Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion by Bushra Rehman

20 reviews

thissagreads's review

challenging emotional tense slow-paced

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

3.0

This novel was bittersweet. I loved and appreciated getting an inside look at the Muslim culture and religion in the 80’s. It was especially nice reading the journey and development of the main character, as she came into her own. But I found myself frustrated with the main character’s mother and cultural stifling the main character was experiencing. I wish there were less stories about her childhood and more more story as a teen, into adulthood. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Religious bigotry

Minor: Sexual assault, Violence, and Racism

spec_tacles's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Racism, Religious bigotry, Islamophobia, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, and Outing

Moderate: Animal death and Animal cruelty

Minor: Racial slurs, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity

wynnie's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Islamophobia

Moderate: Lesbophobia, Child abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, and Xenophobia

Minor: Animal cruelty, Death, Outing, Sexism, Bullying, Vomit, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Incest, Hate crime, Pedophilia, and Animal death

gossamerchild's review against another edition

dark emotional funny 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

3.0

4 stars for writing, 2 stars for enjoyment.  I think I just don't enjoy reading lit fic. It's mostly depressing, and this book was no exception. Don't get me wrong, it's extremely well-written and I could feel Razia's struggles. I guess stylistically my only complaint was the ending, which felt...unfulfilling. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Moderate: Racism, Homophobia, and Sexism

sahanasri's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-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

4.0

This book is set in Queens, NYC in the 80’s, and really made me feel like I was transported back in time. The story moves somewhat slowly, but I found myself still interested because of how fully realized and detailed the writing style is. The voice of the narrator feels strong (and appropriate for her youth without feeling childish) and the atmosphere really feels so specific and accurate to growing up feeling loved but also trapped by your community. I do wish the pacing was a bit more even, as the story really picks up at the very end, but I did appreciate how no small detail from throughout the story was forgotten or wasted. The main character, Razia, is definitely complex and at times a little tough to relate to, but her varying relationships with other women throughout her life really are the heart of the book. I could definitely relate to Razia’s complex struggles with queerness and her family, and I enjoyed seeing her growth through the book - although I really wish there was a little more because I’m so curious as to what she does next! I would also love to understand the motif of roses throughout the book as well - but overall its descriptions are succinct and amazing. I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Last Night at the Telegraph Club. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Homophobia

ukponge's review against another edition

challenging reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Domestic abuse, Islamophobia, and Misogyny

indielitttttt's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Domestic abuse, Animal death, and Islamophobia

Minor: Sexual harassment

tfarfan's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Islamophobia, Homophobia, Sexism, and Misogyny

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Lesbophobia, Outing, Classism, Pedophilia, and Racism

carareadsthebooks's review

challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Lesbophobia, Racial slurs, Animal cruelty, and Violence

Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Body shaming, Hate crime, Islamophobia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Outing, Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Religious bigotry, and Sexism

amobrien's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.

A beautifully written coming-of-age story about the intersection of identity taking place in the '80s, Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion is absolutely a book to look forward to (publication date December 6, 2022). 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia and Domestic abuse

Minor: Violence, Lesbophobia, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Death, and Outing