Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin

59 reviews

randeerebecca's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

This touches on a lot of hard things, especially about being a lesbian in a small conservative community and the significant impact that has on a person’s well-being. I related to some of it and the stuff I didn’t relate to directly was written so that it was easy to empathize.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Cancer, Homophobia, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Lesbophobia

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.

---

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. 

---

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

nburkk's review against another edition

emotional funny sad medium-paced

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

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Abortion, and Alcohol

deviouslyliza's review

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Xenophobia, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol

xjhardingx's review against another edition

dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction and Suicide

dogoodwithbooks's review

dark emotional reflective fast-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

5.0

Unconventional in form and structure, We Could Be Rats takes awhile to fully understand, but once you do, this might be her best work yet. Mixing the angst that comes with coming-of-age, grieving for the loss of childhood, and reuniting sisterhood bonds, We Could Be Rats is the kind of book that will stay with you after closing the last page. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, and Toxic relationship

itsjustkatereading's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

A brilliantly funny and wonderfully moving story of mental health, sisterhood and coming-of-age. I love Emily Austin’s writing so very very much.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Suicide attempt

pearicareads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Rape, and Sexual assault

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

---

Content Warnings

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

Minor: Death, Homophobia, Racism, and Xenophobia