Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

184 reviews

blueyogi's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Murder, Miscarriage, Grief, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Infertility, and Death

Minor: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Sexual harassment, and Violence

taliatalksbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional tense 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? It's complicated

3.75

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner was just as good, if not better, than I expected it to be. I tried not to let all the praise surrounding the book skew my reading experience, but I can now say it was definitely well earned (not to mention how much I LOVE the cover). Historical fiction is not a favorite genre of mine, but I loved the way this story was discovered through researching the past and filling in the pieces. I think this was a really clever framework and it made the women of this story feel as though they were interacting, even if they never could have possibly met. I love a story with a good vigilante character, and this book certainly delivered. If you haven’t had a chance to read this historical fiction gem, definitely add it to your TBR. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Infidelity, Incest, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Murder, Miscarriage, Infertility, Gore, Death, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Classism, Abortion, and Grief

lora_g's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

4.0

I thought The Lost Apothecary was an enchanting and mysterious story with great world-building and relatable characters. We follow the stories of Nella, an apothecary in 1791 whose shop is dedicated to helping women with healing tinctures and poisons to use on the abusive men in their lives; Eliza, an inquisitive and vivacious 12-year-old, who also happens to be Nella's newest customer; and Caroline, a present-day history lover who has embarked on a solo trip to London to process her recent marriage troubles, when she happens upon a fascinating discovery that leads her on a life-changing research project.

I really loved the representation of female friendships throughout this book. The dynamics between Nella and Eliza as well as Caroline and Gaynor were spectacular. I feel like anyone who has ever had a relationship with a toxic and/or dysfunctional man can relate to one of more of the women in this story. Penner does a great job at transporting her reader to an immersive experience in London. Although there were a few parts that I felt were a little repetitive, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a historical fiction with a little bit of fantasy and some great female main characters. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity and Miscarriage

Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Sexual assault

gallexi's review against another edition

adventurous informative mysterious fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Infidelity, Infertility, Domestic abuse, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Blood

anni_swanilda's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Murder, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, Terminal illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, and Grief

Moderate: Medical content and Sexual harassment

Minor: Animal cruelty, Death, Abortion, Animal death, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Death of parent

huntress's review against another edition

dark informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Pedophilia, Suicide attempt, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Miscarriage, Blood, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Murder, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Infidelity, Infertility, Grief, Medical content, Abortion, and Death of parent

lyfeistrip's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• 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

Minor: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Murder, Mental illness, Grief, Emotional abuse, Abortion, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Infertility, Incest, Domestic abuse, Child death, Cancer, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Infidelity, Vomit, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, and Death

a_iocono's review against another edition

hopeful mysterious slow-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? No

2.5

Whole book in 3 words. 

Men are stupid. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Child death, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Suicide

Moderate: Murder and Vomit

sallytiffany's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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? No

5.0

I really enjoyed this. A lot of complex storylines all meeting together in a very satisfying turn of events, the history and storyline was really well done. It was captivating. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Moderate: Drug use, Murder, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Vomit, Gore, and Grief

taryn_g's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Suicide attempt, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Miscarriage, and Infidelity

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Blood, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Child abuse, and Pregnancy