Reviews tagging 'Suicidal thoughts'

Evil Eye by Etaf Rum

105 reviews

unboxedjack's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

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

2.5

I really thought I'd enjoy this book more than I did. The premise of a first-generation Palestinian-American woman exploring oppression, intergenerational trauma, and all that comes with that is very much up my alley. Unfortunately, this fell short. Obviously the reader is primed to be sympathetic to the protagonist, Yara, but the character development was incomplete. That was especially clear in how secondary characters were written. They had no depth, with Yara's being pretty minimal at times. Though I did like how Rum painted well-meaning white people as being just as racist with their microaggressive comments, the dialogue and presentation of this (as well as dialogue as a whole) was repetitive, superficial, and unrealistic. There were plenty of opportunities to dive into these themes more deeply rather than creating a fairly obvious and unsatisfying story.  Ultimately, this read like a YA novel rather than something designed for older readers. 2.5 stars.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, and War

gkaltam's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting

msvernier's review against another edition

challenging 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? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Gaslighting

readwithsaray's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts

decie's review against another edition

challenging reflective

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Racism, Grief, Death of parent, and Colonisation

lettuce_read's review against another edition

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness

Moderate: Racism and Suicidal thoughts

kirstym25's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness

Moderate: Racism and Suicidal thoughts

anilourengo's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

We follow Yara who deals with the pressure of the expectations of Palestinian-American women, the meaning of a fulfilling life, and the ways our unresolved pasts affect our presents.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, and Cultural appropriation

crakandra'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? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Racism

theblushbookworm's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

“Evil Eye” follows a Palestinian-American woman as she tries to balance healing her mental health and unhappiness with her family and culture. I felt sucked right in to Yara’s life; she really comes alive off the page. The novel was a little slow to start, but when it picked up, it became totally engrossing. The portrayal of Yara’s depression and complex trauma is so realistic and is such powerful representation. This is a timely read that I wholeheartedly recommend. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Suicidal thoughts