Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

14 reviews

sunray_sunburn's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

4.5

I am ASHAMED to have enjoyed this book as much as I did. I will have to answer for my sins later, but for now I will give you my review of this dark dark dark (did I mention this is very dark) book. 

I will not recommend this book openly to anyone. Please please please know what you are getting into. Read the trigger warnings and then read them again. I have not read anything so graphic in the gore and rape as is in this book. It was not the best writing in the world, but it did scratch an itch - that I am very ashamed to have - and I couldn't put it down (unless I couldn't stomach it anymore for the day). The last 10% is very triggering and you should be of sound mind to get through it. 

The romance/smut aspect of this book: the smut is very good (oh god I really am going to hell). My dear dear cousin summed it up beautifully, "if you have ever had a rape fantasy, then you will like this book." I feel like that is a great warning for the spice in this book. THE GUN SCENE!!! Don't read or listen to this in public because damn, I thought I had a good smut in public poker face but I was proved so wrong. 

Now I have to decide if I will read the next book, not because the story isn't compelling, but because I have to decide if I want to be the person I will be when I am done with it. 

Side note: I will not be discussing any of my feeling about this with anyone who has not read the book since they are my only safe space in this category lol

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Misogyny, Murder, Sexism, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Cannibalism, Sexual harassment, Torture, Violence, Cursing, Alcohol, Drug use, Abandonment, Infidelity, Sexual content, Stalking, Alcoholism, Body horror, Grief, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Slavery, Addiction, Blood, Bullying, Drug abuse, Gore, Car accident, Child death, Classism, Rape, Suicide, Kidnapping, and Medical content

adelesbooks's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Haunting Adeline - H. D. Carlton ⭐⭐⭐

     Before I say anything, I have to URGE you to READ the trigger warnings. I don't have a problem with darker themes in books, but some things in this story made me pause.

     With that said, starting this book in the evening was probably the worst idea I have ever had! I was freaked out from the first chapter, but oddly enough, I couldn't stop reading. As sometimes happens, I pulled an all-nighter and finished it by nine a.m. the next day.

     I had mixed feelings about this novel. On the one hand, I couldn't put it down till I got through the whole book in one sitting. On the other hand, it was a bit much in certain parts. That alone speaks volumes since there isn't much that disturbs me in books.

     I can't outright say I didn't like the characters because I was intrigued. But it is the same as the story. Some of their traits were unsettling.

     One thing I found hard to follow was the subplots. Maybe it was just me, but there was so much going on all the time.

     To summarize all this, I would say it was quite the experience. I don't know how else to put it. I gave Haunting Adeline three stars. Objectively it's a well-written story with an impressive idea.

     AGAIN, CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING!!! Also, be aware there is a big cliffhanger at the end of the book, so read at your own risk.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Cannibalism, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Stalking, Blood, Trafficking, Torture, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Violence, Abandonment, and Sexual assault

betmwelch's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Trafficking, Torture, Slavery, Medical content, Forced institutionalization, Car accident, Sexual assault, Gore, Drug abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Domestic abuse, Death, Abandonment, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Murder, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Body shaming, Rape, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Violence, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Gun violence, Stalking, Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, and Confinement

viol3ntd3light's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.75

 I am in love with this book.

love love love it

There are 2 things stopping it from being a 5 star for me;

1. It makes absolutely no sense that Zade has enough morality to run his vigilante group set on bringing down people that commit sexual assault, and then he literally goes and sexually assaults Addie. The act itself doesn't bother me, I think it just makes him a bit less genuine. The fear element still could have been there without having to force himself on a crying woman..
2. Addie can be so fucking annoying at times. The whole 'oh I hate him, I don't want this but then happily lets him do whatever' got a bit boring after the first time. I wish she was a bit stronger and owned her feelings a bit more.

But those things faded into the background as the book went on. Other than that, I love the issues it raises and the story line and I cannot wait for the next one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence