Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

4 reviews

ayoderable's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The writing wasn't excellent and the characters weren't totally fleshed out, but there is enough charm and intrigue in the story to keep you reading. I liked the contrasts of different castes of Christian fundamentalism and all the ways it harms marginalized groups, even when it is well meaning. The book emphasized specifically that abusers do not seem like abusers all of the time- sometimes they appear normal, sometimes they are nice. It is especially harrowing how powerless children truly are to abuse by those in their circle- and this book shines a light on that

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Murder, and Pregnancy

Minor: Animal cruelty, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Racism, Forced institutionalization, Abortion, and Alcohol

kimveach's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this story about a young woman who uses an unexpected pregnancy and marriage to leave her reality-show family.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Pregnancy, Outing, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Classism

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

otherworlds's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Vomit, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Torture, and Excrement

Minor: Alcoholism