Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

Waif by Samantha Kolesnik

3 reviews

alegretto's review

dark emotional medium-paced

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

3.5

The story had a strong start of a toxic relationship that was veering into body horror- which, as a fan of the topic, was the whole reason I picked up the book. However, the last third or so of the novel steers in a completely different direction, ultimately leaving me dissatisfied. I think my issue on that front was how quick and neatly and perfect things all worked out.

The pacing was a problem for me. I know one can only put so much in 100 pages, but I feel some of the scenes and transitions would have been helped if the story had more room to breathe and make them more natural. As it stands, I felt as if I got some whiplash.

The writing and prose itself was lovely, but the pacing and complete change of almost everything in terms of tone and (to a lesser extent) themes ultimately left me a bit disappointed.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Biphobia, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Body horror

Minor: Child abuse

quills4days's review

dark fast-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Gore, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Child abuse

beesbookss's review

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Death, Medical trauma, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Trafficking, Medical content, Alcohol, Drug use, Gaslighting, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Torture, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual assault, Slavery, Stalking, and Biphobia