Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain

17 reviews

frannieman's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Pregnancy, Self harm, Death of parent, and Suicidal thoughts

entangled_bookshelf's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

This murder, kidnapping mystery woven with a real life crime, is a very gripping tense read. I had higher hopes for this book and wasn't expecting this storyline exactly. To note their are horror descriptions about kidnapping and rape in this book. I don't think this'll be a re read for me because of this and I was tempted to put it down in the middle of the book. I did continue though as I had to know who was behind it all. The storyline tied well together, I can't recall any plot holes, and that fast paced sudden ending will stay with me.

Well worth also reading the authors note in the end of the book aswell, if you're planning to pick it up. 🙋‍♀️

"For the longest time I stand on Lansing Street, thinking about beauty and
terror. Evil. Grace. Suffering. Joy. How they’re all here every day,
everywhere. Teaching us how to keep stepping forward into our lives, our
purpose." (335)

"Someone she mistook for a life jacket
when she felt she was drowning inside". (167)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Kidnapping, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Rape, and Murder

ohbiscuits18's review against another edition

mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Physical abuse, Child death, and Suicide

caitrunswild's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Addiction, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Kidnapping, Rape, and Sexual assault

swolf1840's review

challenging dark emotional 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Rape, Murder, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Violence, Drug abuse, Suicide, Pedophilia, and Self harm

emilysripereviews's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.25

This is such an interesting thriller. I think it’s strength is the way it teaches us about kidnapping, child abuse, neglect, rape and etc without taking away from the story or being remotely boring ( as if the topics could ever be but you get my meaning.)The writing is exceptional and it makes the book fly by. You care for these characters even if you don’t really love them. The reveal is lacklustre in execution but the plot behind it is phenomenal. Highly recommend to anyone!

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Content Warnings

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

kelly_e'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? Yes

4.25

Title: When the Stars Go Dark
Author: Paula McLain
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: April 13, 2021

T H R E E • W O R D S

Atmospheric • Haunting • Messy

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Anna, a veteran missing persona detective in San Francisco, knows the dark side of human nature all too well. In the wake of a personal tragedy, she returns to Mendocino, the place she grew up, with hopes of healing. Upon her arrival, she quickly becomes entrenched in a local case involving the mysterious disappearance of a teenager girl. She soon become obsessed with with saving the missing girl, yet will have to face some of most difficult lessons her life has taught her.

💭 T H O U G H T S

Sometimes I go into a book completely blind, picking it based solely on the cover. Such was the case with When the Stars Go Dark as the stunning cover instantly attracted my attention, and upon finishing, I believe it captures the tone and atmosphere of this novel perfectly.

This novel has serious true crime vibes. Paula McLain takes an unique approach weaving facts into the narrative and this structure allowed for only small portions of the plot to be revealed at a time.
The writing was immersive, making me feel as though I was inside Anna's mind as she did worked the case. The characters were flawed and real, which helped me to connect even more with the story. As a psychology graduate, I appreciated the psychological facets and really getting into the minds of criminals. It is something I find interesting as well as fascinating to try and understand.

A departure from her typical genre, When the Stars Go Dark held a personal connection for the author, which she details in the author's note at the end. Exploring trauma theory, she has delivered a nail-biting and complex account of reclaiming our lives when the worst has happened. I'd definitely love to see this cast of characters in a sequel.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of true crime
• readers who like the missing person trope
• anyone who enjoys Criminal Minds

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Getting your heart broken is the privilege of being human."

"The people we love never leave us, Anna. You know that already. That’s what I mean by spirit. I mean love." 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Death, Child death, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, Grief, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual violence

Minor: Drug use, Drug abuse, Addiction, Death of parent, and Alcoholism

missing persons, adoption, overdose

webblybooks's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I personally loved this Thriller. It’s filled with the reality that is to be human and overcoming trauma. There are moments in this book where I couldn’t help but relate and really made me feel seen. The ending a bit predictable but none the less worth it. Will be looking into other books the author has written. Highly recommend. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, Alcoholism, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Grief, Kidnapping, and Physical abuse

fivecatsinacoat's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Violence, Torture, Drug abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual violence, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Animal cruelty

allie_cat3's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

A good mystery, if a very sad one. I thought the use of psychic was silly, though. The author seems New Age-y. 
I liked the descriptions of Mendocino but I wish she had gone into more detail. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Kidnapping, Murder, Child death, Car accident, Violence, Animal cruelty, and Death of parent

Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, and Terminal illness

Minor: Alcoholism