Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin

2 reviews

getlitwithamy_'s review

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Emily Austin does not fail to amaze me!

WE COULD BE RATS is a love letter to suburbia, a tale of siblings meeting in the middle, and an example of how unsafe upbringings can result in suppressing mental health issues. This also involves the crippling reality of drug addiction and suicidal ideations/attempts. 

While she incorporates these deeply serious topics, Austin still manages to add a light, comedic writing style that adds a dark humor aspect to the story. She presents Sigrid as a complex character whose mental health issues get worse, mainly undiagnosed schizophrenia or psychosis. Her continued desire to reflect on her childhood is relatable, especially as a fellow neurodivergent person.

The sibling dynamic was also powerful. While I am only child, I felt touched reading Sigrid and Margit's separate POVs about the past and present. It makes me think of Jandy Nelson's I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN, which is one of my favorite books of all time. Their shared childhood traumas and miscommunications of how they interacted before the events of the book were executed very well.

Thank you to Atria Books for letting me read this in advance! This was such a journey

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief

Minor: Infidelity and Alcohol

devynreadsnovels's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• 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, Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Lesbophobia, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Infidelity, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Abortion, and Abandonment