Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir

26 reviews

bindi12's review against another edition

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

While dealing with heavy, difficult topics, this is ultimately a story of resiliency and hope. Essie has a strong sense of self independent of the controlling, harmful environment in which she was raised. The ending is hopeful without being unrealistic.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Incest, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Pregnancy

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, and Abortion

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

---

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

morghanmae's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault

ryleej13's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Incest, Rape, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Suicide

ispeakpurple's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Misogyny

Minor: Abortion and Murder

Essie's baby is

the result of years of rape at the hands of her older brother.

momadvice's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.25

This backlist book has been on my reading bucket list for years, and it appears partially inspired by the Duggar family's rise and fall within the public eye.

Essie is a seventeen-year-old daughter of an evangelical preacher and is now grappling with a secret pregnancy that threatens to unravel their TV world.

To control the narrative, the family agrees to quickly marry Essie to pass the pregnancy off as a product of their union. As another family is desperately strapped for cash and wants their son to further his education, this large sum is pivotal to their livelihood.

As the readers uncover the mystery behind this pregnancy, they grapple with how reality TV and a seemingly perfect family can harbor such dark secrets. As Essie isn't the only one hiding a few secrets, I can promise a few reveals from her betrothed.

While it wasn't my favorite of the month, readers who love a behind-the-scenes experience with a reality TV show in their literature will find this a great addition. Pair it with the memoir Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar for a perfect book pairing. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault

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

---

Content Warnings

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

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. 

---

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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Incest and Religious bigotry

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

lollierey's review against another edition

emotional fast-paced

4.0

“Other people’s problems can do that, I guess. They don’t make anything better, but at least they provide a distraction.” 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault