Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Diavola by Jennifer Marie Thorne

79 reviews

jenmtnbike's review against another edition

5.0

dark funny mysterious 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: Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Self harm, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Murder

littlefears's review against another edition

5.0

dark funny tense fast-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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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Alcohol

Minor: Suicide, Vomit, Abortion, Gaslighting

louiepotterbook's review against another edition

4.25

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail

godfrina's review against another edition

4.75

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Who knew you can depict a hot summer's vacation day in Italy so convincingly, insects buzzing, hair sticking to your neck, sweat dripping down your bra, while feeling the cold rush of a violent presence in your vacation home, all while describing the most toxic family dynamic most people will be able to pick out reference points from?
Jennifer Thorne, that's who.

Incredibly realistic feeling haunted house story - the intense descriptions of family together on vacation, in the heat of an Italian summer made the haunting almost too palpable. I'd say, this is the second book next to an easy summer romcom you should take with you on vacation this summer!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Gaslighting

clairebonney's review against another edition

4.25

dark tense medium-paced

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Gaslighting

Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, Blood, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Animal death, Infertility, Abortion

nrogers_1030's review against another edition

4.25

dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Child death, Infertility, Abortion, Pregnancy, Sexual harassment

karalynaa's review against another edition

3.0

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Abortion, Gaslighting

Minor: Infertility

mamabeardteacher's review against another edition

4.5

dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Car accident, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Biphobia, Cursing, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Misogyny, Death of parent, Sexual harassment

mmccombs's review against another edition

5.0

dark funny tense fast-paced

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When I picked up this book, I (for some reason) anticipated more of a gothic horror vibe, but this was truly straight HORROR at its best. Lots of bits that made me go “agh no!” out loud, a very atmospheric (and wonderfully Italian) setting, and a really interesting family dynamic all worked together to create a rich, creepy tapestry. I loved that Anna and her black sheep relationship to her family directly impacted and influenced the ghost story.

I loved that she got a bit snarky with the ghost, it became a relationship in its own right and made for some funny moments (which were definitely welcome when I was freaking out thinking about a ghost licking her foot). I also appreciated that she never reconciles with her terrible family and let the “rot” do its thing, truly awful people lol

All in all, I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this read, would definitely recommend for a scary summer read (maybe even on a family vacation just to keep it interesting!)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Murder

Moderate: Suicide, Toxic relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis

alite428's review against another edition

5.0

dark funny mysterious 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Blood

Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gore, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder

Minor: Abortion