Reviews tagging 'Religious bigotry'

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison

19 reviews

rachaelwho's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

3.0

Repetitive. Pacing issues. Didn't quite make sense. Protagonist is characterized as tough and difficult, but there's really no evidence of her being outwardly hostile (though she is often judgy, resentful and sullen internally) or fighting what she's supposed to do at pretty much any turn, other than leaving the faith and

dressing inappropriately at her cousin's wedding to passive-agressively outshine her (but even then, she pulls her punches and brings a cardigan to cover up)

. If this is supposed to be happening (a la being a lamb)... It's not particularly impactful or clear bc it's not consistent; she's constantly described as being a massive bitch who doesn't think about others' feelings or expectations, but she almost never acts out

until the final conflict

. CW for

cults and religious abuse

, which I didn't see available in the section for that.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Animal death, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Blood, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Violence

alisacress's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, Blood, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Sexual content, Animal cruelty, and Animal death

mamareads321's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It truly confused me

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry and Violence

baileycowen's review

challenging dark mysterious fast-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? It's complicated

4.5

Oh my gosh I have a LOT of thoughts about this book. The no spoilers version: just wow. The pacing, the storytelling, the characters, the sub narratives and the way the story offers critique of current culture while keeping you entirely engaged? Amazing. 
I’m not normally a person who is super into cult stuff, and I went into this book completely blind (which k HIGHLY recommend). Every time I thought I knew where it was going it changed direction. So well done.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

Moderate: Animal death, Religious bigotry, Death, and Gaslighting

mandi_lea's review against another edition

dark funny reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Sexual harassment, Religious bigotry, Animal death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Sexual content, Grief, Cannibalism, Toxic friendship, Gore, Animal cruelty, and Fire/Fire injury

karen_lo's review

dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

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

4.5

4.5 stars

Loved the story, the concept, and the protagonist who was so resilient despite all the things she goes through. 
I wish it was a bit longer cause I wanted to know more about certain characters, but overall was the perfect read for this spooky season!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

Moderate: Blood, Animal death, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, Torture, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Murder

Minor: Sexual harassment

starrysteph's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

A clever piece of comedic horror that takes complicated family dynamics to a whole new level.

Vesper left her isolated religious community at eighteen and is stumbling her way through adulthood a handful of years later, waitressing at chain restaurants and keeping everyone at a distance. But when she mysteriously receives an invitation to the wedding of her cousin & closest friend, she journeys home. Back to her callous film star mother, her crisis of faith, and the people she thought she would never see again. 

But as family secrets come to life, Vesper realizes she’ll have to face her community … and the truth of her upbringing.

I loved witnessing Vesper’s fight for independence, especially as more and more of her past memories are revealed. She’s cynical, sarcastic, and callous, but I found her likable and relatable. Her internal struggle is compelling, as she contemplates nature versus nurture and who she is outside of the bounds of family.

I do think the pacing was a bit off at times (too slow at the start - and too rushed in the second segment), and I would have loved more time exploring the family dynamics and getting to know the supporting characters. Constance (Vesper’s mom) in particular had a very choppy arc and I wanted to dig deeper there. 

It’s more dark humor than horror, though there are some supernatural elements (and a bit of gore) towards the final segments. Overall though, the tone is playfully sinister and it never takes itself too seriously. I really enjoy Rachel Harrison’s writing style - super easy to read and sarcastically delightful. 

CW: murder, animal death, blood, gaslighting, injury, gore, emotional abuse, fire, cannibalism, body horror, torture, grief, religious bigotry, abandonment, sexual harassment

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(I received a free copy of this book; this is my honest review.)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Blood, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Murder, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Torture, Grief, Abandonment, Cannibalism, and Sexual harassment

rhiannonafternoon's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Gore, Violence, and Animal death

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury

nonfictionfeminist's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

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

3.75

While the book takes its time to build to the climax, it still managed to be bingeable. Another solid bite of storytelling from Harrison. While YouI could see the twist coming with my eyes closed, it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Cannibalism, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, and Animal death