Reviews tagging 'Sexual assault'

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

1744 reviews

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

padancer's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

Very interesting take on the topic of being a victim, surviving SA, growing up with/without guilt and other consequences. The book was rough at times because of the detailed descriptions of intimate situations between adult and minor. Definitely worth reading (or listening, the narrator did amazing job).

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Pedophilia

Moderate: Sexual harassment and Suicide

johannamari12's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

This is one of the most well written books that i read this year. Truly memorable. I felt emerged in the story and I sympathized with the main character so much. It's easy as an outside person in a situation like that to judge the main character, but while reading I felt like I was being groomed alongside her, that if I was put in the same situation I would've fallen victim as well. I feel so much sympathy for Vanessa. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault

goodyeargoodbooks'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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Mental illness, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Rape, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Sexual harassment, Pedophilia, and Drug use

katziareadsss's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This book was super difficult for me to get through but it’s was such an important read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Pedophilia, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault

mmtrue's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Pedophilia, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Suicide, Vomit, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic friendship, and Cursing

mayhemreading's review against another edition

4.0

This book made me feel so icky

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Rape, Child abuse, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

jonathanjacobo's review against another edition

challenging dark inspiring reflective sad slow-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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, and Sexual violence

lemonsyellow's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

This book. THIS. BOOK. I imagine that each person who reads it will have a different perspective. Kate Elizabeth Russell takes extremely difficult subject matter and does a really job taking the reader through what goes through a young victim’s mind. Vanessa doesn’t see her illicit affair with her high school teacher as abuse. But all of the signs are there. The manipulation is there. The gaslighting is there. Her own disgust is there but she simply ignores it and why? Because she never got to see what love is supposed to be like. So this is love for her. 

This book is a slippery slope for Vanessa and the entire time I wanted to help her up, protect her, yell at her for not seeing how horrible it was. It’s tragic at every turn but I could not stop reading. 

Take care of yourself first before reading this book. If you are triggered by sexual assault, grooming, or anything having to do with this subject matter have some support to help you through if you choose to read on. 

The narrator (Grace Gummer) was the heart and soul of this story for me. She brought this character to life for me in such vivid ways. I would listen to anything else she narrates. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Rape, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Emotional abuse and Gaslighting

Minor: Suicide, Bullying, and Drug use

lib_adams's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

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