Reviews tagging 'Pedophilia'

The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell

79 reviews

aditi_801's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

This book was pretty great. Before I started reading I was completely unsure of where this book would go. And then there's the fact that I'm not too familiar with cults. I've only ever watched true crime videos on literally only 2 or so cults. I found it fascinating, as well as heartbreaking of course. However, the new territory didn't stop me from loving how this book turned out. Every character had so much depth and while I didn't completely love any of them (except Marco and Stella ofc), this book was so enjoyable. It wasn't enjoyable in the way that I usually find books enjoyable but in how much it made me think and analyze every character. Henry was an unreliable narrator and it only made the book more interesting. There's not much else to say about this book but I thoroughly enjoyed it. There were a few areas that fell flat for me. Most commonly the sort of plot holes or unmentioned things. I just found out there is another book in this series releasing literally tomorrow, so I look forward to reading it.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Murder, Physical abuse, and Rape

Moderate: Pedophilia

cass_lit's review against another edition

1.5

This was fucked up, plain and simple. I just don’t understand why someone feels the need to write a book, a “thriller,” that relies on

a terrible, fanatical religious man raping and impregnating a 14 year old girl

for the plot. 

At one point someone says “according to Lucy (14 at the time!!!), it was consensual.”  IT CANNOT BE CONSENSUAL IF SHE IS 14 - do not even try to make that statement.

. I don’t know why I’m expected to enjoy that.

I also feel more than a little uncomfortable about the villain and their motives. The fact that it’s probably central to the sequel? 🥴

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Homophobia

Minor: Murder

mmikadze's review against another edition

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Stalking, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder, Physical abuse, Rape, Religious bigotry, and Sexual violence

spookybat's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

A really fascinating book filled with plot twists. Towards the end of the book, I found myself completely immersed and unable to put the book down! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Pedophilia, Miscarriage, Animal death, Suicide, Child abuse, Abandonment, Confinement, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Abandonment and Pregnancy

lifeonasofa's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

“I know it sounds like it was all just a terrible disaster. Of course it does. Any situation involving four dead bodies is clearly far from ideal” - Lisa Jewell

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 4 Stars 

Definitely NOT what I expected going into this book. It was a lot more intricate and bizarre, I was left guessing throughout. I really enjoyed how the last few sections pulled everything together so perfectly. 📖 

It’s been a while since I picked up a thriller, but the SPEED at which it was this has reminded me why I adore them. The chapters are SO short, I couldn’t stop! Lisa Jewell did a brilliant job with the writing, so easy to read. 💨 

I will say, I started this as an audiobook, and I did get lost a little. The book jumps to different character and time period each chapter. Whilst driving, I couldn’t keep track quite as well as I’d hoped so I switched to the book, and read it all in 2 sittings 👀 

I ended up LOVING the way the story was told. Such mystery and cliff hangers throughout. It’s a pretty dark read, the ending was perfect and I’m so excited that a sequel is being released in July! For me, this book was worth the hype.  😁 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Death, Murder, Pedophilia, and Rape

Minor: Abortion, Animal death, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Grief, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Physical abuse

nataleaf's review against another edition

mysterious tense fast-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage and Child abuse

Moderate: Pedophilia

zzaakkiiyyaa's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

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

amayya's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• 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, Pedophilia, Violence, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment

meligarcia's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

I really didn’t expected this book to be what it is. Super creepy. 
Be prepared to be confused. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death of parent, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Violence

sm_moon's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Death, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Abandonment, Pedophilia, Murder, and Miscarriage

Minor: Homophobia