Reviews tagging 'Bullying'

Mercy by Ian Haramaki

4 reviews

keioyana's review

dark emotional reflective tense slow-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

4.25

* Stuck between a 4.25-4.5 star rating if I'm being honest !!

This was such an interesting experience! I would say that there are a lot of topics touched upon in this book that would be triggering to others -

Heavy descriptions of abuse from a heavily intoxicated mother, collective homophobia in a conservative community, corruption in religious organisations, etc, etc.

The writing is not too wordy or dense for it taking place in a more fantastical setting. I will say that the usage of modern lingo did throw me for a loop for a story that takes place in the 1920s, but I was alright with letting it slide under the guise of it being in a fantasy world far unlike our own. Who knows, maybe they're just more advanced in terms of language? Lol. 

Ilya and Danya's relationship was so... Domestic. They're so soft with one another that they just grew on me. I think that their contrasting personalities fit well together. I loved how much they showed care for one another, how their relationship blossomed as the story progressed... I think it's just so well-crafted. 

All in all, great read. It got me out of a depressive reading slump!! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Child abuse, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Death of parent

rayneelee's review

dark lighthearted medium-paced

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

1.5

Interesting concept- poor execution. The characterizations of the two main lead felt inconsistent and all over the place. The dialogue felt too modern and conflicted with the setting, which was underdeveloped and confusing. The main plot doesn’t really start until around 70% of the way through the book. Way too much telling instead of showing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Violence, Homophobia, Bullying, Physical abuse, and Infidelity

Minor: Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Suicidal thoughts

celestepaed's review

emotional lighthearted 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

3.25

This book is for people who wanted a version of Priest by Sierra Simone that doesn’t make them feel icky about religion or sex. The love between the two main characters is just so pure even if the things they get up to aren’t. The cyclical, anxiety thoughts of the main narrator are authentic and the undoing of said thoughts by the love interest felt natural and earned.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Violence

Moderate: Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Blood, Homophobia, Grief, and Kidnapping

maximauve's review

emotional medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, and Bullying