Reviews tagging 'Pregnancy'

Särmikäs Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent

172 reviews

erinhunt's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark 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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While the story itself is awful, the writing was engaging and I was so drawn to how Sally was depicted. The ending was tough like most other reviewers mention, but given the nature of the story, it felt fitting as we weren’t left with clear closure. For that reason, I am glad for an epilogue, just wanted more of it. Overall, while I think I really enjoyed this read, the triggering parts of the book (check the warnings!) were tough. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Gaslighting

Moderate: Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Pregnancy

wellreadsyd's review against another edition

4.25

dark emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Strong character development: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This was such a brilliant, layered exploration of trauma and how it manifests in different ways. Some survivors struggle with social interactions, some fight to break the cycle, and others, well… let’s just say they don’t. Sally was such a fascinating character—her blunt, literal nature made me love her, but as her past unraveled, I was livid at the horrors she endured. The author did an incredible job showing the effects of abuse, and I couldn’t put this one down.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Pedophilia

Moderate: Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy

Minor: Rape, Sexual violence

marci2lip's review against another edition

4.75

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Pregnancy

wrestleacademic's review against another edition

3.5

dark tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Torture, Medical content, Pregnancy, Alcohol

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Car accident, Suicide attempt

bl_6210's review against another edition

3.0

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Pregnancy

umak2ali's review against another edition

2.75

dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

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: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment

shadfield34's review against another edition

3.75

dark sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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I have a habit of reading miserable books, so this was a good read for me. So much complex trauma. It's obvious to feel sad for Sally but my feelings towards later introduced characters were very mixed between empathy and disgust.

This book is full of triggers and definitely worth reviewing before reading.

The ending was unsatisfying and a bit abrupt which knocked it down from 4 stars.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape

Moderate: Physical abuse, Death of parent, Pregnancy

Minor: Racism, Car accident

nicadolz's review against another edition

4.25

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Tons of content warnings on this one - def don’t go into it blind. Listened on audiobook and it was captivating though the last bit of the book seemed a bit jumbled and ending felt half baked.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Kidnapping

Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Self harm, Suicide, Pregnancy

Minor: Racism, Xenophobia

esclark3's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Torture

Moderate: Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment

Minor: Drug use, Homophobia, Infertility, Self harm, Vomit, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol

zetiacg's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective 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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This was such a quirky, intriguing read. Sally is definitely a unique FMC. There are times I laughed and I wasn’t sure if I should. While I found the main story line of Sally and her personality fascinating, the parallel plot is just as compelling and maybe an even more interesting character study. Great page turner for sure with disturbing topics and implications. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol

Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Car accident