Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

1256 reviews

robinhobblove's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Child abuse

Moderate: Sexual violence, Rape, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, and Sexual content

Minor: Death and Death of parent

sofieishere's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Suicide, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, and Rape

Moderate: Drug use, Alcohol, Vomit, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Sexism and Stalking

meliacartin's review against another edition

extremely intense and graphic depictions of sexual assault and abuse

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, and Toxic relationship

mafer1's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Animal death, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Rape, and Suicidal thoughts

emilylstevens's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Rape, and Sexual assault

rachelwhite11's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense fast-paced

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, and Pedophilia

maddiet425's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Child abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Toxic relationship, Rape, Mental illness, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Suicide

monicaja229's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Pedophilia

katerinatroyanovich's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

My Dark Vanessa absolutely destroyed me. Russell does a fantastic job of writing a teenage girl with all of the typical naivety, obsession, and hope that accompanies that age. It was so relatable that I felt like I was Vanessa. That could be me. Russell skillfully tells this story of manipulation and abuse from the perspective of a young girl who wants it to be love. How can you know the difference if it’s nuanced, there are good moments among the bad, and you want so desperately to be seen; to be understood and touched, special and cherished. From this perspective it’s easy to see how a young girl could find herself teetering on the knife’s edge of right and wrong, self-blame and victimhood, love and disgust, morality and depravity. I wish I read this with a book club because I am currently reeling. There’s so much pain and tumult and truth to dissect here. I absolutely recommend this book but check trigger warnings first. This one is going to punch you in the gut and the feeling will linger. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, and Child abuse

katekreadsalot's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

This was a difficult read, but the subject matter is so important.  Heartbreaking, infuriating, and exceptionally well written. Check your triggers first, grooming and child SA throughout, as well as gaslighting.  You should still read it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Gaslighting, and Child abuse