Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Heart Principle – L'ipotenusa dell'amore by Helen Hoang

98 reviews

citymouse's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense

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

2.0

 

This is nothing I expected it to be. If you want a book about extreme mental roadblocks to standing up for yourself and emotional fatigue, this is the book for you. If you want a romance anything like Hoang's previous books, maybe look for something different or reread the first two in the trilogy because this book is the farthest thing from being romantic, even though there is technically a relationship starting within these pages. It fell flat for me and I needed to skip through entire sections because I was simply bogged down with annoyance and frustration for the situation and choices the main character made. The Heart Principle is an extremely dense book that has you wading through medical trauma, abusive relationships, and a majorly emotionally taxing undertaking.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Death

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Confinement, and Ableism

Minor: Racism

jackie_recommends's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

Ok so, first and foremost, this was well worth the wait. 

Secondly, Helen, thank you so much for this book. To me, it was amazing. It deals with some pretty heavy things, and it does it well, and it does it in a way that feels authentic. 

The Kiss Quotient was the first book I had ever read that featured a main character, let alone a heroine, with ASD, and I stayed up past midnight to finish that one. The Bride Test was more difficult for me to love, but upon rereading it I appreciated the culture and the storyline so much more. And now we have Heart Principle, a book that truly feels like it’s Helen’s baby; for those who don’t read author’s notes or acknowledgments, I encourage you to do so for this book, and for Helen’s other two books- they enrich the story and really put everything into perspective. 

This is not a romcom. Not in the slightest. 

But it does feel real.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Death, Death of parent, Medical trauma, and Terminal illness

ghulsona's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.5

I adored the first 2 books of this series when I read them last year, so I was really excited about picking this one up. Needless to say, Helen Hoang did not disappoint. The change from third-person narration from the previous installments to first-person in this book startled me a bit, but reading the author's note really made me appreciate the decision. The vulnerability in this book made me tear up so many times. This really was a wonderful exploration of mental health and caregiver burnout. My only gripe about this book is that I felt that the romance was a bit rushed, but the main relationship was still very sweet and satisfying to read about. And I understand that Anna's struggles were at the forefront of the book, so I didn't mind it that much.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship

library_of_alexandra_'s review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

Helen Hoang just keeps topping herself! This book is fantastic. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit

mspecht's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content and Sexual content

Moderate: Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Grief, Medical content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Suicidal thoughts

mrsdarcylynn's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad fast-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? Yes

5.0

I love Helen Hoang’s romances!!! Anna and Quan are such interesting characters. This whole series is so heartfelt and loving. Your heart breaks for her characters, but there’s always a glimmer of hope in their darkest moments. Love love love this series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Infertility, Medical content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

annalisaely's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative 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

Own Voices Autistic Review:
I adored the representation and also as with the previous two books the relationships between the characters are so immersive and enjoyable.
I have dealt with autistic burnout myself, am still recovering after 4 years. I also deal with rejection sensitive dysphoria as the main character does, and seeing her go through these things and the affirming way the author handles it is so meaningful to me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, and Sexual content

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship

midnightrose_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts

kkulhannie's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Death of parent, Death, and Ableism

Moderate: Cursing, Cancer, Toxic relationship, and Self harm

abigailreads's review against another edition

emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death