, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, and Vomit

nehanaomi's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, and Infertility

Moderate: Blood, Abortion, Emotional abuse, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Alcohol, and Child abuse

Minor: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, and Incest

mdelcol's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape, Abortion, and Emotional abuse

m_pines_pnw's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

I rushed to finish this book, and enjoyed every second! Despite switching between time periods and characters, the author keeps the suspense and tension in the air, which I wasn’t expecting out of this book at all. A great read about powerful women, a "good for her" read if there ever was one, perfect for true crime and historical fiction enthusiasts. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Gaslighting and Emotional abuse

nthomas4's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious fast-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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Self harm, Misogyny, and Infidelity