Reviews tagging 'Sexual violence'

Cilka's Journey by Heather Morris

30 reviews

junoxx's review against another edition

dark sad fast-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Death, Rape, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Antisemitism, Xenophobia, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Suicide attempt, Physical abuse, and Pregnancy

mightyfrenchbookworm's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

2.75

Je me sentirais mal de dénigrer un roman FICTIF inspiré d'un personnage réel sur le terrible vécu des gens ayant été emprisonnés dans les gulags. La trame de fond était intéressante. Ceci dit, l'écriture de l'autrice était très mid. En écriture on entend souvent parler de "show, don't tell". À mon avis, l'autrice, bien qu'elle ait parlé de désespoir, n'a pas su me faire ressentir ce désespoir dans ses écrits. Certains éléments étaient "garochés" et aurait pu être nettement mieux développés. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Medical content, Rape, Blood, Deportation, Genocide, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Murder, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

Minor: Infertility

lottie1803's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense

• 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? No

5.0

Ranking based on interpretation of events as mostly fiction. This is a very hard book to rate and review, based on both the harrowing historical content and the personal feelings of those connected to the real individual. Still, a very compelling and powerful story that does highlight the under-appreciated experiences of sexual violence in genocide. I found the writing style and characters a significant improvement on the first book. Cecilia does suffer from a bit of Main Character Syndrome, but in the context of her world and trauma, it’s understandable. The stories are linked, but not completely necessary to read them together. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Child death, Confinement, Death, Deportation, Drug abuse, Slavery, Violence, War, Antisemitism, Body horror, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Grief, Medical content, Forced institutionalization, Genocide, Gore, Murder, Sexual harassment, Torture, Bullying, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Rape, and Sexual violence

condimentsqueen's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, War, Torture, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

julieaimebienlire's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Genocide, Murder, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Deportation, Sexual assault, Death, Medical content, Pandemic/Epidemic, Self harm, Sexual violence, Antisemitism, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Hate crime, Suicide attempt, and Torture

abbyarm's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Death, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, War, and Torture

teigancollins's review

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Antisemitism, Confinement, Death, Genocide, War, Slavery, and Torture

mia_stewart's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.75

I think things went a bit too well for Cilka, I’m not saying she had to constantly face heartache after heartache, but I think it would’ve felt a bit more believable if things didn’t really go her way.

I wish there was a bit more emphasis placed on the various relationships that Cilka had. E.g., her and Elena becoming friends, like when did that happen? I get she helped her out here and there, but it wasn’t really shown just told. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, and War

Moderate: Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault

emlay_'s review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Deportation, Forced institutionalization, and Medical content

Moderate: Miscarriage, Death, and Rape

Minor: Violence and Sexual violence

lidiae's review against another edition

Started this for a book club (not my choice to pick this book), and I knew a little bit about the problematic nature of this author and her books. But I learned a lot more when I researched it and I couldn’t continue reading. I’d recommend anyone who has this book on their tbr look into the statements from the families of Cilka and Lebi, and from the Auschwitz Memorial Research Centre.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Murder, Violence, Genocide, Antisemitism, and Sexual violence