Reviews tagging 'Death'

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin

23 reviews

slimejules's review

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad

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

5.0

absolutely LOVED this one. the storytelling felt original, the characters were fleshed out perfectly. i think emily austin's character studies are meant to feel like punches to the gut, and this one got me even moreso than her last two. sigrid spoke to me so deeply and i will carry her with me for a long time. i wish we could be rats.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Cancer and Medical content

chelsbels's review against another edition

dark emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin

Is Rat-tling good! 

The first time I read Austin was because their debut novel had a rabbit on the cover. I read that in nearly 1 sitting! Then I read their work of poetry and now I'm just hooked. Austin may in fact be my favourite author! 

In their latest novel, we follow two sisters as we creep closer to the truth and understanding of their lives, relationship, and family. Austin is a master of foreshadowing, and this take on the epistolary/ diary entry style they have created for We Could Be Rats is prodigious! 

There’s almost nothing I could write that would not in turn give this novel’s incredible journey away. Except to say it reminded me very much of Catcher in the Rye with the teenage angst or dislike of being an adult and no longer having the innocence of a child. And it’s about suicide. The majority of the book is a suicide note. 

It’s not a dreary novel, instead it’s almost like (excuse the comparison) a murder-mystery novel. You want to know what the truth is, why is this minor character even written, why are there lies, who’s voice is it, are we waiting for it all to make sense, is it supposed to… It’s also hilariously gripping and oddly satisfying.  As you try to solve it all. 

This novel is for anyone who enjoys contemporary fiction. Read with care as much deals with death and abuse. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia

Minor: Sexual assault, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia

disguisedposer's review

dark funny hopeful fast-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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Biphobia, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

gdouvos's review

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Rape, and Suicide

Minor: Death, Homophobia, Racism, and Xenophobia

mmecade's review

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, and Domestic abuse

lila134340's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Suicide attempt

littlelizzieborden's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, and Vomit

kittysgotsoul's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Sexual assault

Minor: Addiction, Death, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Lesbophobia

hue's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Complicated, sad, something to reflect on. It was however more of s rambly "thinking out loud" kinda story than what I initially thought as the description mentioned it being a story about sisters.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, and Suicide attempt

laura_berger's review

dark emotional reflective sad 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Lesbophobia