Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Särmikäs Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

220 reviews

abbier0ad's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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‘It’s hard,’ I said, ‘I’m forty-four and I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up.’ 
Same Sally gal, same.

I don’t even know where to start with this one.

At first, this wasn’t a page turner but then WOAH everything changed for me. Even though some of it was kinda expected - S for example, I was still absolutely hooked. 

Very very dark book, even though I won’t lie I wasn’t a massive fan of Sally, my heart still hurt so so much for her. 

I’m not even going to touch upon Peter. Absolutely disgusted me 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Kidnapping

cafemielgirl's review against another edition

4.5

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Pandemic/Epidemic

sydneyjayne's review against another edition

3.0

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Kidnapping, Death of parent

Minor: Racism, Lesbophobia, Pandemic/Epidemic

saoirsekav7's review against another edition

3.0

dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Too disturbing for me 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Kidnapping

ldnx's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Are you freaking kidding me?? 

I know realistic endings are needed but omg…endings like these make me want to scream! 
The build up just for the itch not to get scratched. Don’t get me wrong, this book is sooo disturbing but it kept my hooked and is such a page turner and I like the dual pov (although the info provided more than once wasn’t needed). I’d say I enjoyed it to an extent, but I genuinely hated the turn out and people are so sick. Neither CG and PG got what they deserved and I’m always going to be mad about that, like fuck off

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Pandemic/Epidemic

cnannery19's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infertility, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic

siobhangrace14's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Pregnancy

Moderate: Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence

redheadbookgirl's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense 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

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Oh how I wish I’d picked this up sooner.. 🙌🏽 Disturbing, harrowing + captivating, but also witty and humorous, this was an absolutely unputdownable book that I devoured in two sittings. This was my first read by Nugent but it definitely won’t be my last!!

With intriguing, complex characters, a quirky and unique plot + some truly shocking twists, this was an incredibly well crafted, engaging and fast paced read. There were so many chilling components to this book but even the very dark aspects of the plot were explored in a sensitive manner. 

Sally’s character was expertly curated: she was quirky + eccentric, exasperating + frustrating but also quirky + loveable with a dark sense of humour and as the story progresses we slowly begin to be able to piece together why she is the way she is. Her journey of self discovery + growth was compelling and heartwarming. 

If you liked the characterisation in Eleanor Oliphant and/or The Maid you’ll love Sally! I’ve seen this story described as a combination between the two mixed with ROOM + I’d have to agree, although it’s even darker and left me completely speechless. 

This will not be everyone’s cup of tea but I wholeheartedly recommend it + I also highly recommend going in blind!! (though maybe do check cw’s) 🙌🏽

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Gaslighting

lightseeker's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Pregnancy

carageous's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Thoroughly enjoyed. The characters are diverse and well written and beautifully developed. I really enjoyed the twists and turns of the book and was desperate to get to the end and know it all. Unfortunately the last couple of chapters knocked a fifth star off for me, it felt rushed and betrayed the fantastic character development we'd seen throughout the book, finished feeling a bit deflated after the journey I'd been on with the protagonist. Still a good read and would recommend. Content warning for child abuse, violence, sexual violence, gaslighting.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Violence, Kidnapping, Car accident

Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide