Reviews with content warning for Violence - On the Savage Side

Reviews tagging 'Violence'

On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel

33 reviews

onmalsshelf's review

Thanks to the publisher for this review copy. Obviously this one is working for a lot of people, but it is not for me at this time. I may consider picking it up at a different time.

DNF @ 60%

When I say I tried, I TRIED.

I’ve been reading this since June 10th (today is September 10th) and I only got to 60%.

I don’t mind dark books, but this is DARK and bleak - making for a combination that had me putting down my kindle after each chapter. I tried this on Kindle via eGalley as well as audio from Libby.

While I know that it’s important for authors to inform readers of things that often get forgotten by using fiction, I get concerned when they started using overly descriptive language that seems like it would fit more in a romance novel.

I wish that she had used the River aspect more because once that was gone, there was no flow.

I finally set it down once animal neglect was added in because of course the author just has to pile on more dark things.

I will say, the narrator for this is fantastic. Without the audio, I’m not sure I would have gotten to 60%.

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so_tru's review against another edition

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challenging dark sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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slascano's review

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad 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

5.0

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kaitcetera's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

This was the most depressing book I’ve ever read and while I powered through, it was not worth it. I have enjoyed McDaniel’s writing in the past, but this book full of addiction, rape, violence, was too heavy. There is friendship and love but almost no hope.

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kayahcherie's review against another edition

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This was so messed up it made me feel sick

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cclardo's review

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

5.0

This is a beautiful, devastating story of addiction, grief, and humanity. Tiffany McDaniel is masterful with her lyrical prose and delicate unspooling of the plot.
This book is not for everyone. Check content warnings and know that portions of this book are like a gut punch.
I also want to note that I have seen this marketed in the mystery/thriller category and that is a misrepresentation of the book. If you are looking for a heartbreaking exploration of self and survival, read this book. If you are looking for a mystery/thriller about a serial killer and a potential victim, this will not scratch that itch.

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motleybooksandtea's review

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

This book. Oof.

Stunning writing. SO LYRICAL. Passages and sentences is love to highlight and keep with me. But the content is brutal. REAL, and brutal. There were many times I thought I’d stop reading because it was so much to handle. But I’m glad I finished.

The topics are so hard but also so important. And she writes about them with honesty.

This is the most trigger warnings I’ve ever attached to a book, so please look them up. For someone without many triggers this was still a highly difficult read.

I don’t think it would be fair to give this a star rating as it was BEAUTIFULLY written, and any issues I would have are my own. This novel is loosely based on true events as well.

Content Warnings