Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin

73 reviews

noble_editorial's review

dark emotional funny reflective medium-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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Lesbophobia

zoopalsfanaccount's review

emotional funny reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

reeeeeally enjoyed this one

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, 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.

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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

karina_dreamsinwords's review

dark emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

What seemed to be a very surface level book at first actually turned out to be a pretty heavy multilayered story about identity and the complexities of growing up. 

The first chunk of the story features an epistolary format of many suicide notes written by one of the sisters this book follows, Sigrid. We get to understand the chaos within her brain, her story of self and why she decides to follow through. 

Then we switch perspectives and get personal with her sister, Margit. She grapples with the aftermath of Sigrid’s choice and how that affects someone’s everyday life. 

I don’t want to say too much because it’s a shorter read but the twist in here caught me off guard and shocked me more than recent thrillers I’ve read. 

Overall I thought this quirky and dark (but light in tone) novel was a pleasant surprise that had me relating to some of the things discussed. I had a few existential moments as a result but that speaks to the authors talents. I will definitely be picking up more from Austin in the future!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault

Minor: Drug abuse and Lesbophobia

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

rylaneli's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

I loved this - I’ve enjoyed Emily Austin’s previous two novels but this is a clear favourite. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Drug abuse

Minor: Ableism, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Violence, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

julalbert56's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-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? Yes

4.5

This read like a well-organized and reflective stream of consciousness. I could relate to so many of the scenarios related in this book. I also loved how it was segmented— the halfway point plot twist threw me for a loop.

I really enjoyed that we first got to see Marg’s point of view on Sigrid’s psyche, then a look into Marg’s psyche itself, and finally the “truth” with Sigrid’s POV finishing the novel. It highlighted how intertwined the sisters are and how our loved ones deal with mental illness

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

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

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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

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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