Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

31 reviews

momoclouds's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

Moderate: Emotional abuse

pershie13's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective tense 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

5.0

It took me a long time to finally finish this book while completing my last semester of undergrad, but this book turned out fantastic! The book follows the story of violinist Ray McMillan, who received no formal training on his instrument until he reached college. Mentored by his violin professor Dr. Janice Stevens, Ray becomes one of the best at his craft. Along with following his journey as a violinist, the story also places an emphasis on the instrument he plays, a Stradivarius violin passed down to him by his grandmother. The story turns into a sort of mystery/thriller as we find out in the opening pages that this violin has been stolen and requires a multi-million dollar ransom for its return. This story covers many of the issues that Black people often face in the field of classical music, as well as the themes of hard work, family, and mentorship. The story definitely took unexpected turns, and I questioned to the very end what was going to happen to Ray, his violin, and his musical career. The book was fantastic, and I enjoyed every twist and turn!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Racial slurs, Gore, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Slavery, and Torture

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Police brutality, Hate crime, and Cursing

Minor: Classism, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual content, and Grief

mgraceoliver's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious 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? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, and Slavery

Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Classism, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying

keppers_jax's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

I must not have read much about this book prior to reading (listening to) it. I wasn't prepared for the gut-wrenching stories of racism the main character faces. I found myself outraged and angry that these things still happen in our world. I found myself wondering if at least some of the occurrences in the book were based on real-life experience. The Author's Note at the end answered that question for me. 

As a white woman, raised in the American south, I know I can't fully understand what non-white people must endure due to people's ignorance, stupidity, hatred, idiocy, etc. I am thankful that authors like Brendan Slocumb write novels like The Violin Conspiracy to help me understand, so I can do better and help others do better. 

P.S. JD Jackson can narrate any audiobook ever. Love his voice and narration skills!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Racial slurs, and Slavery

narbine's review against another edition

adventurous informative mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

in the audiobook they would have an orchestra play a bit in between sections which was cool 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Death, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Xenophobia, Racism, and Slavery

tome's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense 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

4.75

It is truly rare that one finds a book that floors the reader. In spite of that, this review is being written lying on my apartment floor. Riveting from start to finish, what was meant to be a light hour of afternoon reading became the whole afternoon to finish the novel. Slocumb masterfully weaves the plot together, easily transitioning between past struggles, current anguish, and the ever looming worries of the Tchaikovsky competition. Even between the deeply emotional aspects of Ray's journey, details about the mystery are well interspersed throughout the novel, though the ending reveal still shocked me. This was truly an amazing read that I cannot recommend enough.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Death, Grief, Racial slurs, and Slavery

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

copiani's review

emotional inspiring mysterious 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Slavery, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, and Grief

Minor: Cancer and Dementia

rebeccarudisill's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

Ray is the absolute heart of this book. His genuine love for music and his soul level goodness made me love him from page one. He approaches everything and everyone from a place of genuine kindness, and his love for his grandmother was truly touching. The story is fantastic and keeps you engaged until the end. I am so thankful for the opportunity to know Ray and to know the pieces of Brendan Slocumb himself that were woven into this sorry. Also, on behalf of Baton Rouge, I am truly sorry for the way our people treated you. It was wrong, and we will do better. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Gaslighting, Murder, Torture, Emotional abuse, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism

There are many moments when the main character encounters racism and racist people. All incidents - big and small - are horrible. ***But most vivid is a flashback scene that describes Ray’s great-great-grandfather’s experience as an enslaved person. IT IS VERY DETAILED AND VERY HORRIFYING. HSP’s and all others be warned. It is necessary for the plot, but it is hard***

jpitts's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Racial slurs, and Racism

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death, and Violence

andloveistoolong's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Classism, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, and Torture

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Grief, Alcohol, Cancer, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Child abuse

Minor: Cultural appropriation and Deportation