Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Death of Bees by Lisa O'Donnell

6 reviews

delinxw's review against another edition

4.5

I really liked this book. It’s unusual and haven’t read a story like this before. It’s not for the faint of heart since it’s very descriptive about some horrible things. The story had a few good plot points I didn’t expect, even the ending was something I hadn’t expected. I liked reading from all 3 perspectives, even if I didn’t understand the slang sometimes. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Fatphobia, Religious bigotry, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Biphobia, Body horror, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Vomit, Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Alcohol, Body shaming, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Violence, Addiction, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Child abuse, Classism, Drug use, Medical trauma, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Grief, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Sexual content, Gore, Gun violence, and Incest

cassdcamp's review

dark emotional reflective fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Abandonment, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent

unavezmas's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

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

4.0

"Children deserve to be loved and of you can't love them you can't have them".

Disclaimer: the dog is fine.

"Even though I have straight As, the smell of tobacco on my breath and an obvious lack of innocence gives themselves permission to shake their heads in dismay, as if disappointed and failure is a destiny I can't avoid".

©Marnie

The book starts with Nelly (12, probably neirodivergent) and Marnie (15) burring their parents in the backyard because they don't want Social Services to come. And as person who has way more experience with them then she'd liked I could certainly understand that. Nobody cared when their parents spend all their money on drugs and alcohol. Nobody cares that their granddad is abusive and sometimes violent because he's their relative. Meanwhile Lennie who cares for them and helps them in any way he can is not good enough. Don't get me started on the topic.

And neughbor next door Lennie who just lost the man he loved helps them. A lot. It's so heartbreaking to watch how the girls aren't used to being cared for. They don't know how to react.

There's also Kimbo and the only ones surprised by her coming out as lesbian are her parents. And she's diagnosed with bipolar disorder and everyone prefers her medicated lol. There's an entire side story involving her and Susie.

I really wanted for kick that bastard their granddad. Like I mean he never cared about his daughter (girls' mom) while she was alive  but NOW he wants to make amends and he want to "help" the girls and won't hear no for an answer. Also he's abusive and homophobic (anyone surprised by that?)

If you wanna read it please check TWs beforehand. It's a book about poor people doing what they can to survive.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Alcoholism, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Xenophobia and Homophobia

lrosereed's review

challenging emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

 I couldn't put this book down! it was gritty, down-to-Earth, and full of surprising moments of humor and beauty. I loved each narrative character for their entirely different voices and perspectives. This is a book for people who appreciate an honest, up-close look at the lives of two teenagers raised in poverty and neglect, who are determined to take care of themselves and make their own futures.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Cursing, Abandonment, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Death

Moderate: Sexual content, Drug use, Alcohol, and Adult/minor relationship

Minor: Sexual assault and Gore

sshabein's review

dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This was an ARC I received almost a decade ago, and to my regret, I hadn't read it until now. What a great book. Grim in some respects, but also very funny in others. Everyone is a fully realized character and full of their own loneliness that manifests in different ways, but there's also some nice oases of camaraderie too.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Gore, Suicide, Murder, and Sexual assault

waybeyondblue's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional funny fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Terminal illness, Murder, Suicide, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Addiction and Adult/minor relationship