Reviews tagging 'Pregnancy'

Shark Heart: A love story by Emily Habeck

51 reviews

silversparkles50's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Medical trauma, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Blood

Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy

rover_under's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful fast-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

4.5

This book is a much faster read than the page count suggests, owing to its unique style. Some scenes are written as screenplays or diary entries that extend to only one or two sentences per page. I enjoyed the book. It was heartfelt and its allegory toward illness and death felt impactful and was used well. 

I don't know if I have the life experience to evaluate the book in this way, but despite the absurd premise of the book, the subject matter was handled well.

One thing I was confused by is the author's choice to hide Wren and her mother's mutation until late in the book. I initially excused it as being part of the past self that Wren had chosen to leave behind, but Lewis seemed to know all of it, though I can't recall it referenced in the first part of the book when he's going though his metamorphosis. It felt awkward and strange to have not been told since I'd initially thought it was Wren hiding it from the other characters.

Otherwise I think it's a fantastic book with a very engaging style, and I would fully recommend it for anyone who felt comfortable with the subject matter discussed.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Animal death, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Abortion, Miscarriage, Misogyny, and Incest

laura_berger's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness and Grief

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Alcoholism, Pregnancy, and Drug use

eviemayhem's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense

• 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

I chose this as my Book of the Month, unsure if I would like it. As someone who has both lost a child and has a turbulent relationship with my mother, the premise spoke to me and I'm so glad I gave it a chance. The book is beautifully written; lyrical and flowing like a river. It is hard to believe this is the author's first book. There were so many points where I wanted to cry, and at times I didn't want to finish because my heart was breaking for Lewis and Wren. As someone who lives with a chronic disease, it is easy to see the story fold out from both sides: Someone living with a disease that is changing them at their core and that they can't stop, and the person giving up themselves to take care of a loved one. 

Bring a box of tissues.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Chronic illness, Medical content, Abandonment, Violence, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Confinement, and Death of parent

Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Pedophilia

I tried to get the content tags right, but some of these things are so nuanced, that medical trauma, medical content seemed the closest I could find.

luverbyrd's review against another edition

emotional inspiring lighthearted 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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Chronic illness, Death, Pregnancy, Abortion, Terminal illness, Physical abuse, and Suicidal thoughts

amanda_mh's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

This was by far the weirdest book I have ever read. While also being incredibly emotional and thought provoking. But strange very strange and I devoured this book 🦈 ♥️ 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness

booksbeyondthebinary's review against another edition

emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Grief, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Pregnancy and Medical content

Minor: Terminal illness, Body horror, Animal death, and Suicidal thoughts

liltastypuff's review against another edition

2.5

This was just not the book for me, but I do see how others could enjoy it. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Pregnancy

Minor: Abortion

astoriareader's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

SYNOPSIS:

• Wren & Lewis are in their first (and last) year of marriage.
• The world is the same as ours, except people can inherit genetic mutations where they change from human to animal. Shortly after getting married, Lewis receives a rare diagnosis. He will retain most of his consciousness, memories, and intellect, but his physical body will gradually turn into a great white shark.
• Wren’s mother, Angela, similarly experienced an animal mutation diagnosis, and her story is woven throughout as well.

MY THOUGHTS

• A beautifully written book. It is hard to describe, but it truly is art.
• The writing structure is written different than other books I’ve read, but in a really good way. I thought it was quite clever to include play/scene sections throughout the book.
• Frankly, I am shocked I ended up loving this book. I thought it wouldn’t be for me, but it ended up being one of the most unique, oddly beautiful books I’ve ever read.
• As far out as the book may sound, it is an emotional ride, and it explores being a caretaker, finding peace, transformation, family, love, loss, grief, & how relationships grow and change.
• I am shocked this is Habeck’s debut novel, as it is the best writing I’ve ever read. I was so moved by her writing.
• What an imaginative, unique plot.

TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Beautifully written. The book is truly a work of art. Although the plot may sound silly, trust me: you don’t want to miss this book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Grief and Medical content

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Animal death, Death, and Pregnancy

gondorgirl's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body horror, Death of parent, Grief, and Medical content

Minor: Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, and Pregnancy