Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton

30 reviews

mcft37's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring 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

5.0

Really. Wow.

This book was simply stunning.  I adored the fantastical elements of magical realism woven throughout the story. Each character was richly developed. A beautifully written ode to love. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Death, and Sexual violence

julia_kathleen's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? It's complicated

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Violence, Rape, Animal death, Xenophobia, Grief, Sexual violence, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Eating disorder

megdconway's review against another edition

medium-paced

3.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Pregnancy and Religious bigotry

Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, War, and Toxic relationship

zaczytanaati's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring reflective 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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Rape

wright_rendon_reads's review against another edition

emotional 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

5.0

The best way I can describe this book is it has "Big Fish" (the movie) vibes. 

Characters: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
All the main characters were pretty easy to like and all went through major changes, challenges, and development. Even side characters were fully fleshed out and had some of their own independent story. 

World Building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book is Magical Realism so it's set in our world but with a little touch of magic. I wish there was a little explanation on how this family became enchanted but other than that it felt well researched and anchored in our world. 

Plot and Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I read this book in like 3 sittings. It was a really easy read. I don't usually like fiction books that kind of just talk about daily or realistic life. But I was so invested in the characters and the writing flowed so well. 

Themes: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The theme of this book centers around love in all its forms (good and bad) from infatuation, obsession, lust, passion, motherly, sibling, friends, young love, loss. The list goes on. I also felt this book hit on generational trauma before it was cool as there is some obvious handing down and dealing with trauma. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Murder, Body horror, Gore, Death, and Rape

_adk_'s review against another edition

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

3.5

Beautifully written but incredibly dark. I foresaw what was coming a long way away and dreaded every page turn leading up to it. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Stalking, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts

bloo_0's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Rape, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Blood and Death of parent

elleisntabell's review against another edition

3.75

Weird. Really weird. Well written. Not really what I was expecting. Truly just exceptionally strange, which I guess can be assumed from the title.

The synopsis does not do this book justice. A good chunk of the book, between a third of it and half of it, takes place before Ava is even born. It's not really a book about HER. It's more a book about love and intergenerational trauma but told very strangely. Also, it's quite mature in terms of topics, so definitely check out content warnings before reading if that's something you might need. It can be very creepy and unsettling.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, and Suicide

cakeroo's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad slow-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape and Violence

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide

Minor: Physical abuse and Incest

lauramcc7's review against another edition

dark hopeful reflective sad 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? Yes

2.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Religious bigotry, Child death, Rape, Animal death, Blood, Violence, Sexual violence, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts