Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Darling Girl by Liz Michalski

70 reviews

skylover's review

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

If you know all versions of Peter Pan, then maybe this story will make sense. The first 200 or so pages were intriguing enough with some references to the classic tale, but the last 100 pages or so felt rushed, confusing. Jack seemed like such a annoying son and Holly was not a good main character. The first half was also written so vaguely/mysteriously that after a while the fun of the mystery wore off and it was just confusion and frustration for not being more direct or specific. I didn't understand the references to the classic tale which made the book difficult to follow along and a sexual assault warning at the start of the book would've been appreciated.
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808jake_'s review

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

2.0

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kfrey's review

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

2.75

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laurxduh's review

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

There’s no neverland in this book, just reality with a little pixie dust and a dark shadow
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kaelizaco's review

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

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katieimre's review

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced

0.5

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audreyd93's review

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2.75

While I got into the book the second half, I can't give it a higher rating. The buildup was so slow and so drawn out and when it did happen, it was so lackluster. The main conflict we heard about because Holly was not involved. She was drugged (again!). This book is a great example of where the author told us what happened, instead of showing. Holly was told what happened to Peter when Jane went to rescue her son. Holly was told he disappeared. Holly was told about the lost boys. Holly was told about Jack and Ed. But we don't see any of it. All that buildup that was at times boring, lead to nothing. What was the point of her going back to New York? What happened with the scientist that was fired? Why did I get a weird feeling about Barry but nothing happened? What actually happened to Peter and Bell? And Eden for that matter? That was no good explanation for any of it. It was rushed. It took me so long to get into this book and when I finally did, I was let down.
Also, no one needs graphic scenes of Peter Pan raping the main character.
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saramoser's review

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

TW: SA, Rape, drugs, child death, child abuse, injecting children with drugs 

After reading a lot of reviews, I was so worried I would not like this book. But the book is exactly how it’s described-a dark and twisted Peter Pan, while I think the author could’ve done more to give back stories and further some character development, I still was stuck wanting to find out what’s next.  I was deep into the book by the first chapter, and was wanting to do nothing but read the book and find out what happens by the end.

I would suggest for someone who wants the dark and twisted (not just dark) side of Peter Pan. 
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nerdyforbooks_'s review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It’s complicated pretty much sums up my feelings about this book. I loved this adult take on the Peter Pan fantasy. Is he good? Is he bad? Is he just misunderstood? Honestly couldn’t tell you because the author never seems to really explain much. 

The pacing of the book is fine but nothing really pivotable happens until the last 50 pages. Then all the sudden “stuff happens” but you’re still left with a lot of questions about the MC, her kids, Neverland, etc. It feels like the author had a LOT of cool ideas but didn’t know how to continue them. 

Overall, I didn’t think it was horrible. It’s an entertaining read with some issues, but it’s not bad. 
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lbutcher's review

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adventurous mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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