Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

85 reviews

alyssaroberts13's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Toxic friendship

rileepickle's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad fast-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? Yes

5.0

I love this book! I think it touches on really important subjects (SA, rape, under-age alcohol use, friend dynamics, high school politics, etc.) in ways that is easy for high schoolers to understand without being overbearing or boring.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

ashleyvaleria's review against another edition

challenging emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

very heavy topics but was done very well. didn’t love the writing style but understood it was purposeful as it is from melinda’s point of view and it sounds like a 9th grader wrote it. most writers struggle to perfectly convey this age in their characters but i found myself relating to a lot of what melinda said and how she thinks. definitely look up trigger warnings before reading though. i know this book will stick with me </3

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship

my3bb8's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Self harm

jinx_mars's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Toxic friendship and Alcohol

anthos_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Animal death, Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Self harm

hansenillustrations's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• 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: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Rape

Moderate: Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, Stalking, and Toxic friendship

hannahhicken's review against another edition

emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

kodi_rae's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

My first time rereading this since the first time when I was probably around Melinda’s (the protagonist) age. I remember really liking it then and it’s even more devastating now with time and experience. The claustrophobia of the mind and your own silence. 

While I’d like to think society has grown a bit since Speak was first published, I’m glad it still exists and can maybe provide validation and healing to those who need it. Does anyone else remember the movie with a young Kristen Stewart? Maybe I’ll pay that a visit too. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Gun violence, Sexual violence, Grief, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Rape, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail

mountaingirl806's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

She found justice. I wish I did.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment