Reviews with content warning for Rape - Moja temna Vanessa

Reviews tagging 'Rape'

Moja temna Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

2369 reviews

rain_blackbird's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

Read it with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes, screaming at the book "this is not okay! stop!" No other book ever affected me like this... Approach witch caution but if you feel you are ready - it is a very, very important read
Can't rate it though
but I don't think I'll ever be the same

Content Warnings

nicoledwenger's review against another edition

4.75

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

abbie_louise's review against another edition

5.0

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

amethystbutterfly's review against another edition

4.0

dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

piggie's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I feel like this is a book that everyone should read at least once in their lives. This was so disturbing, tragic, disgusting, and so depressing that I found it hard to put down. I was driven to finish this book by morbid curiosity but also because I pitied the main character so much, I needed to find out what would happen to her at the end for closure. The writing was brilliant, and you can really tell the author thought every single sentence through, adding meaning to descriptions and dialogue (like how the main character constantly notes Strane's facial expressions, thinking if she said something right or wrong, which shows how she's easily influenced by others). This book has a lot of graphic/triggering scenes, but it doesn't feel tasteless or crass because each scene feels necessary. The book has a lot of thoughts on consent, grooming, pedophilia, power dynamics in relationships, trauma, and how victims often do not perceive themselves as victims. I thought the themes were integrated very well; it doesn't spell things out or hit you in the head with messages, and instead leaves room for you to fill in gaps with your own ideas. I'm very glad to have read this book, it kept me nervous (in a good way) and encouraged a lot of deep thinking. However, there are obviously a lot of triggering/traumatizing topics covered, so please read the trigger warnings before reading if you feel uncomfortable with those topics.

Content Warnings