Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Whalefall by Daniel Kraus

4 reviews

ryanwhitley's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

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

5.0

While WHALEFALL might not be for everybody, it was certainly for me. It had everything I love about underwater stories: creepy, claustrophobic spaces; and the terror of the unknown depths. I also really love survival stories, and this book scratched that itch big time. The first act of the book was my favorite, as it leaned into my loves and fears about the ocean. The second act was a bit slower for me as I felt it lacked the severity of tension (if that’s even possible for this plot) of the first act. The third act was incredible. Kudos to Daniel Kraus for the research he put into the story: it shows and I appreciate it. And, if this priest may say so, special kudos for his nods to and clear appreciation for the book of Jonah. Some holy books end in questions, indeed. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide

Minor: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Abandonment

sgatz's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This is an achingly beautiful book. Cannot wait to reread. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Animal death

Moderate: Suicide, Abandonment, and Medical content

Minor: Alcoholism

atalea's review against another edition

dark reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Confinement

Moderate: Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Animal cruelty, Blood, Alcoholism, Cancer, Suicide, Abandonment, Death, and Bullying

Minor: Homophobia, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny

aparker89's review

challenging emotional informative reflective tense fast-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? Yes

3.75

What a trip! This book was nearly impossible to put down- I just had to know if Jay was going to escape his prison inside the whale! This story takes us deep into the psyche of death, grief and longing. 
While it seems a little ridiculously with the whole Jonah being swallowed by a whale, this author works hard to ensure scientific accuracy without bogging us down with too much information! 
I really enjoyed this story. It is captivating, riveting and pulls at your heart strings!

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Blood, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Animal death, Confinement, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Pandemic/Epidemic, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Suicide