Reviews tagging 'Incest'

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

48 reviews

caitlynleahy's review against another edition

emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, Incest, Infertility, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Abortion, and Pregnancy

bria528's review against another edition

emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest and Rape

maddiie046's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Incest, and Rape

camdelo96's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Death, Forced institutionalization, and Pregnancy

aheinicke27's review

dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Incest and Rape

katieritoch's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Homophobia, Suicide, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Incest and Rape

thesaltybrunette's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest and Rape

paperknotbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective tense 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

2.75

The story and characters are engaging, but they felt lifeless and cliche. Some characters, such as the Pastor and Essie’s mom, had personas which never fully developed. I never understood their motives, or those of Liberty Bell. 

I like where the story ended up, but it was expected. There are too many gimmicky tropes plopped into the storyline, it is forced into with a predictable evolution. Too many “unseen” activities made my suspension of disbelief difficult.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy

Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Incest

Minor: Body shaming, Gun violence, Suicide, Gaslighting, and Classism

Cult activity is heavy theme in this book

jackieyvette's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-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? Yes

3.0

I liked this book for the most part, but the ending was so lackluster. I usually like when books have multiple narrators, but in this case I think it took away from the story. If the book had been from Essie’s perspective alone I think it would have been stronger. I did semi-enjoy Roarke and Liberty’s stories, but I just think it was too filler for the book to be great. 
Also the ending is just super anticipated. I would have liked to see the aftermath of the decision Essie made, but the author just decided to wrap everything in a big bow instead of actually trying to make these characters and this situation come to life. 

Crying score: I mean, who wouldn’t cry a little for Essie. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Genocide, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy

kwurtzel3's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Child abuse, Gun violence, Rape, and Sexual assault