Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

55 reviews

jkohls's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.75

I think this was a very easy read. I found the book grabbed my interest very early. I sometimes struggle with the flashback books but I got into the grove with this one quickly.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Murder, Grief, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Chronic illness, Incest, Infidelity, Child abuse, Violence, Child death, Medical content, Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Rape

sea_tea_books's review

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious tense

5.0

I could not put this down. Ironically, the author wrote of one of the main characters, "she wasn't a witch, and this wasn't Harry Potter," but I disagree. According to the author, this story was about "embracing magic" (or "magick" as spelled in ye olde times). There were whisperings of a hidden, magical world—similar to the wizarding world with Snape's potions class, as well as the more shadowy realm of Dark Arts, Knockturn Alley, and Borgin and Burke's. And that is precisely what drew me into this story and kept me captivated.

All that aside, this story had a mystery that slowly unraveled between past and present perspectives. Loved the twist at the end! I've already reserved the author's next story from my library/Libby. 

5 ⭐

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, and Death of parent

Moderate: Mental illness, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Infertility, and Abortion

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, and Child abuse

taylortome's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.5

A lovely little story about an apothecary turned deadly and it’s *downfall*. This story is more than what it seems. It is a journey for all characters as they discover themselves and their truths. It is written with multiple POV throughout different timelines. It is cohesive and concise and comes together well in the end. I did find it difficult to identify with and love the characters, though I understood the meaning of taking one’s own journey to discover themselves and what they truly find fulfilling in their lives. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity and Miscarriage

Minor: Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Misogyny, Blood, Child death, Domestic abuse, Medical trauma, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship

taryn_g's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Suicide attempt, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Miscarriage, and Infidelity

Moderate: Sexual harassment, Blood, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Child abuse, and Pregnancy

kelisabeth's review against another edition

adventurous emotional fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Alcohol, Classism, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Miscarriage, Murder, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

annniina98's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Death of parent

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

emilywemily6's review

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

I loved this book! It was an awesome blend of historical fiction mixed with a modern day timeline. I loved how the two timelines paralleled each other, and I love the sense of mystery throughout the book, even at the end with a few questions left unanswered. I really enjoyed Caroline’s character development, though I wish the author would have flushed out the process a little bit more because it was such a big change for Caroline but took place over just a couple days. I am so excited to read more from this author!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Miscarriage and Death

Minor: Blood and Child abuse

m_moon's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Murder, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, and Suicide attempt

stacy_es's review against another edition

adventurous informative mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Murder, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Child abuse, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Medical content, Blood, and Suicide attempt

robotmermaid's review

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse

Moderate: Pedophilia