Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Surface Breaks by Louise O'Neill

6 reviews

lateromantic's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.5

I didn't enjoy it as much as Louise O'Neill's other books I've read, but she did a wonderful job of extending The Little Mermaid and showing the queer and proto-feminist aspects of the story. Some bad language and sex references, though I would say the sex references are OK for young high school students as it teaches them about relating to healthy desires in a safe way and consent. More on-the-nose than her other books, but likely because it's aimed at a younger audience than them.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Misogyny, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Gore, Homophobia, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Eating disorder

kirstenf's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Sexual violence, and Sexism

Moderate: Alcohol, War, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fatphobia, Ableism, and Suicide

Minor: Rape, Drug use, and Pedophilia

lsylvie's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Self harm, Suicide, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Homophobia

lilacsophie's review against another edition

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, Toxic relationship, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Death of parent, and Child abuse

Moderate: Bullying, Murder, Infidelity, and Body shaming

Minor: Homophobia and Genocide

danajoy's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Death, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Gore, and Violence

autumnal_daydreams's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Would have rather read the sea witches life story as she's the only feminist character.
 
This is a book that hits you over the head with inequality without having to do any of the heavy lifting. It has no time for nuance or developing deep characters or fully realising feminist themes.

If you love exposition dumps, being told rather then shown and black & white plots then feel free to read. 

The author is inspired by the Bloody Chamber and I would urge you to pick up Angela Carter's work instead. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Rape

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body shaming, Death, Forced institutionalization, Gore, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Alcoholism and Homophobia